Medical Device

[Hork Bajir]

Question for the inventors of SDN:

I have an idea for a medical device. It’s relatively simple, and I think it would have significant commercial value... That being said, I have virtually no experience with fabrication, biomedical engineering, patent law, etc.

Anyone have any relevant experience or advice? To those who have applied for patents, any tips on the process? Worth it to get a patent lawyer, or is it something I can navigate myself and save a few grand?

I do work for an academic center, but my situation is a little bit unusual- suffice to say I haven’t signed anything that would give up IP rights, so although I could try to use university resources, doing so would be at the risk of writing them a blank check

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[Mikkel]

No matter how unique your idea, someone else thought of something similar and has patented it. It's a legal minefield, not worth it IMHO. You'd need something completely revolutionary to justify the huge money investment for the legal work as well as the enginerding and time you take off from work and family to work on it.

 

[sevoflurane]

Question for the inventors of SDN:

I have an idea for a medical device. It’s relatively simple, and I think it would have significant commercial value... That being said, I have virtually no experience with fabrication, biomedical engineering, patent law, etc.

Anyone have any relevant experience or advice? To those who have applied for patents, any tips on the process? Worth it to get a patent lawyer, or is it something I can navigate myself and save a few grand?

I do work for an academic center, but my situation is a little bit unusual- suffice to say I haven’t signed anything that would give up IP rights, so although I could try to use university resources, doing so would be at the risk of writing them a blank check

It’s not easy and takes a lot of personal time and effort. My father in law is a thoracic surgeon and has been in medical devices for a long time and across many countries. He just won 100k recently in a medical device competition. He has put in far more than that of his own funds. One of his devices is undergoing animal trials currently and another is being used in a few hospitals/clinical trials. It's been a long road to get there and he has had to find investors along the way. He is late in his career and hasn’t hit a home run yet.

 

[drmwvr]

First step is a patent search by a patent attorney. About 5-600 usd. If you decide to go on (most don't) you're in for 10-15K for the patent writing etc...What costs money is the functional prototype, manufacturing and promotion. You have to essentially marry your idea to the exclusion of everything else if you want to break even.