OhioHealth-TechColumbus Partnership Helping Medical Entrepreneurs Bring Innovations to Market

A unique collaboration between OhioHealth and the TechColumbus TechStart program is helping doctor and nurse entrepreneurs successfully commercialize their innovative ideas into marketable medical devices.  The OhioHealth Research Institute was created in 2007 when the OhioHealth hospital group joined forces with TechColumbus’ venture development team.  The program is unique because it gives medical entrepreneurs access to the knowledge and resources necessary to take their products to market, while allowing them to retain intellectual property rights. 

The program and three resulting companies at various stages of development were recently featured in The Gray Sheet, a weekly publication that provides coverage of the medical device, diagnostics and instrumentation industries. Featured companies included EpiGlare, JointVue and LineBacker. 

EpiGlare is a non-invasive device for accessing the extent of cataracts.  It was developed by ophthalmologist Dr. Alice Epitropoulos.  Epitropoulos and her team received business development coaching and mentoring, along with funding from TechColumbus, for market studies and prototype development.  EpiGlare is now applying for FDA clearance.

JointVue uses proprietary algorithms and acoustical sensors that go around an artificial joint to determine if the joint is working properly, how it is holding up, and whether there is wear and tear in a particular area.  This allows orthopedic surgeons to determine best methods of physical therapy and other treatment.
LineBacker is a tapeless system for securing IV tubing.  The system helps reduce the number of accidental dislodgements of IVs, thus cutting down on IV re-starts and enhancing both patient and caregiver safety.  LineBacker, which recently agreed to a multimillion dollar sales and distribution agreement with a major distribution partner, was recently named by EMS Professional as a Top Product for emergency medical service providers. 

“These are three companies that never would have formed if it wasn’t for our OhioHealth-TechColumbus commercialization process,” says Wayne Poll, MD, and OhioHealth’s director of clinical innovation. 
For more on these companies and the OhioHealth-TechColumbus partnership, download the story from The Gray Sheet.