Capstone as a Vehicle for Translational Research
Timothy Allen, Ph.D.
David Chen (UVA Coulter Director)
Shayn Peirce, Ph.D.
The DEPARTMENT of BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERINGSchool of Engineering and Applied Science School of Medicine
Clinical Problem: Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)
• Fluid in middle ear
• Untreated, OME can cause permanent hearing loss and speech and language difficulties – seen most commonly in children
• Symptoms of ear pressure, fullness, hearing loss, and balance difficulties
Myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion:
• Decreases pain• Restores hearing • Prevents reaccumulation
of fluids• Ventilates middle ear space• Improves balance
Current Standard of Care Treatment
Clinical Need: Improve existing surgical technique
•Instruments unable to hold and precisely manipulate the small ear tubes; multiple instruments required to insert the tube risk of damage to ear canal
Biomedical EngineeringShayn Peirce-Cottler, Ph.D.Anu RoyLisa KillenDanielle Gause
Orthopaedic SurgeryMichael Pannunzio, M.D.Kornelis Poelstra, M.D.Otolaryngology Brad Kesser, M.D.
It started with a BME Capstone Team...
Prototype 1A Prototype 2A
Early Prototypes
It continued with a Capstone Team...
Prototype 1B
Biomedical EngineeringShayn Peirce-Cottler, Ph.D.Isi AzekeCraig ContaAshley DavenportKristen MelnyczukTrevor RoyceDaniel Walters
NursingDeborah Conway, R.N., M.S.N.
Otolaryngology Brad Kesser, M.D.
Provisional Patent
NDAs
Identify PotentialLicensees
Pre-clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, &International Licensing Deal
Chinchilla Model
Time Required for Ear Tube Insertion
Tim
e (s
eco
nd
s)Standard of Care
PROTOTYPE 1B
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
p = 0.062
Capstone as a Mechanism for Upstream Innovation
• How can we involve BME undergraduates in translational
research?
• How can involving our undergraduates in translational
research bolster an environment of innovation?
• Research for credit• Capstone sequence
– “Project Fair”
– Topics include design, IP, market research, and FDA regulation
– Fall Proposal & Spring Capstone Symposium
• Novel design-for-credit course (“D-teams”), funded by NCIIA
• Many of our students are medically-motivated… and creative!• Interdisciplinary Solutions Workshops• High-throughput (Capstone “incubator” for new ideas)
Projects Resulting in… Number of Projects
Scientific Peer Reviewed Publications
(Papers & Abstracts)20
Provisional Patents Filed 10Full Patent Applications (U.S. and
International) 3
U.Va. BME Capstone Design Achievements over Three Years (avg. 53 students/yr)