Medventions Lecture 6: Intellectual Property Fundamentals

LECTURE 6 + WORKSHOP
Intellectual Property Fundamentals

The Medventions Fall 2026 Lecture Series is an educational series designed to equip the next generation of medtech innovators with the knowledge and skills they need to transform healthcare. The Lecture Series offers an excellent opportunity to learn about health technology innovation, how to validate healthcare needs, invent new medical technology products, and plan for their implementation into patient care.

ABOUT THE LECTURE
An introduction to the intellectual property considerations that shape early-stage medtech innovation. Topics include patent fundamentals, how to approach a preliminary patent search, and the difference between patentability and freedom to operate.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Work through the practical decisions innovators face as they begin developing and protecting an idea, including when to search, what freedom-to-operate analysis can and cannot tell you, and how early IP choices affect the path ahead.

Lecturer + Workshop facilitator
STEVE LEONARD
Partner / Patent Agent, Aird & Berlis LLP, Commercialization and IP Strategist