In JeffSolves MedTech, multidisciplinary student teams work for up to a year with leaders from Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health to gain inspiration and empathy by connecting with patient experts and clinicians. Using human centered design methods, teams develop commercializable solutions in collaboration with design and engineering professionals. The program culminates in a physical prototype that can be used in a clinical study and a public pitch presentation. Technologies are licensed by Jefferson.
Program Co-Directors: Robert Pugliese, Tod Corlett, Eric Schneider, and Becky Flax
Program Administrator: MaryEllen Daley
Projects
2024 Event
Watch the 2024 Pitch night event held october 10th 2024
Heel-Up
HeelUp is a modified crutch with a built in elevation system designed to help those with lower limb injuries alleviate any pain they may have from swelling.
Commodore
Commodore is a reimagined bedside commode that changes the game in terms of safety, comfort, and dignity during bedside toileting. It’s the first bedside commode designed with the user in mind.
2023
Sologo
A toilet paper dispenser designed to be both compact and adjustable in the confined space of the hospital bathroom for patients of all functional levels.
Telecomfort
An innovative redesign of holders for mobile cardiac telemetry devices with improved adaptability and user comfort.
LineUp
An organizational tool that reduces the frequency of IV-line tangles by shortening the length of excess IV lines and keeping IV lines off the floor.
Special thanks to our clinical partners and mentors at the following Jefferson Health sites: Jefferson Washington Township Silvestri 5, TJUH 5 West, and TJUH 7 West especially Nicole Ervin, Priscilla Callahan, Erin Kelley, Elissa Harmon, Valerie Seccia, Angel Bogan, Kristine Meagher, Kristen Gilmore. Special thanks to Dr. Kate FitzPatrick her continued support of this program.
JeffSolves Pitch Day 2023 - Watch the full video of the event held on October 5th, 2023 as a part of the Design Philly Festival! Special thanks to Delve for hosting.
2022
Acclivity
Acclivity is a securement system for peripheral IV catheters. It covers the IV site, decreasing the likelihood a confused patient will see their IV and dislodge it. Acclivity is designed to resist the activity of confused patients, but be easily removable by clinicians. And it does all this in a form that looks and feels like clothing. Acclivity’s polyester-spandex sleeve is long enough to cover a wide range of peripheral IV sites from the wrist to the bicep. But unlike current products, the sleeve is designed to stay in place. When a patient tries to pull off the sleeve, the top cuff of the sleeve catches on the ridge, keeping the sleeve over the IV site.
Motivity
Motivity is an IV system intended for ambulation with the goal of improving patient and nursing experiences, safety and utility. Motivity solves three major issues with the standard IV pole. The base is modified so it remains stable, but utilizes an improved geometry to improve walking and imply directionality. A handle was designed and fitted that is natural and comfortable to hold and maneuver the IV pole. A system was also developed to stow the handle when it is not in use.
NursePOD
NursePOD is a new mobile nurse station designed to maximize comfort, inspire personalization, and improve functionality. Features include a Seating Option, Storage, Work Surface, Charging Station, Foot Rest, and Memory Adjustability. Our collapsible and ergonomic chair can be deployed and stored on the pod in a matter of seconds. NursePOD is also designed with electronically hinged storage compartment that swing out with the press of a button allowing nurses to obtain clinical supplies and personal items without moving their position. In addition, on NursePOD we have designed a removable caddie that is flush with the worksurface.
Special thanks to our clinical partners and mentors at the following Jefferson Health sites: Abington Hospital 2 Lenfest West staff, especially Kelly Laumann and Karen Perez. Stratford Hospital 2E staff, especially Christine Varner. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 7W staff, especially Andrew Thum.
JeffSolves Pitch Day 2022
Watch the full video recap of our three 2022 JeffSolves MedTech teams presenting at Delve!
Improving Patient Care
Check out this Nexus article explaining the program and diving into each of the 2022 teams’ projects here!
2021
Grip’N’Go
The Grip ‘N Go is comprised of a clip and a handle in order to improve safety and sanitation during a self-transfer to the toilet. The clip is placed on top of the toilet seat, enhancing both stability and sanitation of a self-transfer. The weight-bearing handle gives patients another safe location option to grab during a transfer to and from the toilet.
Conpono Collar
A cervical collar created to give our patients more flexibility and control over their collar so they can more easily participate in and enjoy day-to-day activities. It allows for easy, real-time self-adjustments to better accommodate various day-to-day activities.
Soleia
A shoe lift created to make walking more comfortable for pediatric patients with Leg Length Discrepancy and allow for ease of their caregivers by increasing the longevity and adjustability of shoe lifts. The lift provides stability and support while walking - We designed the lift to promote stability, and provide support for the user while walking.
TremEase
A weighted wearable device that has the adaptability to counter each patient’s unique tremor.
JeffSolves Pitch Day 2021
Watch the full video recap of our four 2021 JeffSolves MedTech teams presenting at Bresslergroup!
A New Way of Thinking
Check out this Nexus article explaining the program and diving into each of the 2021 teams’ projects here!
2020
Callicore
The Callicore car seat is designed by an interdisciplinary team of medical and design experts for pediatric patients immobilized in Spica Casts, which children must be placed in following surgery for hip dysplasia or femur fractures. These casts require flexion and wide abduction of the hip joint. This creates a number of problems for both the families and hospital staff, starting immediately from when the child is discharged from the hospital. Although there are products on the market that address this issue, these options fall short of meeting user needs from both a legal and safety standpoint.
As a result, our team has developed the Callicore car seat, which will be the most adjustable product on the market. Out of all of the options available, the Callicore is the only Spica car seat that provides a combination of innovative features, such as the pommel seat and pivoting side impact protection, which make the experience of traveling with a child in a Spica Cast safe and manageable.
Conexo
Conexo is a flexible barrier that protects both the inserting and receiving luer-lock components from contamination. The two adaptors ideally work together, but they can also function independently, and be used in conjunction with sanitizing caps.
Steam N’ Spin
Steam n’ Spin is an automated breast pump part steam-sterilizer and dryer, designed for NICU-grade pathogen control and high volume use. By combining steam sterilization and centrifugal drying in one unit, it dramatically reduces cleaning time and protects infants with underdeveloped immune systems from deadly infections.
2019
EarPeace
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that newborn babies should not be exposed to any more than 45 dB while they are in the hospital - that noise level is the equivalent of you would hear in a quiet library. While some sounds - like parents’ voices - help stimulate proper development, multiple studies have shown that excessive auditory stimulation can have negative effects on the growth and development of newborns. We worked with neonatologists, nurses, audiologists, and designers to develop EarPeace to help reduce the excessive noise that babies are exposed to inside and outside of the hospital.
Respiro
Our project focus is on mitigating the exposure of medical personnel to waste anesthetic gases. Studies show that prolonged exposure to common anesthetic agents can cause a variety of health concerns including increased risk of miscarriages, birth defects, fertility issues, cancer, and CNS depression. These hazards extend not only those directly exposed to gases in the operating room, but members of their household as well.
2018
Episition
After an in depth investigation of the equipment and techniques used to provide neuraxial anesthesia, a team zeroed in on the problematic biomechanics involved in setting up the patient for the procedure - particularly, how the patient must initiate and maintain an unintuitive, unnatural, and challenging arch of the back in order to maximally open up intervertebral space for needle insertion. The team conducted multiple rounds of iterative prototyping with validation by pregnant patients and experts every step of the way, and is proud to introduce Epistion - the cushion that positions patients for a smooth delivery. Ergonomically designed to help the patient more intuitively fall into position, Episition provides emotional and physical support to stabilize the patient during this difficult procedure. Furthermore, this stability allows the Anesthesiologist to more easily place the needle - improving existing practice, easing the frustrations of healthcare staff, and enhancing hospital efficiency. With a patent pending on Episition’s revolutionary design, the team looks forward to improving a gold standard with a patient-centered approach.
Soriya
Soriya spent the summer of 2018 in an immersive accelerator program with product development company 10XBeta. The team created a low-cost applicator apparatus (patent pending) that fits on all standard Clobetasol foam canisters. Clobetasol foam is one of the first line treatments for patients with scalp psoriasis. The team also created an apparel line (patent pending), beginning with a head cap, that is compatible with topical medications used in dermatology. The apparel both allows patients to avoid getting oil stains all over their clothing, and the specially designed material actually increases the efficacy of the topical medications through the principles of occlusion therapy. Soriya’s two product system provides skin friendly solutions to help dermatologic patients heal with ease and comfort.
Gia TILT
Gilt Tilt is a device that empowers patients who need pelvic exams in the ER. The Tilt flat-packs so that it takes up less space and is easily stored, and is able to quickly be folded up so that the provider uses a minimal amount of time for set-up. The Gia Tilt provides pelvic support for the patient so that they are in the optimal position for the exam, and includes padding to make the patient more comfortable. The angle of the Tilt also provides better visualization of the cervix for the provider.
Flipcatch
Flipcatch is a modern midstream clean-catch urine collection device. It is the result of a reimagining of the standard urine cup to improve the efficiency and user experience of collecting urine for culturing. Commonly, the confusing process ends with dirty hands and a dirty sample. The contaminated sample fails to provide the healthcare provider with useful information about how to treat the patient. The provider can either make an educated guess or order the test again, adding hours to the patient’s wait for an answer and cost to the system. Flipcatch turns all of this on its head by providing a simple and elegant device that automatically collects a midstream sample, thus reducing contamination. The product also integrates into existing workflow by providing the option of using a vacuum sealed tube to remove the clean sample from the device. Flipcatch can improve patients’ experience and comfort, aid clinicians in their decision making and treatment, and reduce costs and inefficiencies to hospital systems at large.
2017
ALAFLEX Design: 3D Bandaging System
Introducing the ALAFLEX system, a new way of bandaging tricky axillary wounds. Medical dressings have always been flat and formulaic. However, with 3D technology, the team designed a bandaging system that ergonomically fits the axilla's unique body contour. Our 3D bandages provide leak and odor protection, while offering comfort and discretion. While the ALAFLEX is primarily geared towards treating HS patients, users suffering from hyperhidrosis and other axillary wounds and conditions would also benefit from this affordable option. With a patent pending on the ALAFLEX product line, the team looks forward to enabling patient users and providing them with the peace of mind they deserve.
Owl Medical: Turn-Timer
The Pressure Ulcer team spent the remainder of the 2017 academic year researching all aspects of pressure ulcers; eventually focusing on both the biomechanical factors and hospital workflow causes of pressure ulcers. The Pressure Ulcer team then did a six-week intensive immersive residency with a product development company called 10xBeta in Brooklyn, New York. During the residency the Pressure Ulcer team developed a retrofittable bed-mounted system that uses low cost sensors to detect patient position in bed, and assess the need for a healthcare professional to turn a patient. This system utilizes intuitive notification and information delivery methods to streamline healthcare professionals pressure ulcer prevention workflows and involve patients’ families in the prevention processes. The Pressure Ulcer team continues to develop this pressure ulcer prevention product and has filed for patents.
2016
CIRCALUX
Circalux is a circadian-friendly lighting company designing lighting pods t0 meet the needs of overnight care providers in the hospital and home. Created by three medical students at Thomas Jefferson University, Circalights emit circadian-friendly wavelengths at intensities proven to be the least disruptive to melatonin, one of the body’s main chemical cues for sleep. The devices are rechargeable and adjust their brightness according to user proximity.
JeffSolves Graduates
2024
Anderson Ng
Beth Anne Cottrell
Emma Tam
Haig Manoukian
Jacob Shteingart
Jessica Smith
Joey Braverman
Mason Meo
Samuel Elesinmogun
2023
Kalvin Matischak
Matt Katz
Tiffany Liao
Yasmine Eichbaum
Ava Milan
Cariah London
Steven Yi
Tyler Radack
Saurav Sumughan
Katherine Yerkes
2022
Rachel Monane
David Gordon
Joseph Braverman
Maitri Doshi
Sam DeMatte
Jessica Dragonetti
Kalvin Matischak
Nate Godshall
Andy Huang
Haley DeMartin
Paarth Jain
Julia Ponezk
Ethan White
2021
Jennifer Hegelein
Nia Robinson
Emily Marshall
Eshika Agarwal
Gigi Geary
Jane Won
Anusha Koka
Kathryn Bormes
Zane Gouda
Aaron Anderson
Emily Furstenberg
Hannah Anderson
Linda Rivas
Sara Belko
Justin Horst
Fletcher Viders
Jenna Mandel
Joseph Paladino
Kayla Brockmeyer
2020
Gigi Geary
Lauren Huggler
Stephanie Szymanski
Anjali Patel
Heli Patel
Joey Leone
Aaron Herl
Rachel Smith
Christina Stiebris
Kathryn Sommer
Kelley Yuan
Frank Porras Gonzalez
Isaac Savinese
Cole Miller
Galen Ogg
Jasmine Phun
Nash Vedanaparti
2019
Colin Lew
Mohammad Rasool
Alexandra McCullough
Alison Romisher
Corey Jameson
Delara Kiani
Cary Hess
Alice Karp
2018
Dante Varotsis
Elliott Perow
Nathon John
Vikram Eswar
Christopher Neely
Hannah Levy
Helen Xu
Sean Haynie
Tamar Wasserman
Vivek Bilolikar
Elizabeth Shoenburg
Gaige DeHaven
Kelly Sullivan
Matthew Sharayko
Anthony DiFranco
Stefani Samuels
Jen Doto
Sarah Weinblatt
2017
Adam Hecht
Vinu Rajendran
Mark Keroles
Dan Choi
Victor Hsue
Haru Jang
Leena Ramani
Abhishek Umashankar
2016
Lorenzo Albala
Tim Bober
Graham Hale
Mark Mallozzi
Steve Selverian
Ludwig Koenoke