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ZUCKER INSTITUTE LUNCH & LEARN

Join the Zucker Institute on Thursday, June 27 for a Lunch & Learn Featuring Bonnie Martin-Harris, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S   Author and developer of the first standardized and validated method for videofluoroscopic assessment of swallowing impairment. Lunch will be provided for the first 20 attendees. We will send a calendar invite with a Teams meeting link to all who complete the RSVP form.
MUSC Basic Science Bldg, 435 Classroom (with virtual Teams option), 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Special Announcement!

Click to RSVP

MUSC Basic Science Bldg, 435 Classroom (with virtual Teams option)

12:00 - 1:00 PM

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For Inventors

ZI facilitates the translation of cutting edge MUSC discoveries into products and services. Whether this is a technology license, research collaboration, new startup venture or any other commercialization activity, the Zucker Institute is here to help.

Our Opportunities

At the Zucker Institute, we open doors for innovative minds. Our opportunities are designed to support inventors at every stage of their journey. Explore our resources, find potential funding, and connect with mentors who can guide your path to success.

Funding Opportunities

Discover various funding opportunities to fuel your invention from concept to reality.

Resources

A wealth of information tailored to meet the needs of inventors, from beginner’s guides to advanced techniques.

Funding Opportunities

Discover various funding opportunities to fuel your invention from concept to reality.

Mentorship

Gain insights and guidance from experienced professionals in your field.

Success stories

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"The Zucker Institute has converted my napkin sketches to actual, patented devices that we can use in the operating room to make surgical procedures better for our patients."
Dr. Stephen Kalhorn
"Working with the Zucker Institute was an outstanding experience as they attentively prioritized our work, provided invaluable suggestions, guided us seamlessly through the commercialization process, and inspired us to think outside the box. Our team consists mostly of mental health professionals and researchers with little to no expertise in business or the commercialization process. The Zucker Institute worked closely with us to clarify and guide us through those processes while allowing us to maintain an eye toward our primary focus to improve the behavioral health of as many patients and families as possible."
TRRP Team
Tatiana Davidson, Leigh Ridings, and Kenneth Ruggiero
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Our Process

At the Zucker Institute, our commitment to innovation spans inspiring ideation, thorough evaluation, intellectual property protection, collaborative development, and impactful commercialization—ultimately aiding researchers, clinicians, and any other MUSC inventors in transforming their ideas into real-life businesses, products, and services. At the core, our mission is to enhance the lives of people across South Carolina, the U.S., and the world through innovative solutions.
Submit Your Innovation
MUSC Affiliates Only

1

Ideate

Start by sparking creativity within the campus community to generate innovative ideas.

2

Evaluate

Rigorously assess the scientific, clinical, commercial, and regulatory potential of these ideas.

3

Protect

Secure the intellectual property of promising concepts to safeguard their future.

4

Develop

Move ideas forward by collaboratively transforming them into practical solutions.

5

Commercialize

Launch these innovations into the market to create real-world impact.

Innovation Support and Resources

ZI supports your invention through our extensive resources and capabilities.

In-house Prototyping Lab

ZI operates a specialized lab focused on the development of prototypes and devices. Equipped with two large format Stratasys PolyJet printers, we can produce prints in multi-durometer and multicolor plastics. For intricate, smaller-scale models, we employ a high-resolution SLA printer. The lab is conveniently located in CSB which allows us to work closely with our inventors and gives us the ability to gather feedback on working prototypes so that we can quickly improve the designs.
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Software and Firmware Development

We have established connections with several Charleston-based companies that provide software and firmware development services for our MUSC inventors. These companies bring specialized skills in app development, virtual reality, AI training and integration, circuit board design, and website development. We connect MUSC inventors with these local companies to help enable software innovation.

Office Hours

Welcoming clinicians and neurosurgeons who are looking to bridge the gap between ideas and innovation.

Expert Guidance

Meet with our in-house engineers to refine, evaluate, or simply brainstorm your ideas.

No Idea Too Raw

Your concept doesn't have to be fully formed. We thrive on the sparks of creativity!

Unlock Potential

A great idea can redefine not just a project, but a person's financial future.

Free Resources

ZI resources are FREE

When:

  • Wednesdays, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST
  • Thusday, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EST
  • Starting June 5th
    (Excluding June 26th-June 31st)

Where:

  • CSB 301 Conference Room
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Developing Technologies

Stay updated on our Developing Technologies. From early-stage ideas to advanced prototypes, witness the future of innovation unfold at the Zucker Institute.

Resources & Tools

Enhance your inventive journey with our curated Resources & Tools, designed to provide comprehensive support and guidance.

Resources

From industry reports to how-to guides, everything you need to stay informed and inspired.

Guides

Step-by-step manuals to navigate the complex landscape of invention and innovation.

Tools

Leverage our suite of tools to streamline your development process.  This includes market evaluation, competitive advantage, customer discovery and patent review.

For Inventors FAQs

We understand that you may have questions about our resources and support for researchers. Below, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions to provide you with the insights you need to get started working with the Zucker Institute. Whether you’re curious about our services, the invention process, or intellectual property, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Explore the FAQs below to learn more:

MUSC’s IP policy applies to inventions within your field of expertise, regardless of when they were created. Compliance with this policy is required for all employees and students.

You will receive an acknowledgment email with a case number. The Zucker Institute will evaluate the patent and commercial potential of your invention and may contact you for more details. Expect an update within a few weeks.
Detailed descriptions enable the Zucker Institute to thoroughly assess the patentability and licensing potential of your invention. All provided information is kept confidential.

Public disclosure includes communicating your invention to non-MUSC individuals through published manuscripts, conference presentations, webpages, grand rounds, dissertations, and funded government grants.

Inventors have one year from the date of public disclosure to file a patent application in the U.S. After this period, patenting the invention is no longer possible.

These agreements protect proprietary information before sharing it with others. Without them, even casual conversations can be considered public disclosures, which could limit IP protections.

The Zucker Institute identifies potential commercial partners through various resources and prepares marketing materials. They contact companies to license the invention, secure research sponsorship, hire students, or engage you as a consultant.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that you may have questions regarding our resources and support for researchers. Below are some frequently asked questions to provide you with the insights you need.

There are several. Aside from compliance with the IP policy,working with the Zucker Institute helps translate your innovation into a product to benefit the public. Most people have no experience navigating the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office or negotiating a licensing deal, and this is our forte. Additionally, the Zucker Institute pays for the patent costs, which run several thousands of dollars.
Shortly after submission, you will receive a formalacknowledgement email providing a case number and alerting you as to whether the Zucker Institute needs additional information. After that, our office will begin to evaluate the IP and commercial potential of the innovation. Someone from the office will contact you to discuss the idea in more detail to ensure that they have a good understanding of what the innovation entails and its state of development. You will be notified of the go/no go/next step decision within a few weeks.

We have to provide your home address and citizenship to the USPTO. We also use your home address to mail royalty checks to you.

Under federal law, MUSC is required to report to the Government inventions created under sponsored research. If MUSC decides not to take title to such an invention (that is, decides not to keep it), then the Government has rights to it. Non-Government sponsors may also have intellectual property clauses and obligations attached to such sponsorship with which the Zucker Institute must comply.

As detailed as possible. All information provided to the Zucker Institute will be kept confidential. Without adequate information, the Zucker Institute cannot perform a complete evaluation of the invention’s patentability and licensing potential.

In the U.S., an inventor has one year from the date of public disclosure in which to file a patent application. Once that year has passed, the invention cannot be patented.

There is a fairly low threshold under patent law for what is considered a public disclosure. Any disclosure that describes the invention to people outside of MUSC could be considered a public disclosure. A published manuscript, conference presentation or poster, webpage, grand rounds, and a dissertation indexed at the library may all constitute a public disclosure. Grant proposals to federal agencies may be deemed public disclosures as well if they do not contain CONFIDENTIAL markings on the appropriate pages. Please contact our office before making a public disclosure of any kind. We can help get confidentiality agreements in place with anyone who you need to discuss the invention with.

The MUSC IP policy gives the university rights to anything that you create within your hired field of expertise. It is blind to the time use to work on the innovation. Compliance with the policy is a condition of employment and student status. View the policies.

Let’s work together to create a better future

Let’s collaborate to shape a brighter future by advancing innovative solutions. Reach out to us and let’s make a difference together.
CONTACT US

Medical Device highlights

  • In-house engineering team
  • On site, state of the art 3-D printers for rapid prototyping
  • Development team works side-by-side MUSC clinicians
  • Co-Development options with industry partners
  • Key partnerships with regulatory and FDA testing facilities
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