New technologies for eye surgery from blast injuries

St. John's ophthalmologist and director of ophthalmology research, Shachar Tauber, MD, is working with Paul Durham, associate professor, cell biology, at MSU and other partners to develop a new cornea by using nano-engineered collagen tissues produced by a novel electrospinning technique using a personís own cells (keratocytes). Approximately 40% of war injuries are eye injuries.

Alleviating pain associated with prosthetics

Dr. Rick Seagrave has consulted with Durham on the development of on-demand pain killing and tissue repair agents for amputee and burn victims. Battle-related injuries for U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan increasingly involve limb loss and burns and there are an estimated 20,000 injuries resulting from incidences in Iraq. Dr. Seagrave believes there is a need for delivering pain medication and potentially antibiotics through a new system of delivery and that it could greatly benefit many patients.

Trauma sensors

St. John's chief trauma surgeon Roger Huckfeldt, MD plans to bring his patented sensor for monitoring trauma patients to the center for further development and research.

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, CONTACT CORA SCOTT AT ST. JOHN’S MEDIA RELATIONS AT 417-820-2426 (cscott@sprg.mercy.net) or  Dr. Ryan Giedd, JVIC director, at 417- 836-5279