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MIT Gets MedTech Implant with New R&D Center

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 06/09/11

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has co-created a center dedicated to research and development in medical device technology. The Medical Electronic Device Realization Center (MEDRC) comes out of an MIT collaboration with Analog Devices, which produces signal device products and technologies, including in the healthcare field; and GE Global Research, GE's research arm.

The vision of the new center is to "transform the medical electronic device industry," according to its Web site. That encompasses wearable or insertable monitoring devices, medical imaging, laboratory instrumentation, and data communication between devices and applications.

"A radical change is taking place in how medical care is being delivered, with delivery moving to 'point of care' rather than having patients travel to a doctor's office or hospital," said Charles Sodini, a professor of electrical engineering at MIT and co-founder of MEDRC. "MEDRC will develop technologies for patient-monitoring devices, point-of-care instruments and the communication technology to connect patients to caregivers. These technologies will enable affordable and accessible delivery of services to patients across the globe."

The other founders of MEDRC are Brian Anthony, director of the master of engineering in manufacturing program at MIT and Joel Voldman, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

By bringing together academia, large business, start-ups, and medical people, MEDRC is expected to foster innovations in prototype devices and intellectual property.

Scientists and engineers from Analog Devices are expected to research technologies to perform portable, non-invasive monitoring of vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. GE researchers are interested in a project to simplify routine ultrasound measurements and improve the quality and diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound imaging.