A first: University inventor receives three U.S. patents in single day

On Tuesday, March 7, a sole inventor became the first in University history to be awarded three U.S. patents in one day.

It is not uncommon for Professor Joseph Kennedy of Polymer Science to receive three patents in one year, but three in a single day is unprecedented.

With his intellectual property portfolio now standing at 123 U.S. patents, Kennedy is thought to be one of the most prolific academic inventors in the country.

More relevant than the sheer number of patents granted, however, is whether the inventions make a difference. It is notable that several of Kennedy’s inventions have achieved commercial success. The most important discovery was related to polymers for medical devices, and was launched as the polymer coating on Boston Scientific’s drug-eluting coronary stent, which has been implanted in over 6 million patients.

One of his new patents, U.S. 9,587,067, “Polyisobutylenes and process for making same,” involves the synthesis of new biostable polyurethanes that will also be used for implantable medical applications. This invention resulted from over a decade of research, and it has good likelihood for licensing and commercial success in biomedical devices.

In addition to his work as an educator, researcher and inventor, Kennedy is author of several textbooks, the most recent being, “How to Invent and Protect Your Invention.” He is a charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and recipient of numerous other national and international awards and honorary doctorates.

Original Source: UA Digest