TS-003440 — The Continuous Pulse Oximeter (CPO-2) is a conceptual wearable device designed for infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and other patient populations requiring continuous oxygen monitoring. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 10,000-15,000 babies born in the United States develop BPD each year. Inspired by the concept of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), the CPO-2 aims to offer a wireless, adhesive solution to address the challenges associated with traditional pulse oximeters. The intellectual property involves creating a device that is capable of reading oxygen saturations (spO2) without the need for a separate machine. Unlike current pulse oximeters that are minimally adhesive and connected to a machine via a cord, the CPO-2 would transmit information directly to a smartphone, eliminating the machine and cord, thereby reducing the risk of strangulation and skin breakdown issues. The adhesive component is expected to last for an extended period, potentially 7-10 days or more, reducing the need for frequent probe replacements. Potential applications include adoption by home care companies, which could provide the CPO-2 to families taking infants or children home on oxygen. The device could find utility across various age groups, offering a less cumbersome method for continuous oxygen saturation monitoring. RINCH has filed a provisional application (63/533,946) and the inventor continues to develop and refine this technology.

TS-003439 — The Predictive Model of Sudden Cardiac Death in Anomalous Aortic Origin of Coronary Artery (AAOCA) is a patient-specific computational modeling approach to predict ischemia risk in individuals with anomalous coronaries. Anomalous coronaries are variations or abnormalities in the anatomy of the coronary arteries. These anomalies can differ in presentation and severity, with some increasing the risk of heart problems, such as myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle), arrhythmias or sudden cardiac arrest. According to The Cleveland Clinic, up to 1% of the population has an anomalous coronary artery, and most cases are not dangerous. This predictive model utilizes morphological risk factors derived from advanced imaging data to offer a validated method for risk stratification, determining the need for surgery, selecting the type of surgery, assessing the effectiveness of surgery, and evaluating residual ischemia post-surgery. Because there are no effective risk stratification approaches for AAOCA individuals, predicting these life-threatening events is challenging. AAOCA is a significant cause of sudden death in children, and current understanding of the mechanisms leading to ischemia and sudden cardiac death (SCD) is limited. According to the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, "SCD is one of the most significant causes of natural deaths globally. Annually, just over 300,000 US adult deaths are a result of sudden cardiac death. Roughly half of all cardiovascular disease deaths are from SCD." The proposed model addresses these gaps, potentially shifting the AAOCA field from uncertainty to clinical solutions. RINCH has filed a provisional application (63/502,524) for this technology. The inventors are planning additional refinement of the methodology and a clinical trial to validate the model in a prospective patient population. This technology is jointly owned with Georgia Institute of Technology.

TS-003438 — The Parent-Implemented Oral Nutrition, Eating and Esophageal Regulation (PIONEER) Products enhance development of oral-pharyngeal-esophageal motility in infants. This technology is a novel approach for training muscles in non-verbal patients, including neonates, infants, and individuals who have lost skills due to stroke, trauma, or developmental neuropathology. Unlike existing methods, these products stimulate muscles involved in esophageal peristalsis and airway protection without electrical stimulation. By engaging and pre-conditioning select muscles and nerves, the approach helps prevent developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and chronic eating and swallowing difficulties. Approximately half a million infants are admitted to NICUs in the USA annually, thus, the technology’s impact on infant feeding and airway issues could be significant. Potential applications range from diagnostic and therapeutic purposes to rehabilitative therapy for chronic tube-fed infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and post-discharge. RINCH has filed a patent application (PCT/US23/81696) and the inventor is continuing to conduct clinical investigations.

TS-003437 — According to the CDC, roughly 1.1 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in the past year, and 81.4% of the U.S. population have received the updated booster dose. This therapeutic agent utilizes the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector to protect against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. This innovative approach resulted in heightened immunogenicity of the vaccines compared to currently available options. Specifically, the utilization of the prefusion Spike protein, stabilized with six prolines (preS-6P), component in the vaccine formulation demonstrates superior efficacy in eliciting a robust immune response. Two distinguishing features of this vaccine platform are the proposed intranasal administration and the live attenuated virus design, both of which induce robust mucosal immunity. In addition to the vaccine platform, the inventors used the platform to develop specific IgY antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 that might be used as a prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic antibody. This technology holds significant promise in the development of effective vaccines to combat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants long-term. RINCH has filed a provisional application (63/452,870) and the inventors continue to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine candidates in animal models. This technology is jointly owned with The Ohio State University.

TS-002958 — Hip distraction, or arthrodiastasis, is a surgical option for end-stage diseases of the hip, such as Legg Calve Perthes disease, avascular necrosis, and end-stage osteoarthritis. The procedure improves mobility, decreases pain, and prevents further wear to avoid a total hip arthroplasty. However, the standard of care procedure requires an external device that uses large pins that are kept for 3-4 months which can be distressing for pediatric patients. NCH inventors have developed a completely internal hip-spanning device that allows for distraction and articulated hip motion. This device will likely reduce the problems associated with an external device such as infection, procedure failure, and psychosocial concerns.

TS-002957 — Available 3D spine models do not optimize properties to simulate real-life bones, ligaments, tendons, viscoelasticity, or resistance that is present in a patient. Spine models are used by both surgeons and researchers for surgical planning, simulation, training, research and medical device development. By optimizing 3D printing materials, NCH inventors can produce patient-specific spine models that replicate the viscoelastic properties of the spine for a more accurate rendition. In addition to precise surgical planning, another benefit of utilizing viscoelastic accurate models is further medical device innovation to optimize surgical outcomes.

TS-002161 — The Staffing Analysis Tool helps organizations track and plan for staffing in the future. Inventors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital developed this smart spreadsheet for workplaces to effectively see staffing levels easily and automatically through its real time updates. Users only need to input staffing needs and staff information into its built-in functions. Once completed, the Staffing Analysis Tool will comprise the information to create an overall picture of staffing insufficiencies including planned leaves, resignations and other challenges. With the final picture calculated, workplaces can always ensure effective staffing.

TS-000973 — A recombinant oncolytic virus encoding either an adenosine deaminase or heterologous proteins can be used in treatment of a variety of diseases, as the primary purpose of these are to maintain and develop the immune system. A team of researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have found a method that can address the delivery of adenosine deaminase into cancer cells, immune cells and the tumor microenvironment to aid in treatment for any disease or condition associated with adenosine or other associated markers.

TS-000971 — The novel disease Coronavirus, also denoted as COVID-19, was recognized by the World Health Organization as an unknown etiology in December of 2019. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a disease that presents flu-like symptoms that is caused by coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The current pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing tremendous economical, emotional, and public health burdens. A team of researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have reengineered a live attenuated recombinant mumps virus to create a novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for infants and children under the age of twelve. As vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent infectious diseases, this development is instrumental to the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.

TS-000372 — Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory disease and hospitalization in infants, but there is currently no vaccine available to prevent or treat RSV disease. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University have developed a novel method for designing RSV vaccines using a Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) vector. VSV is attenuated in humans, so it can infect people and express inserted genes without causing disease. Additionally, VSV grows to high titers in culture, allowing for efficient vaccine production.