Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property

Several Baystate-developed technologies are already on the market and are being made commercially available by our licensees.

Agilent XF Cell Mito Stress Test Kit

Inventors: Nagendra Yadava, Ph.D., Chul Kim, Ph.D. and Alejandro Heuck, Ph.D (UMass-Amherst)

This invention is an improvement to existing methods in which the function of mitochondria or other internal cellular organelles can be assayed in situ, without lysing the cell or otherwise disturbing the cell’s overall integrity. Such methods have been carried out using agents that can permeabilize cell membranes, such as digitonin or saponin, but these methods have several drawbacks, including negative effects on mitochondrial function, as well as cytotoxicity in some cases.

Such assays can be used to study mitochondrial function/metabolism in muscle fibers, cell lines, and primary cells, for purposes such as assaying oxidative phosphorylation complexes, TCA cycle reactions/function, and mitochondrial permeability transition, and can also be used to study other organelles such as lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with many diseases including neurodegeneration, cancer and diabetes, and the role of mitochondria in human disease is increasingly being appreciated.

Licensed and sold by Agilent Technologies.

Solution to Psychological Insulin Resistance (SPIR)

The SPIR program is conceptualized as an integrated patient and provider assessment and treatment program to overcome the clinical problem of Psychological Insulin Resistance and improve evidence-based insulin management for diabetes in primary care clinics within a comprehensive diabetes care model. This program is the culmination of years of research by Baystate investigator, Gary Welch, Ph.D

Silver Fern Healthcare, LLC
11 Northmoor Road
West Hartford, CT 06117
http://silverfernhealthcare.com/

Improved Devices for Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)

Dr. David Desilets of Baystate has developed and tested two innovative surgical devices for use in Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), both of which were jointly invented with engineers at a well-known surgical device company. Baystate has entered into license agreements with this company for the development and commercialization of these devices.

Exclusive license to surgical device company.

Integrated Dynamic GIS Mapping Extension for Medical Crisis Information Management System

Baystate, through its for-profit off-shoot Baystate Health Geographics, has collaborated with Global Emergency Resources, Inc. to create an improved Medical Crisis Information Management System (M-CIMS).

This new system integrates M-CIMS with dynamic Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology to provide healthcare disaster managers with access to the right information, in the right format and at the right time, to create an “infosphere of healthcare preparedness” at the national, regional, state, local or institutional level.

This system has been incorporated into Global Emergency Resources’ product HC Standard, which is the first truly specialized web-based Medical Crisis Information Management Software. Baystate Health Geographics is internationally recognized for “pushing the GIS envelope” in the areas of hospital healthcare and “hospital-land” security.

Global Emergency Resources
2910-B Professional Parkway
Augusta, GA 30907
phone 866-404-6911
email info@ger911.com
sales sales@ger911.com

Baystate maintains a portfolio of pending patent applications and other inventions that are available for licensing to for-profit companies.

MagSafe™ PEG Adapter

A MagSafe™ PEG adapter, will, when fitted to a PEG tube will allow the PEG to decouple if it is pulled on by the patient, rather than pulling the PEG out of the patient.

The unmet need

More than 215,000 PEGs are placed every year with an early dislodgement rate of between 1 and 13.4%. When PEGS are dislodged early, these patients often require emergent laparotomy to wash out the abdomen, repair the stomach and replace the gastrostomy. Often these patients do not survive. Late dislodgements are less clinically devastating but often require a procedure in interventional radiology to replace the tubes.

The approach to solving this unmet need

The MagSafe™ adaptor will come in two parts. The lower part will clamp onto the PEG tube just above the bumper and will, in addition be secured to the PEG tube with a suture. The upper part will similarly clamp onto the PEG tube but will contain a nipple to fit into the PEG tube opening in the lower part. Both parts will contain 4 magnets to hold them together. The surgeon or gastroenterologist will, after placing the PEG, clamp the lower MagSafe™ adaptor on the PEG tube just above the bumper, secure it with a suture, then cut the tube flush with the adaptor. The upper adaptor will be clamped around the free end of the PEG tube, and secured with a suture. The two adaptors will then be connected using the magnets. Should the outer part of the PEG tube be put on traction, either by the patient or accidentally, the adaptor will decouple, allowing easy recoupling and avoiding the PEG tube itself from being removed from the patient. (see image)

The benefits of this approach

In addition to the lives saved by avoiding the unintentional decoupling of the PEG tube, significant amounts of money will be saved by the healthcare system by avoiding thousands of unnecessary surgeries and procedures.

Patent Pending. Looking for a partner to Commercialize the prototype.

Electronic Rounds Software Program for At-risk Subjects

Invention: BH-037 | Inventor: Angelo Pananas, LMHC

The current method of documenting check in or “rounding” on at risk subjects is done via a paper method. This is uniform across psychology wards. The Electronic Rounds Software Program is an electronic replacement via a tablet or other hand held device. The program offers improved accuracy, accountability, and data retention as compared to traditional methods. It is hypothesized this program will reduce instances of self-harm behaviors through several previously unachievable by traditional paper methods.

Improved Foley Catheter Design

Invention: BH-043 | Inventor: Mary Buttita, RN

This patent pending design modifies the current Foley catheter to decrease potential exposure to infection. The catheter has a protective applicator tip for insertion, which allows the catheter to not be contaminated during insertion. There is a secondary balloon that is inflated after the internal balloon in the bladder is inflated. The secondary ballon is external and prevents the catheter from re-entering the urethra. The protective plastic sheath and the tip break away after insertion and are disposed of.

P53 Silenced Entothelial Progenitor Cells (EPC) Improve Collateral Circulation

Invention: BH-028 | Inventor: Sabyasachi Sen, MD, Ph.D.

Literature shows that EPCs contribute to increased collateral vessel formation following vaso-occlusion. However diabetes reduces EPC number and reduces collateral vessel formation. We cultured human EPCs and exposed them to 5.5 mM (equivalent to 99mg%) and 20mM (equivalent to 360mg%, HG) glucose, which resulted in significant EPC death within 48hrs. We noted HG exposure was associated with up-regulation of P53 and its downstream genes such as P21, PUMA and Caspase-3. We hypothesized that EPC reduction in hyperglycemia is secondary to up-regulation of pro-apoptotic gene, P53. Transplantation of P53 null EPCs in hyperglycemic mice with femoral occlusion demonstrate better collateral vessel formation post femoral artery occlusion setting compared to WT-EPC transplanted group.

In diabetic mouse models our findings demonstrate the possible therapeutic benefit of transplanting short-term p53 silenced EPC to prevent peripheral vascular disease by increasing collateral vessel formation in patients with diabetes

Targeted Education Project

Invention: BH-40 | Inventor: Ruchi Thanawala, MD

The Targeted Education Project is a software product that provides clinical activity-specific content to users near the point-of-event. By utilizing information surrounding a clinician’s activities (e.g. OR schedule, patient characteristics, office schedule, computerized order entries), targeted information (e.g. journal articles, open articles, videos, images, etc.) will be delivered to the clinician in an automated fashion over email with the option of text message alerts. The information in the schedule builder will provide the base content to permit automated case logging, as required by the ACGME and American Board of Surgery, for the resident and the attending surgeon. Additionally, the CPT code used for the case logging will generate editable billing forms available for surgeons to submit.

View the most recent Intellectual Property Policy (PDF).

Why should I protect my invention?

You should protect your idea for a few reasons. It is expensive to bring an idea to a commercial outcome. No one will invest to cover those expenses without proper intellectual property protection. Also, without protection, anyone could copy your idea after you’ve done all the hard work to bring it to market.

How do I protect my invention?

Come see us in the Tech Transfer Center. We will discuss your idea and help determine if you have something that can be filed as a patent, copyright, trademark, or a trade secret. Contact Todd Keiller to learn more.

Can I publish my idea prior to protecting it?

You will lose all rights and ability to pursue a patent if you publicly present your idea in advance of protecting. This includes publications, presentations at conferences, and abstracts that get published prior to a conference.

Can I form a company around my idea?

Yes, this is often the only way to move an early stage idea forward. We expect inventors to be transparent so that Baystate Health can manage any potential conflicts of interest or commitment. Typically, Baystate Health will license the intellectual property into the new company for a small amount of equity and royalties. At some point, Baystate Health expects the company to raise enough money or generate enough sales to reimburse the past patent expenses. The Technology Transfer team can help guide you though the company formation process and assist with resources that would help grow your company.

What if my invention is a hit and produces royalties? What's in it for me?

Baystate Health would like to provide the incentive for its employees to be innovative. The institution has a Technology Transfer Office that will hopefully improve your chances of success with your idea. Baystate Health may invest in patents, provide educational opportunities, and manage the licensing and commercialization process. In return, after legal expenses are recovered, Baystate Health has a sliding scale starting at 50% to the inventor on the first $100,000 of royalties. For the full IP policy including the royalty sharing in Appendix B, click here.