Project Background |
Problem StatementA non-opioid method for pain management after surgery that does not require additional surgeries would lead to a better quality of life for patients by eliminating side effects of medication and better control of the pain.
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Project ScopeOver 80% of postoperative pain management, even for low-risk surgery, is driven by opioid prescriptions. While these pharmaceuticals are incredibly powerful at abating pain, their highly addictive nature has lead to a misuse epidemic. The team will work to develop a portable solution that blocks pain signals in a non-addictive manner. The treatment course needs to allow patients to autonomously administer pain relief via a safe process that can be quantitatively measured for physician-use. Further, it must not require additional surgeries, cause increased risk of infection/other surgical complications, and be durable enough to function for 4 weeks of postoperative pain treatment. Ideal project completion would be evidenced by such a pain inhibitor that successfully functions in an in vivo rat model by December 6th, 2019.
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