Analysis of Technological Trends in Infection Control by Intellectual Property Rights

Abstract

The technological trends in infection control were evaluated by analysis of intellectual property rights. The number of patent gazettes was 716 and the number of utility model gazettes was 80 during the period. In contrast to the increasing number of patent applications, utility model applications had decreased. The number of patent applications from the USA had been increasing in recent years, so developing technology in infection control is apparently more important even in the USA where many medical material suppliers are located. As a trend in technicalˆelds, conventional clinical tests and medicines have increased and involve may instruments and materials. This study suggests that more various technologies and products will be introduced into infection control in the near future, and analysis of intellectual property rights could also apply to theˆeld.