innovate with medtronic€¦ · innovate with medtronic product idea > step 3: submit your idea...

© Medtronic, Inc. 2011

INNOVATE WITH MEDTRONIC

PRODUCT IDEA > STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

Submission Example

This submission is provided as an example only. The invention described herein is not an actual submission. It is merely provided to help show you the type and quantity of information that should be included in a submission.

Be sure to fill in all required fields marked with a red asterisk.


The title of your invention should accurately convey the basic attributes of your invention in a clear and concise manner.

For more information on whether to select Confidential or Non-confidential see the link “What does it mean to choose Confidential versus Non-Confidential” highlighted at the top of this page.

Be sure to read the terms of this Agreement before clicking “I Agree”.


If you have any co-inventors or collaborators, be sure to list their names here. Medtronic will need to have agreements in place with your co-inventors before pursuing an idea.

Select what type of invention your product falls under. In this example, the invention is a brand new, never before seen type product.

Select what Primary Solution Category your invention falls under. These categories correspond with the major Medtronic business units. If your invention does not fit within one of these categories you may select other and enter in your own description for the Primary Solution Category.

In this example, the Coffee Collar invention does not correspond to a Medtronic business unit. Under the Other Primary Solution Category you may enter a description for the Primary Solution Category for your invention. You should note that if your invention does not fit within one of the categories here, your invention may not be a fit for Medtronic. In this example, a Coffee Collar is clearly outside of Medtronic’s usual areas of production. Consequently, the Coffee Collar invention would probably not be a fit for Medtronic.

Select an applicable therapy or disease state for your invention. This should be a subset of the Primary Solution Category you identified above. For example, if the invention were a new device for spinal stenosis, the Primary Solution Category would be Spine & Biologics and the Applicable Therapy or Disease state would be spinal stenosis.

In the next several sections, you should aim to describe your invention in as much detail as possible. Provide any notes, records, drawings, photographs that describe your invention or how your invention may be used. Please note how much detail is provided for a comparatively simple invention in this example. Documents and drawings may be cut and pasted into these text boxes, or you may provide them as attachments.


In this Coffee Collar example I have provided drawings and a detailed description for my invention. If you are submitting a confidential disclosure, you should aim to have at least as much information in your disclosure as is provided in this Coffee Collar example. If you cannot describe your invention as thoroughly as is done in this example, it is a good idea to hold off on submitting your invention until such time that you are prepared to provide this level detail. If Medtronic is interested in your idea, Medtronic will request this detail after an initial review of your disclosure. You will save yourself and Medtronic time and effort if this information is provided up front!


Review your submission carefully before you submit your disclosure. You may go back and edit if necessary.


Before you submit your disclosure, you must agree to the terms of the Submission Form and Agreement.