Wonder if that brain cooling device you are designing has already been patented?

With Google Patents you can search roughly 7 million patents that have been granted since 1790! And in case you were wondering, there is already a patent for a "device for cooling an infant's brain".

Because Google Patents is just for the US (see note below) make sure you check out the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Guide to International Property World Wide, a great resource that allows you to search for patent information in other countries.

Please note that: "All patents available through Google Patent Search come from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patents issued in the United States are public domain government information, and images of the entire database of U.S. patents are readily available online via the USPTO website."

Quick disclaimer #2: I am not a lawyer so I can't give you legal advice regarding intellectual property issues but I can forward you some of the information that specialists have developed.