Medical AI Patents
Protect technologies that combine medical data and artificial intelligence with solid patents.
Medical AI is growing fast, and so is patent competition
AI-based medical technologies such as imaging support, diagnostic support, prognosis prediction and digital therapeutics are growing rapidly. Because medical AI takes the form of software, it is easy to copy and evolves quickly, so securing patents on your core technology first is a competitive advantage.
Algorithms alone are hard to patent
An AI algorithm or mathematical method by itself is generally not patentable. To obtain a patent, you must clearly describe what data is processed, how, and what medical result is obtained, and how the process is concretely carried out on a computer or medical device. Even for the same technology, how the specification is written can make a big difference to whether it is registered and how broad the protection is.
What can be protected
| Focus | Examples |
|---|---|
| Data collection & preprocessing | Medical image normalization, biosignal noise removal, labeling methods |
| Training methods & model structure | Training with limited data, models that combine multiple test results |
| Producing & presenting results | How diagnostic support results are shown to clinicians, risk scoring |
| Device & system integration | Integration with imaging equipment, wearables and hospital information systems |
Patents and trade secrets: protect each part appropriately
Disclosing everything in a patent is not always the best choice. A strategy that splits protection by the nature of the technology is needed: patent the features that are easy to observe from outside, and keep hard-to-detect elements such as training data and detailed settings as trade secrets.
Our process
- 01Understanding the technologyWe map the data flow, the model and how it is used in clinical practice
- 02Protection strategyWe decide what to patent and what to keep as trade secrets
- 03DraftingWe describe the process concretely to improve registrability and scope
- 04Filing in Korea & abroadWe file in line with your approval and overseas expansion plans
- 05Portfolio managementWe keep securing rights for follow-on improvements
INCUBE’s patent attorneys specializing in bio AI and digital healthcare understand your technology in depth and propose patent strategies that take regulatory approval and commercialization into account.
If you are developing medical AI technology, design your rights with INCUBE Patent & Law Firm.
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