Quality of Life Technology

Principal Investigators: Rory A. Cooper, PhD; James Osborn, PhD

Funding Source: Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse

2005-2006

This proposal seeks funding through the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse Opportunity Fund “B” for an initiative focused on Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) – hardware and software devices and systems that compensate for cognitive and physical disabilities. This Quality of Life Technology Initiative (QoLTi) integrates the robotics and information technology capabilities of Carnegie Mellon with the rehabilitation engineering assets of the University of Pittsburgh, the clinical capabilities of UPMC and other regional end-users, and regional, national and global companies. A goal of the initiative is to put Western Pennsylvania in a position of leadership for research, development and commercialization of Quality of Life Technology. The principal focus of this seed grant is the latter component, i.e., field trials, modifications and assessments of specific devices and methods as a prelude to commercialization.

This request specifically seeks support to

1.      Develop and demonstrate a methodology for translational R&D. Companies, clinicians and university researchers will field-test prototypes created in university laboratories in target end-use environments. Subsequent engineering refinements based on the results of those tests will move the technologies closer to commercial production. With the requested seed funding, we will conduct two translational projects.

2.      Perform market analyses for QoLT’s that have near-term commercial potential. Together with industry partners, we will analyze the market potential for the two products envisioned in the translational R&D projects, considering social acceptance, cost reimbursement and regulatory constraints.

3.      Broaden program of resource development. The initiative has a proposal pending with the National Science Foundation to establish a QoLT Engineering Research Center (ERC) that represents approximately $40M of federal funding over the next decade. A critical site review, leading to a funding decision will occur within the period of performance of this proposed grant. Notwithstanding NSF’s decision to fund, we are committed to this initiative. With this seed funding, we will develop proposals to other federal agencies including NIH, DoD and the VA, as well as state agencies and foundations.  We will develop a QoLT industry consortium. In the context of the ERC proposal, we received commitments of financial support from eight companies (four local; three multi-national) to initiate the QoLT industry consortium. We anticipate recruiting 20-25 contributing members.

4.      Promote and reach out the QoLT initiative. It is vitally important that we increase our team’s and our region’s visibility in this space to assert the position of leadership. To that end, we will develop physical and electronic marketing materials, initiate a newsletter, and participate in several high-profile events.