APTC Commercialized Innovations for disabled Veterans

The VA Technology Transfer Program, with the assistance of the PIA, Techlink, licensed two inventions to AliMed, Inc. The Self-leveling Walker, invented by APT Center investigators, allows users to safely negotiate stairs and inclines while minimizing the cost of home adaptations and rehabilitation training. The Hinged Bathtub Bench, invented at the Chicago VAMC and refined by APT Center engineers, locks on to the tub wall and allows the shower curtain to fully close and prevent water from spilling onto the floor. In addition, APTC Investigators continued to innovate and protect VA inventions by submitting 11 new invention disclosures and receiving 9 new patents in FY23.

(Be sure to check out our APTC display in the atrium of the Cleveland VAMC to see our custom Barbie and Ken displaying these licensed innovations!) 

APTC Disseminates Lower Extremity Sensory Neuroprostheses

APT Center Associate Investigator Dr. Hamid Charkhkar and Core Investigator Ms. Lisa Lombardo received a $1.49 million, four-year grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) for project entitled "Neurally Integrated Lower Limb Prosthesis for Home and Community Use" that expands upon previous research initiated by Dr. Ron Triolo and funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This project focuses on real-world use of sensory neural prostheses and extends our work that demonstrated significant potential for restoring plantar sensation in Veterans with lower limb loss. In addition, our Restoring Lower Limb Neural Connections (ReLLiNC) laboratory was highlighted in the 2023 VA Research Week kick off speech given by VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal. As part of his speech, Dr. Elnahal highlighted the positive impact our innovative research on sensory feedback using neuroprosthetics has had on a Veteran with trans-tibial limb-loss.

APTC Investigators Recognized for Contributions to Ongoing Innovation

APT Center Core Investigator, Dr. Dustin Tyler, was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), and APT Center Deputy Director Dr. Margot Damaser and Associate Investigator Dr. Pedram Mohseni were named Senior Members of the NAI in FY2023. Additionally, Dr. Mohseni and a team of APT Associate Investigators (Drs. Evi Stavrou, Umut Gurkan, and Michael Suster) were named 2023 CWRU Research Innovators of the Year at the University’s Innovation Week for their work on the life-saving ClotChip device.  This portable, point-of-care device can assess the clotting ability of a blood sample 95 times faster than current methods, using only a single drop of blood.

iNet Funds APTC Projects That Impact Veteran Health

Seven APT Center Investigators and staff were awarded FY23 funding from the VHA Innovators Network (iNET) for projects that address the needs and improve the lives of disabled Veterans. APT Center Core Investigator Dr. Mark Walker advanced his project to develop and test a portable virtual reality system to measure eye movements and assist in the diagnosis of neurological and vision disorders. Core Investigator Lisa Lombardo created a ventilatory training program to strengthen respiratory muscles of paralyzed Veterans and is disseminating it to other VA Medical Centers. APT Center engineers Braden Petno and William Rasper adapted trikes to compensate for gravity, assist with climbing hills and allow simultaneous and synchronized upper and lower limb workouts. Other APT awardees include engineer Raychel Testa for the “Hinged-Tub Transfer Bench and Simplicity Mammography Biopsy Chair” projects, engineer Michael Miller for a “HoloLens Training Module for Placing Electrodes” project, and physical therapy assistant Maura Malenchek for the “Tri-Cane: A Convertible Tripod Cane for Intermittent Support” project.

APTC Expands Community Interest for Adapted Exercise

The APTC team exhibited our stimulation-powered rowing ergometer, virtual reality rowing exercise games, and our newly acquired adapted rowing shells at the 2023 Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta hosted by the Cleveland Rowing Foundation on September 16th.  Attending this event generated great interest from local community organizations and media (see section below "APT in the News"), which will help lead to the ultimate goal of getting Veterans with disabilities safely rowing on the water to promote exercise and allow for a greater sense of community! 

APTC WKYC News Feature 

The APTC was featured on our local NBC affiliate - Channel 3 WKYC - in February! The segment highlighted our Motion Study Lab's (MSL) adapted exercise program for those with lower limb paralysis and showcased footage from our exhibition at the 2023 Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta, adapted rowing/biking demonstrations from two dedicated MSL research participants Kimberly Ocampo and Kevin O'Reilly, and interviews from APTC Executive Director Dr. Ron Triolo and Core Investigator Lisa Lombardo. Watch the full clip here:  WKYC - Cleveland VA program transforming exercise for those with paralysis

Spectrum 1 News Feature 

Vietnam War Veteran and longtime APTC Restoring Lower Limb Neural Connection (ReLLiNC) Lab research participant Danny Werner was featured as part of National Veterans and Military Families Month on Spectrum 1 News in November! He was the very first individual to receive an implanted system developed by the APTC that stimulates the sensory nerves in his residual limb providing him sensation in his prosthetic foot. 

Watch the full clip here:  VA Medical Research aims to have amputees regain feeling

Dr. Anirban Sen Gupta WKYC Feature 

APTC Investigator Dr. Anirban Sen Gupta and his research team, in collaboration with his co-founded company Haima Therapeutics, were featured on WKYC News in April! The segment highlighted the DARPA funded project to develop and test an artificial, freeze-dried, blood substitute that can be used for immediate need, such as with an injured soldier on a battle field. The final goal of this project would be to get the artificial blood ready for clinic trials. 

Watch the full clip here to learn more: WKYC - Research Creating Artificial Blood

Next month on Thursday May 30th 1pm-6:30pm in Tinkham Veale Ballroom at CWRU, the APTC will host its first ever Spring i-Con Research Symposium. The goal of this event is to provide an invaluable opportunity for students and trainees to network with each other, APTC investigators, and other multi-disciplined professionals driving forward the frontiers of research and development in translational programs. There will be a networking workshop, career panel, a trainee poster session complete with prizes for the top three winners, and a featured keynote speaker - Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio, Professor and VP of Research at UT Dallas - who is renowned for his significant contributions to the bioengineering field!

Any questions can be directed to Event Chair Dr. Janet Gbur and her co-chairs Eileen Petros and Gabrielle Labrozzi .