Invention, Intellectual Property, and Income
For this week it is important to start thinking on the Invention, Intellectual Property, and Income part of the project. And although this project may seem only an amateur or DIY style project, it is really important to project a route on how this project may be implemented on different circumstances.
To do so, I will define 4 transcendental things to take into account:
- Target Audience
- Funding and Business Plan
- Licensing
- Awareness Strategies
Target Audience
The main target audience for the Photo-Podoscope includes healthcare professionals such as podiatrists, physiotherapists, and other practitioners who focus on foot health. These professionals would benefit from an affordable and accessible tool to enhance diagnostics and treatment planning, especially for those located in lower-income communities where other alternative devices may be out of budget. Medical institutions, including clinics, hospitals, and healthcare centers, especially those in underserved areas, are also a key audience. This device can improve the quality of care and expand the range of services they offer at a lower cost. Additionally, educational institutions like universities and technical schools with programs in medical technology, biomedical engineering, and healthcare are important targets. The project can be used as a teaching tool for students to understand the integration of various engineering and medical disciplines. Furthermore, makers and DIY enthusiasts interested in creating their own medical devices or involved in open-source hardware projects can find value in this project.
Funding and Business Plan
Currently, the Photo-Podoscope project is funded as part of the Fab Academy course. For future scaling, several funding avenues could be explored, including applying for grants focused on healthcare innovation and technology, using crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe, and forming partnerships with healthcare providers or educational institutions to share development costs. The business plan involves conducting market research through surveys and interviews with healthcare professionals to refine the product, developing and testing multiple prototypes to ensure functionality and durability, identifying cost-effective manufacturing methods for large-scale production, and using online platforms and medical equipment distributors for sales and distribution.
Licensing
For the software components of the project, the MIT License will be used. This license allows for nearly unrestricted freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software, as long as the original copyright notice and permission notice are included. It is a permissive open-source license that encourages innovation and collaboration within the community by making the project accessible to everyone.
For the physical parts of the project, the CERN Open Hardware License (CERN OHL) is an excellent choice. Specifically, the CERN OHL-S (Strongly Reciprocal) will be used. This license ensures that all modified versions of the hardware must be open-sourced under the same terms. This approach promotes collaboration and sharing within the community, while also ensuring that improvements and modifications remain accessible to everyone.
Awareness Strategies
To raise awareness, the project will have its dedicated page on my FAB ACADEMY WEBSITE that details the project, its features, and how to build it. The project will also be published on open-source platforms such as GitHub to reach the maker community and some presentations and workshops could be organized, with the project being showcased at medical and engineering conferences to highlight its potential. Some workshops will be conducted in educational institutions to teach students and professionals how to build and use the Photo-Podoscope.
