The US Dept of Veterans Affairs has announced the opening of the second Industry Innovation Competition with up to $100 million in potential awards in these categories:
Sterilization of Medical Equipment: VA processes tens of thousands of reusable medical devices in its 153 hospitals nationwide. VA seeks to improve the safety and reliability of this process with automation of the whole system from identification of the instrument through cleaning, packaging, and reporting.
Tele-audiology: Hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the three most common service connected disabilities for all Veterans. Most of the Veterans receiving care in this area have to make multiple trips a VA Medical Center (VAMC) that provides audiology services creating a burden on Veterans traveling long distances. VA is seeking solutions to allow for the remote assessment of hearing through telemedicine.
Blue Button: In September of 2010 VA launched Blue Button – a tool allowing patients to view, print, or download a portion of their medical record and share it with providers or others that they trust. VA is interested in solutions that can expand the types of data that Blue Button can access or that build applications to provide greater functionality to Veterans who download their data through Blue Button.
Prosthetic Socket Design: VA is both a leader in prosthetic research and the largest provider of prosthetic limbs in the country. For this competition VA is interested in solutions that improve the fit and function of the socket that connects a Veteran’s residual limb to the prosthetic device. Designs that can adjust to swelling and other changes to the volume of the residual limb will provide a better fit and more comfort for users.
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