Separate your concerns. Don't throw away your PhD for a patent you may not end up getting anyway. That would be a tragic situation. WRT to the patent, consult

Separate your concerns. Don't throw away your PhD for a patent you may not end up getting anyway. That would be a tragic situation. WRT to the patent, consult an IP attorney. IANAL, but I suspect their advice is going to be get your PhD, separate from the university, start a company, apply for the patent as part of that company. The university may, or may not, sue you for royalties. Ask your IP attorney now what that means - because obviously there are expenses to running a company and you shouldn't have to give up 60% of your income and pay your expenses from what's remaining. Don't ask randos on the internet for legal advice. Take everything I've said with a grain of salt - you really need to see an IP attorney.