Inventor Chronicles: From Idea to Invention
In our video series, Inventor Chronicles: From Idea to Invention, our inventors describe their backgrounds, goals, and what led them to where they are today and share advice for new inventors. Not only do the featured inventors share the most rewarding pieces of the innovation process, but they also share their challenges.
In each Inventor Chronicle, a different inventor recounts their unique journey with Cleveland Clinic Innovations – from the initial inspiration to a life-changing invention that positively impacts patients’ lives.
Physician & Patient Combine Forces to Improve Patient Care
Andy Williams and Dr. Eric Yudelivich Blumrosen
Andy Williams, a Cleveland Clinic patient turned inventor, used a simple DIY method to plug his leaking feeding tube – a small nipple from the pet store. After showing his solution to Dr. Eric Yudelivich Blumrosen at his next physical, they worked together to build a prototype and are now launching a small clinical trial with the help of Cleveland Clinic Innovations.
Turning Passion into Innovation
Vijay Krishna, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute
The first project that Dr. Krishna describes is a transparent antimicrobial coating that kills microbes and degrades them, reducing infections. The coating must be applied to a surface only once, significantly reducing maintenance. The second is a type of sunscreen that prevents sunburn and skin cancer – in a way that other sunscreens do not.
Whenever Dr. Krishna has an idea, the Cleveland Clinic Innovations team guides him through the steps one by one, including assessing the market need and much more. He comments that without their investment in innovation, he does not think the Cleveland Clinic would be able to maintain a competitive edge.
Grit & Grind
Karunakaravel Karuppasamy, MD, Imaging Institute
Dr. Karuppasamy realized that currently available tube-shaped stents are inadequate to treat branching sites in the human body. He and his team set out to create easy-to-use delivery systems to accurately deploy fenestrated stents in the heart, blood vessels, bowel duct, and airways. His platform technology will potentially improve millions of patients' lives.
Leading Innovation
Joseph Iannotti, MD, Chief of Staff, Cleveland Clinic Florida
Dr. Iannotti discusses how Cleveland Clinic Innovations provides the knowledge, skill sets, and resources to help an inventor take an idea and turn it into a reality. In his experience with device development companies, a picture can only get as far as a laboratory setting. The advantage of the Cleveland Clinic is that an idea can go through development, FDA approval, and clinical trials all within the same organization –the most prominent example being the breast cancer vaccine developed in-house that is now undergoing clinical trials.
Narrowing the Gap
Abcon Therapeutics
Abcon Therapeutics, Inc, a Cleveland Clinic spinoff company, tells the story of translating technology by working with a diverse team who master the art of combining science and business together to bring ground-breaking solutions to patients. Cleveland Clinic Innovations brings insight into the pathway from research to a commercializable product.
