Adaptable Probing Technology for Multidisciplinary Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the adjustable nerve probe assembly to explore new applications and use cases beyond the original scope, unlocking potential in industries such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, athletics, and infrastructure maintenance.
Background and Problem Solved
The original adjustable nerve probe assembly was designed for electrically stimulating tissue and/or recording stimulated tissue activity in surgical settings. However, its adaptability and versatility have been overlooked in other fields. This inventive concept addresses the limitation of the original patent by applying the core technology to novel industries and problems, thereby expanding its potential impact.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable probing technology is built upon the adjustable nerve probe assembly's shapeable part, rigid sheathing, and electrode configurations. By reconfiguring and reorienting these components, the technology can be adapted for underwater deployment to detect changes in aquatic life activity, integrated into athletic wear to monitor muscle activity, embedded in soil to track crop health, or incorporated into structural materials to assess infrastructure integrity. The new claims showcase the technology's flexibility in addressing diverse challenges across multiple disciplines.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The novelty of this inventive concept lies in its application of the adjustable nerve probe assembly to unprecedented fields, introducing a paradigm shift in the way electrical probing technology is utilized. The inventive step is the recognition of the core technology's adaptability and its subsequent reconfiguration to tackle complex problems in new domains.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include modifying the electrode materials, altering the shapeable part's geometry, or integrating additional sensors to enhance the technology's capabilities. Variations might involve using different types of probes, such as optical or acoustic probes, to expand the range of detectable signals.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
This inventive concept has far-reaching commercial potential, with applications in environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, wearable technology, and infrastructure maintenance. The target industries include companies focused on water quality monitoring, agricultural technology, athletic performance tracking, and infrastructure inspection, among others.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering and electrical sensing technologies, with expertise in probe design, electrode configurations, and signal detection across biological and environmental systems
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with advanced degree in biomedical engineering or electrical engineering, familiar with probe technologies, signal processing, and interdisciplinary sensor applications
Obviousness Rationale
The source patent's adjustable nerve probe assembly provides a fundamental technological framework that can be readily adapted to alternative sensing environments by modifying electrode configurations and deployment strategies. A PHOSITA would recognize the core technological principles of electrical signal detection and probe adaptability as universally applicable across multiple domains. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the original probe technology by leveraging its inherent shapeable and configurable design.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,780 |
|---|---|
| Title | Adjustable nerve probe assembly |
| Assignee(s) | ROCWorks, LLC |