A Novel Program in Neurosurgery Resident Education and Medical Device Innovation
From the first craniotomies performed with stone tools during the Neolithic Era to Harvey Cushing and William Bovie’s development of electrocautery to the introduction of the operating microscope, the field of neurosurgery has been a catalyst for collaborative advances in surgical and engineering technologies.
Such collaboration has, in turn, advanced the neurosurgeon’s ability to treat patients with diseases once thought to be untreatable. Medical innovation is the application of scientific knowledge and problem-solving for the betterment of the human condition. We can trace every great advancement in the field of neurosurgery to a novel surgical procedure or technology that challenged existing standards of care.
The Thurston Innovation Center is the embodiment of our commitment to these goals and ideals.
The Result
Patents
More than 100 provisional and PCT patents filed
Publications
More than 30 articles published
Patents and Publications
The following is a list of United States PCT patents filed under the auspices of the Barrow Innovation Center:
Winocour SJ, Xue EY, Bohl MA, Farrokhi F, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Ropper AE, Reece EM. Vascularized Occipital Bone Grafting: Indications, Techniques, Clinical Outcomes, and Alternatives. Semin Plast Surg. Feb 2021;35(1):14-19. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1723834
Winocour SJ, Agrawal N, Wagner KM, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Shekher R, Raber MR, Bohl MA, Ropper AE, Reece EM. Vascularized Rib Bone Grafting: Indications, Techniques, and Clinical Outcomes. Semin Plast Surg. Feb 2021;35(1):31-36. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1725985
Skochdopole AJ, Wagner RD, Davis MJ, Raj S, Winocour SJ, Ropper AE, Xu DS, Bohl MA, Reece EM. Vascularized Bone Grafts in Spinal Reconstruction: An Overview of Nomenclature and Indications. Semin Plast Surg. Feb 2021;35(1):50-53. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1726101
Reece EM, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Chamata E, Holmes S, Winocour S, Hansen SL, Xu DS, Bohl MA, Ropper AE. Vascularized Bone Grafts for Spinal Fusion-Part 4: The Scapula. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Apr 15 2021;20(5):508-512. doi:10.1093/ons/opab034
Reece EM, Agrawal N, Wagner KM, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Shekher R, Raber MR, Winocour S, Bohl MA, Ropper AE. Vascularized Bone Grafts for Spinal Fusion-Part 2: The Rib. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Apr 15 2021;20(5):497-501. doi:10.1093/ons/opab035
Gamero M, Kim WS, Hong S, Vorobiev D, Morgan CD, Park SI. Multimodal Sensing Capabilities for the Detection of Shunt Failure. Sensors (Basel). Mar 3 2021;21(5)doi:10.3390/s21051747
Cole T, Graham D, Wakim A, Bohl MA, Morgan CD, Catapano J, Smith K, Sanai N, Lawton MT. Local 3-dimensional printing of a calvarium-anchored ventricular catheter occlusion device. Neurosurgery Open. 2021;In Press
Bohl MA, Reece EM, Farrokhi F, Davis MJ, Abu-Ghname A, Ropper AE. Vascularized Bone Grafts for Spinal Fusion-Part 3: The Occiput. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Apr 15 2021;20(5):502-507. doi:10.1093/ons/opab036
Belykh E, Bohl MA, Mooney M, Sheehy JP, McBryan S, Lawton M, Preul M. Novel system of simulation models for aneurysm clipping training: description of models and assessment of face, content, and construct validity. Operative Neurosurgery. 2021;In Press
Reece EM, Vedantam A, Lee S, Bhadkamkar M, Kaufman M, Bohl MA, Chang SW, Porter RW, Theodore N, Kakarla UK, Ropper AE. Pedicled, vascularized occipital bone graft to supplement atlantoaxial arthrodesis for the treatment of pseudoarthrosis. J Clin Neurosci. Apr 2020;74:205-209. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2019.04.014
Mooney MA, Cavallo C, Zhou JJ, Bohl MA, Belykh E, Gandhi S, McBryan S, Stevens SM, Lawton MT, Almefty KK, Nakaji P. Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Lateral Skull Base Surgical Training: Anatomy and Simulation of the Transtemporal Approaches. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Feb 1 2020;18(2):193-201. doi:10.1093/ons/opz120
Bohl MA, Newell CA, Shvarts V, Haque A. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Its Effects on Somatosensory-Evoked Potentials: A Pretrial Study of a New, U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Approved Device. World Neurosurg. Dec 2020;144:e605-e611. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.09.025
Bohl MA, McBryan S, Pais D, Chang SW, Turner JD, Nakaji P, Kakarla UK. The Living Spine Model: A Biomimetic Surgical Training and Education Tool. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Jul 1 2020;19(1):98-106. doi:10.1093/ons/opz326
Bohl MA, McBryan S, Newcomb A, Lehrman JN, Kelly BP, Nakaji P, Chang SW, Uribe JS, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. Range of Motion Testing of a Novel 3D-Printed Synthetic Spine Model. Global Spine J. Jun 2020;10(4):419-424. doi:10.1177/2192568219858981
Bohl MA, McBryan S, Kakarla UK, Leveque JC, Sethi R. Utility of a Novel Biomimetic Spine Model in Surgical Education: Case Series of Three Cervicothoracic Kyphotic Deformities. Global Spine J. Aug 2020;10(5):583-591. doi:10.1177/2192568219865182
Bohl MA, Kakarla UK. In Reply: The Living Spine Model: A Biomimetic Surgical Training and Education Tool. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Sep 1 2020;19(3):E332. doi:10.1093/ons/opaa166
Reece EM, Raghuram AC, Bartlett EL, Lazaro TT, North RY, Bohl MA, Ropper AE. Vascularized Iliac Bone Graft for Complex Closure During Spinal Deformity Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. Jul 2019;7(7):e2345. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002345
Cole TS, Jahnke H, Godzik J, Morgan CD, Nakaji P, Little AS. Use of a wrist-mounted device for continuous outpatient physiologic monitoring after transsphenoidal surgery: a pilot study. Pituitary. Apr 2019;22(2):156-162. doi:10.1007/s11102-019-00946-y
Bohl MA, Zhou JJ, Mooney MA, Repp GJ, Cavallo C, Nakaji P, Chang SW, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. The Barrow Biomimetic Spine: effect of a 3-dimensional-printed spinal osteotomy model on performance of spinal osteotomies by medical students and interns. J Spine Surg. Mar 2019;5(1):58-65. doi:10.21037/jss.2019.01.05
Bohl MA, Morgan CD, Mooney MA, Repp GJ, Lehrman JN, Kelly BP, Chang SW, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. Biomechanical Testing of a 3D-printed L5 Vertebral Body Model. Cureus. Jan 15 2019;11(1):e3893. doi:10.7759/cureus.3893
Bohl MA, McBryan S, Spear C, Pais D, Preul MC, Wilhelmi B, Yeskel A, Turner JD, Kakarla UK, Nakaji P. Evaluation of a Novel Surgical Skills Training Course: Are Cadavers Still the Gold Standard for Surgical Skills Training? World Neurosurg. Jul 2019;127:63-71. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2019.03.230
Bohl MA, McBryan S, Nakaji P, Chang SW, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. Development and first clinical use of a novel anatomical and biomechanical testing platform for scoliosis. J Spine Surg. Sep 2019;5(3):329-336. doi:10.21037/jss.2019.09.04
Bohl MA, Mauria R, Zhou JJ, Mooney MA, DiDomenico JD, McBryan S, Cavallo C, Nakaji P, Chang SW, Uribe JS, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. The Barrow Biomimetic Spine: Face, Content, and Construct Validity of a 3D-Printed Spine Model for Freehand and Minimally Invasive Pedicle Screw Insertion. Global Spine J. Sep 2019;9(6):635-641. doi:10.1177/2192568218824080
Bohl MA, Leveque JC, Bayles S, Sethi R. Postoperative Development of Desmoid Tumor After Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformity: Case Report and Review of Literature. World Neurosurg. Aug 2019;128:4-10. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2019.04.201
Bohl MA, Xu DS, Cavallo C, Paisan GM, Smith KA, Nakaji P. The Barrow Innovation Center Case Series: A Novel 3-Dimensional-Printed Retractor for Use with Electromagnetic Neuronavigation Systems. World Neurosurg. Aug 2018;116:e1075-e1078. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.05.167
Bohl MA, Mooney MA, Sheehy J, Morgan CD, Donovan MJ, Little A, Nakaji P. The Barrow Innovation Center: A Novel Program in Neurosurgery Resident Education and Medical Device Innovation. Cureus. Feb 2 2018;10(2):e2142. doi:10.7759/cureus.2142
Bohl MA, Mooney MA, Repp GJ, Nakaji P, Chang SW, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. The Barrow Biomimetic Spine: Fluoroscopic Analysis of a Synthetic Spine Model Made of Variable 3D-printed Materials and Print Parameters. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Dec 1 2018;43(23):E1368-e1375. doi:10.1097/brs.0000000000002715
Bohl MA, Mooney MA, Repp GJ, Cavallo C, Nakaji P, Chang SW, Turner JD, Kakarla UK. The Barrow Biomimetic Spine: Comparative Testing of a 3D-Printed L4-L5 Schwab Grade 2 Osteotomy Model to a Cadaveric Model. Cureus. Apr 17 2018;10(4):e2491. doi:10.7759/cureus.2491
Bohl MA, Mooney MA, Catapano JS, Almefty KK, Turner JD, Chang SW, Preul MC, Reece EM, Kakarla UK. Pedicled Vascularized Bone Grafts for Posterior Occipitocervical and Cervicothoracic Fusion: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). Sep 1 2018;15(3):318-324. doi:10.1093/ons/opx258
Bohl MA, Mooney MA, Catapano JS, Almefty KK, Turner JD, Chang SW, Preul MC, Reece EM, Kakarla UK. Pedicled Vascularized Bone Grafts for Posterior Lumbosacral Fusion: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study and Case Report. Spine Deform. Sep-Oct 2018;6(5):498-506. doi:10.1016/j.jspd.2018.02.006
Bohl MA, Baranoski JF, Sexton D, Nakaji P, Snyder LA, Kakarla UK, Porter RW. Barrow Innovation Center Case Series: Early Clinical Experience with Novel Surgical Instrument Used To Prevent Intraoperative Spinal Cord Injuries. World Neurosurg. Dec 2018;120:e573-e579. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.08.130
Bohl MA, Almefty KK, Preul MC, Turner JD, Kakarla UK, Reece EM, Chang SW. Vascularized Spinous Process Graft Rotated on a Paraspinous Muscle Pedicle for Lumbar Fusion: Technique Description and Early Clinical Experience. World Neurosurg. Jul 2018;115:186-192. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.04.03934.
Bohl MA, Mooney MA, Catapano JS, Almefty KK, Preul MC, Chang SW, Kakarla UK, Reece EM, Turner JD, Porter RW. Pedicled Vascularized Clavicular Graft for Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis: Cadaveric Feasibility Study, Technique Description, and Case Report. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Nov 1 2017;42(21):E1266-e1271. doi:10.1097/brs.0000000000002150
Medical innovation is the application of scientific knowledge and problem-solving for the betterment of the human condition.
Considering the critical importance of innovation to the advancement of neurosurgery, and a surprising lack of formal training in innovation among residency programs, we sought to create a residency training program in neurosurgical innovation. Neurosurgery residents at Barrow envisioned a program that provided all the necessary equipment, personnel, and information required to bring their ideas from theoretical concepts to functional devices implemented in a clinical setting.
We established the Thurston Innovation Center as a result. The center currently comprises a rapid prototyping laboratory with 3D printers and several collaborative partnerships between neurosurgery residents, patent law students, and biomedical engineering students. An overarching mission to educate the next generation of neurosurgical innovators guided the creation of this model. With modest startup capital and strong faculty and institutional support, the center has grown from a simple idea to a multistate, multidisciplinary collaboration that has generated substantial intellectual property, educational opportunities, and several new business entities.
Category
Number
Percentage
Instrument (Spine)
5
23%
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt
4
19%
Spinal Implant
4
19%
Instrument (Cranial)
3
14.3%
Instrument (General)
2
9.5%
Neuromodulation Implant
1
4.8%
Anatomical 3D Printing
1
4.8%
Surgical Simulation
1
4.8%
Categorical disclosure of 21 published Patent Cooperation Treaty applications submitted through the Thurston Innovation Center from 2016 through 2020.
We hope that, by continuing to advance the Thurston Innovation Center and its core mission of innovation education, we will advance the field of neurosurgery by providing the future surgeon-scientists with the skills, knowledge, and opportunity needed to revolutionize the field.
To lower barriers to innovation, educate on the inventive process, and collaborate with industry and academia for advancement of medical technology and improvement of patient care.
This mission was founded on the following beliefs:
Innovation should be included in the day-to-day education of residents
The barrier to entry as an innovator should be as low as possible
Maintaining a spirit of collaboration to advance the realization of an inventive idea should be an encouraged norm
This mission was founded on the following beliefs:
Innovation should be included in the day-to-day education of residents
The barrier to entry as an innovator should be as low as possible
Maintaining a spirit of collaboration to advance the realization of an inventive idea should be an encouraged norm
Achieving the primary mission of education will have the secondary effect of advancing health sciences technology, and subsequently patient care, through the invention, prototyping, and marketing of novel medical devices.
What We Do
The Thurston Innovation Center is educating the next generation of inventors by eliminating barriers to the development of disruptive, new health care technologies.
Through our network of strategic university and industry partners, we have created a catalyst hub for medical device development, surgical education, and cutting-edge patient care for Barrow and the surrounding academic community. By nurturing and then harvesting the intellect of student surgeons, patent lawyers, and biomedical engineers, we have created a truly unique program that affords aspiring innovators in these fields an opportunity to develop their ideas with little to no personal financial risk.
In the process of developing their ideas, these young professionals learn the ins and outs of medical device development, so that they are poised to begin their professional careers as effective innovators.
