Translational Science Benefits
Clinical & medical benefits (Tools & products)
Definition
Technological applications for measuring, diagnosing, and treating health conditions, including tools, methods, strategies, and devices. Examples include artificial limbs or organs, new imaging systems to detect cancer, genome sequencing and editing, and nanotechnology.
Rationale
Biomedical technology translates basic science discoveries into improved patient health. This technology is often focused on finding novel ways to detect or treat illnesses that were previously untreatable.
Guidance
Advice from authors on searching for information:
This indicator may align closely with the indicators Patents and License Agreements. Consult the office at your institution that manages technology transfer and commercialization. Self-reported researcher data may be required to identify biomedical technology associated with a specific clinical and translational research project.
Resources & Data
Organizations, repositories, websites, and other sources where you can find more information:
Local
- Office of Technology Management at Washington University (OTM). The OTM offers a Technology Search feature to search for all available Washington University technologies. For more information, consult the office at your institution that manages technology transfer and commercialization.
General
- National Institutes for Health Biomedical Technology Resources Portal The Biomedical Technology Resource (P41) Program provides software and database resources, as well as lists of centers organized by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences or National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering category, with detailed descriptions of each center.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration Medical Device Databases. List of medical device databases, including registered devices, adverse events, post-approval studies, etc.
Data Limitations
Challenges you may encounter while searching for information:
Medical tools, methods, and devices include a wide range of products and may not necessarily be highly technically advanced (e.g., toothbrushes).
Publications
Articles, books, and other publications in translational science using the indicator:
- Moore JE, Maitland DJ, editors. Biomedical technology and devices. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; June 2013.
- Nautiyal P, Alam F, Balani K, et al. The role of nanomechanics in healthcare. Adv Healthcare Mater. 2018 Feb; 7(3), 1700793. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201700793.
- Schnell-Inderst P, Hunger T, Conrads-Frank A, et al. Ten recommendations for assessing the comparative effectiveness of therapeutic medical devices: a targeted review and adaptation. J Clin Epidemiol. 2018 Feb; 94, 97-113. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.09.022.
Case Studies
New Option for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids: Engineering Smart Therapeutics
Developing and testing a minimally invasive treatment option for women with uterine fibroids
Improving Care Access and Quality for Blood Cancers
Introducing ChromoSeq test for accurate and rapid cancer diagnosis in older patients
SOLACE: An Early Warning System for Adolescent Suicidality
Creating technology that uses physiological measures to help adolescents prevent their own worsening suicidality and suicide attempts.