title: Surgeons produce innovative ideas which are frequently lost in the labyrinth of patents.
abstract: Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery are innovative specialties that regularly recruit the latest technological developments into their armoury of devices and equipment. The introduction of new technology is dependant on patents; an important but single component of intellectual property. Patents enable the attribution of rights to concepts, ideas and inventions and this facilitates ownership, subsequent licensing and overall management of innovation and its outcome. It is not just thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, but the healthcare world in general that experiences ongoing technological evolution; so to remain contemporary, it is important that those in positions of responsibility are familiar with the relevant processes. This requires basic medico-legal knowledge and may be entwined with significant financial responsibility. Penetrating clinical, academic and industrial environments, informed awareness of patents also contributes to important leadership skills, encouraging the incorporation of innovation into the professional milieu. We aim to present through this manuscript an overview of these issues in order to promote awareness of patents within thoracic and cardiovascular surgery using a descriptive and practical approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosurgery-Surgical Technology, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vecht
authors.forename: Thanos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.forename: Hutan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashrafian
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.forename: Ludwig Karl
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: von Segesser
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D008004:Licensure / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom