Characteristics of the Most Recently Awarded Magnetic Resonance Imaging Patents in the United States

Purpose: To characterize recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technical development and innovation based on data regarding MRI-related patents awarded in 2016. Methods: The US Patent and Trademark Office website was searched for patents awarded in 2016 and an abstract containing “magnetic resonance.” Patent characteristics were summarized. An MRI physicist classified patents’ themes. Results: A total of 423 MRI-related patents were awarded in 2016. Among these, 29% had 1 inventor, 24% had 2 inventors, and 47% had ≥2 inventors. Mean interval between patents being filed and awarded was 1389 ± 559days (range: 167-4029). Most common countries of patents’ first assignee were USA (40%), Germany (24%), Netherlands (10%), and Japan (10%). In all, 3% included assignees with different countries (most common collaborators USA and Germany). Patents’ first assignee had an industry affiliation in 76% vs an academic affiliation in 21% (4% indeterminate); and 3% had industry-academia collaboration. Patents’ most common themes were coils (n = 77), sequence design (n = 65), and noncoil scanner hardware (n = 41). These top themes were similar for USA, international, and industry-based patents; however, for academic-based patents, the most common themes were sequence design, reconstruction, and exogenous agents. Less common themes included image analysis, postprocessing, spectroscopy, relaxometry, diffusion, motion correction, radiation therapy, implants, wireless devices, and positron emission tomography-MRI. Conclusion: Most MRI-related patents were by non-US inventors. A large majority had industry affiliation; minimal industry-academic collaborationwas observed. Patents from industry and academic inventors had distinct top focuses: hardware and software, respectively. Awarenessofthe most recent years’ MRI patents may provide insights into forthcoming clinical translations and help guide ongoing research and entrepreneurism.