Intellectual Property Protection in Neurosurgery: An Overview

Abstract

This is the first article of a series that will cover strategies for the protection of neurosurgical inventions and devices through patent law. Advances in neurosurgical techniques have always been accompanied by advances in neurosurgical technology. Indeed, continuous technological innovation has been a characteristic of the profession. Intellectual property protection serves as an important incentive to innovation. The protection of intellectual property related to neurosurgery presents several issues that deserve careful consideration for neurosurgical innovation.