A medical device can be patentable if it is novel and non-obvious and is claimed as a process or as an improvement upon known technology. Patent applications contain two varieties of claims: independent claims and dependent claims. The independent claim is the broadest version of a patent claim, and dependent claims aim to further narrow the invention by adding additional limitations (or features) to the claimed invention. It is typically a good strategy to seek protection for independent patent claims that are drafted in a way that is broad in scope. Broad independent claims translate into broader protection, and a larger possible pool of potential infringers. Claims construction is more of an art than a science – the claims need to start broad in scope and then become more detailed with the addition of dependent claims. It takes years of practice for patent attorneys refine their patent claim drafting skill.