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From a sea of scientific ingenuity and biomedical possibilities, an invention emerges. Steeped in potential, this new intellectual property can represent non-invasive methods for measuring blood and eye pressure, an innovative use for ultrasound imaging, and more. But as Caltech researchers navigate through prior arts (e.g., previously patented inventions and publicly available products), legal conundrums, and medical quirks, pinpointing an idea both unprecedented and useful can remain an elusive enterprise.
ENGenuity spoke with three current Caltech innovators and postdocs to dive deeper into the invention process, charting the progression of research performed in the lab into a discovery suitable for a patent.