Boult Wade Tennant
Sector » Medical devices and diagnostics 

Medical devices and diagnostics 

Areas of focus:

    Artificial intelligence
    Devices
    Digital Health
    Drug delivery
    Diagnostic Instruments
    In vitro diagnostics
    Medtech

Medical devices and diagnostics (medtech) is a dynamic technical field with one of the highest rates of patent applications annually. Innovations in this area cover three major categories: medical devices (for prevention, diagnosis or treatment); in vitro diagnostics (non-invasive tests); and digital health. At Boult, we are active across all three disciplines. 

The medical field is one of great innovation and continues to be at the cutting edge of technological and pharmaceutical development. Major trends we have seen recently in our work with our clients include the growth in portable, wearable smart devices, combating anti-microbial resistance, early detection and diagnosis technology, automated or non-invasive robotic surgery, greater use of “big data” and AI, and decentralised diagnostics, via laboratory digitalisation. This scope for invention must be balanced against the complex regulatory frameworks prevalent in the medtech space, with the potential risk to end users for both medical devices and diagnostic devices which, although not directly in the remit of IP, remains a key consideration in any filing. 

The medical devices and diagnostics team
The team at Boult is diverse and multidisciplinary, drawing together engineering, physics, software, bio-informatics, biotech, and pharma experts. We have longstanding experience in original drafting, prosecution, opposition and appeals for a wide variety of clients across the sector. 

The medical devices and diagnostics sector is notable for its high proportion of SMEs, with smaller enterprises forming nearly 95% of the industry in Europe. We appreciate that the IP process can be make or break for smaller firms and we are equipped to guide them throughout the process. At the same time, we also work alongside some of the largest players in the market, taking on projects as a direct extension of their in-house teams. From drafting to portfolio management, in-house secondments and overflow work when required, we partner with our clients to meet their individual needs.

“Our clients’ work in the medtech and diagnostics sector is ground breaking and to the benefit of us all. Through our IP work we help bring needed medical innovation to the market. I know I speak for the team when I say we all find this immensely satisfying.” 

Dr Jo Pelly
PARTNER
image

Medical devices and diagnostics (medtech) is a dynamic technical field with one of the highest rates of patent applications annually. Innovations in this area cover three major categories: medical devices (for prevention, diagnosis or treatment); in vitro diagnostics (non-invasive tests); and digital health. At Boult, we are active across all three disciplines. 

The medical field is one of great innovation and continues to be at the cutting edge of technological and pharmaceutical development. Major trends we have seen recently in our work with our clients include the growth in portable, wearable smart devices, combating anti-microbial resistance, early detection and diagnosis technology, automated or non-invasive robotic surgery, greater use of “big data” and AI, and decentralised diagnostics, via laboratory digitalisation. This scope for invention must be balanced against the complex regulatory frameworks prevalent in the medtech space, with the potential risk to end users for both medical devices and diagnostic devices which, although not directly in the remit of IP, remains a key consideration in any filing. 

The medical devices and diagnostics team
The team at Boult is diverse and multidisciplinary, drawing together engineering, physics, software, bio-informatics, biotech, and pharma experts. We have longstanding experience in original drafting, prosecution, opposition and appeals for a wide variety of clients across the sector. 

The medical devices and diagnostics sector is notable for its high proportion of SMEs, with smaller enterprises forming nearly 95% of the industry in Europe. We appreciate that the IP process can be make or break for smaller firms and we are equipped to guide them throughout the process. At the same time, we also work alongside some of the largest players in the market, taking on projects as a direct extension of their in-house teams. From drafting to portfolio management, in-house secondments and overflow work when required, we partner with our clients to meet their individual needs.

What sets us apart
We work with clients at all stages of the development lifecycle. The size and scale of our team and the combination of technical backgrounds we draw from, ensure we always have the right people fitted to a particular client or matter. This breadth of expertise means we are free to work in whatever way best suits our clients, whether that’s advising a sizeable in-house research team in specific niche areas or working with an invention or development team that needs full support from the start.

Our combination of UK and German IP specialists is integral to our approach, enabling Boult to support clients wherever required in the EU and the UK. Moreover, we are well-versed in collaborating with litigation teams globally, should our clients require it, having supported on some of the most high-profile medical devices and diagnostics oppositions.

Our team’s reputation for excellence speaks for itself. We’re pleased to have received several major awards in recognition of this.

Recent highlights

  • Assisting clients in obtaining (and defending) patents across the medical device field, including protection for stents, grafts, catheters and similar products.
  • Advising a global market leader in the design, development and manufacture of drug delivery devices, providing inhalers and nasal technologies, as well as development and manufacturing services.
  • Assisting a multinational client with drafting and prosecution in the field of endoscopy for early detection and minimally invasive treatment.

Medical devices and diagnostics team

Partners

Tessa Bucks
Partner London
Martyn Draper
Partner London
Henning Erb
Partner Frankfurt
Dr Susi Fish
Partner Reading
Paul Hicks
Partner Cambridge
Dr James Legg
Partner Cambridge
Edward Morse
Partner London
Dr Jonathan Palmer
Partner Reading
Dr Jo Pelly
Partner Reading
Daryl Penny
Partner Reading
Jonathan Pratt
Partner London
Dr Michelle Pratt
Partner London
Matthew Ridley
Partner London
Dr Barbara Rigby
Partner Cambridge
Dr Edward Ronan
Partner London
Matthew Spencer
Partner Cambridge
Dr Naomi Stevens
Partner Cambridge
Neil Thomson
Partner Cambridge
Dr Nigel Tucker
Partner Reading
Dr Nina White
Partner London
Dr Nick Widdowson
Partner Cambridge

Senior associates

Dr Frances Baxter
Senior Associate Cambridge
Matthew Birch
Senior Associate London
Ross Chapman
Senior Associate Reading
Sarah Le Mesurier
Senior Associate London
Joshua McFarlane
Senior Associate London
Dr Nadia Tyler-Rubinstein
Senior Associate London
Dr Robert Waddingham
Senior Associate Cambridge

Attorneys

Lizzie Alexander
Patent Attorney Reading
Dr Olga Bohuszewicz
Patent Attorney Cambridge
Thomas Davis
Patent Attorney London
Charlotte Hrecinuc
Patent Attorney Reading
Dr Thomas Ricketts
Patent Attorney Cambridge
David Smitten
European Patent Attorney Reading
Angela Stephen
Patent Attorney London
Alex Stephenson
Patent Attorney London
Dr Carolina Strohmaier-Meiß
European Patent Attorney, German Patent Attorney Frankfurt
Jade Watt
Patent Attorney Reading

Assistants and trainees

Dr Jonny Taylor
Patent Assistant Cambridge
Dr Michael Newsome
Patent Trainee London