Guidance Recipients
Match would-be startups with local industry, academia, and related institutionsDisposable Intra-Medullary Endo-Transilluminating (iMET) Device
Chu Woei-chyn, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Year 2013Year
Period:2013-11-01 to 2014-10-31
Overview
- Intra-medullary interlocking nails are used for fracture fixation by fostering bone healing. The common practice for insertion of distal-locking screws of intra-medullary nails is a freehand technique under fluoroscopic control. In addition to the difficulty in positioning precision, this process leaves both patient and surgeon vulnerable to radiation exposure.
- The team drew from intra-medullary endo-transilluminating technology to develop this disposal device for positioning holes for distal-locking screws. In addition to guiding by visible light, this approach dispels radiation concern, shortens surgical time, and makes possible precise positioning.
- Without changing the surgical sequence, the approach increases the success rate of hole drilling and effectively removes the difficulty in positioning holes for distal-locking screws.
Development Process
Over the course of this project under the Applied Research Incubation Program, an entrepreneurial team was established. Other items completed are as follows: market analysis and contact with potential partners, development and testing of a second-generation prototype, planning for regulatory pathway strategy, technical operability analysis, patent portfolio deployment, business plan writing, and fundraising. On April 22, 2015, WeMED Bio-Tech Inc. was established.
