Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): Sushma Gaddam, Gregory Lemberskiy, Andrew B. Rosenkrantz
PurposeTo characterize recent MRI technical development and innovation based on data regarding MRI-related patents awarded in 2016.MethodsThe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website was searched for patents awarded in 2016 and an abstract containing "magnetic resonance." Patent characteristics were summarized. An MRI physicist classified patents′ themes.Results423 MRI-related patents were awarded in 2016. 29% had one inventor, 24% two inventors, and 47% ≥2 inventors. Mean interval between patents being filed and awarded was 1,389±559 days (range, 167–4,029). Most common countries of patents′ first assignee were: USA (40%), Germany (24%), Netherlands (10%), and Japan (10%). 3% included assignees with different countries (most common collaborators USA and Germany). Patents′ first assignee had an industry affiliation in 76% vs. an academic affiliation in 21% (4% indeterminate). 3% had industry-academia collaboration. Patents′ most common themes were: coils (n=77), sequence design (n=65), and non-coil scanner hardware (n=41). These top themes were similar for USA, international, and industry based patents; however, for academic based patents, the most common themes were: sequence design, reconstruction, and exogenous agents. Less common themes included: image analysis, post-processing, spectroscopy, relaxometry, diffusion, motion correction, radiation therapy, implants, wireless devices, and PET/MRI.ConclusionThe majority of MRI-related patents were by non-U.S. inventors. A large majority had industry affiliation; minimal industry-academic collaboration was observed. Patents from industry and academic inventors had distinct top focuses: hardware and software, respectively. Awareness of the most recent years′ MRI patents may provide insights into forthcoming clinical translations and help guide ongoing research and entrepreneurism.
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