Innovation in medical physics: From the lab to the clinic and to the enterprise

Abstract

Medical physics is an applied field of medicine. This paper will describe the experiences of the author (Rock Mackie) in applying physical and engineering principles for radiation oncology and radiology. As a graduate student Mackie was immersed in a culture of fast clinical application free of most regulation and with most intellectual property left in the public domain. With added regulation came the requirement to work with or start companies in order to formalize and document testing. The transition also required protecting the intellectual property (IP) because corporations must have IP rights to justify the required investments necessary to bring the product into clinical use. The paper will document two of Mackie’s experiences as an academic entrepreneur and give tips for forming a business team, finding investment, managing conflicts and commitment that will almost always arise.