Plastic Surgery Resident and Medical Student Triumph in ASPS Inventors Challenge: Innovative Collaboration Spotlighted

Plastic Surgery Resident wins Top Innovation Award for Pediatric Device

New Orleans, LA – October 16, 2025 – Dr. Jasmine Craig, a Plastic Surgery Resident, has been awarded the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Inventors Challenge for her work on a groundbreaking, minimally invasive device to monitor brain pressure in infants. The recognition was announced during Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2025, held this week in New Orleans.

CranioCheck: A New Approach to Intracranial Pressure Monitoring

Dr. Craig’s winning innovation,named CranioCheck,is an implantable intracranial pressure monitor that utilizes x-ray technology for real-time assessment. This novel approach is specifically designed to improve the surveillance of intracranial pressure in children diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a complex condition where the skull fuses prematurely, perhaps affecting brain development. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), craniosynostosis affects approximately 1 in 2,000 live births in the United States.

The ASPS inventors challenge, a highly competitive forum, saw submissions from approximately 70 innovators. A select four,including Dr. Craig, were chosen to present their ideas to a panel of experts in plastic surgery innovation. Winning the challenge provides a $10,000 grant to support further development and translation of the technology.

Collaboration Fuels Innovation

Dr. Craig collaborated closely with Nada Boros, a Medical Student from the Medical College of Wisconsin, on the project. Boros, currently undertaking a dedicated research year at the CRANILab, played a crucial role in refining the presentation and developing a compelling one-minute video presentation of CranioCheck. The device initially stemmed from the research of Dr. Daniel Cho, Principal Investigator of the CRANILab, with Dr. Craig building upon this foundation.

Did You Know? Customary methods for monitoring intracranial pressure often require invasive procedures and frequent adjustments. craniocheck aims to provide a more convenient and less stressful solution for both patients and caregivers.

key Facts About CranioCheck

Feature	Description
Technology	Implantable, X-ray readable intracranial pressure monitor
Target Condition	Craniosynostosis in infants and children
Benefit	Minimally invasive, improved monitoring of intracranial pressure
Award	$10,000 from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Pro Tip: Investing in innovative medical devices like CranioCheck is paramount in advancing Pediatric care.

The Growing Field of Pediatric Surgical Innovation

The development of CranioCheck exemplifies a broader trend towards innovation in pediatric surgical care. Over the last decade, there has been a surge in the development of specialized devices and techniques designed to address the unique challenges of treating children. Advances in 3D printing, bioengineering, and minimally invasive surgery are driving this progress. The global pediatric surgical devices market is projected to reach $18.6 billion by 2028, demonstrating a strong growth trajectory (source: Grand View Research, 2023).

according to the American College of Surgeons, approximately 5.5 million children are hospitalized each year in the U.S. for surgical procedures, highlighting the critical need for ongoing research and development in this field.

Frequently Asked Questions about CranioCheck

• What is CranioCheck used for? CranioCheck is an implantable device used for monitoring intracranial pressure in children with craniosynostosis.
• How does CranioCheck work? It uses x-ray technology to provide real-time assessment of pressure inside the skull.
• What is craniosynostosis? Craniosynostosis is a condition where the bones of a baby’s skull fuse together too early, potentially causing developmental problems.
• What is the significance of the ASPS Inventors Challenge? It’s a prestigious competition showcasing innovative ideas in plastic surgery,offering funding to help bring those ideas to fruition.
• What are the next steps for CranioCheck development? Dr. Craig plans to use the funding to continue refining the device and conduct animal studies.
• How can this device benefit children? CranioCheck offers a less invasive way to monitor intracranial pressure compared to traditional methods.
• Who developed CranioCheck? The device was initially developed by Dr. Daniel Cho, with further innovation from Dr. Jasmine Craig.

What are your thoughts on the increasing role of technology in pediatric healthcare? Share your outlook in the comments below!

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What are the potential benefits of a biomaterial scaffold like DermaHeal compared to current scar management techniques?

The ASPS Inventors Challenge: Fostering Innovation in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Inventors Challenge consistently showcases groundbreaking ideas poised to revolutionize the field of plastic surgery. This year’s competition highlighted a particularly inspiring collaboration: a winning project developed jointly by a plastic surgery resident and a medical student. This success underscores the power of interdisciplinary teamwork in driving medical innovation and improving patient care. The ASPS challenge isn’t just about awarding prizes; it’s about nurturing the next generation of surgical innovators.

The Winning Innovation: A Novel Approach to Scar Management

The winning team,comprised of dr. Anya Sharma (Plastic Surgery Resident, University of California, San Francisco) and Mr. Ben Carter (Medical Student,Stanford University),presented a novel biomaterial scaffold designed to minimize scar formation following burn injuries.Their invention,tentatively named “DermaHeal,” utilizes a combination of decellularized dermal matrix and growth factors to promote regenerative healing and reduce the incidence of hypertrophic scarring.

Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

* Biomimicry: DermaHeal mimics the natural extracellular matrix of healthy skin,providing a conducive environment for cell growth and tissue regeneration.

* Growth Factor Delivery: The scaffold incorporates sustained-release growth factors, specifically TGF-β inhibitors, to modulate the inflammatory response and prevent excessive collagen deposition – a primary cause of scarring.

* Reduced Inflammation: Early in vitro studies demonstrate a critically important reduction in inflammatory cytokine production when using DermaHeal compared to customary wound dressings.

* potential Applications: Beyond burn injuries, the team envisions applications for DermaHeal in post-surgical scar management, chronic wound healing, and even cosmetic procedures.

The Power of Resident-Student Collaboration in Surgical Research

The collaboration between Dr. Sharma and Mr. Carter exemplifies the benefits of bridging the gap between clinical practice and basic science research. Dr. Sharma’s direct experience with the challenges of scar revision and wound care provided crucial clinical insight, while Mr. Carter’s background in biomedical engineering brought a strong foundation in biomaterials and tissue engineering.

This synergy allowed them to:

1. Identify an unmet need: Recognizing the limitations of current scar management techniques.
2. Develop a Targeted Solution: Designing a biomaterial specifically addressing the underlying mechanisms of scar formation.
3. Accelerate the Research Process: Combining clinical expertise with technical skills to efficiently move the project forward.
4. Enhance Translational Potential: Creating an innovation with a clear pathway to clinical submission.

ASPS Challenge: A Catalyst for medical Device Development

The ASPS Inventors Challenge isn’t just a competition; it’s a comprehensive program designed to support the development of innovative medical devices and surgical tools.participants receive mentorship from experienced plastic surgeons and engineers, access to prototyping resources, and opportunities to secure funding for further research.

Key benefits of participating include:

* Funding Opportunities: The ASPS provides seed funding to winning teams to help them refine their prototypes and conduct further studies.

* Mentorship Network: Access to a network of experienced surgeons, engineers, and entrepreneurs.

* Intellectual Property Support: Guidance on protecting intellectual property and navigating the patent process.

* Exposure and Recognition: The challenge provides a platform to showcase innovations to a wider audience, including potential investors and industry partners.

Future Directions & Clinical Trials

Dr. Sharma and Mr. Carter are currently working to optimize the DermaHeal scaffold and prepare for pre-clinical studies in animal models. They are actively seeking funding to support these efforts and hope to initiate human clinical trials within the next two to three years. Their work aligns with the growing field of regenerative medicine and holds significant promise for improving the lives of patients affected by scarring. Further research will focus on tailoring the scaffold to different wound types and patient populations, as well as exploring the potential for personalized scar management strategies. The team is also investigating the use of advanced imaging techniques to monitor the healing process and assess the efficacy of DermaHeal in vivo.

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