The USPTO provides a good explanation of the Patent Application process.
Check the following resources for basic information on Patents and Patent Searching:
US Food & Drug Adminisration
Other links on Medical Devices
Medical Devices and Human Engineering by 
Biodesign by 
Handbook of Human Factors in Medical Device Design by 
Biomedical Technology and Devices, Second Edition [Handbook series for mechanical engineering] by 
Medical Devices: Surgical and Image-Guided Technologies by 
Medical Devices - Managing the Mismatch: an outcome of the priority medical devices project. by 
Clinical Evaluation of Medical Devices: Principles and Case Studies by 
A Handbook of Medical Diagnosis for Students by 
Safety Evaluation of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices by 
The Handbook of European Intellectual Property Management by 
Medical Device Software Verification, Validation and Compliance by 
Joining and Assembly of Medical Materials and Devices by 
Medical Devices and Biomaterials for the Developing World: case studies in Ghana and Nicaragua by 
Medical Device Design for Six Sigma: a road map for safety and effectiveness by 
Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things by 
Update on Life Cycle Strategy for New Implants and Medical Devices by You might want to search directly in the e-book collections below for other titles:
For basic information and general definitions search some of our online encyclopedias:
Biomedical Engineering Fundamentals, Third Edition by 
