Alexander Lin (far left) presents his project on integrating MR Spectroscopy into clinical management for brain tumors to a panel of judges at the Radiology Pitch Session.

BWH’s Department of Radiology and the Brigham Innovation Hub (iHub) held part one of a funding pitch session in July to determine which three of five innovative radiology projects would be awarded $10,000 seed funding and continued project management support from the iHub team.

The iHub connects designers, entrepreneurs, project managers and other professionals to take a clinician or researchers’ idea or invention to the next level. Last year, the iHub launched a group-specific innovation series, working with BWH’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Division and the Surgery Department. In the latest iteration of the innovation series, the iHub is working with the Radiology Department to solve problems and bring innovative ideas to fruition.

At the pitch session, five different teams presented the details of a problem, their solution, cost estimates and the trajectory of the project plans. Some of the radiology innovation projects included a model able to compile 2D images of a patient’s heart from an echocardiogram into a single, more comprehensive visual 3D display of the heart; a device used during liver and kidney biopsies to reduce complications due to bleeding; a system for using 3D anatomical model printing used in clinical and surgical settings; a tool to better diagnose and treat lung nodules in patients; and an intuitive spectroscopy system used clinically to diagnose brain tumors much quicker.

The five candidates were given 8-10 minutes to present and discuss their projects with a five-minute question and answer session with the following judges:

• Steven Seltzer, MD—Chair, BWH Radiology
• Clare Tempany, MD—Ferenc Jolesz Chair of Research, BWH Radiology
• Andrew Menard, JD—Director of Business Development, BWH Radiology
• David Bates, MD, MSc—BWH Chief Innovation Officer
• Jon Behr, PhD—Market Sector Leader, Partners Innovation

The three award recipients and projects were:

• Paul Shyn, MD: using an RF device to stop bleeding in liver/kidney biopsies
• Ritu Gill, MD, MPH: developing a lung nodule monitoring tool
• Alex Lin, PhD: integrating MR Spectroscopy into clinical management for brain tumors

Part two of the funding pitch session will be held jointly by BWH Radiology and iHub this November when the winners will be eligible to apply for another $10,000 toward the progression of their project.