Intellectual Property in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: The importance and process of obtaining intellectual property rights.

Understanding the purpose and process of obtaining intellectual property rights (IPR) is fundamental to healthcare innovation. Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons are natural innovators, however a knowledge deficit in this space may hinder the ability to move ideas from the "bench to bedside". Here we provide an overview of IPR, outlining the steps necessary to obtain intellectual property protection in an academic setting, while highlighting recent US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approvals pertaining to Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.