STA Engineering Challenge
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:
Possible approaches include vibration, eddy flow, thermal capacity, optical scattering, although other approaches might be possible.
First Prize: $1000
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $250
For questions on the challenge specifications contact:
Jeff E. Mandel, MD, MS
Chair, STA Engineering Challenge
jemandel@verizon.net
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: