patsnap-patent-literature-search

# PatSnap Patent & Literature Search MCP > Skill by [ara.so](https://ara.so) — MCP Skills collection. ## Overview PatSnap Patent & Literature Search MCP provides AI agents with direct access to 200M+ patents across 170+ jurisdictions (USPTO, EPO, WIPO) and 216M+ scientific papers. Search using natural language queries without learning Boolean syntax. Supports fusion search (patents + literature), semantic search, keyword/BM25 text search, and precise filtering by assignee, inventor, IPC class, legal status, jurisdiction, date range, and citations. ## Installation ### Claude Desktop ```bash claude mcp add --transport http search-tool \ "https://connect.patsnap.com/2b0355/logic-mcp?apikey=${PATSNAP_API_KEY}" ``` ### Cursor or Windsurf Add to MCP configuration file (`~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json` or equivalent): ```json { "mcpServers": { "patsnap_patent_literature": { "url": "https://connect.patsnap.com/2b0355/logic-mcp?apikey=${PATSNAP_API_KEY}", "type": "streamableHttp" } } } ``` ### Docker (stdio bridge) ```bash docker run --rm -i \ -e PATSNAP_API_KEY=${PATSNAP_API_KEY} \ ghcr.io/patsnap/patent-literature-search-mcp:latest ``` MCP client configuration for Docker: ```json { "mcpServers": { "patsnap_patent_literature": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "--rm", "-i", "-e", "PATSNAP_API_KEY", "ghcr.io/patsnap/patent-literature-search-mcp:latest" ], "env": { "PATSNAP_API_KEY": "${PATSNAP_API_KEY}" } } } } ``` ### API Key 1. Register at [Patsnap Open Platform](https://open.patsnap.com) 2. Navigate to [Patent & Literature Search MCP page](https://open.patsnap.com/marketplace/mcp-servers/patsnap-search) 3. Generate API key (10,000 free credits for new accounts) 4. Set environment variable: `export PATSNAP_API_KEY=your_key_here` ## Available Tools ### `patsnap_search` Search patents or scientific literature with natural language or structured queries. **Parameters:** - `source` (required): `"patent"` or `"literature"` - `query` (required): Natural language search query or keywords - `filters` (optional): Object with filter criteria - `assignee`: Company/organization name - `inventor`: Inventor name - `ipc_class`: International Patent Classification code - `legal_status`: Patent legal status - `jurisdiction`: Country/region code (e.g., "US", "EP", "CN") - `date_from`, `date_to`: Date range (ISO 8601 format) - `min_citations`: Minimum citation count - `page` (optional): Page number (default: 1) - `page_size` (optional): Results per page (default: 10, max: 50) **Example: Patent search with filters** ```javascript { "source": "patent", "query": "solid state battery lithium metal anode", "filters": { "assignee": "Toyota", "date_from": "2020-01-01", "jurisdiction": "US", "legal_status": "granted" }, "page": 1, "page_size": 20 } ``` **Example: Literature search** ```javascript { "source": "literature", "query": "GLP-1 receptor agonist cardiovascular outcomes", "filters": { "date_from": "2022-01-01", "min_citations": 10 }, "page_size": 15 } ``` **Example: IPC classification search** ```javascript { "source": "patent", "query": "neural network image recognition", "filters": { "ipc_class": "G06N3/08", "date_from": "2023-01-01" } } ``` ### `patsnap_fetch` Retrieve detailed patent or literature records as Markdown. **Parameters:** - `urls` (optional): Array of result URLs from `patsnap_search` - `publication_numbers` (optional): Array of patent publication numbers (e.g., `["US10123456B2", "EP3456789A1"]`) **Example: Fetch by URLs** ```javascript { "urls": [ "https://analytics.zhihuiya.com/patent-view?patentId=abc123", "https://analytics.zhihuiya.com/patent-view?patentId=def456" ] } ``` **Example: Fetch by publication numbers** ```javascript { "publication_numbers": ["US11234567B2", "WO2023012345A1"] } ``` ## Common Usage Patterns ### Prior Art Search Search for existing patents before filing: ```javascript // Step 1: Search patents { "source": "patent", "query": "augmented reality waveguide display optical combiner", "filters": { "date_to": "2023-06-01", "jurisdiction": "US" }, "page_size": 50 } // Step 2: Fetch detailed records of top results { "urls": ["<url1>", "<url2>", "<url3>"] } ``` ### Technology Landscape Analysis Map patent activity by assignee and technology area: ```javascript // Search broad technology area { "source": "patent", "query": "electric vehicle battery thermal management", "filters": { "date_from": "2020-01-01" }, "page_size": 50 } // Follow up with assignee-specific searches { "source": "patent", "query": "battery thermal management", "filters": { "assignee": "Tesla", "date_from": "2020-01-01" } } ``` ### Fusion Search (Patents + Literature) Combine patent and academic research: ```javascript // Search patents { "source": "patent", "query": "CRISPR base editing adenine deaminase", "filters": { "date_from": "2021-01-01", "legal_status": "granted" } } // Search literature on same topic { "source": "literature", "query": "CRISPR base editing adenine deaminase efficiency", "filters": { "date_from": "2021-01-01", "min_citations": 5 } } ``` ### Patent Expiration Monitoring Find patents expiring soon: ```javascript { "source": "patent", "query": "GLP-1 receptor agonist diabetes treatment", "filters": { "legal_status": "granted", "date_to": "2008-12-31" // Filed ~20 years ago }, "page_size": 30 } ``` ### Inventor/Assignee Tracking Monitor specific organizations or inventors: ```javascript { "source": "patent", "query": "quantum computing error correction", "filters": { "assignee": "IBM", "date_from": "2023-01-01" }, "page_size": 25 } ``` ## Response Structure ### Search Response ```json { "total": 1234, "page": 1, "page_size": 10, "results": [ { "title": "Solid-state battery with lithium metal anode", "url": "https://analytics.zhihuiya.com/patent-view?patentId=...", "publication_number": "US11234567B2", "assignee": "Toyota Motor Corporation", "filing_date": "2021-03-15", "publication_date": "2023-01-24", "abstract": "A solid-state battery comprising...", "ipc_classes": ["H01M10/0562", "H01M10/0525"], "citations": 12 } ] } ``` ### Fetch Response Returns Markdown-formatted detailed records including: - **Patents**: Bibliographic data, claims, description, drawings, citations, legal status, patent family - **Literature**: Title, authors, journal, DOI, abstract, citations, publication info ## Configuration ### Environment Variables - `PATSNAP_API_KEY` (required): API key from Patsnap Open Platform ### Docker Build (for self-hosting) ```dockerfile FROM node:20-alpine WORKDIR /app COPY package*.json ./ RUN npm ci --production COPY src ./src CMD ["node", "src/index.js"] ``` Build and run: ```bash docker build -t patsnap-search-mcp . docker run --rm -i -e PATSNAP_API_KEY=${PATSNAP_API_KEY} patsnap-search-mcp ``` ## Troubleshooting ### Connection Issues **Problem**: MCP server not appearing in Claude/Cursor **Solution**: - Verify API key is set: `echo $PATSNAP_API_KEY` - Check MCP configuration file syntax (valid JSON) - Restart IDE/Claude Desktop after configuration changes - Test with: `claude mcp list` (Claude Desktop) ### Search Returns No Results **Problem**: Query returns zero results **Solution**: - Simplify query (remove overly specific terms) - Remove or relax filters (date range, jurisdiction) - Try different keyword combinations - Use broader IPC classes (e.g., "H01M10" instead of "H01M10/0562") - Check spelling of assignee/inventor names ### API Rate Limits **Problem**: Request fails with rate limit error **Solution**: - Free tier: 10,000 credits (check usage on Patsnap Open Platform) - Reduce `page_size` to consume fewer credits - Implement exponential backoff for repeated searches - Upgrade account for higher limits ### Invalid Publication Number **Problem**: `patsnap_fetch` fails with publication number **Solution**: - Use standardized format: `US11234567B2` (country code + number + kind code) - Common formats: `US10123456B2`, `EP3456789A1`, `WO2023012345A1` - Extract from `publication_number` field in search results ### Docker Container Exits Immediately **Problem**: Container starts but exits without output **Solution**: - Ensure `-i` flag is present: `docker run --rm -i` - Verify MCP client sends proper stdio handshake - Check container logs: `docker logs <container_id>` - Confirm `PATSNAP_API_KEY` is passed: `docker run -e PATSNAP_API_KEY` ## Best Practices 1. **Start broad, then filter**: Begin with general queries, analyze results, then add filters 2. **Combine sources**: Use both patent and literature searches for comprehensive research 3. **Iterate on queries**: Refine based on initial results (synonyms, related terms) 4. **Use fetch selectively**: Only fetch full records for most relevant results (saves credits) 5. **Leverage IPC codes**: Use classification codes for precise technical searching 6. **Date ranges**: Narrow by date to focus on recent innovations or identify expiring patents 7. **Citation counts**: Filter by citations to find influential work (especially for literature) ## Example Workflows ### Competitive Intelligence ```javascript // 1. Find all patents by competitor const competitorPatents = await patsnap_search({ source: "patent", query: "autonomous vehicle perception lidar", filters: { assignee: "Waymo" }, page_size: 50 }); // 2. Analyze their recent focus areas const recentPatents = await patsnap_search({ source: "patent", query: "autonomous vehicle", filters: { assignee: "Waymo", date_from: "2023-01-01" } }); // 3. Fetch details for key patents const details = await patsnap_fetch({ urls: competitorPatents.results.slice(0, 5).map(r => r.url) }); ``` ### Freedom to Operate (FTO) ```javascript // 1. Search active patents in target jurisdiction const activePatents = await patsnap_search({ source: "patent", query: "mRNA vaccine lipid nanoparticle formulation", filters: {