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The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) awarded grants totaling $105,000 to five research groups through its 2018 Round-1 Pilot Funding Program for Early Stage Medical Technology Research and Development. Four of these research groups involve the expertise of McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty members; the projects include

  • a new vascular access device for use with stent grafts,
  • an artificial tricuspid valve for treatment of right-heart disease,
  • a biological treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, and
  • a biofeedback system for mobility rehabilitation training.

This is our seventh year of pilot funding, and our leadership team could not be more excited with the breadth and depth of this round’s awardees,” said McGowan Institute affiliated faculty member Alan Hirschman, PhD, CMI Executive Director. “This early-stage interdisciplinary research helps to develop highly specific biomedical technologies through a proven strategy of linking UPMC’s clinicians and surgeons with the Swanson School’s engineering faculty.

“E-mag system for rapid cannulation of fenestrated stent grafts to reduce radiation exposure”
For the development of a vascular stent graft system that will magnetically guide cannulation of endograft branches.

  • Bryan Tillman, MD, PhD, Division of Vascular Surgery Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  • Youngjae Chun, PhD, Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering

“Valved stent conduit for the treatment of severe advanced tricuspid regurgitation”
For the development of an artificial tricuspid valve that will treat decreased right ventricular performance due to cardiac disease.

  • Catalin Toma, MD, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Heart and Vascular Institute
  • Youngjae Chun, PhD, Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering

“Local induction of tolerogenic T cells to ameliorate inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease”
For the development of a potent IBD therapy with fewer side effects than current medical therapy.

  • R. Warren Sands, MD, PhD, T32 Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School
  • Steven Little, PhD, William Kepler Whiteford Endowed Professor and Chair, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering
  • David Binion, MD, AGAF, FACG, Professor of Medicine, Clinical and Translational Science Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Medical School

“MOVISU-FIT: Mobile Wearable System for Real Time Visual Feedback and Gait Training”
For the development of a system to provide real-time visual feedback to patients working on gait corrections during mobility rehabilitation training.

  • Goeran Fiedler, PhD, Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Science and Technology, UPMC
  • William Clark, PhD, Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Swanson School of Engineering
  • David Brienza, PhD, Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Krista Kutina, DPT, Researcher, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Alicia Koontz, PhD, Associate Professor, Veterans Administration Hospital
  • April Chambers, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering

CMI, a University Center housed in Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering (SSOE), supports applied technology projects in the early stages of development with “kickstart” funding toward the goal of transitioning the research to clinical adoption. Proposals are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, technical and clinical relevance, potential health care impact and significance, experience of the investigators, and potential in obtaining further financial investment to translate the particular solution to healthcare.

Congratulations, all!

Illustration:  University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering.

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University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering News Release