UVM’s Center for Biomedical Innovation (CBI) is an internationally recognized hub for design, development, and testing of biomedical devices and systems with a focus on rural healthcare. The center supports and trains inventors, entrepreneurs and business leaders who will bring advanced biomedical technologies to the people of Vermont and the world.
The CBI brings together students, faculty, and industry through shared programming and an interactive space for applied research, technology development, and education that offer the following:
- A home for biomedical companies, researchers, and students to develop new healthcare products and services, with particular focus on devices and systems that improve health and wellness in rural communities.
- Studio space for team brainstorming and collaboration, and customer focus groups; a prototyping shop and testing laboratory; offices for visiting collaborators from industry; and presentation rooms for showcasing new designs and venture ideas.
- A virtual amphitheater where participating on-campus clinicians and researchers in the UVM Medical Center, the Larner College of Medicine, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Grossman School of Business, as well as off-site industry collaborators and clients can observe the beta testing of new devices and technologies.
- A home for the new vertically-integrated biomedical engineering design sequence, which is a cornerstone of the bachelor of science degree in Biomedical Engineering.
The Bio-design Process
CBI encompasses all aspects of the bio-design process – from customer discovery, problem identification and concept ideation to prototyping and new product/business development. The CBI is housed in the recently completed Discovery Hall on the UVM campus. The physical space fosters collaborations by bringing together students, clinicians, and industry partners across technology, healthcare and business disciplines, including those who collaborate virtually, to identify unmet needs and develop new ideas through face-to-face interactions.
Prototyping
Prototyping will occur in a specialized fabrication space complementing the existing CEMS fab lab and machine shop. A mock exam room outfitted with standard clinical equipment will enable the entire bio-design process by providing clinicians a space to demonstrate an unmet need, students a place to envision prototypes, and collaborative groups a location to test real-life scenarios that simulate accessibility, mobility, and communication challenges for specific populations. Office spaces will provide visiting industry experts an on-site location for working and meeting with students and clinicians as they turn their ideas into successful products and business ventures.
Investing in relationships → Innovation
Through the bio-design paradigm, the CBI integrates product development, business creation and student education in partnership with external collaborators. Workshops, Big Problem hackathons, and design charrettes with companies occur every semester, with a focus on choosing projects to move forward either as design challenges in the formal biomedical engineering curriculum or as independent activities in the Center.
Corporate partners will have the opportunity to invest in design projects, sponsored research, and product development in a creative ecosystem populated by our students and faculty.