Engineering Challenge

STA Engineering Challenge

CLICK HERE to apply

The Engineering Challenge is a regular feature of the Annual Meeting, and will be held during the 2025 Annual Meeting. As always, the intent of the Challenge is to educate the membership on an area of technology.

“Medical vacuum systems are regulated in NFPA 99. These systems require regular filter changes, to protect the pumps from dirt and debris thatwould cause the pump to reduce vacuum capacity, or break down completely. From an operational perspective, a common issue is for the system to be left on when not being used during a perioperative case. The end of the line is commonly left on the floor, which then takes in all of the dirt and contaminants from the floor or area. These systems are also commonly left on overnight, which leaves them on an additional 8 to 12 hours, affecting not only the filters but the run time of the pumps, significantly shortening the useful life of the equipment and consuming electricity. Additional filter changes are needed if extra run time leads to additional dirt in the system. Depending on the scale of systems, additional filter changes for these systems range from approximately $2,500 to $10,000 for each change; filters are considered medical waste and typically cannot be recycled . If damage to the pump is unrepairable, capital replacement dollars would be needed. Cost for replacement systems range from approximately $100,000 to $750,000, again dependent on the size and number of pump skids needed. “

The suction may be in several states; off, clamped, and open. Only the third state (illustrated above) is problematic. The 2025 Challenge involves designing a detector that will differentiate these states. Properties of such a detector include:

1. Reliable detection of suction flow (not fooled by clamped suction)
2. Function not compromised by exposure to liquids
3. Use does not impact the ability to perform effective suctioning.

Possible approaches include vibration, eddy flow, thermal capacity, optical scattering, although other approaches might be possible.

The rules:

1. At least one member of the team should be a trainee – student, resident, fellow, etc.
2. Presentations may be in person or remote. A member of the team must contact Dr. Mandel prior to the start of the meeting to confirm intent to present
3. Up to $500 per team will be available to cover hardware expenses to all teams that present
4. The winners will be decided by vote of the attendees

Prizes:

First Prize: $1000

Second Prize: $500

Third Prize: $250

Past Participants

2020 Engineering Challenge Participants

Christopher Connor, MD, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Austin Culp, Pennsylvania State University

Eileen Petros, Case Western Reserve University 

Kevin Wang, MD, MSc

2019 Engineering Challenge Participants

Deepak Agarwal, DO, MPH, Cleveland Clinic

Michael Burns, MD, PhD, University of Michigan

Christopher Connor, MD, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Angad Kalra, BSc, MSc, University of Toronto

David Robinowitz, MD, MHS, MS, University of California San Francisco

2018 Engineering Challenge Participants:

Priya Ramaswamy, MD, M Eng, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Deepak Agarwal, DO, MPH, Cleveland Clinic

Mark Korenke, MD, University of Michigan

Giuseppe Grossi, B Eng, Sickkids Hospital

2017 Engineering Challenge Participants:

Rami Saab, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

Nirav Bhasar, MD, University of Miami

Elie Sarraf, MDCM, B Eng, University of Vermont

Ryan Durk, MD, Washington University, Saint Louis

Krithika Anand, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2016 Engineering Challenge Winner:

Ali Jalali, MD, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

2015 Engineering Challenge Winner:

Hassanpour Ali, MD, Temple University

2014 Engineering Challenge Winners:

• First Place: Nicholas McGill, University of Pennsylvania
• Second Place: Ryan Durk, Washington University Saint Louis
• Third Place: Goeto Dantes, University of Florida