I haven’t posted an update in a couple of months. Since I last posted an update about my nursing tool, a couple of new exciting things have happened.
Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!I presented my project (tool) at the business office at my academic hospital. I had a power point presentation of 10 slides with strong data reflecting almost a year of data. I had a statistical analysis (self-funded, cost about $3,600) to go along with the presentation. I started the presentation with some engaging pictures and a short case-scenario. I presented to a panel of 6 people, including a physician, a lawyer, and 4 other university staff with specific roles in pushing forth business ideas into fruition.
I meant to speak shorter than 25 minutes but that’s how long it took for me to get through the slides and answer questions intermittently. Once I was done with my slides, we engaged in more questions and conversation for another 35 minutes (I had an hour slot). I was happy in that having data to back up an idea serves a purpose. A strong amount of data and a self-funded statistical analysis to back up what you are saying is even better. I think this is what took me to the next step: another meeting with ‘outside counsel’ which is what they call the attorney group that assists with the Trademarks and Patent applications for inventors.
I met with the outside counsel just 2 weeks after the business office meeting. I said yes to the first date/time that was offered. I wanted to waste no time. The outside counsel was composed of 2 attorneys from an outside firm that as mentioned before, assist the university with trademarks, patents, copyrighting, licensing agreements, etc. This meeting last about 90 minutes. I went over my project again, the data, the statistical analysis, and answered questions along the way. It was a comfortable setting with a very laid-back vibe, which my nerves appreciated. The attorneys seemed very receptive of the work and I believe they ‘get’ the point of my nursing tool and what the intended purpose is as well as the potential to expand the use.
I left the meeting more than excited. They mentioned we could Trademark the acronym I am using as the name of the tool; the name stands for what the tool does and the methodology. We also discussed starting the application for a provisional patent. This gives me 12 months before the applying for the real patent (I was going to say permanent, but I think they are good for 50 yrs is what I was told).
Needless to say, I am beyond excited. Having a trademark and even a provisional patent solidifies an invention or a project in the next presentation ahead, which would be the ‘C’ suite. This is where one presents to the chief staff of the university or organization, the ‘head’ people or top of the hierarchy. What I hope to get from the C suite meeting is rolling the use of the tool to the entire organization. This is probably a good move when trying to commercialize to other organizations.
More to come…