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Design Thinking & Communication (DTC)

Search for Patents

When an inventor develops a product, they will often patent the product to make sure no one else develops the same thing and takes credit for it.  Are you wondering whether someone has made a device similar to the one you want to make? You can see if the idea has been patented by searching in InnovationQ Plus, Derwent, or the US patent database.

For more information about patents, take a look at one (or both!) of these videos:

Search for Standards

When someone makes a new product, they have to make sure it follows the standards for that type of product. Are you wondering what published standards there are for the product you want to make? You can see what regulations exist by searching in the IEEE database or on the ASTM website.

Some standards publishers are making COVID-19 related standards (those that relate to medical equipment, gowns, and gloves) freely available. 

For more information about standards, take a look at this video:

Search for Safety Regulations

When someone makes a new product, they have to make sure it follows safety regulations that are set in place by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Are you wondering what safety regulations are in place for the product you want to make? You can see what guidelines exist by searching on the ADA or CPSC websites.

For more information on safety regulations, you can search the Code of Federal Regulations.  Contact Anne Zald with any questions.