By Amanda Ashley, Director of Communications, Office of the Vice President for Research
The University of Utah has been named to the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) 2025 Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents, ranking 81st globally with 46 U.S. utility patents awarded in 2025, recognizing the university’s continued leadership in translating research into real-world impact.
Released annually since 2013, the Top 100 Worldwide ranking highlights universities that play a critical role in the global innovation ecosystem by protecting and commercializing intellectual property. Institutions on the 2025 list collectively hold more than 9,300 U.S. utility patents.
“This recognition reflects the University of Utah’s commitment to discovery and to the responsible stewardship of research with real-world potential,” said Erin Rothwell, Vice President for Research at the University of Utah. “Patents help protect innovations so they can be developed thoughtfully and shared in ways that ultimately serve people, improve lives, and advance the public good.”
Notable University of Utah Patents from 2025
The University of Utah secured several U.S. utility patents in 2025 spanning multiple disciplines, including health, engineering, and advanced research tools. Selected examples include:
U-7334 Cannulated Continuous Compression Screw
Inventors: Wade Fallin, Charles Saltzman, Colin Gregersen, Chase Hagman
Department: Orthopedics
A specialized bone screw designed for insertion into bone during orthopedic procedures. The screw includes a distal member with bone-engaging threads and a proximal member that slidably engages the distal member. A tension member extends between them so that when the distal and proximal parts move relative to each other, the tension member elongates and urges the distal part back toward the proximal part, thereby applying z across a bone interface (helping stabilization and healing). The design also allows a guidewire to pass through a cannula and may include mechanisms to limit screw length and transmit bending loads.
U-7333 ISOLATION, STORAGE, AND DELIVERY OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES USING ASYMMETRIC DEPTH FILTERS
Inventors: Misha Skliar, Vasily Chernyshev
Department: Chemical Engineering
A system and method for isolating, storing, and delivering extracellular vesicles (EVs) using asymmetric depth filters. The invention focuses on passing a fluid containing EVs (or other particles) through a specially designed depth-filter medium with graduated pore sizes that can capture these tiny particles. Once captured, the EVs can be stored under conditions that preserve them (e.g., hydrated, dried, frozen) and later released in a controlled way. Depending on the design of the depth filter, delivery of EVs can occur passively (through diffusion) or actively (using applied forces such as pressure or fields), and the technology can be adapted for various particle sizes beyond EVs.
U-7368 SEMI-ACTIVE ANKLE AND FOOT PROSTHESIS POWERED BY A LOCKABLE SERIES-ELASTIC ACTUATOR
Inventors: Tommaso Lenzi, Samuel Westgard, Minh Tran, Lukas Gabert, Connely Buchanan
Department: Mechanical Engineering
A semi-active foot and ankle prosthesis that uses a lockable series-elastic actuator and a selectively engageable locking mechanism to improve prosthetic function and adaptability. The invention includes a drive motor coupled to a linear actuator that moves the prosthetic foot relative to the ankle frame, as well as a locking mechanism that can engage the motor’s drive shaft to resist back-driving forces. This design enables the prosthesis to switch between an active mode (with powered motion for lower-torque activities) and a passive mode (with the locking mechanism engaged to resist higher-torque loads), while maintaining a compact structure suitable for integration within the foot shell.
Explore available University of Utah technologies for licensing and partnership
About the NAI Top 100 Worldwide Universities List
The National Academy of Inventors’ Top 100 Worldwide Universities list is based on calendar-year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Collectively, institutions on the 2025 list hold more than 9,300 U.S. utility patents, underscoring the essential role universities play in global innovation and technology translation.
“The Top 100 Worldwide list highlights the importance U.S. patents hold in the global innovation ecosystem. Academic institutions from around the globe rely on this protection of their intellectual property to ensure their technologies make it to market,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the National Academy of Inventors. “Through recognizing and celebrating these institutions who value their patent portfolio, we are highlighting the benefits of patenting for both the innovators and their universities and encouraging them to translate their technologies for larger societal and economic impact.”
About the University of Utah Technology Licensing Office
The University of Utah Technology Licensing Office helps the University of Utah researchers navigate the path of discovery to impact by pioneering research into real-world solutions. The TLO provides comprehensive support for patent protection, commercialization strategies, and industry partnerships, facilitating the translation of groundbreaking research into world market products that serve and benefit society.
For more information about innovation and technology commercialization at the University of Utah, visit the Technology Licensing Office
The Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2025 list can be found here.
