University of Florida Mechanical Engineering Student Files for Patent on Orthopedic Robot
A University of Florida mechanical and aerospace engineering student, Scott Banks, has designed a robot to shadow and shoot X-ray video of orthopedic injury patients according to an article in Physorg.com.
The robot augments static images of patients’ bones, muscles and joints with active video showing interior views during mormal activity.
The University of Florida has filed a patent application on the new technology. The article does not go into details on whether the patent covers the apparatus or the method.
Keeping details about the scope of claim protection sought in a pending patent application is prudent during the time period between the filing of a patent application at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the actual issuance of the patent grant.
Of course, if you have a pending patent application, it is prudent to consult with a Registered Patent Attorney to review the scope of the claims and how much of the claims should be disclosed in preliminary patent licensing negotiations.