Journal CME Article: Effective Strategies to Patent Plastic Surgery Ideas and Intellectual Property

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the patenting process tailored for plastic surgeons. It emphasizes the importance of intellectual property protection in fostering innovation and outlines the procedural, legal, and ethical considerations involved. Key topics include patentability criteria, types of patents, international filing strategies, and financial planning. The article also discusses the ethical implications of patenting surgical methods and offers practical strategies to navigate the complex patent landscape.

Intended Audience
This educational activity is intended for all CME-related persons including plastic surgery practitioners, residents, and other healthcare professionals.

Learning Objectives

After viewing this course, the participant should be able to:

Understand the importance and role of patents in the field of plastic surgery.
Identify the key requirements and considerations for patentability in medical innovations.
Recognize the ethical implications and country-specific regulations surrounding patenting surgical methods.
Describe the procedural steps and strategic options for obtaining domestic and international patents.
Evaluate the financial and legal aspects involved in the patenting process for plastic surgery innovations.

Murphy, Donal MCh; O’Donnell, John P. MCh; Ryan, Éanna J. MD; Lane O’Neill, Billy MCh; Boland, Michael R. MCh, MSc; Lowery, Aoife J. PhD; Kerin, Michael J. FRCSI; McInerney, Niall M. MD

Editor-in-Chief: Kevin C. Chung, MD

Co-editor: Amy S. Colwell, MD

Michael S. Byrd, JD

Bradford E. Adatto, JD

Jay D. Reyero, JD

Kennedy Huff, BA

The following ABMS core competencies will be addressed:

Systems-based Practice
Practice-based Learning and Improvement

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM: 1.0
Media:Journal Article
Release Date: 9/30/2025
Expiration Date: 9/30/2028*
Estimated time to complete this course: 1 hour
*Course access ends on course expiration date

Disclosure Policy
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires all faculty, authors, planners, reviewers, managers, staff and other individuals in a position to control or influence the content of an activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships or affiliations. All identified conflicts of interest must be resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. The ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of a product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials.

Disclaimer: All relevant financial relationships for planners, faculty, and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) are reviewed by the ASPS Continuing Education Committee and have been mitigated, if applicable.

The following planners/faculty members/reviewers have no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose:

Murphy, Donal MCh; O’Donnell, John P. MCh; Ryan, Éanna J. MD; Lane O’Neill, Billy MCh; Boland, Michael R. MCh, MSc; Lowery, Aoife J. PhD; Kerin, Michael J. FRCSI; McInerney, Niall M. MD, Kevin C. Chung, MD, Amy S. Colwell, MD, Michael S. Byrd, JD, Bradford E. Adatto, JD, Jay D. Reyero, JD

Recognition Statement

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits offered by this activity are enhanced by ASPS Learner Credit Reporting for learners who have opted into this reporting. Successful completion of this CME activity enables active American Board of Surgery (ABS) members the opportunity to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the ABS's Continuous Certification program when claimed within 30 days of completion of the activity.

Participants in ASPS-accredited education who want their CME credits reported to certifying and state licensing boards must opt-in to reporting and add their NPI as well as state license ID and/or collaborating board ID(s) before claiming credit.

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS®)