Raymond P. Onders, M.D. (’88), professor of surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, will speak at NEOvations Bench to Bedside Competition, set for Wednesday, May 1, from 4-7 p.m. in the Jay A. Gershen Atrium in the NEW Center.
Over the last 25 years, Dr. Onders has focused his research efforts on ways to help people breathe naturally using their own diaphragm. He has authored multiple publications and book chapters on the primary muscle of breathing – the diaphragm.
Diaphragm pacing, electrical stimulation of the diaphragm muscle, is a technology aimed at either replacing or delaying the need for mechanical ventilation or maintaining and improving normal breathing. One of his first research subjects was the late Christopher Reeve, known for portraying Superman. Diaphragm pacing technology was recognized as one of the most important medical innovations at the 6th Medical Innovation Summit in 2008. His advancements in the technology of pacing the diaphragm have led to multiple patents. He co-founded the medical device company Synapse Biomedical which helped to bring this technology to patients.
He has given invited lectures around the world and presented his research at numerous scientific meetings. He has helped spread this knowledge by training surgeons to do the diaphragm pacing operation in more than 35 countries, helping countless patients worldwide. His present research focuses on using diaphragm pacing to shorten the time to wean from a ventilator on all intensive care unit patients which is one of the largest health care expenditures in the U.S. With the possibility of a shortage of ventilators early in the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked and obtained emergency use authorization by the FDA of the new temporary pacing system in April of 2020. This has led to multiple new applications of the use of temporary diaphragm pacing wires to decrease ventilator times significantly in high-risk cardiac patients and lung transplant patients.
He earned his M.D. at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in 1988, and in 2010 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, for his work in advancing medicine. Dr. Onders joined the University Hospitals staff in 1997, following his service with the military as a Major in the United States Air Force.
About the student competition
Experience student innovation at the annual NEOvations Bench to Bedside Competition, set for Wednesday, May 1, from 4-7 p.m. in the Jay A. Gershen Atrium in the NEW Center.
Student teams will present their medical devices and other technology that fill the gaps in unmet needs of patients, with the ultimate goal of bringing their work to market. Teams work on developing their projects throughout the year, working with investors, attorneys, researchers and other leaders in the health care field to learn the complete bench-to-bedside process.
No registration is needed for guests. There will be a full catering spread with hors d’oeuvres, as well as a bar set up for those 21 and over. Drink vouchers will be provided to guests at the door.
Participants should arrive by 3:30 p.m. to check-in and set up their posters. Judging will begin at 4 p.m., and the award presentation will start promptly once the scores have been tallied.
Teams must be registered to compete.
Related
The People’s Choice Award winner at the 2022 NEOvations Bench to Bedside competition was featured in a video with more than 8 million views on YouTube.