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Jason Yong, left, and Stephen Corn demonstrate how an anesthesiologist holds the ultrasound probe with one hand and the needle with the other.
Sometimes the best ideas stem from a basic, yet unmet, need. In a clinical setting, the people who are practicing medicine and administering care every day are able to see where there are opportunities for improvement, which could lead to safer, more efficient practice.
It is this guiding principle that drives Stephen B. Corn, MD, anesthesiologist and director of Clinical Innovation in BWH’s Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. “As clinicians we are in an incredible position to be able to care for patients while being aware of technological gaps,” Corn said. “For example, a new ultrasound machine may yield excellent images; however, shortcomings become evident when using the technology in clinical practice.”
When three other anesthesiologists noticed this exact problem, they came to Corn with the idea of creating a solution. Residents Michael Nguyen, MD, and Jason Yong, MD, MBA, and attending anesthesiologist David R. Janfaza, MD, are all frequent users of a relatively new portable ultrasound machine that allows the anesthesiologist to use imagery to deliver medications at the bedside in the pre-operative area.
“While performing a peripheral nerve block, the anesthesiologist needs to hold the ultrasound probe with one hand and the needle with the other, while a second person controls the dials on the ultrasound machine and ultimately injects the medication,” Yong explained. “There wasn’t a device out there that combined needle guidance with the preservation of a free-hand technique, all while securing the needle in place. This would free up one hand to perform the tasks traditionally done by a second person.”
Once Yong, Nguyen and Janfaza had identified what element was missing from the existing product, they worked with Corn to determine the best way to go about inventing and designing the device.
“Dr. Corn’s extensive knowledge of how to apply for the patent and how to locate the correct resources at the hospital has been invaluable,” Yong said.
If Corn knows the ins and outs of the patent process, it’s because he is no stranger to the game. Corn himself has had 32 patents issued, and as director of Clinical Innovation, he educates people about intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and copyright, and also explains what they need to have in their invention disclosures.
“Hospitals are now understanding how important it is to harness the thinking power of their staff, who are in the clinical field every day,” said Corn, noting that Charles A. Vacanti, MD, chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology, realizes the potential of his department and has been extremely supportive of him in creating the clinical innovation directorship. As director of Clinical Innovation, Corn works closely with the Partners and BWH Research Ventures & Licensing Office, which is directed by Brian Hicks.
“Our goal is to better coordinate our efforts and to optimize the advancement of innovation here at BWH,” Corn said, adding that an October Grand Rounds presentation on the topic helped generate interest among physicians at BWH. Corn’s guest speakers included Arlene Parquette, senior business strategy and licensing manager of Research, Ventures & Licensing at Partners HealthCare/BWH and Robert Creeden, managing partner for the Partners Innovation Fund.
“As a result of the presentation, these clinicians now see a clear path for advancing their innovative ideas, which may have the potential to positively impact patient care and health care delivery, and even benefit the hospital financially,” Corn said.