Translate patent claims into device features engineers can evaluate.
WJH supports medical device FTO investigations by decomposing the proposed product, identifying technically relevant claim elements, and helping counsel and product teams understand where architecture matters.
A technical FTO workflow.
1. Define the commercial product
Document the device configuration, use sequence, materials, interfaces, delivery system, manufacturing choices, and critical features.
2. Decompose into searchable features
Convert the product into functional and structural concepts suitable for targeted patent-family review.
3. Map potentially relevant claims
Create technical matrices or claim charts that show where product features appear to correspond — or not correspond — to claim elements.
4. Explore engineering alternatives
Where a feature warrants attention, generate practical design-around concepts for technical screening and counsel review.
Deliverables can include.
Claim-to-product mapping
Structured comparison of device features and selected claim elements.
Technical patent-family summaries
Engineering-focused summaries of the architecture, mechanism, and claim concepts most relevant to the product team.
Design-around concept sets
Alternative mechanisms or architectures with initial technical feasibility considerations.
Freedom-to-operate is a legal determination. WJH Engineering provides technical support to aid legal opinions regarding infringement, validity, enforceability, or freedom to operate.
Bring engineering and patent counsel into the same conversation.
The strongest FTO work often happens when claim interpretation, product architecture, test evidence, manufacturing realities, and design alternatives can be discussed together.
Discuss an FTO project