Russian innovations in pediatric traumatology and orthopedics: a patent analysis

BACKGROUND: The medical and pharmaceutical industries are strategically important sectors for ensuring national security and the sustainable development of healthcare. Traumatology and orthopedics, particularly in children, have historically been associated with innovation and a substantial number of inventions. Given the restricted population in pediatric medicine and the relatively small sector of institutions and specialists providing care to the pediatric population, assessment of trends in innovative activity in pediatric traumatology and orthopedics is relevant. AIM: This study aimed to examine the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of patent activity in the Russian Federation in the area of innovative products for pediatric traumatology and orthopedics. METHODS: Information on patents was collected and analyzed using the databases and registers of Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and Russian Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor). Leading scientific journals publishing research in pediatric traumatology and orthopedics in the Russian Federation were analyzed. The information was assessed for the period of 2019–2024. RESULTS: A total of 295 registered intellectual property objects in the field of pediatric traumatology and orthopedics were identified; of these, 209 patents concerned children only, and 86 patents concerned both children and adults. The mean annual number of patents was 49 ± 6.7. The largest proportion of patents was devoted to new methods of treatment and diagnosis, accounting for 76.4% of all developments. The share of medical devices did not exceed 20%. Under 8% of developments and the results of their use were described in scientific publications. Information on developments that completed authorization with Roszdravnadzor was almost absent. CONCLUSION: The most relevant innovations concern the treatment of conditions of the lower extremities and spine in children. The main trends are the prevailing advances in diagnostic and treatment methods, short effective patent life, a low proportion of completed authorization procedures, and limited reporting on the clinical experience of these innovations in scientific publications.