USF Ranks 10th Worldwide In Patents, Tampa

The Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) ranked USF 10^th  worldwide among all universities granted U.S. patents in 2011. Every year the IPO ranks the top 300 organizations worldwide to receive patents; this year 11 universities were included. Other institutions on the list include Stanford, MIT and Caltech. While USF ranked 281^st among all organizations, it was the only university in Florida to be included in the report.

“USF is a global research university, and part of what distinguishes us is that our faculty, staff and students are true innovators, free to think in any direction, and given incentives for success,” says Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, USF VP for research and innovation. “The discoveries and patents that come as a result of USF’s unwavering focus on research and innovation represent the potential for new products, new jobs and new businesses.”

USF was issued 86 patents, which is an increase of more than 3 percent from 2010. Valerie McDevitt, assistant VP for patents and licensing at USF, shared some of the most innovative patents USF created. They include:

1. Radioactive seeds that allow a breast surgeon to find suspected lumps or lesions for biopsy, resulting in earlier surgery times, a better procedure and improved outcomes;

2. A new type of roller coaster that lets the rider control their path to a larger degree than on most roller coasters;

3. A hands-free “dancing wheelchair” on which the rider uses his or her entire body like a joy-stick to move the chair;

4. A “backpack relocator” for wheelchairs that moves the backpack from the back of the chair to where the user can access its contents, providing tremendous independence for returning veterans and others with handicaps that limit their range of motion. 

Click here for a full list of the IPO report.
 
Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Paul R. Sanberg and Valerie McDevitt, USF