You can file for a provisional patent first or choose to file for a non-provisional patent and skip the provisional application and you can file pro se (on your own) or with an attorney. The USPTO provides a lot of guidance and online tools for filing, including this page that provides an overview of the process.
A non-provisional application will need to include: a description of the invention, claims, drawings (as necessary), an oath/declaration and filing/search/examination fees. This page from the USPTO provides more detailed information regarding filing for a non-provisional utility patent. If you're planning to file on your own, you may want to explore the Pro Se Assistance Program.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the PTRC Representatives for further guidance and resources. We can be contacted by email at lib-ptrc@osu.edu.
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