Chemical Instrumentation
The purpose of a patent is to teach others how to expand upon the knowledge taught in the patent and enable the development of new patents. The reward for teaching others is a period of market exclusivity for what is taught.
The instrumentation course is designed to introduce, review and discuss major topics, concepts and the translational process from invention through development, regulatory, and commercialization of patented electronic instruments and devices. At the beginning of each course module, each student is assigned a patented exemplar electronic instrument or device to follow through the steps of development.
In the laboratory component of the course, students work from patented technology to develop improvements to the original exemplar devices. Class members are called upon during the student-led presentation portion of each course meeting to describe relevant activities and findings for their assigned device germane to the specific step and milestones being discussed in class (e.g., marketing, regulatory, etc.).
The term paper written by each student summarizes the course of events/activities for their assigned electronic instrument or device as it met the milestones for each step in the pathway to commercialization. The term paper also includes a statement on the most compelling aspects for future refinement/modification of their electronic instrument or device, and the reasons for their choice.
Course Objectives:
1. Provide students with an introduction to major concepts and issues of importance to obtain a general understanding the translational process from invention to commercialization of new electronic instruments and devices.
2. Enhance appreciation for multidisciplinary efforts in discovery, development, regulatory, and commercialization of electronic instruments and devices.
3. Enable students to interpret and evaluate research findings from different disciplines and/or levels of analysis.
4. Enhance interdisciplinary communication skills.
Preliminary Results
Students have preliminary results for several applications, including cybersecurity of medical devices using technology developed from US 7,173,577 and 6.993,460. It appears that implantable defibrillators may be completely protected at distances of hundreds of meters using the new system.