- Salt Lake City— April 7th, 2025
The University of Utah has been added to the prestigious list of National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2024 Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents, securing the 100th position and receiving a total of 37 U.S. utility patents in 2024. The University of Utah is the only institution in the state to earn a place on this distinguished global list. This achievement highlights the university's commitment to driving innovation through intellectual property protection and transforming research into real-world innovations.
"This achievement highlights the amazing work of our researchers.” Bruce Hunter, Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Utah's Technology Licensing Office, emphasizes, “Being recognized as one of the world's leading innovative universities is a testament to the efforts of the TLO staff, who play a crucial helping role in advancing innovation.”
Notable University of Utah Patents from 2024
The University of Utah secured several patents promising significant advancements in medical diagnostics and orthopedic surgery. Below is an overview of these innovations:
Dynamic Bone Screw for Enhanced Orthopedic Fixation
Patent Number: US 12,178,485
Issue Date: December 31, 2024
Description: Researchers at the University of Utah's Orthopaedic Innovation Center have developed a new type of bone screw aimed at improving the stability and longevity of orthopedic implants. This innovative screw is designed to provide better fixation in bone fractures, particularly in challenging cases like pelvic fractures and fractures of long bones in the arms and legs. The bone screw system includes implants of various lengths and diameters, along with specialized surgical instruments and sterilization trays. By offering a more adaptable and secure method for bone fixation, this bone screw system has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times in orthopedic surgeries.
Atrephine Device for Precision Bone and Cartilage Tunneling
Patent Number: US 12,023,047
Issue Date: July 2, 2024
Description: Also from the University of Utah's Orthopaedic Innovation Center, researchers developed a specialized surgical tool designed to create precise tunnels through bone and cartilage. This instrument features a tubular body with an angled cutting edge and multiple cutting teeth. When rotated, it efficiently forms tunnels while minimizing the risk of damaging surrounding cartilage. This design ensures accurate and safe tunnel creation, critical to various orthopedic procedures.
Enhanced Detection of IGF-1 and IGF-2 Through Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry
Patent Number: US 12,105,102
Issue Date: October 1, 2024
Description: This patent introduces a method for accurate measurement of Insulin-like Growth Factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2) in the body. Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is a hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to Growth Hormone (GH) stimulation. It plays a crucial role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults, influencing muscle development, bone density, and overall metabolism. By enhancing the process of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry with a special reagent, the technique increases the detection of these proteins. This advancement could lead to more accurate diagnostics for conditions associated with IGF levels.
About the NAI Top 100 Worldwide Universities List
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Top 100 Worldwide Universities list has been published every year since 2013. It ranks universities based on the number of U.S. utility patents they hold, highlighting the groundbreaking research and innovation happening at academic institutions around the world. Collectively, the universities on the 2024 list hold over 9,600 patents, fueling major discoveries and innovations across numerous fields.
According to Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, President of the National Academy of Inventors, "The Top 100 Worldwide list showcases the vital role U.S. patents play in moving technologies from bench to marketplace at academic institutions around the globe."
About the University of Utah Technology Licensing Office
The University of Utah Technology Licensing Office helps the University of Utah researchers navigate the path of discovery to impact by pioneering research into real-world solutions. The TLO provides comprehensive support for patent protection, commercialization strategies, and industry partnerships, facilitating the translation of groundbreaking research into world market products that serve and benefit society.
For more information about innovation and technology commercialization at the University of Utah, visit Tehcnology Licencing Office
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