{
  "docket": "system_for_controlling_the_guidance_of_biopsy_needles",
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "published_at": "2026-07-27T12:39:01Z",
  "summary": {
    "name": "summary",
    "value": "Computer controlled guidance of a biopsy needle is marketed for licensing by University of Florida. It is documented in US patent US 6,546,279. The current assignee of record is University of Florida. Google Patents reports its legal status as \u201cExpired - Lifetime\u201d (an automated indicator, not a legal determination). Its expected expiration is 2021-10-18.",
    "citation": {
      "source": "ipnex",
      "license": "ipnex_derived",
      "method": "templated_summary_from_publishable_facts",
      "confidence": 0.6,
      "url": null
    }
  },
  "patent_number": {
    "name": "patent_number",
    "value": "US6546279",
    "citation": {
      "source": "google_patents",
      "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
      "method": "gp_page_documents_number",
      "confidence": 0.95,
      "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
    }
  },
  "patent_fields": [
    {
      "name": "title",
      "value": "Computer controlled guidance of a biopsy needle",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_dc_title",
        "confidence": 0.9,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "current_owner",
      "value": "University of Florida",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_assignee_current",
        "confidence": 0.8,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "original_assignee",
      "value": "University of Florida",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_assignee_original",
        "confidence": 0.85,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "legal_status",
      "value": "Expired - Lifetime",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_legal_status_gp_disclaims_accuracy",
        "confidence": 0.7,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "filing_date",
      "value": "2001-10-12",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_filing_date",
        "confidence": 0.9,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "priority_date",
      "value": "2001-10-12",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_priority_date",
        "confidence": 0.9,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "publication_date",
      "value": "2003-04-08",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_publication_date",
        "confidence": 0.9,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "expiration_date",
      "value": "2021-10-18",
      "citation": {
        "source": "google_patents",
        "license": "google_patents_ccby4.0",
        "method": "microdata_adjusted_expiration",
        "confidence": 0.75,
        "url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US6546279/en"
      }
    }
  ],
  "ownership": {
    "signal": "institution_owned",
    "flags_discrepancy": false,
    "institution": "University of Florida",
    "current_owner": "University of Florida",
    "original_assignee": "University of Florida"
  },
  "status": {
    "legal_status": "Expired - Lifetime",
    "category": "lapsed",
    "detail": "expired_term",
    "in_force": false,
    "public_domain": true,
    "interpretation": "This patent appears to have reached the end of its statutory term, so the invention is in the public domain and may be practised without a licence; there is no longer an exclusive patent right to license."
  },
  "expiry": {
    "expiration_date": "2021-10-18",
    "basis": "adjusted",
    "as_of": "2026-07-30",
    "years_remaining": 0.0,
    "term": "expired",
    "interpretation": "This patent appears to have passed the end of its term, so the invention is likely in the public domain: free to practise, with no exclusive patent right left to license. Confirm its current standing before relying on it."
  },
  "licensability": {
    "value": 0,
    "band": "weak",
    "complete": true,
    "summary": "0/100 -- weak licensability.",
    "components": [
      {
        "name": "Ownership",
        "state": "ok",
        "detail": "The marketing institution is still the patent's owner of record."
      },
      {
        "name": "Legal status",
        "state": "blocked",
        "detail": "The term has ended (Expired - Lifetime); the invention is in the public domain, so there is no exclusive patent right left to license."
      },
      {
        "name": "Remaining term",
        "state": "blocked",
        "detail": "The exclusive term has already ended."
      }
    ]
  },
  "link_out": {
    "institution": "University of Florida",
    "listing_url": "https://ufinnovate.technologypublisher.com/tech/system_for_controlling_the_guidance_of_biopsy_needles"
  }
}