Industry involvement
Engineering Innovation in Health (EIH) develops technical solutions to pressing challenges in health. We welcome projects from your company that will benefit from a collaborative working team of industry professionals, UW students, and faculty.
Benefits
By participating in EIH, you have the opportunity to:- Develop innovative technical solutions that bring value to your company.
- Vet a solution to a challenging problem, perhaps one that you don’t have the resources to pursue in-house.
- Generate a deeper understanding of a health challenge, market, current solutions, intellectual property, and regulatory strategy that engages a comprehensive set of stakeholders.
- Work closely with a diverse group of UW students and faculty from engineering, health sciences, and business.
- Strengthen your relationship with the UW for recruiting student talent and for engaging in future projects.
- Leverage world class infrastructure and facilities at UW.
- Receive a nonexclusive commercial license to any project intellectual property developed by the student team or UW employees.
Involvement
The Engineering Innovation in Health program runs for 8 months. Projects typically start in the fall (October) and run for three quarters (ending in June).
Participating companies pay a $15,000 sponsorship fee and designate an employee lead to mentor the team. The mentor meets with the team weekly to help them understand the problem in depth and guide the solution pathway.
Intellectual property is governed by existing federal and state laws and is subject to best practices of the University of Washington technology transfer office, CoMotion. A company wholly owns its existing intellectual property. A nonexclusive, commercial license will be granted to any project intellectual property developed by the student team or UW employees. Additional, pre-negotiated options for exclusive licenses have been standardized as part of the Washington Innovation Advantage Program.
The EIH process starts with industry sponsors or clinicians submitting a project idea that focuses on an unmet health challenge and ultimately ends with a working prototype solution, which can take the form of a device, process, or application. Project submissions are due by August 1. We welcome you to reach out to us and discuss your ideas. Please contact Soyoung Kang to learn more.
Sample projects
For a full list of previous projects, visit the Projects section.
Preventing Loss of Guidewire During Central Venous Catheterization »
The Seldinger technique is used place a central venous catheter (or central line) in a large vein, and starts with a guidewire being held in place with a finger until a catheter is threaded into position. In the event of a stressful emergency, distractions may lead to loss of the guidewire, either by falling out of place, or in the worst-case scenario, the guidewire slips into the patient. This unique modification to existing wires not only prevents guidewire from slipping into the patient to prevent a serious safety event, but also circumvents the need to retrain physicians.
Intravenous Arm Trainer »
A realistic training device for clinicians learning to place IVs.
Heart Anchors »
A catheter–based heart surgery stabilization device.
