Development & Validation of an Endoscopic Drug Delivery Instrument

TEAMMATES

  • Gastroenterologist (product lead)

  • Pharmaceutical Scientist (drug lead)

  • 3 Research Fellows (clinical & pharma focused)

  • Mechanical Engineering Professor

ROLE
Led the design, development, and testing of a novel endoscopic foam delivery system, collaborating with a multidisciplinary clinical and pharmaceutical team to validate proof-of-concept prototypes.

CHALLENGE:

Designing a Precise Foam Delivery Instrument for Endoscopic Use

Traditional treatments for necrotizing pancreatitis require multiple high-risk procedures, increasing patient burden and costs. The challenge was to develop a safer, single-session drug delivery system that consistently generates foam with the drug formulation and is easy for surgeons to operate.

SOLUTION:

Iterative, cross-disciplinary development from failed prototypes to successful preclinical pig studies.

  • Foam Generation System: Developed a foam-generating cap for endoscopes that mixes the drug formulation with a controlled gas flow to create consistent foam using dispersion screens.

  • Clinical Usability: Engineered the device to fit standard endoscopic channels and simplified the user interface with Luer locks and medical gas fittings, ensuring intuitive operation for surgeons in a clinical setting.

  • Rapid Prototyping and Iteration: Used rapid fabrication techniques to iterate on design concepts, optimizing foam stability and delivery performance through preclinical testing.

Published findings in Pancreatology and Gastroenterology journals, contributing to the field’s advancement.

Bench to Bedside Project Management​

  • Led device design & development​

  • Closely collaborated with pharmaceutical scientists for drug and device integration ​

  • Successfully completed research-to- commercialization program milestones on time and within budget​

  • Managed project through Gantt timelines, budget planning, and team member training

Device Validation through Pig Studies ​ ​

  • Conducted 3 in vivo pig studies​

  • Preclinical Design Cycle:​

    • design ,

    • build prototype ,​

    • in vitro testing,

    • pig study,

    • assessment,

    • redesign​

  • Worked alongside surgeon end-users to evaluate concepts for feasibility and usability

Foam delivery to pig stomach via endoscope

Design & Development​

  • Developed, built, tested, and rapidly iterated concepts leveraging Solidworks CAD and machine shop equipment

  • Incorporated 3D-printed (MJF, SLA, FDM), machined metal, and off-the-shelf plastic parts

  • Created fixture for in-vitro foam studies

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