Surgical Technology
3 GB patent applications and 2 International patent applications (PCTs) PCT/GB2007/003828 and PCT/GB2008/003235 that cover a microwave energy based electrosurgical system and a range of applicators for open resection were initially filed in 2006-2007 and are both in the National Phase, where they have been filed in Japan, China, EU, USA, Canada and India. It is predicted that the first European patent that form the first PCT will be granted in 2013. These applications underpin 2 more recent GB and PCT applications (PCT/GB2010/001376 and PCT/GB2010/001371) focussed on devices that can be used with an endoscope to carry out precision resection within the bowel. These applications have now undergone prior art searches carried out by the UK and International Patent Offices. The results were extremely positive, as no prior art documents that pose a threat to the inventions disclosed within these documents have been flagged up by the examiners - this provides a good indication that European and GB patents will be granted on these inventions in due course. A further 3 new GB applications that cover aspects of the new electrosurgical system and applicators relating specifically to GI surgery were filed in January 2011 and a further GB application that contains a novel arrangement for the energy source is in draft form and will be filed by the end of May 2011.
Plasma Sterilisation Technology
6 GB patent applications and 2 PCT applications (PCT/GB2008/003763 and PCT/GB2008/003766) filed to protect ideas associated with non-thermal plasma sterilisation technology using microwave energy for sterilising wounds, surface tissue and external environments has recently entered the National Phase and has been filed in China, EU, India, USA and Canada. Searches on these applications are currently being carried out by the local patent offices. Drafting and filing a new GB application based on the hand sterilization system to capture work performed on the energy source and new applicator array is in process.
Trademarks have been awarded for 'BactiPlasma' (wound care and key-hole sterilization products) and 'SteriPlasma' (biological and non-biological surface sterilization), with 'HandiPlasma' (hand sterilization system) in the registration process.
Lipo Tunnelling and Suction Device
An initial GB application and subsequent PCT (PCT/GB2007/003842) was filed in 2006 - 2007 to protect ideas relating to a hollow channel device for taking and removing material from and introducing material into the body. This application is now in the National Phase, where it has been filed in EU, Japan, China, India, USA and Canada. This application underpins a more recent GB application and PCT (PCT/GB2010/00158) that addresses the use of a small hollow channel to remove fat from the body for cosmetic treatment. This application has recently undergone an extremely positive search by the UK patent office.
Orthopaedic Insert Locking Hole Detection System
A GB patent owned by Creo Medical has recently been granted that addresses the use of focussed microwave energy to detect discontinuities within metallic inserts located within the human body (GB2435100). The patent application that covers this invention is also being pursued in the USA.