Finding Joy in Research and Innovation

In our Inventor Chronicles video series, Cleveland Clinic inventors share their backgrounds, goals, challenges, and advice for new inventors. Each episode follows a different inventor’s journey with Cleveland Clinic Innovations, from initial inspiration to life-changing invention.

“There are very creative and curious clinicians that look for solutions outside of the box. A lot of times when you really start looking into the details, it will really start to make the lives of our patients better.” – Carlos Higuera, MD.

Dr. Higuera, Chair of the Levitetz Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, invented an anti-bio film to treat infections in knee replacements – a challenging and common issue in his field. This less invasive solution preserves the implants in place.

“It’s always a challenge, there are always bumps in the road. The most important thing is to persevere, don’t give up. It’s really easy to give up and I think that that’s what happens a lot with innovation… you just have to keep pushing. If I could pick one single thing I could do that brings me joy, it’s research and innovation. Through research and innovation… I can affect potentially millions of lives for the good.” says Dr. Higuera.

Cleveland Clinic Innovations brings the best ideas from the brightest minds in medicine to patients around the world by connecting inventors and their ideas with strategic industry partners to create products that transform the future of healthcare. Since our inception in 2000, Cleveland Clinic Innovations has helped inventors receive 2,400+ patents, executed more than 800 licenses and launched over 100 start-ups to turn ideas into next-generation products for patients.