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Identification of the Key Fields and Their Key Technical Points of Oncology by Patent Analysis
Ting Zhang1, Juan Chen1, Xiaofeng Jia1
1Institute of Medical Information & Library, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Background:
This paper aims to identify the key fields and their key technical points of oncology by patent analysis.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
Patents of oncology applied from 2006 to 2012 were searched in the Thomson Innovation database. The key fields and their key technical points were determined by analyzing the Derwent Classification (DC) and the International Patent Classification (IPC), respectively. Patent applications in the top ten DC occupied 80% of all the patent applications of oncology, which were the ten fields of oncology to be analyzed. The number of patent applications in these ten fields of oncology was standardized based on patent applications of oncology from 2006 to 2012. For each field, standardization was conducted separately for each of the seven years (2006-2012) and the mean of the seven standardized values was calculated to reflect the relative amount of patent applications in that field; meanwhile, regression analysis using time (year) and the standardized values of patent applications in seven years (2006-2012) was conducted so as to evaluate the trend of patent applications in each field. Two-dimensional quadrant analysis, together with the professional knowledge of oncology, was taken into consideration in determining the key fields of oncology. The fields located in the quadrant with high relative amount or increasing trend of patent applications are identified as key ones. By using the same method, the key technical points in each key field were identified. Altogether 116,820 patents of oncology applied from 2006 to 2012 were retrieved, and four key fields with twenty-nine key technical points were identified, including "natural products and polymers" with nine key technical points, "fermentation industry" with twelve ones, "electrical medical equipment" with four ones, and "diagnosis, surgery" with four ones.
Conclusions/Significance:
The results of this study could provide guidance on the development direction of oncology, and also help researchers broaden innovative ideas and discover new technological opportunities.
Insights
Patent analysis identified key oncology fields and technical points. Four main areas, including natural products and electrical medical equipment, were highlighted for future research and innovation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Oncology research is rapidly evolving, necessitating identification of key innovation areas.
- Patent analysis provides a robust method for tracking technological advancements in cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most significant fields and technical points within oncology through comprehensive patent analysis.
- To guide future research and development directions in the field of oncology.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of oncology patents filed between 2006 and 2012 using Thomson Innovation database.
- Utilized Derwent Classification (DC) and International Patent Classification (IPC) for field and technical point identification.
- Employed two-dimensional quadrant analysis and regression analysis to determine key fields based on patent volume and trends.
Main Results:
- Identified four key oncology fields with 29 distinct technical points from 116,820 analyzed patents.
- Key fields include "natural products and polymers" (9 technical points), "fermentation industry" (12 technical points), "electrical medical equipment" (4 technical points), and "diagnosis, surgery" (4 technical points).
- These fields represent significant areas of patent activity and technological focus in oncology.
Conclusions:
- The identified key fields and technical points offer strategic guidance for oncology development.
- Findings can help researchers identify innovative opportunities and emerging technological trends in cancer research.
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