Recipient: Dr. David Almeida – Erie Retina Research
Grant amount: $99,014
Project Goal – To launch a mobile retina clinic (MRC) to provide rapid retinal screening and follow-up medical care at no cost while making clinical research participation highly accessible. Individuals who are seen at the MRC will receive resources on vision health and ophthalmic research and can undergo retinal imaging using a handheld, smartphone-based fundus camera, which captures images at the same accuracy as costly and difficult-to-transport tabletop cameras. Our ophthalmologist will review images and provide follow-up care recommendations. We will invite flagged participants back to our clinic for additional no-cost screening or recommend a visit to their ophthalmologist.
Project Summary – The MRC team will visit health fairs, community events, senior centers, refugee resource centers, Hispanic and Native American cultural centers, and places of employment throughout Pennsylvania to offer retinal screening. The overarching goal is to serve individuals who are most likely to experience ocular disease (due to age or poor nutrition) but may not have regular access to ophthalmic care due to social or geographical barriers. MRCs will serve as an important resource for seniors and individuals with low-income and/or those who are under/uninsured.
Individuals who are seen at the MRC will receive resources on vision health and ophthalmic research and can undergo retinal imaging using a handheld, smartphone-based fundus camera, which captures images at the same accuracy as costly and difficult-to-transport tabletop cameras. Our ophthalmologist will review images and provide follow-up care recommendations. We will invite flagged participants back to our clinic for additional no-cost screening or recommend a visit to their ophthalmologist.
Follow-up screening also determines eligibility for any of Erie Retina Research’s (ERR) 34 active or future clinical trials offered at no cost to the clinical trial participants. By bringing screening and recruitment opportunities directly to community settings, ERR will be improving access to care and enhancing the diversity and representativeness of clinical trial participants.
Recipient: Dr. Cameron Baston – Altrumed, LLC
Grant amount: $100,000
Project Goal - Develop a shoulder-mounted device equipped with advanced pulse oximetry technology, designed to detect opioid-induced respiratory depression instantly, and autonomously alert emergency services and bystanders. Unlike existing methods that require bystander intervention to diagnose and respond, this device’s automatic detection and alert system will ensure rapid deployment of life-saving measures, thus addressing an unmet need in overdose response scenarios. This will not only aim to reduce the mortality associated with opioid overdoses but also significantly cut down on the healthcare costs involved in post-overdose hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Project Summary- DOVE is a shoulder-mounted, standalone device that accurately senses opioid overdose based on physiological parameters. Smaller than a matchbox, DOVE uses next-generation pulse oximetry to detect overdoses caused by any respiratory suppressant, not just opioids. Upon detecting an overdose, DOVE immediately alerts bystanders and first responders, reducing the time to treatment and preventing long-term neurological damage.
Building off previous versions of DOVE and related studies, the goal is to incorporate essential technology into a redesigned device and validate it in a simulated setting. Once validated, the finalized devices will be tested on real patients at a hypoxia lab.
They will also be conducting outreach in urban, suburban, and rural areas of Pennsylvania, meeting with health systems, harm reduction centers, etc. to establish a pilot program site location and to build relationships to facilitate device distribution once FDA approval is obtained.
![Gaming_Experience[1]](/images/librariesprovider2/default-album/gaming_experience-1.tmb-small.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=d2bf7519_1 "Gaming Experience")
Recipient: Dr. Shawn Safford – University of Pittsburgh
Grant amount: $98,596
Project Goal - Implementation of mixed reality (MR) glasses to create interactive, game-based environments to reduce perioperative anxiety in pediatric patients and their parents.
Project Summary - This project proposes the implementation and evaluation of a Mixed Reality (MR) system specifically designed to reduce perioperative anxiety in pediatric patients and their parents. MR technology, which integrates real and virtual environments to create immersive experiences, will be deployed using specialized MR glasses. These glasses will enable the creation of interactive, game-based environments that distract children from the stress of medical procedures while also allowing parents to participate remotely through virtual presence, providing comfort and support even when they cannot be physically present.
The proposed game, "Operating Room Adventure”, will consist of various mini-activities, floating videos or animations, and mixed reality “portals”, immersing the child in a magical journey where the preparatory room, hallway, and operating room are transformed into vibrant, animated environments. Throughout the adventure, the child will encounter friendly avatars who introduce the medical equipment and procedures in a comforting and approachable way, helping them feel more at ease and engaged in the experience leading to surgery.
The project will also develop MR applications that allow parents to be part of their child’s experience during anesthesia induction and medical procedures, providing a sense of support and reducing the child’s anxiety.
![craniofacial_distractors[1]](/images/librariesprovider2/default-album/craniofacial_distractors-1.tmb-small.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=69e80e0a_1 "Craniofacial Distractors")
Recipient: Dr. Alexander Tucker – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Grant amount: $100,000
Project goal- To develop and manufacture a next-generation craniofacial distractor that effectively treats craniosynostosis through cranial vault expansion with a single surgery. The device will be strong enough to withstand active distraction and sufficiently durable through the consolidation period as new bone is forming. It will be made of bioresorbable material that is commercially available and widely used in biomedical applications.
Project Summary- A multi-disciplinary team combining the expertise of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) surgery and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Engineering will manufacture a distractor that balances strength, small size, flexibility, and biodegradability, using a reverse linear ratchet gear rack and head that allows cranial bones to be moved apart and prevents them from returning to their original position.
The novel distractor will be tested in a rabbit model of craniosynostosis. The rabbit model is the gold-standard for craniofacial research, as their skeletal structure has significant homology with humans. The scalp and skull of each animal will be harvested at the time of sacrifice and examined for signs of infection or irritation.
PAMED awarded Innovation Grants to four members to fund projects that encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative approaches to the field of medicine. Grants were awarded through a competitive process requiring the submission of Letters of Intent and formal proposals. No individual grant proposal could exceed $100,000. All identifying information regarding the applicants, project sites, employers, etc. was redacted and not available to the Innovation Committee throughout the entire process, including review and scoring.