Past Projects

Projects have been sponsored by these companies:

2023-2024

• Emerson: A new market for magnetic flowmeters

• Medtronic: A tissue stimulation device to treat heart disease

• Medtronic: Continuous cardiac monitoring away from the clinic

• Stryker: Exploring ways to increase sales of an existing ENT product

• University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization: Advancing a University of Minnesota medical technology to increase its attractiveness as a licensing opportunity

2022-2023

• JnJ Ethicon: A new medical device for a cardiac procedure

• Stryker ENT: A new way to manage severe nose bleeds

• Medtronic: A new medical device for continuous monitoring of cardiovascular function

• Northern Tool and Equipment: A new portable power charging device

• Urinary Technologies: A system for faster detection of urinary tract infections

2021-2022

• • 3M - Sustainable medical devices

  • Medtronic - Temporary pacing system

  • Medtronic - Wildlife tracking device

  • Telo - Improved mobility aid

  • Institute for Engineering in Medicine - Tool for pelvic surgery

  • Institute for Engineering in Medicine - Endoscope location monitor for colonoscopies 

2020-2021

• • 3M - Next-generation medical tape

  • Heraeus - Novel implanted device lead

  • Medtronic - Ablation mapping technology

  • Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center - Precision suturing device

  • Institute for Engineering in Medicine - Negative pressure protection device

  • Institute for Engineering in Medicine - Recycling hospital waste streams

2019-2020

• • MnDRIVE - Industrial wastewater treatment technology

  • Medtronic - Cardiac care procedure

  • Medtronic - Cardiac care device

  • 3M - Clinical care device

  • Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center - Cardiac care device

2018-2019 

• • Medtronic - An improved process for implanting an LVAD

  • Medtronic - A new procedure related to placing transcatheter valves

  • Medtronic - An improved blood vessel imaging device

  • 3M - A next-generation stethoscope

  • CD3 - An improved boat and trailer cleaning solution

  • Exaltas - A device to help older adults after they fall

2017-2018

• • Rockler - A new woodworking jig

  • Newco - A way to measure balance in older adults

  • Newco - Novel in vitro diagnostics based on a urine sample

  • 3M - New wound care closure solutions

  • Boston Scientific - Improved training for placing a peripheral stent

  • Medtronic - A better way to replace a transcatheter aortic valve

  • Medtronic - A new MRI compatible heart procedure device

2016-2017

• • IKC America - Product to treat veterinary injuries

  • Spinal Designs - Product to alleviate back pain

  • Agora Investment - New type of backpack

  • SelfEco - Self-fertilizing planter for coffee beans

  • 3VO Medical - Birthing aid

  • Medtronic - Device for treating arterial lesions

2015-2016

• • Medtronic - A new device for a transcatheter heart valve

  • Medtronic - A sensor for cardiac ablation procedures

  • Agora Investment - A new inline skate concept

  • Digital Design Studios - A new way to treat bunions

  • IKC America - A product to treat athletic injuries

  • University of Minnesota - A new toothbrush

2014-2015

• • Medtronic - A product to facilitate transcatheter aortic valve replacement

  • Medtronic - A way to better access the heart for cath lab procedures

  • Borkon - A new product related to women's health

  • Shooting Lab - A new product for training basketball shooting skills

  • YOXO - A new toy using recycled materials

  • UMN CCEFP - New applications for small hydraulics

2013-2014

• • Medtronic - A monitoring system for cryoablation

  • EmbraSure Medical - A new way of tying the jaw shut

  • Tactile Medical - An active compression garment

  • Boread Medical Technologies - Femoral artery access device

  • Modiron - A new way to remove wrinkles from clothing

  • UMN Medical Devices Center - Monitoring anesthesia motor block

2012-2013

• • GeneSegues - Skin patch for drug delivery

  • Gromit & Bronk - Child stroller

  • Medical Devices Center - Ablation monitoring system

  • Medtronic - iPad product information app

  • Smiths Medical - Warming blanket

  • Smiths Medical - Vascular access

  • Surgical Robotics Lab - Surgical skills testing system

2011-2012

• • Fortiori Design - Exercise monitoring device

  • Lake Region Medical - Catheter delivered heart valve assistance device

  • Medtronic - Cryoablation delivery device

  • Orbio Technologies - Activated water solutions for food processing

  • South Ostrich - Device for delivering aerosol-based medications

2010-2011

• • Ethicon Endo-Surgery - Tool for colorectal cancer surgery.

  • Medtronic - Guide system for transeptal access in cardiac procedures.

  • Medtronic - Tool to assist cardiac lead extractions.

  • Perceptis Medical - Ear tube placement tool.

  • Treehouse Medical - Child friendly IV poles.

  • U of M Medical Devices Center - Medical device virtual prototyping system.

2009-2010

• • Best Buy - Modular display stand.

  • Ethicon Endo-Surgery - Surgical tool for ablation procedures in the GI tract.

  • GT Urological - Improvements to the ActiCuf, a urinary incontinence device.

  • Medtronic - Surgical tool to determine the efficacy of cardiac ablation.

  • Tennant - Cleaning system for the food processing industry.

  • VivoSense - Transplant organ viability testing and transport device.

2008-2009

• • Best Buy - An accessory that mounts a smart phone to an automobile windshield.

  • Boston Scientific - A new device for powering implanted sensors.

  • ConArgra - New packaging for Hunt's tomato products.

  • Ethicon Endo-Surgery - A system for improved ablation therapies.

  • Medtronic - A tool for assisting heart valve replacement surgery.

  • Vet School - A virtual reality veterinary dental training system.

2007-2008

• • Augustine Biomedical and Design - A patient fluid warming device for hospital use.

  • Graco - A design for high volume commercial paint mixers.

  • Lake Region Manufacturing - A catheter based device to facilitate treatment a of neurovascular condition.

  • Medtronic - A manufacturing and packaging process for stylets.

  • Pando Technologies - A radio frequency device for treating dental caries.

  • TSI - A single camera 3D imaging device.

2006-2007

• • Aeromix - Waste water aerator

  • Medtronic - Cardiac access device

  • Nesos Health - Arthritis device

  • Pando Technologies - Remote controlled flying machine

  • RivaTek - High temperature pressure sensor

  • St. Jude Medical - Cardiac anomaly measuring device

2005-2006

• • Medtronic - Implantation tool for pacing leads

  • Pando Technologies - Wearable fitness meter

  • SoftScope Medical Technologies, LLC - Testing and evaluation of propulsion mechanisms and user control for powered colonoscopy device

  • St. Jude Medical - Tool for simplifying access to the femoral artery

  • Tennant - Trash compaction system for hospitals

  • U of MN Biomedical Engineering Institute - Device and system to prevent blood transfusion errors

2004-2005

• • Devicix - Spine surgery tool

  • IMI Vision - Novel pneumatic systems architecture

  • Medtronic - Accessory for pacing lead

  • Pando Technologies - Sports training device

  • Starfire Medical - Aneurysm device

  • Tennant - Institutional cleaning machine for restrooms

2003-2004

• • 3M - Limb compression

  • Arctic Cat - Snowmobile accessory

  • IMI Vision - On-demand ice cream dispensing machine

  • Pneumedics - Surgical bleeding control

  • Unisys - Small business software application

  • Venturix - Ablation catheter

2002-2003

• • 3M - Wound assessment

  • 3M - Electrodes

  • Medtronic - Visible Heart

  • Pando Technologies - Universal Printer

  • Probus - Nightlights and timers

  • Scimed - MR guided intravascular devices

2001-2002

• • 3M - Multifunction electrode

  • Newco Neurotherapy - EEG biofeedback

  • Comedicus Incorporated - Imaging in the pericardial space

  • Hearing Components - Soundproof headphones

2000-2001

• • Andersen Windows - Novel window technology

  • Hormel - Food safety sensor

  • Introspective - Medical catheter

  • Geodigm - Dental scanner

  • Medtronic - Electrode impedance monitor

  • VivaCare - Emergency call system

1999-2000

• • EnduraTEC - Tissue test grips

  • Machine Magic - Key duplicating machine

  • Medtronic - Visible Heart CD-ROM

  • Scimed - Smart catheter product

  • SpineTech - Artificial disk product

1998-1999

• • Enhanced Mobility Technologies - Biorehab product

  • Lincages - Windows version of CAD mechanism software

  • Medtronic - Catheter product

  • Rust Architects - Ice-palace cooler

  • Shepherd Medical - Male contraceptives

  • Sulzer Medica - Arthroscopy product

1997-1998

• • Augustine Medical - Nursing home market for Augustine technology

  • Honeywell, Home & Building Control - Residential ventilation system

  • 3M, Stationery and Office Supply Division - Improved Post-it Flag dispensers

  • Select Comfort - Improved-comfort sleep system

  • Soil Sensors - Next-generation soil moisture sensor

  • Sulzer Medica, Winterthur Switzerland - Hip surgery instrument

1996-1997

• • Horton Manufacturing - Web control product

  • Aetrium, Inc. - Motion platform for Integrated circuit testing machine

  • Augustine Medical - Skin care product

  • Donaldson - Engine noise control product

  • Spinal Designs International - Low-back pain care for people in wheelchairs

  • Molecular Diagnostics Lab, U of MN - Blood collection system

1995-1996

• • Horton Manufacturing - Smart clutch/brake

  • Irwin Publishing - CD-ROM textbook supplement

  • Micro-Medical Devices - Endoscope technology

  • Reell Precision Manufacturing - New market hinge product

1994-1995

• • 3M, Home and Commercial Care Division - 2nd generation Twist 'N Fill container

  • Micro-Medical Devices - Endoscope technology

  • Toro, Consumer Division - Powered, hand-held gardening tool