I am also a registered patent attorney. I am not giving you legal advice. You are not my client.
You should work with a quality patent attorney to do the work (not an agent, unless the agent is working for an attorney to maintain your privilege among other reasons). It will cost you, but if you don’t do it right, don’t bother to do it at all. I know a few in San Diego are, if you want some names (send me a private email).
Most important to keep in mind is that a patent is not a license to do anything. Just because you apply for a patent or have one issue does not mean your invention, if commercialized, would not infringe one or more previously applied for/granted patents.
A patent is simply a license to sue somebody.
Patent lawsuits are very expensive. there are contingent fee outfits that will take on patent cases if the $$$ at stake is adequate. (Google “patent troll” for some examples).
At least 97% of granted patents amount to nothing more than wall placks. It is a very expensive plack for an individual without $$$ and a plan.
But, every now and then, someone hits it big. (I recommend the Gary Michelson song on you tube).
