Spinal fusion surgery with less shock to the patient is the aim of an innovation that took first place at the 2012 LaunchTown Entrepreneurship Awards, an annual event that encourages entrepreneurship among Northeast Ohio college students.
The winning University of Akron team — made up of biomedical engineering students using the business name Telkesis — won the $10,000 grand prize after presentations were made to judges Monday evening.
Team member Jason King, 28, said the money will help pay for a Food and Drug Administration review needed to get the idea to market. The product is a titanium “set screw” designed to create less shock as it is being implanted.
King, of North Canton, noted the team will receive consultation services from experts associated with LaunchTown.
“That’s worth $20,000,” King said.
His teammates are Margaret Brass, 23, of Amherst, N.Y.; Esra Cipa, 27, of Istanbul, Turkey; and Laura Vondeak, 26, of Medina. Ajay Mahajan of UA is the group’s faculty adviser.
LaunchTown was created in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium, including the University of Akron.
Telkesis was among three UA teams that moved from a semifinal round. A fourth team, from Cleveland State University, also competed.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
