Step 1: Ideate

A great invention starts with a great idea—but requires development to bring it to life.

Share your idea with us in one of two ways:

• If you have a general concept and would like help developing it further, email us at [email protected].
• If you have a more developed idea, share your invention via the Invention Disclosure Form. You do not need to complete every question on the form before submitting. We’ll work with you on any missing information.

Step 2: Evaluate

We will assess any products or patents that may be similar to your idea. We will share this information with you, educate you on what the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office looks for during the patent approval process, and make a decision together about whether and/or how to move forward.

Step 3: Cultivate

Activities at this stage depend on the invention, but may involve one or more of the following:

• Protecting the intellectual property around the invention via patent, copyright, and/or trademark
• Prototyping and completing proof-of-concept studies
• Pursuing grant funding or a corporate partnership to co-develop the technology

Step 4: Translate

As a not-for-profit healthcare system, we do not have all of the expertise or resources necessary to bring an invention to market. The ultimate goal of commercialization is to transfer the technology to a corporation for further development, shepherding it through the regulatory pathway, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. We will market your technology to companies, negotiate license agreements, and monitor the company for compliance with the agreement.