Abstract
The United States intellectual property system was designed to promote innovation by providing inventor protection in exchange for sharing their ideas. It has enabled significant advancements in biochemical fields such as cardiology through aiding collaboration. Patents are submitted to and approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and require a multidisciplinary time for their completion. Meeting established legal requirements, conducting proper searches, budgeting, and scheduling are all important components that add to the complexity of the process. The goal of this chapter is to differentiate the available protections of intellectual properties, as well as explain the components and potential pathways for applying for a patent.