Published November 14, 2008, last updated on March 7, 2013 under Education News
One of this year’s team is taking a different tack. They are not creating a device or computer application, but want to send already-existing medical devices for spinal injuries to Third World countries and make them available for free for patients. The plan is to use medical devices that are perfectly fine but have been superseded by updated models.
“There is a tremendous need for these devices in under-developed countries,” explained team member Jenna Maloka, a Pratt senior. “A lot of attention is paid to infectious diseases like HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. But there are also many people who are not getting treatment for such conditions as scoliosis, trauma or degenerative diseases.”
The device the team is interested in sending overseas is fairly simple and straightforward. It consists of two metal rods that are attached to either side of the spine by screws or hooks. The plan not only includes the donation of the surgical equipment, but the training of local surgeons to perform the procedure.
The team has dubbed their company SpineFuSe, and it is made up of five students, two of whom—Kristen Bova and Joshua Napora – graduated last year. The other team members include Maloka; Keddy Chandran, in the Master of Engineering Management Program; and Trinity senior Gordon Closter.
