Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Chairs Named

Case Western Reserve University has appointed Robert F. Kirsch chairman of the biomedical engineering department and Kenneth A. Loparo chairman of the electrical engineering and computer science department. Kirsch and Loparo are prolific researchers, proven leaders among their peers and consistently highly regarded in annual student reviews. “They are doers who will take action and…

Cleveland FES Center’s Networked Neural Prosthesis

The Cleveland FES Center was established in 1991 as a consortium between the Cleveland VA Medical Center (CVAMC), the private educational institution of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), and the public hospital system of MetroHealth Medical Center (MHMC). As part of this consortium, Dr. Hunter Peckham – biomedical engineering professor at Case Western Reserve University…

Biomedical Engineering’s Musa Audu Receives Outstanding Teaching Award

Musa Audu, research associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, received the Case Western Reserve University Biomedical Engineering Society’s Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2012-2013. Audu was cited for his unique ability to motivate students, provide assistance both inside and outside of class and personally impact students’ careers. He has more than 35 years…

Ohio’s Neurostimulation Industry: On the Brink of a Breakout

After decades of research and development in neurostimulation technology, Ohio is riding a national commercialization wave in neurodevices. Neurostimulation, also referred to as electrostimulation, uses electricity as an alternative to drug therapy. Treatment applications include relief of chronic pain, paralysis and depression. There are approximately 725 persons currently employed in Ohio manufacturing industries related to…

Biomed Students Translate Science Into Healing

Most translators are language specialists. They change ancient Greek into English, or English into Mandarin, or speech into American Sign Language. Emily Hromi and Erika Woodrum are translators, too, but of a very different kind: They are artists who change complex and vitally important medical information into imagery that the average person can easily understand.…

Neuroprosthetics: Once More, With Feeling

Prosthetic arms are getting ever more sophisticated. Now they just need a sense of touch. The Modular Prosthetic Limb will help patients to feel and manipulate objects just as they would with a native hand. Sitting motionless in her wheelchair, paralyzed from the neck down by a stroke, Cathy Hutchinson seems to take no notice…

VA Research in FES: Changing Lives

Financial planner Scott Fessler was a highly energetic, athletic young father when at the age of 33, he was in a near-fatal motorcycle crash. Scott suffered fractures to his cervical vertebrae, resulting in paralysis from the neck down. Immediately after the July 2006 accident, Scott underwent spinalsurgery to fuse his C4-C6 vertebrae. He suffers chronic…