McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty members recently received grants from the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) through its 2014 Round-1 Pilot Funding Program for Early Stage Medical Technology Research and Development.
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. Since 2011, CMI has awarded over $483,000 in funding to 29 research groups.
“This is our third year of pilot funding, and our leadership team could not be more excited with the breadth and depth of this round’s awardees,” said Alan D. 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.”
The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty projects are:
Contained Morcellation Device: Award to design, build, and test an improved morcellation device for laparoscopic surgery, preventing the accidental release of cancerous tissue into the body.
Pamela Moalli, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Magee-Womens Hospital
Alan Rosenbaum, MD
Resident Physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Magee-Womens Hospital
Jeffrey Vipperman, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, SSOE
Auxetic Structures for Urogynecological Implantations: Award to design, build, and perform in vivo testing of a new class of surgical meshes for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse without the complications of currently marketed devices.
Steven D. Abramowitch, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, SSOE
Pamela A. Moalli, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Magee-Womens Hospital
Fade to Clear High Visibility Sutures: Award to develop and test a new suture which is highly visible during placement and becomes transparent during patient recovery, thereby improving aesthetic outcomes.
J. Peter Rubin, MD
Chairman, Department of Plastic Surgery, School of Medicine
Eric J. Beckman, PhD
Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, SSOE
PerioMag GBR Barrier Membrane: Award to develop a resorbable barrier membrane for faster and lower cost guided bone regeneration (GBR) in periodontal applications.
Charles Sfeir, DDS, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
Andrew Brown, BS
Graduate Student Researcher, Department of Bioengineering, SSOE
Steven Little, PhD
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, SSOE
Surgically Implantable Prosthesis for Prevention of Tracheobronchial Distortion after Lobar Lung Resection: Award to develop a prosthesis to prevent bronchial kinking after removal of one or more lobes of the lung. The device will prevent post-surgical complications that impact recovery and quality of life for lung cancer patients.
James D. Luketich, MD
Chairman, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UPMC
William J. Federspiel, PhD
Professor of Bioengineering, Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, SSOE
Arjun Pennathur, MD
Assistant Professor Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UPMC
Diane Strollo, MD
Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UPMC
Valentino Bianco, DO
Research Fellow, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UPMC
Illustration: Center for Medical Innovation.
Read more…
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering News (06/30/14)
Pittsburgh Business Times (06/30/14)
Bio: Dr. Pamela Moalli
Bio: Dr. Peter Rubin
Bio: Dr. Eric Beckman
Bio: Dr. Charles Sfeir
Bio: Dr. Steven Little
Bio: Dr. James Luketich
Bio: Dr. William Federspiel