Adaptive Gastrointestinal Stimulators for Specialized Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The invention relates to novel implantable and non-invasive stimulators designed for gastrointestinal therapeutics in specialized environments, such as high-security settings, disaster relief, or extreme weather conditions.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed implantable and non-invasive stimulators for gastrointestinal therapeutics, but these designs may not be suitable for specific, narrow market needs or unique operational environments. This inventive concept addresses these limitations by adapting the stimulators for high-security needs, disaster relief, or extreme weather conditions.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises implantable and non-invasive stimulators tailored to specific environments. For instance, the high-security environment stimulator features a tamper-proof and resistant design, ensuring unauthorized access is prevented. In post-operative ileus patients, the stimulator records smooth muscle activities simultaneously. For obese patients, the non-invasive stimulator is portable and wearable. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the implant records pH value, pressure, and transit time, transmitting data to a remote monitoring station. In chemotherapy patients, the implant is designed to be compatible with treatment and reduces nausea and vomiting.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The inventive concept's novelty lies in its adaptation of the original stimulators to specific environments, incorporating unique features such as tamper-proof designs, simultaneous recording of smooth muscle activities, portability, wearability, and remote data transmission. These features are non-obvious and provide a significant improvement over the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include stimulators designed for other specialized environments, such as military operations, search and rescue missions, or space exploration. Variations may also include different materials, shapes, or sizes of the stimulators to accommodate diverse patient needs.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in niche markets catering to high-security needs, disaster relief, or extreme weather conditions. Target industries may include healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, and government agencies.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering, specifically gastrointestinal electrical stimulation technologies, focusing on non-invasive and implantable neurostimulation devices for therapeutic interventions
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in electrical stimulation, neural interface technologies, and gastrointestinal therapeutic interventions, possessing knowledge of electrical signal modulation, electrode design, and patient-specific medical device adaptation
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations of the source patent's core stimulation technology by applying known design adaptation techniques to specific medical contexts. The fundamental electrical stimulation methodology remains consistent, with modifications representing routine engineering adaptations to specialized patient populations and environmental constraints. These variations demonstrate standard problem-solving approaches within medical device engineering, utilizing known techniques to address specific clinical challenges.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,783 |
|---|---|
| Title | Implantable and non-invasive stimulators for gastrointestinal therapeutics |
| Assignee(s) | The Regents of the University of California |