Surgical Innovation in Research
Surgical Innovation Section
The University recognizes the incredible talent pool of Faculty and Staff that exists on campus and more specifically within the Department of Surgery. The Section for Surgical Innovation brings together a small group of talented and motivated individuals with successful industry and startup experience to help DOS faculty and staff innovate. Our mission is to accelerate and increase innovation within the DOS. Lower the barriers to innovate, from idea to license, and remove as many of the frustrations and frictions that innovators currently face across the University as possible. The University of Utah is investing in the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of its faculty and staff with the goal of bringing more change, more innovation, more quickly, to healthcare.
The process of innovating can be complex! Have an idea? Press the "easy button" and connect with the Surgical Innovation team in the Department of Surgery.
PRESS THE "EASY BUTTON" ON INNOVATION
Hi, I'm Scott McClellan, the Director of the Section of Surgical Innovation in the Department of Surgery, and I'd love to meet you, hear about your innovation, and find a way to move your idea forward. You can email, call, text, complete a form, OR stop by anytime (HELIX 4th floor 4S124).
Streamlined Innovation
We're optimists! The innovation process can be daunting and confusing. Let our team help you navigate. We CAN’T promise that all ideas are commercially viable. We CAN promise that we will do everything possible to find a compelling and attractive business case for your idea and take as much of the work off your plate as possible.
The innovation process can be daunting and confusing. As the graphic above illustrates, the Department of Surgery Innovation Section works directly with innovators to help streamline the University innovation process from idea to:
Innovation components
- Patentability, Market Size, People, Documents, Connections, Direction, and Start-Up Help
Innovation types
- Digital health, medical device, therapeutics, and biotech
Technology Offices
- Technology Licensing office, Technology Commercialization Office
Program Support
- CMI, TX Accellerator, Summit Venture Studio
End Support
- Licensing, Purchase, Spin-out
- We review and work with innovators to optimally position and move your innovation through the university innovation system, garnering support from the University.
- We openly discuss aspects of your innovation (market size, patent potential, freedom to operate) and potential business options including licensing, startup formation, fundraising and acquisition.
- We facilitate obtaining dilutive (investor) and non-dilutive (grant) funding for idea development, prototyping, company launch, and other aspects of product development.
POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH FUNDING
STATE & FEDERAL GRANT SOURCES
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) (Phase I: $50K-$250K, Phase II: $750K-$1.5mm)
- Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) (similar to SBIR)
- The Utah Innovation Center ($150K - $250K)
- Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) (Micro Grants and Gap Funding Loans for SBIR/STTR)
INNOVATION COMPETITION
Big Ideas Start Here
Have you ever thought, “Why isn’t there a better way to do this?” or "If only we could solve 'x', we could get to 'y'?"
We want to hear about the big problems you see in medicine, problems that, if solved, could make a meaningful difference in health care and society.
This competition isn’t about solving the problem now. It’s about identifying challenges that matter. We’ll help you brainstorm and develop solutions after the competition ends. Let’s start with the question, not the answer.
We have cash prizes to encourage you to think big and participate!
IMPORTANT DATES: Opens September 1. Closes September 31. Winners Announced November 1.
- Who can submit?
Any Department of Surgery faculty, staff, resident, or student—individually or as a team. - What to submit:
A 1-page entry that includes:- Your name(s) and contact info
- The problem you're identifying
- Why solving it matters: potential societal impact and benefits
- Submission Dates:
Open: September 1
Close: September 31
Winners Announced: November 1
Why Participate?
- Influence the future of surgical care
- Compete for cash prizes and funding opportunities
- Get connected with mentors, innovators, and the innovation pipeline
- Receive recognition across the department
Prizes:
- 1st place: $3,000
- 2nd place: $2,000
- 3rd place: $1,000
- Honorable Mentions (4th & 5th)
Submissions will be evaluated by an impartial Department of Surgery panel using the following criteria:
- Problem Significance (40%)
- Novelty & Originality (40%)
- Solvability & Innovation Potential (10%)
- Clarity & Conciseness (10%)
Submitting your BIG IDEA is simple.
- Whether solo, with a partner, or in a group, come up with some great, big, ideas!
- Complete the Online Form by September 31
- Wait for the announcement on November 1
What if your big idea isn't selected? That's the beauty of this project. After the winners are announced, we'll meet with ALL applicants to talk about what's next.
Questions?
Contact
- Scott McClellan at Scott.DoS.Mclellan@utah.edu
- Martin Carricaburu at Martin.Carricaburu@hsc.utah.edu
- Alex Pastuszak at Alexander.Pastuszak@hsc.utah.edu
THE INNOVATION TEAM
Innovation Contact
Let me help you navigate the innovation process!
- Call or text: 801.231.1897
- Email: Scott.DOS.McClellan@utah.edu
The Team
