Study goals
The Kidney stones affect 5% of the Brazilian population (S. F. R. da Silva et al., 2011), with a 50% recurrence in five years (Gomes, 2005), thus, it has been the subject of several studies aimed at diagnosis and treatments. This study foresees the search for frugal patents, free for reproduction in Brazil, given the need for research related for kidney stones prevention, and which also aim at reducing costs related to treatment, leads us to the following reflection and questioning: As a technological analysis can contribute to the search for frugal solutions for kidney stones prevention?
Relevance / originality
The reduction of costs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of urinary stones, through the technological tools in data mining and patent search (Patent2Net and Espacenet), in search of frugal patents, that is, low cost, easy replication and applicability, demonstrate the feasibility of this study.
Methodology / approach
This is a documentary analysis, as a source of referential data, the software Patent2net (P2N) was used, and Espacenet, with bibliographic review for the validation of facts and data, research with a qualitative and quantitative approach ( Marco Resende Esmelindro Zaions et al., 2018). Using a reasoned, exploratory technological exploration with a quantitative character to analyze the data and content of the theme.
Main results
The study identified 1,596 patents related to the subject, the research took place through P2N, with analysis through dynamic spreadsheets, with the exploitation of patents identified with frugal potential, through Espacenet, among the explored patents, one was listed with the possibility of replication, when it had the investment compared to the cost related to the treatment for kidney stones in Brazil.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
The use of Patent2net and Espacenet software, considering the validation of facts through bibliographic analysis, demonstrated that this study proposes a reduction in costs related to the prevention of urinary stones, through a methodology rich in opportunities for exploration and application.
Social / management contributions
The research confirms the relevance of the proposal, in relation to the use of Patent2net, suggesting that this study can be incorporated into future studies that are related to this research, for a possible replication and use of the solution proposed by the inventor, for kidney stones prevention.