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1.
PLoS One ; 19(7): e0307165, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39012865

ABSTRACT

This study is the first to examine the gender gap in academic patenting among faculty members in Chinese universities, a critical issue for the sustainable development of scientific research and innovation. Using a unique dataset that includes the patenting activities and professional status of 1,836 faculty members in life science-related departments at 36 top Chinese universities, this research reveals an evolving landscape of patenting dynamics. The trend of male faculty members leading in the annual number of patent applications and patents granted has shifted among newly graduated faculty members. Female faculty submit and receive their first patent applications significantly earlier than male faculty. However, male faculty are more likely to be lead inventors, and this gender gap remains difficult to close, with female faculty more likely to be supporting inventors. This research is contextualized within the broader framework of China's university tenure reform and the growing presence of women in the life sciences. While progress is evident, the study uncovers persistent systemic barriers that prevent women from fully translating their research into patentable innovations. By identifying these social and institutional barriers, our study not only sheds light on the gender gap, but also suggests policy measures to promote gender equity in scientific innovation, making it a critical read for policymakers and academic leaders.


Subject(s)
Biological Science Disciplines , Faculty , Patents as Topic , Universities , Humans , Female , China , Male , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Faculty/statistics & numerical data , Sex Factors
2.
PLoS One ; 19(6): e0301509, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38935773

ABSTRACT

This paper presents new evidence on knowledge flows in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region of China, involving 43 cities (districts) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, based on the invention patent transfer data from the State Intellectual Property Office of China. First, the characteristics of technology flows in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region are analyzed in terms of changes in the number of flows, types of flowing subjects and spatial distribution characteristics. Then, a multi-level patent technology flow network in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region was constructed, and the structural characteristics and node characteristics of each level network were explored separately. The key findings of the study are as follows. (1) The number of patented technology flows has been growing over time, showing obvious phase characteristics during the study period. As a whole, the intra-city (district) technology flow in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is higher than the inter-city (district). (2) The multi-level patent technology flow network in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region shows dynamic characteristics, with more and more mobile subjects participating in the patent technology flow network, some network nodes becoming closer to each other, and the trend of small group technology flow increasing significantly. (3) Enterprises are the core hub of the patent technology flow network in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Individual invention patent technology transfer also occupies a high proportion and the participation of universities and colleges in the patent technology flow network in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is gradually increasing. (4) Over time, the flow of patent technology in the 43 cities (districts) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has gradually become active and no longer relies excessively on a particular city (district) for patent technology transfer.


Subject(s)
Patents as Topic , Spatio-Temporal Analysis , China , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Beijing , Cities , Humans , Technology , Intellectual Property , Technology Transfer , Inventions
3.
Nature ; 623(7989): 987-991, 2023 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38030778

ABSTRACT

Theories of innovation emphasize the role of social networks and teams as facilitators of breakthrough discoveries1-4. Around the world, scientists and inventors are more plentiful and interconnected today than ever before4. However, although there are more people making discoveries, and more ideas that can be reconfigured in new ways, research suggests that new ideas are getting harder to find5,6-contradicting recombinant growth theory7,8. Here we shed light on this apparent puzzle. Analysing 20 million research articles and 4 million patent applications from across the globe over the past half-century, we begin by documenting the rise of remote collaboration across cities, underlining the growing interconnectedness of scientists and inventors globally. We further show that across all fields, periods and team sizes, researchers in these remote teams are consistently less likely to make breakthrough discoveries relative to their on-site counterparts. Creating a dataset that allows us to explore the division of labour in knowledge production within teams and across space, we find that among distributed team members, collaboration centres on late-stage, technical tasks involving more codified knowledge. Yet they are less likely to join forces in conceptual tasks-such as conceiving new ideas and designing research-when knowledge is tacit9. We conclude that despite striking improvements in digital technology in recent years, remote teams are less likely to integrate the knowledge of their members to produce new, disruptive ideas.


Subject(s)
Diffusion of Innovation , International Cooperation , Inventions , Inventors , Patents as Topic , Research Personnel , Research Report , Datasets as Topic , Group Processes , Knowledge , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Research Personnel/organization & administration , Research Personnel/psychology , Research Personnel/trends , Research Report/trends , Social Networking , Inventions/classification , Inventions/statistics & numerical data , Inventors/organization & administration , Inventors/psychology , Cooperative Behavior
4.
5.
Nature ; 613(7942): 138-144, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36600070

ABSTRACT

Theories of scientific and technological change view discovery and invention as endogenous processes1,2, wherein previous accumulated knowledge enables future progress by allowing researchers to, in Newton's words, 'stand on the shoulders of giants'3-7. Recent decades have witnessed exponential growth in the volume of new scientific and technological knowledge, thereby creating conditions that should be ripe for major advances8,9. Yet contrary to this view, studies suggest that progress is slowing in several major fields10,11. Here, we analyse these claims at scale across six decades, using data on 45 million papers and 3.9 million patents from six large-scale datasets, together with a new quantitative metric-the CD index12-that characterizes how papers and patents change networks of citations in science and technology. We find that papers and patents are increasingly less likely to break with the past in ways that push science and technology in new directions. This pattern holds universally across fields and is robust across multiple different citation- and text-based metrics1,13-17. Subsequently, we link this decline in disruptiveness to a narrowing in the use of previous knowledge, allowing us to reconcile the patterns we observe with the 'shoulders of giants' view. We find that the observed declines are unlikely to be driven by changes in the quality of published science, citation practices or field-specific factors. Overall, our results suggest that slowing rates of disruption may reflect a fundamental shift in the nature of science and technology.


Subject(s)
Inventions , Patents as Topic , Research Report , Technology , Humans , Inventions/statistics & numerical data , Inventions/trends , Research Personnel , Technology/statistics & numerical data , Technology/trends , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Research Report/trends , Datasets as Topic , Publishing/statistics & numerical data , Publishing/trends , Time Factors , Diffusion of Innovation
6.
PLoS One ; 16(12): e0261022, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34860857

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this scoping review was to determine the extent of off-patent prescription medicine use beyond registered indications in various Australian clinical settings. METHOD: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute approach and reported using PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Online databases were used to identify published literature about off-patent registered prescription medicines used for off-label indications in Australian public hospital, community and primary healthcare settings. In addition, empirical data from the Queensland and the South Australian state-wide medicine formularies were screened for the same medication/off-label indication dyads identified in the literature, and other locally approved uses. RESULTS: Overall, fourteen studies were included, conducted in public hospitals (n = 11), palliative care units (n = 2) and the community setting (n = 1). There were 213 reports extracted from the literature describing off-patent registered prescription medicines used for off-label indications, representing 128 unique medication/off-label indication dyads and 32 different medicines. Of these, just five medication/off-label indication dyads were approved for use on both the Queensland and South Australian state-wide medicine formularies, with 12 others only approved for use in Queensland and 16 others only approved for use in South Australia. Further examination of these state-wide formularies demonstrated that the use of off-patent registered prescription medicines beyond registered indications is more extensive than has been reported to date in the literature. There were 28 additional medication/off-label indication dyads approved on the Queensland state-wide medicine formulary and 14 such examples approved for use in South Australia. Of these, just two medication/off-label indication dyads were approved for use on both formularies. CONCLUSION: The extent to which off-patent registered prescription medicines have been repurposed in clinical settings for off-label indications in Australia is greater than previously reported in the literature. Usage and funded availability of certain medication/off-label indication dyads, varies across Australia. These results further expose the two tiered system of medicines regulation in Australia, and its impact on equity of access to medicines. Further research is required to support policy change to encourage submission of registration updates for off-patent prescription medicines.


Subject(s)
Off-Label Use/statistics & numerical data , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Prescription Drugs/therapeutic use , Australia , Humans
7.
PLoS One ; 16(11): e0259453, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34735508

ABSTRACT

This study investigated whether 12 scientists who had received the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation balanced publishing and patenting activities. The results demonstrated that although the scientist were recognized for their contributions to science and technology, the majority of recipients were not prolific researchers, and some were not influential. Notably, one scientist had not been granted a single patent. This indicated that scientific and technological contributions may not necessarily correspond with influential scientific publications and patents. Moreover, only two scientists had filed for patents before publishing, and they also invested more time developing technological inventions. Most recipients were science- or technology-oriented scientists. Few scientists balanced their publishing and patenting activities, and demonstrated excellent research and technology performance.


Subject(s)
Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Publishing/statistics & numerical data , Research Personnel/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Awards and Prizes , Creativity , Humans , Middle Aged , Technology
10.
Recent Pat Biotechnol ; 15(2): 148-163, 2021 Oct 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33797389

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Face COVID-19 pandemic, a need for accurate information on SARS-CoV-2 virus is urgent and scientific reports have been published on a daily basis to enable effective technologies to fight the disease progression. However, at the initial occurrence of Pandemic, no information on the matter was known and technologies to fight the Pandemic were not readily available. However, searches in patent databases, if strategically designed, can offer quick responses to new pandemics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is aiming to provide existing information in patent documents useful for the developmentof technologies addressing COVID-19. Considering the emergency situation the world was facing and the knowledge of COVID-19 available until April, 2020, this work presents an analysis of the main characteristics of the technological information in patent documents worldwide, related to coronaviruses and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: Regions of concentration of such technologies, the number of available documents and their technological fields are disclosed in three approaches: 1) a wide search, retrieving technologies on SARS or coronaviruses; 2) a targeted search, retrieving documents additionally referring to Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2), which is used by SARS- CoV-2 to enter a cell and 3) a punctual search, which retrieved patents disclosing aspects related to SARS- CoV-2 available at that time. RESULTS: Results show the high-level technology involved in these developments and a monopoly tendency of such technologies, also evidencing that it is possible to find answers to new problems in patent documents. CONCLUSION: This work, then, aims to contribute to scientific and technological development by raising the awareness of what should be considered when searching for technologies developed for other matters that could provide solutions for a new problem.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Disclosure/statistics & numerical data , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 , Betacoronavirus , Emergencies , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Technology
11.
Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov ; 16(3): 298-311, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33847258

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase play key roles in tumorigenesis and disease progression. Currently, targeted therapy is a better approach for cancer therapy compared with traditional chemotherapy. EGFR-based/ALK-based target therapies are key targets for drug development in cancer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to show a recent trend in research and development of EGFR-based/ALK-based targets and to better understand the Intellectual Property surrounding EGFR-based and ALK-based targets. METHODS: EGFR-based and ALK-based targets were analyzed by comprehensive US patent analysis. US patents of EGFR-based/ALK-based targets were analyzed from September 2001 to September 2020. RESULTS: The results indicated that the key technologies and methods of EGFR-based/ALK-based targets were developed by large global pharmaceutical companies or American companies/universities. Small molecular inhibitors showed a higher percentage in the number of patents of EGFRbased targets. In addition, the present study also showed recent small molecular targeted drugs approved by FDA. CONCLUSION: Global large pharmaceutical companies and American companies/universities have obvious advantages in the research and development of targeted drugs. EGFR-based target was still an attractive target for research and drug development in the past 10 years. Also, large global pharmaceutical companies prefer to complete key technology research and development by independent innovation instead of collaboration.


Subject(s)
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase , Antineoplastic Agents , Genes, erbB-1 , Molecular Targeted Therapy/trends , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Protein Kinase Inhibitors , Humans , United States
12.
J Urol ; 206(2): 427-433, 2021 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33780282

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We explored the patterns and distribution of National Institutes of Health grant funding for urological research in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Institutes of Health RePORTER database was queried for all grants awarded to urology departments between 2010 and 2019. Information regarding the value of the grant, funded institution, successful publication of the research, and the category of urological subspecialty were collected. Data on principal investigators were extracted from publicly available information. RESULTS: There were 509 grants awarded to Urology between 2010 and 2019 for a total value of $640,873,867, and a median per-project value of $675,484 (IQR 344,170-1,369,385). Over the study period, total funding decreased by 15.6% and was lower compared to other surgical subspecialties. Most grants were awarded by the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (85%) to Western or North Central institutions (52.5%), and had principal investigators specialized in urologic oncology (56.4%), followed by general urologists (21.5%). Female principal investigators led 21.6% of Urology grants and were more likely PhD basic scientists than males (64.4% vs 38.2%, p=0.001). In total, 10,404 publications linked to the 509 grants were produced, of which 28.5% were published in journals with an impact factor ≥10. CONCLUSIONS: Urology is underrepresented in National Institutes of Health grant funding compared to other surgical fields. During the past decade there was a further decrease in the total budget of National Institutes of Health grants to Urology.


Subject(s)
Financing, Government/trends , Hospital Departments , National Institutes of Health (U.S.) , Research Support as Topic/trends , Urology , Databases, Factual , Financing, Government/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Publishing/statistics & numerical data , Research Support as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Sex Distribution , United States
13.
Rev. cub. inf. cienc. salud ; 32(1): e1815, fig
Article in Spanish | LILACS, CUMED | ID: biblio-1280197

ABSTRACT

Las patentes no se publican con la misma celeridad que los artículos científicos porque tiene que transcurrir como mínimo 18 meses de examen de la invención entre su solicitud y el registro público de su concesión en forma de documento de patente. Por eso, el mayor número de patentes publicadas hasta ahora abarca los anteriores coronavirus que afectan a humanos, como son el Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo y el Síndrome Respiratorio de Oriente Medio, de los cuales sí existen patentes de técnicas de diagnóstico, tratamientos e incluso vacunas, así como un menor número de patentes relacionadas con la actual pandemia causada por la COVID-19 por el poco tiempo transcurrido y la alta virología de la enfermedad. La presente de investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar el comportamiento de las invenciones solicitadas y concedidas sobre COVID-19 que han sido registradas en la Oficina Internacional de Patentes de los Estados Unidos. El estudio, por su naturaleza, empleó un enfoque mixto de la investigación, donde se articularon de forma sistémica métodos de corte cualitativo y cuantitativo que permitieron la complementación de los diferentes análisis métricos. Los resultados mostraron que el mayor poderío tecnológico se agrupa en titulares de Estados Unidos, seguidos por Irán, Israel, Bulgaria, Canadá y Reino Unido, y que el número de investigaciones sobre COVID -19 se centra en: técnicas para su identificación y diagnóstico; sistemas informáticos; péptidos; radioterapia; reconocimiento de datos modelos computacionales; mutación e ingeniería genética; colorimetría; procesamiento de datos eléctricos digitales; entre otros temas, que conforman la vanguardia tecnológica innovadora que existe hoy en el mundo sobre la COVID -19(AU)


Patents are not published as quickly as scientific articles because at least 18 months of examination of the invention must elapse between its application and the public record of its grant in the form of a patent document. For this reason, the largest number of patents published so far cover the previous coronaviruses that affect humans, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, of which there are patents for diagnostic techniques, treatments and even vaccines. There are fewer patents related to the current pandemic caused by COVID-19 due to the short time that has elapsed and the high virology of the disease. The objective of this research was to analyze the behavior of the requested and granted inventions on COVID-19 that have been registered in the United States International Patent Office. The study by its nature used a mixed approach to research where qualitative and quantitative cutting methods were articulated in a systemic way that allowed the complementation of the different metric analyzes. The results showed that the greatest technological power is clustered in the headlines of the United States, followed by Iran, Israel, Bulgaria, Canada and the United Kingdom, and that the number of investigations on COVID-19 are focused on techniques for its identification and diagnosis, in: computer systems; peptides; radio-therapy; data recognition; computational models; mutation and genetic engineering; colorimetry; digital electrical data processing; among other topics that make up the innovative technological vanguard that exist today in the world on COVID -19(AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Inventions , COVID-19 , United States , Retrospective Studies
14.
J Ethnopharmacol ; 271: 113846, 2021 May 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33485981

ABSTRACT

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The antimicrobial potential of propolis - a honey bee product - was correlated with its traditional use as a natural medicine, mainly known for antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Moreover, research on natural products in dentistry has increased in recent years in the search for products with greater therapeutic activity, lower toxicity, better biocompatibility, and more affordable cost to the population. OBJECTIVE: Considering that the beneficial effect of propolis is acknowledged for several oral conditions, this study aimed to synthesize the research and technological forecasts of existing evidence on the use of propolis extract as a potential antimicrobial agent in dentistry. METHODS: Studies were identified through an investigation in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo electronic databases. Additionally, the following patent databases were screened: Google Patents, WIPO, INPI, Espacenet, and Questel Orbit. The data were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and Questel Orbit. RESULTS: A total of 174 scientific articles and 276 patents fulfilled all the criteria and were included in the investigation. The highest number of patents (n = 144) was produced by China. Additionally, the most prevalent studies were performed on an experimental basis (72%), followed by clinical studies (n = 27) and review articles (n = 21). The effect of using propolis has been extensively observed in oral care products, periodontics, pathology, and cariology, among other dental specialties. CONCLUSION: It was possible to identify the current scientific and technological scenario of the application of propolis in dentistry, with the number of patents increasing in recent years. However, all studies related to the use of propolis in dentistry have shown a potentially safe antimicrobial agent in an extensive field of application.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Dentistry/methods , Oral Health , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Propolis/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Bacteria/drug effects , Dental Materials , Humans , Propolis/chemistry , Propolis/therapeutic use
15.
Semin Cancer Biol ; 68: 3-7, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31546010

ABSTRACT

Intellectual property documents (patents and their published applications) are not only collections of legal exclusivity claims but also repositories of scientific and technical information, even though they are not peer reviewed. We have identified and analyzed international disclosures concerning drug repurposing for cancer that were published under the Patent Convention Treaty during the past five years, and show this burgeoning field from an angle that is not routinely captured in review papers of the field. We find that patenting activity for cancer-related new uses for known compounds has been quite constant recently and has targeted mainly small molecule active ingredients that are currently marketed as drugs. Universities contributed most applications, closely followed by corporations. The strong representation of non-academic research institutes from the public and private sector and foundations was surprising and indicates that drug repurposing for cancer has transcended the classical corporate-academia dichotomy. Many of the identified patent documents report findings that are not reflected in the peer review literature (e.g., sumatriptan for mycosis fungoides) or appear there only later (e.g., ibudilast for glioblastoma). Synergistic combinations of several repurposed compounds were also identified, as were two documents related to the repurposing of vaccines. Our findings underscore the necessity for drug repurposers as well as for oncologists to investigate patent documents in addition to the usual peer review literature search to obtain a comprehensive perspective of the state of the art.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Development , Drug Discovery , Drug Repositioning/methods , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Animals , Humans
16.
Homeopathy ; 110(1): 2-12, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33063310

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is a complementary medicine characterized by the use of diluted and potentized medicines. Innovations in this area are constantly being proposed in the relevant literature, such as scientific articles and patents. The objective of this study was to carry out a patent survey of homeopathic products and processes. METHODS: A free and international patent database, Espacenet, was used. The search was carried out using the keyword homeop*, with two approaches: (1) no date restrictions for the search and (2) a date limit for the publication years 2008 to 2018. The patents from the limited period were organized as depositor countries, ownerships and groups, including homeopathic formulations, equipment, packaging, production procedures, and analytical methods. RESULTS: Without date restriction, 601 patents were identified in the survey. Of these, 174 were related to homeopathy and published in the period 2008 to 2018. Technologies come mainly from the following countries: United States (55 patents), Russia (24), Germany (15), France (13), India (12), Ukraine (11), Brazil (6), and China (6). Among the ownerships, 69% of patent applications were by independent depositors, 23% by companies, 7.5% by universities, and 0.5% by company/university partnerships. New formulations represented 75.9% of technologies, whilst the others comprised 14.3% for equipment, 3.8% for drugs packaging, 3.8% for production procedures, and 2.2% for analytical methods. CONCLUSIONS: The present review helps visualize the homeopathy-related patents published in recent years, as well as the main countries and researchers investing in the field of homeopathy.


Subject(s)
Homeopathy/trends , Internationality , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires
17.
Nurs Forum ; 55(4): 772-781, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32851679

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recognition for medical inventions and innovations is largely associated with physician-researchers, scientists, and engineers. The term "nurse" is largely absent from patents awarded in the United States. Yet, as front-line healthcare providers, who better to add to the current population of inventors and innovators of new, meaningful scientific and engineering medical discoveries than specialized advanced practice nurses and their registered nurse colleagues? Although medical inventions and innovations are not entirely new activities for nurses, the authors speculate that greater opportunities exist for these healthcare professionals to lead in and be officially recognized for medical care discoveries and advancements by having their names on patents awarded. Also, we surmise that without the active and dedicated participation of nurses, important and significant discoveries may be missed. AIMS: The purpose of this paper is to address the importance of having nurses at all levels and specialties engaged in healthcare inventions and innovations. The foundation for this thesis begins by describing the findings from the first quantitative analysis of nurses' participation and/or recognition for the invention and innovation of medical devices and instruments, defined by having their names on awarded United States patents. In addition, we identify meaningful pathways for nurses to engage in this space. METHODS: Data to evaluate nurse participation and recognition for medical device and instrument inventions and innovations were collected through a publicly accessible website, the United States Patent and Trademark Office database, and analyzed with respect to whether the patent author(s) were nurses or nonnurses. RESULTS: More than 65 000 patents were identified with the terms "medical device" and "medical instrument." From the 65 000+ patent-population, 100 random patents were analyzed for the purposes of this first study and none were determined to have a nurse listed as a participating inventor or innovator. As a result of this analysis, the authors: (a) identify that nurses are largely unrecognized in the medical device invention and innovation space and (b) create models that explain nurses' engagement in this space from (i) historical and contemporary perspectives and (ii) for enhanced future involvement in healthcare patent activities. The future model is especially important as it provides a pathway for nurses to enhance their inventive and innovative competencies, effectiveness, and efficiency through new professional roles, additional education, creation of new educational programs, and formation of professional collaborations. It also calls for organizations that employ nurses to overtly allocate time, resources, and support for invention and innovation activities. We posit that fostering and facilitating nurses to enter the medical invention and innovation space stimulates discoveries that can improve patient care experiences, operations, and outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and provide myriad benefits to these professionals and the organizations that employ them. Examples of benefits from nursing inventions and innovations include prestige, scholarship, and the financial assets associated with intellectual property (ie, patents awarded) for both the nurse and the employing institution. Furthermore, direct involvement and engagement in inventions and innovations define a new practice space and contribution for nurses.


Subject(s)
Nurses/statistics & numerical data , Nursing Care/methods , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Nursing Care/trends , United States
20.
Brachytherapy ; 19(4): 510-517, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32249181

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To characterize inventions and assess trends in brachytherapy innovation based on brachytherapy-related patents awarded across the past 2 decades and provide insights that will help inform future research and entrepreneurship in the field. METHODS: The United States Patent and Trademark Office database was searched for patents awarded between 1999 and 2018 with a classification code corresponding to the broadest brachytherapy search category. Patent characteristics were stratified and compared by geographic location, affiliation, and theme of invention. RESULTS: There were 202 brachytherapy-related patents awarded from 2009 to 2018, which indicates a 56% increase in patent productivity and brachytherapy innovation compared with the previous decade from 1999 to 2008. Patents had an industry affiliation in 83% of cases from 1999 to 2008 and in 76% of cases from 2009 to 2018. Meanwhile, academic participation in brachytherapy patent innovation rose from 4% to 11% in that time. The focus and theme of inventions evolved across time, with radiation sources being the most common theme from 1999 to 2008 and falling to third place in 2009-2018. Conversely, development of brachytherapy-related patents involving exogenous agents such as drug-conjugates, radiosensitizers, and adjuncts to treatment increased substantially in the subsequent decade. While no collaboration was observed between academia and industry between 1999 and 2008, notable partnerships emerged in the subsequent decade which amounted to almost 5% of all patents awarded between 2009 and 2018. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an increase in overall brachytherapy patent production over time, and this has been accompanied by a greater variety of distinct patent themes. Collaboration between industry and academia is rare. Knowledge of brachytherapy patents may inform future research innovation in this field.


Subject(s)
Brachytherapy , Industry/statistics & numerical data , Inventions/statistics & numerical data , Patents as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Universities/statistics & numerical data , Brachytherapy/instrumentation , Humans , Inventions/trends , United States
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