Thermal Coagulation Device for Treating Cervical Dysplasia.

Background: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide despite being a highly preventable disease. Nine out of every 10 deaths due to cervical cancer occur in developing regions with limited access to medical care and unique resource constraints. To address cervical cancer prevention within the confines of these unique limitations, our team of students and faculty advisors at the University of Utah's Center for Medical Innovation developed a low-cost, portable technology that utilizes thermal coagulation, a form of heat ablation, to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Industry-academic partnerships: an approach to accelerate innovation.

Background: Biotechnology companies are process-driven organizations and often struggle with their ability to innovate. Universities, on the other hand, thrive on discovery and variation as a source of innovation. As such, properly structured academic-industry partnerships in medical technology development may enhance and accelerate innovation.