2012 IEM News

Dr. Bin He, IEM director and Biomedical Engineering faculty, was featured in the People Column of the December issue of The Institute, the member newspaper of IEEE. Dr. He was highlighted for his leadership in promoting partnerships between engineering and life sciences, and pioneering research in neuroengineering and brain-computer interface. IEEE is a professional association with more than 400,000 members in more than 160 countries, dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE Life Sciences Initiative is aimed at bringing together engineers with life scientists addressing grand challenges in life sciences and healthcare through engineering innovations.

Dr. Patrick Alford, IEM member and Biomedical Engineering faculty, recently received an American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant to study the role of local microarchitecture in cellular stress modulation and maladaptive remodeling during cerebral aneurysm genesis. This work will employ engineered micro tissues and computational modeling to focus on the initial stages of aneurysm formation, which are poorly understood, since aneurysms are clinically identifiable only after they are formed, and there is no natural animal model. The long-term goal of this work is to characterize the evolving mechanical behavior of tissue within aneurysms in order to develop patient-specific biomechanical models for predicting the likelihood of aneurysm development, growth, and rupture.

IEM members Drs. Aviva Abosch (Neurosurgery faculty) and Kelvin Lim (Psychiatry faculty) have been named one of the Best Doctors in America for 2011‐12. Compiled by Best Doctors, Inc., the prestigious Best Doctors in America List is the product of an extensive survey from over 45,000 physicians in the United States. Best Doctors has earned an excellent reputation for reliable, candid results by remaining completely independent. The Best Doctors List is the result of an authenticated peer review, in which doctors that succeed in their specialties are selected by peers of their profession. In the last two decades, Best Doctors has been internationally recognized for its extraordinary database of physicians. Best Doctors is considered the world’s leading effort to create an authenticated, peer‐reviewed database of excellence in medicine. Only those doctors that are identified as the top 3‐5% of their respective specialty earn the honor of being named one of the Best Doctors in America.

Department of Surgery faculty, and IEM member, Dr. Paul Iaizzo’s work studying black bear hibernation was recently highlighted in an article in the Minnesota Medical Foundation’s Fall Medical Bulletin. Jointly working with University of Wyoming Biologist, Dr. Henry Harlow, and Vice President of Research and Business Development of Medtronic AF Solutions, Dr. Tim Laske, Iaizzo hopes studying the mechanics of bear hibernation will help discover ways to reduce muscle loss for heart patients while they recover after undergoing surgery.  Someday this research might also lead to the discovery of ways doctors can induce hibernation in patients instead of comas for patients in intensive care.  Dr. Iaizzo’s research highlights ways researchers from industry can collaborate with University researchers to work out problems relating to the common good. 

Dr. Kevin Dorfman, IEM member and faculty at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, received the Allan P. Colburn Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE for his work on the dynamics of DNA in microfabricated devices. This award is set aside as a top honor for faculty members under 36 years old for significant contributions to the field of Chemical Engineering through publication.  This is the highest honor given to a young faculty member in chemical engineering in the United States. Read more about the Colburn Award

IEM co-sponsors the first IEEE Life Sciences Grand Challenges Conference held at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC. Organized by the IEEE Life Sciences Initiative, and endorsed by the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering, this two-day event brings together leading global innovators and thought leaders to identify and explore the grand challenges in engineering, life sciences, and healthcare. The conference, chaired by Dr. Bin He, IEM director, has attracted a number of high profile speakers and participants including Dr. P. A. Sharp, Nobel Laureate and National Medal of Science Laureate, Dr. C. M. Vest, National Medal of Technology Laureate; President of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and Dr. R. Pettigrew, Director of National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of NIH. 

Dr. Art Erdman, IEM member, director of Medical Devices Center, and Mechanical Engineering faculty, and his colleagues were granted a European patent on surgical support structure. The invention involves a general surgical support structure with a particular application to ophthalmic surgery. The patent was issued on October 3, 2012, and validated in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Bin He, IEM director and Biomedical Engineering faculty, together with his colleague Ardalan Aarabi, recently received the IFCN Award for Outstanding Research in Clinical Neurophysiology from the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). The award selection was based on an original paper published in Clinical Neurophysiology, the official journal of IFCN, entitled "A rule-based seizure prediction method for focal neocortical epilepsy." Dr. He has been working on seizure localization and prediction, and his lab is actively pursuing neuromodulation research to manage epilepsy, a major neurological disorder affecting 50 million people in the world.

Dr. Matt Johnson, IEM member and Biomedical Engineering faculty, awarded a multi-year RO1 grant from the NIH - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The grant is entitled "Algorithms for Programming Deep Brain Stimulation Systems,” with co-investigators Jerrold Vitek (Neurology) and Noam Harel (Radiology). Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a proven therapy for patients with medication-refractory essential tremor, but a significant portion of patients with these implants do not receive adequate tremor control because of poorly placed DBS leads or inflexible DBS programming options. This research will experimentally evaluate a computational modeling approach to program a novel DBS lead with radially-segmented electrodes for improved targeting of stimulation within thalamus so as to improve the functional outcome for all patients requiring DBS to manage their essential tremor. Dr. Johnson previously received an IEM seed grant on computational study of DBS.

Dr. William R. Kennedy, IEM member and Neurology faculty, received a STTR Phase I grant through Neuro Devices to show feasibility of a medical device to objectively quantify tactile (touch) sensation of the fingers. The device is called "The Bumps". Much of the development work will be contracted to the U of MN Kennedy lab (Neurology). Early development of the project was funded by matching funds from the IEM and Kennedy lab and an NIH R21 grant. The STTR is funded by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The goal of research is to diagnose peripheral neuropathy early, before the patient has symptoms, to allow early treatment, as in chemotherapeutic induced neuropathy.

Dr. Ramesh Rajamani, IEM member and Mechanical Engineering faculty, awarded a 2-year R21 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases branch of NIH. The grant, “Instrumented Urethral Catheter for Measurement of Distributed Occlusive Pressures and Sphincter EMG,” is a collaboration of work between Dr. Rajamani, Gerry Timm (Urology), Art Erdman (Mechanical Engg) and Nissrine Nakib (Urology). This project will develop and evaluate a urethral catheter capable of measuring distributed urethral occlusive pressures and sphincter EMG for urodynamic diagnosis. This will for the first time enable the recording of urethral occlusion profiles during provocative maneuvers in both clinical as well as ambulatory environments. The instrumented catheter will be enabled by novel device design and microfabrication techniques for sensor fabrication.

Dr. Paul Iaizzo, IEM associate director and Surgery faculty, gave the keynote presentation “Back to the Future: Laboratory Research on the Isolated Heart to Enhance Cardiovascular Device Design” at the 20th Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps (ISBRP) in Istanbul, Turkey. The mission of the ISRBP is to provide an international forum for discussion of research, development, clinical use and social acceptance of rotary blood pumps. The other symposium keynote was Dr. O.H. Frazier, Chief of Cardiopulmonary Transplantation, Texas Heart Institute.

Dr. Becky Bergman, Chair of IEM Industrial Advisory Board and VP of Research & Technology for Medtronic CRDM, delivered one of three plenary keynote lectures at the premier international conference in biomedical engineering – 34th Annual International Conference of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, held in San Diego, CA, from August 28 through September 1, 2012. Her title is “Emerging Medical Device Technologies: Creating Better Healthcare Solutions for Chronic Disease Management. IEM Director Dr. Bin He chaired the plenary keynote session.

Dr. Aviva Abosch, IEM member and Neurosurgery faculty member, was featured on the cover of Minnesota Monthly’s August 2012 edition as one of 10 Minnesota doctors and researchers shaping the future of medicine.  Her highlighted article covers Dr. Abosch’s work in deep-brain stimulation for patients suffering from depression, and provides an account on how she started her career in science. 

IEM members Bin He (Biomedical Engineering), Sheng He (Psychology), and Steve Engel (Psychology) started a multi-year project sponsored by the National Eye Institute of NIH “CRCNS: Spatiotemporal imaging study of the mechanisms of binocular rivalry.” The goal of this collaborative research is to advance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying binocular rivalry, a significant unresolved issue in visual neuroscience, through the development of a novel computational spatio-temporal neuroimaging methodology.

IEM Director Dr. Bin He was recently inducted in the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE). IAMBE consists of about 100 Fellows worldwide recognized for their significant contributions to theory and practice of medical and biological engineering, and for international leadership in the field. Dr. He was recognized for “enduring pioneering contributions and inspired leadership in brain electric source imaging research, and tireless promotion of medical and biological engineering.”

IEM member and Biomedical Engineering faculty member Dr. Alena Talkachova started a 3-year study sponsored by NSF, “Collaborative Research: Hybrid Bifurcation with Applications in Cardiac Dynamics.”  The objective of the research is to explore the full potential and limitations of border-collision models in describing cardiac alternans. The project will develop a theoretical understanding of nonsmooth bifurcations as unfoldings of piecewise smooth problems, which will allow a more complete comprehension of the relation between a piecewise smooth bifurcation problem and the original smooth one.

The University of Minnesota has received a $1.08 million grant through the State of Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for expansion of the Medical Device Center (MDC) facility.  This grant from the state will assist MDC in moving from its current 5,000 square-foot space in Shepherd Labs to a new 8,000 square-foot space located in the former Mayo Parking Garage. Full UMN article

The University of Minnesota Medical School announced today that Dr. Bin He has been appointed as the next Director of the Institue for Engineering in Medicine (IEM). The appointment was made as a five-year position. Dr. He, a Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Biomedical Engineering within the College of Science and Engineering, had previously served as IEM's Associate Director for Research, a role he has held since 2010.

IEM member and Cardiology faculty member, Dr. Jianyi Zhang, began work on a 4-year NIH/NHLBI study, “Bioenergetics in Hypertrophied and Remodeled Left Ventricle.”  The objective of this research is to compare myocardial ATP turnover rates via both CK and ATPase in the in vivo hearts with postinfarction LV remodeling with or without receiving stem cell transplantation. These experiments will focus on changes of proteins involved in energy metabolism and growth factors family proteins, and their pathways and post translational modifications.

Dr. John Bischof, IEM member and newly named Carl and Janet Kuhrmeyer Chair in Mechanical Engineering, was selected to receive the Van C. Mow medal, awarded annually by the ASME Bioengineering Division to one individual who has made significant contributions to the field of bioengineering through research, education, professional development, leadership in the development of the profession, as a mentor to young bioengineers, and with service to the bioengineering community. Dr. Bischof is internationally recognized for his research in bioheat and mass transfer and nanomedicine. Read more about the award

Dr. Emad Ebbini, IEM member and Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty member, has been named President of the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU) for a three-year term. ISTU is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 to increase and diffuse knowledge of therapeutic ultrasound to the scientific and medical community and to facilitate the translation of therapeutic ultrasound techniques into the clinical arena for the benefit of patients worldwide.

Dr. Allison Hubel, Director of the University of Minnesota's Biopreservation Core Resource (BioCoR), was mentioned in Nature Magazine this month, highlighting her roll in standardizing the field of biopreservation. With an estimated annual growth of over 20 million biobanks a year worldwide, BioCoR hopes to generate awareness and best practices for biopreservation in order for mangers of these biobanks to produce consistent and accurate data.

Dr. Robert Tranquillo, IEM member and Biomedical Engineering Department Head, was awarded a US patent for a bioengineered blood vessel.  The present invention relates to engineered blood vessels and methods of making such vessels using matrices comprising endothelial and smooth muscle cells, or cells capable of differentiating into endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages (e.g., stem cells, or the progenitors thereof). Through this work, patients may soon receive artificial vessels instead of having to wait for suitable alternatives, which can have a huge implication in the field of medicine.

The Institute for Engineering in Medicine in Medicine would like to congratulate Alex Doud, Sachin Shah, and Bryce Cole Holmgren for being granted the 2012-2013 Scott D. and Susan D. Augustine Biomedical Engineering Research Fellowships. This fellowship recognizes outstanding students who are participating in the M.D./M.S. Dual-Degree Program through the University of Minnesota's Medical School and Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Biomedical Engineering PhD student Anthony Braun was awarded an F31 NRSA Fellowship, “Understanding the remodeling of lipid bilayers induced by binding of alpha-Synuclein.”  This 3-year NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) award is based from research gained through his work on an IEM seed grant awarded to his mentor, Dr. Jonathan Sachs, in FY12.  Co-sponsoring this project are Drs. Michael K. Lee and David D. Thomas.

Dr. Keshab Parhi, IEM member and Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty, received the IEEE Charles A. Desoer Technical Achievement Award, which honors the individual with exceptional technical contributions to a field within the scope of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society. The award is based on contributions as documented by publications (including but not limited to patents) and based on originality and continuity of effort. Dr. Parhi has developed a systematic theory of high-level transformations for iterative data-flow graphs. These graphs are used to describe signal processing algorithms. Architectures that are derived from these transformations lead to integrated circuits that can be used in very high-speed and low-power applications such as a gigabit Ethernet, a 10-gigabit Ethernet, or optical fiber transmission systems. Other transformations lead to integrated circuits that are used in cable modems and set top box applications. Dr. Parhi is currently working on the design of low-power biomedical devices.

Dr. Victor Barocas, IEM member and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, was selected to receive the George W. Taylor Award for Distinguished Research, which is awarded annually to one member of the faculty of the UMN College of Science & Engineering to recognize the outstanding research of a mid-career faculty member. Dr. Barocas' selection reflects his pioneering research in computational tissue biomechanics and biotransport, with emphasis on ocular, cardiovascular, and tissue engineering applications.

Dr. Jian-Ping Wang, IEM member and Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty member, was selected this year as a University of Minnesota Distinguished McKnight Professor for his work in magnetic materials and spintronic devices for information storage and computing and molecular diagnostics which is used in the production of hard disk drives. Highlights of Dr. Wang’s career so far include discovering the origin of giant saturation magnetization in the iron nitride compound.  He also pioneered the interdisciplinary research of high-moment magnetic nanoparticles and spintronic nanosensors for the early detection of disease.

IEEE EMB (IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology) released a video this week highlighting Biomedical Engineering as a research dicipline; showcasing stories from researchers on why they got into the field; and the ways they impact peoples' lives through their work. Drs. Bin He (Center for Neuroengineering) and Paul Iaizzo (Visible Heart Lab) speak about their research and their careers at the University.

Dr. Allison Hubel, IEM member and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, was inducted as a Fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). The AIMBE Fellows comprise the top two percent of medical and biological engineers in the country. Professor Hubel was chosen for “leading contributions in advancing our understanding of damage during freezing, development of preservation technology and the practice of biopreservation.”

The IEM Academy of Medical Device Innovators was established in 2012 through the University of Minnesota's Medical School and College of Science and Engineering to honor and promote researchers who have had great impact on patient's lives through their work while at the University. On April 12, 2012, at a special lunchtime event during the Design for Medical Devices Conference, IEM announced this year's inductees and honored them with a plaque and reception: Dr. Kurt Amplatz, Dr. Perry L. Blackshear Jr., Dr. Henry Buchwald, Dr. Richard DeWall, Dr. Robert Kaster, Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, Dr. Otto Schmitt, Dr. Owen Wangensteen, and Dr. Warren Warwick.

Additionally this year, IEM presented the IEM Director Award to Richard Bianco, Director of Experimental Surgical Services (ESS). This award is given to a current IEM member whom has made a sustained impact beyond the scope of the University that exemplifies IEM and its mission.

Please join us in thanking these individuals and their families for their contributions to medical device research!

The Office of Technology and Commercialization (OTC) has announced the availability of the Minnesota Innovation Partnership program. This program acts as a master agreement for for-profit entities to partner with the University for research collaborations. Two options are available, with generous pre-set terms to get projects underway. Through this, industrial partners receive streamlined access to the world class researchers and labs located at the University and get their next product to market faster.

Dr. Wei Shen, IEM member and Biomedical Engineering faculty member, was selected for a Career Award from the National Science Foundation on her project, "Multifunctional Dynamic Surfaces for Engineering Cell Microenvironments."  The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization.