How AI is Shaping the Future of MedTech
With rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), we are seeing the emergence of AI-based technologies in a wide range of sectors, from energy production, to transport, and healthcare. An area of particular interest is applications of AI in the MedTech sector, which promise significant benefits in terms of patient care and treatment outcomes. A major advantage of AI algorithms is their ability to leverage traits they have learned from large volumes of patient data, enabling them to greatly enhance medical practitioners’ capabilities in a variety of ways. Current applications of AI in MedTech include, amongst many others, robot-assisted surgical systems, AI-controlled radiotherapy, AI-based analysis of medical images, and real-time monitoring of patient data.
The recent sharp increase in patent filings for AI inventions in the MedTech sector shows that this is a rapidly growing sector with a strong focus on technical innovation. Excitingly, patent filing statistics show that much of the innovation in this area is driven by new entrants – small companies and start-ups who are seeking to make a big impact with their technologies.
So, for companies working at the interface between AI and MedTech, there is a strong opportunity to protect IP around their inventions and establish their position in this new and rapidly evolving field.
As an IP firm with experts working in both MedTech and AI, we are particularly excited by the variety of innovations that are coming out of the crossover between these two sectors. From a patents perspective, this is a highly specialised area of the law, as it involves the interplay between rules around the patenting software inventions on the one hand, and the patenting of medical techniques on the other. As a result, the IP landscape for AI in MedTech may at first appear somewhat daunting to stakeholders seeking to protect their inventions in this area.
Therefore, with this report, we wish to shed some light on the emerging sector of AI in MedTech from an IP (and particularly patents) perspective, by taking a look at patent filing trends and practises in this area. This will hopefully give a useful introduction to those considering IP protection in this area for the first time, as well as provide new insights into the field for more seasoned readers.
What you'll find in this report...
Patenting AI inventions in the MedTech space:
We look at what types of AI inventions can be patented in MedTech.
Patent Trends for AI in MedTech:
We take a dive into filing statistics to reveal patent trends in this area.
AI for surgical planning:
We explore uses of AI in surgical planning, and some patenting activity in this field.
LET'S TALK
Daniel Brodsky - MedTech & AI Specialist, Patent Attorney, Partner
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