Presented By: Shourya Kumar, Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine
Co-Authors: Ericka Greene, Houston Methodist Hospital
Paras Gupta, Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine
Nick Sears, Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine
Tristen Slamowitz, Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine

Purpose 
Healthcare innovation demands collaboration between physicians and engineers. Physicians identify clinical needs, but lack technical skills for innovation, while engineers may lack clinical insights. Our solution is the "Biodesign Sprint," an immersive educational initiative fostering collaboration among physicians, engineers, and medical students. Piloted at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) and Houston Methodist Hospital (HMH) Neurology and Neurosurgery Departments, the Sprint aims to develop innovative solutions to meet unmet clinical needs. 

Methods 
EnMed students initiated the process, presenting Grand Rounds to HMH Neurosurgery and Neurology faculty, requesting clinical needs submissions. A steering committee comprising clinical experts, biodesign specialists, and engineers evaluated proposals based on impact, scope, and feasibility. Top projects led to member recruitment, building diverse-skill teams. Project facilitators guided members in exploring background information, including disease pathology, IP landscape, and existing solutions. The Sprint involved an interactive session, crafting a "pitch deck," rapid brainstorming, and formulating an implementation plan. Post-Sprint, teams met independently, with facilitators tracking progress through periodic check-ins. 

Results 
Clinicians submitted 17 projects for committee review, from which 4 unique projects spanning disciplines including biomaterials, surgical imaging/navigation, and clinical software development were chosen. Team members were recruited from 7 different departments/institutions that typically operate independently. 52 individuals attended the biodesign sprint. All 4 were launched at the Sprint, and progress will be tracked at 3, 6, 12 month intervals. 

Conclusion 
The primary output is the launching of projects targeted against well-vetted clinical needs, with the perfect team to tackle it, and after our Biodesign Sprint, a roadmap to implementation. Other tangible outputs as projects progress may include prototyping, testing, invention disclosures, IP filing, commercialization and traditional posters/abstracts/presentations, and publications. Importantly, our unique program bridges the traditionally disparate worlds of medicine and engineering, providing a novel process for rapid project initiation.