PulseTech

Team: Jose Guzman, JuiCheng (Rick) Hsieh, Sierra Mulrine, Grace Pierson, Jayashree Selvaganapathi, Jillian Wombles

Problem: Heart failure is a complex condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands and it affects millions of people per year worldwide. Early diagnosis is challenging, often resulting in delayed treatment and poor patient outcomes. Existing diagnostic methods, such as echocardiography and blood-based tests, are invasive, expensive, and require specialized equipment or laboratory analysis. Additionally, these methods may not be readily accessible in resource-limited settings or remote areas, leading to disparities in healthcare delivery.

Solution: CardioScreenPro, aims to revolutionize heart failure screening by introducing a non-invasive, cost-effective, and user-friendly approach utilizing lateral flow assay technology. Lateral flow assays are well-established diagnostic tools that provide rapid results. By employing this technology and focusing on the protein NT-proBNP, a well-known biomarker for heart failure, we offer a novel and accessible solution for early detection and screening.

Siren

Team: Ashi Awasthi, David Ward, Harika Nathi, Het Modi, Olivia Brencovich, Rajita Rhaphaela, Rodrigo Silva

Problem: In-vitro hemolysis, or the destruction of red blood cells due to external factors, is a major contributor to delays in patient care and waste of hospital resources in the emergency department (ED). With hemolysis incidence rates in the ED ranging from 7-20% and no available method to detect hemolyzed samples prior to standard laboratory processing, literature suggests that a hemolyzed sample delays patients by an average of 62 minutes and hospital emergency departments lose upwards of $300,000 each year in wasted labor, supplies, and time.

Solution: Our solution provides a method for the point of care detection of in-vitro hemolysis. After extracting a small sample of whole blood from each blood collection tube, our device, through a lateral flow assay, alerts clinicians when results are indicative of hemolysis. If hemolysis is detected, a new sample can be taken immediately, reducing delays present from laboratory processing.

ENTeam

Team: Zafar Alam, Yoel Alperin, Harshita Edwankar, Yin Lu, Marilyn Medallon, Samantha Smith

Problem: The closing step of septoplasty is critical as it must be performed correctly to prevent hematomas, perforations, infections, and potentially revision surgeries. Our device - the proposed device, the ENTeam Septal Stapler, is designed to replace the conventional hand suturing closing process of septoplasty surgeries by providing surgeons with a method to staple the nasal septum and respective mucosal flaps in place. There are an estimated 260,000 annual septoplasties conducted in the United States alone and an additional 882,000 annual surgeries that could potentially benefit from the proposed device. Additionally, the proposed device offers distinct advantages over traditional hand suturing techniques in septal surgery. Unlike hand suturing, which requires manual dexterity and precision, the ENTeam Septal Stapler standardizes and simplifies the process with consistent and effective staples.

Solution: The ENTeam Septal Stapler utilizes a resorbable fixation structure delivered via a hand-operated surgical stapler. The ENTeam fixation structure (staple implants) is composed of a bioresorbable copolymer. The device is indicated for use during nasal surgery for coaptation of the mucoperichondiral flaps of the nasal septum. Aforementioned staples are provided in a sterile cartridge installable into the reusable stapler apparatus prior to use.

NeuroSure

 

Team: Derek West, Anoushka Vellara, Ammar Khan, Cristina Isusi Silgo, Lauren Connelly, Katherine Zaronias, Rani Kapadia

Problem: During surgeries, patients are often placed in positions that place pressure on nerves.  With enough pressure, debilitating nerve injuries can occur, leading to loss of motor or sensory functions.  This type of nerve injury has been reported to occur in 1-2.5 million surgeries, making it a significant surgical risk. It costs patients significant time from work and costs hospitals and physicians because of extended hospital stays and malpractice claims. Currently, there are no non-invasive medical devices on the market to monitor and prevent position related nerve injury. 

Solution: To answer this unmet need, we have developed NeuroSure.  Our device monitors and adjusts patients to alleviate nerve risk injury.  Further, the device has a warning signal that alerts the surgical team of increased risk of nerve injury.

Critical Care

Team: Fischer Robinson, Srija Vaidyanathan, Aparna Subramaniam, Ameera Patel, Kaveen Vijay Kumar, Cameron Poulsen

Problem: Intensive care units (ICUs) are specialized units in hospitals designed to care for critically ill patients. Cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) are specifically for patients experiencing heart diseases and lung diseases and transplant patients. As many patients in the CICU have heart and lung dysfunction, cardiopulmonary support is often essential for patient recovery and stability. The gold standard technique for circulation and oxygenation of blood is the life-sustaining machine known as ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This device pumps blood outside of the body to an artificial lung that facilitates the blood-gas exchange and returns the oxygenated blood to the body. However, ECMO treatment has many complications that can lead to significant health risks; current equipment is notorious for forming blood clots and can require medical providers to splice out the clotted regions in a process called “circuit exchange.” Even this process currently has flaws; it leaves the patient disconnected from ECMO for a period of time and requires up to six providers operating in a tight space at one time. 

Solution: CircuLink is a 3-way connector placed in two locations within the ECMO circuit. It would allow the healthcare providers to attach a new pump and oxygenator to the ECMO circuit before having to stop flow on the old pump. When ready to switch over to the new pump, personnel can simply flip the valves and remove the old circuit. This tool would enable the circuit exchange process to happen without disrupting the flow of blood to the patients and it would decrease the number of required personnel.