Start Ups

Arborsense

  • Girish Kulkarni, Ph.D., Research Fellow of Biomedical Engineering
  • Xudong (Sherman) Fan, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Zhaohui Zhong, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering
  • Mark Ilgen, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Arborsense synergizes the state-of-the-art nanoelectronics, microfluidics, and bio/chemical sensing technologies to develop novel wearable devices that continuously monitor human health such as blood alcohol content.

3D-Biomatrix

  • Nicholas Kotov, Ph.D., Professor of Chemical Engineering; Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

3D-Biomatrix provides a 3D environment for culturing cells that offers a drug-testing platform mimicking human organs. Called a “human in a test-tube,” this platform tests drugs’ efficacy and side-effects more effectively and consistently than current 2D substrates. The optically transparent platform also has applications in cell expansion, tissue engineering, and cell imaging.

Biomatrix Photonics LLC

  • Steven Goldstein, Ph.D., Henry Ruppenthal Family Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering; Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Mechanical Engineering
  • Michael Morris, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry
  • Blake Roessler, M.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine; Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics

Biomatrix Photonics LLC is commercializing a Raman Spectroscopy-based technology to diagnose and monitor the treatment of osteoporosis and connective tissue disorders. Its lead products are based on substantial intellectual property in imaging bone fragility in osteoporosis. Related technologies are being developed to evaluate degenerative conditions in other connective tissues and to monitor regenerative therapies.

Biotectix LLC

  • David Martin, Ph.D., Karl W. Böer Professor and Chair at University of Delaware; Adjunct Professor at University of Michigan
  • Sarah Richardson-Burns, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow of Materials Science and Engineering
  • Jeffrey Hendricks, Ph.D., Biotectix (PhD from UM BME)

Formed in 2007, Biotectix LLC grew out of research in Prof. Martin’s laboratory on the use of conductive polymers for biocompatible neural electrodes. By applying a thin coating of conductive polymer and biomolecules to the electrodes’ surface, he was able to direct the tissue reaction around them while improving electrical transfer across the interface. Biotectix coatings have the potential to improve the performance and longevity of implanted devices like pacemakers, cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, spinal cord stimulation, and neural recording electrodes. In 2010, Biotectix secured $3 million to prepare its novel conductive polymer technology for human use.

HistoSonics

  • Charles Cain, Ph.D., (founder, deceased) Richard A. Auhll Professor of Engineering; Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
  • Brian Fowlkes, Ph.D., Professor of Radiology; Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Timothy Hall, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist of Biomedical Engineering
  • Zhen Xu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • William Roberts, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Urology; Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Seeking a surgical option that could combine the optimized results of open surgery with the quick recovery and minimal complications of less-invasive procedures, Charles Cain and Brian Fowlkes discovered that they could use focused sound waves to non-invasively break up tumors and unwanted lesions. They named this tool “Histotripsy”. Joining forces with Zhen Xu, Timothy Hall, and urologist William Roberts, they formed HistoSonics to commercialize the technology. The company boasts $11 million in venture financing to develop its clinical prototype and solicit FDA approval. The first clinical application will be benign prostatic hyperplasia; other areas of investigation include thrombolysis (clot breakup), kidney stones, uterine fibroids, breast lesions, and brain tumors.

Optofluidic Bioassay

  • Xudong (Sherman) Fan, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Maung (Malcolm) Khaing Oo, Ph.D., Research Investigator of Biomedical Engineering

Optofluidic Bioassay is the developer and manufacturer of a novel, microfluidic 96-well ELISA plate that improves workflow, decreases assay time, and maintains assay performance with less sample and reagent volume.