Problem: Sepsis, an overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, is the most common cause of death in US hospitals. Sepsis is associated with a mortality rate of 25–30% and mortality due to septic shock is 50–85%. Rapid diagnosis and intervention in sepsis are essential given an increased mortality rate of 8% for every hour...

A portable point-of-care device for rapid and sensitive detection of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections. Problem: The COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 40 million people worldwide as of mid-October 2020, causing more than 1 million deaths. Up to 50-80% of transmissions occur from asymptomatic patients. Current tests can have a turnaround time of hours...

A COVID-19 diagnostic approach, utilizing a SARS-CoV-2 binding biosensor, that allows for real-time virus detection, without the need for sample processing, ultimately leading to population-level surveillance, outbreak tracking, reduced healthcare costs, improved treatment outcomes, and saved lives. Problem: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,...

Technology Overview: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a major form of acute leukemia in elder adults. The treatment of AML has changed little in the past decades and the overall 5-year survival rate remains very poor in the AML patients. AML relapsed from chemotherapy is highly aggressive with poor prognosis. While adaptive cell therapy via chimeric...

A method to rapidly detect the presence of EGFRvIII mutations in cancers and normal tissue using digital PCR. Problem: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating brain cancer with poor prognosis. EGFRvIII is a mutation in the Extracellular Growth Factor Receptor that frequently occurs in GBM tumors. Targeting EGFRvIII mutations is an emerging...

A cryostat with optical imaging capabilities to detect cancerous tissue using near-infrared (NIR) imaging and artificial intelligence software. Problem: During surgery, biopsies are taken for pathologists to examine and answer the following questions: (a) did the surgery locate the tumor? (b) is the margin of the tumor removal site tumor free...

Rapid diagnostic and prognostic marker predicting risk of brain damage and lasting dysfunction after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI or concussion) Problem: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), alternatively referred to as concussion, is the most common neurological injury. mTBI affects more than 1.5 million children and adults each year in the...

Indicators for treatment of bicuspid aortic valve and aortopathies. Problem: Bicupsid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect in the US, with an approximate incidence of 1 in 50 births. BAV frequently leads to valve dysfunction and is associated with serious adverse aortic events such as aortic aneurysm, dissection and rupture....

Device for the optimal mixing and delivery of MRI gaseous contrast agents Problem: Gaseous contrast agents, and more specifically, hyperpolarized (HP) noble gases, such as helium-3 and xenon-129, are used for investigational imaging of respiratory gas in lungs by MRI for the purpose of assessing regional lung function. The ultimate goals of such...

Technology Overview: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) pose serious threats to patients’ well-being as malignant diseases, and most patients with metastatic NETs succumb to the disease. Using Sequential Tumor-related Antibody and antigen Retrieving (STAR) technology Dr. Xianxin Hua, MD, PhD at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and his...