Adaptive Intra-oral Radiation Protection Devices for Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept adapts the original intra-oral device for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment to specialized, niche environments, including high-security facilities, disaster relief situations, extreme weather conditions, remote off-grid locations, and areas with high air pollution levels.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent provided a solution for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment, but it had limitations in addressing specific, unique operational environments. This inventive concept addresses these limitations by developing specialized variations of the intra-oral device to cater to diverse, niche markets.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims introduce advanced security protocols, weather-resistant coatings, self-sustaining power sources, and air filtration systems to the original intra-oral device. These adaptations enable the device to operate effectively in high-security facilities, disaster relief situations, extreme weather conditions, remote off-grid locations, and areas with high air pollution levels. For instance, the system for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment in high-security facilities features a dental arch assembly, a protective element adapted to accommodate advanced security protocols, and a midline rod for adjusting the protective element to accommodate various security clearance levels.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features that are non-obvious compared to the original patent, such as the integration of advanced security protocols, weather-resistant coatings, and air filtration systems. These adaptations provide a significant inventive step, as they enable the intra-oral device to operate in environments that were previously unsuitable.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include using different materials or designs for the protective element, or integrating additional features such as sensors to monitor environmental conditions. Variations could also include adapting the device for use in other specialized environments, such as space exploration or underwater operations.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptive intra-oral radiation protection devices have significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, and environmental protection. The target markets include high-security facilities, disaster relief organizations, and medical providers operating in extreme weather conditions or remote locations.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical Device Design, Specifically Radiation Protection and Intra-oral Protective Devices for Medical Treatment
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in radiation protection, oral medical devices, and adaptable medical technologies, holding advanced degrees and 5-10 years of professional experience in designing protective medical equipment
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable adaptations of the source patent's core intra-oral radiation protection technology. The variations demonstrate standard engineering problem-solving techniques applied to expanding the device's operational environments. These modifications represent incremental improvements using known design strategies within medical device engineering.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,802 |
|---|---|
| Title | Intra-oral device for protecting oral tissues during radiation treatment |
| Assignee(s) | GrayDuck Stents, LLC |