1) If you have a meaningful patent, you may pursue other things to solve the lack of money. There is a little less of a hurry. You may also sell the patent to a troll - your soul will be damned for eternity, but you may become a millionaire the first time someone steps on your particular landmine.

2) Don't be overattached to your idea. You already broke the "fail cheap" rule by having an idea that involves hardware and a lot of development. If the idea doesn't work out, forget it (it's easier since you have a patent)

3) It seems you already learned a lot on how not to do one thing (and may have learned how to successfully do a lot of others). That experience is valuable.