Project Portfolio Summaries
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The document details the transition of various proof-of-concept prototypes into commercially viable products, including treatments for psoriasis and vitiligo, hair removal systems, and diagnostic tools for cancer and HIV. It highlights key roles within engineering teams, successful project management, and significant advancements in medical and analytical device technology, driving efficiency and market readiness. Specific product achievements include reduced costs, faster production timelines, and the development of innovative applications utilizing advanced technologies.
Project Portfolio Summaries
- 1. Goal: Transition a proof-of-concept prototype to a commercially viable product. Description: UVB light therapy system for the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo. The BClear is a unique light-based therapy that combines the proven benefits of phototherapy with the latest advances in fiber-optic technology. It permits higher doses of light enabling patients to experience successful results in fewer treatment sessions, with generally very limited side-effects. The device employs a spectrally filtered UV light source coupled to a fiber optic delivery device enabling user defined dosage of UVB radiation to spatially selected areas of a patient’s dermis. It also features a multi-lingual touchscreen interface, embedded electronics, stepper motor controlled dosage attenuation, and an ergonomic “pistol-like” applicator. BClearBClear Role: Software Manager – Assumed the role of Director of Engineering when the sitting Director experienced an unforeseen and catastrophic accident . Directed two SW engineers, two EE’s, and two ME’s, while coordinating efforts with manufacturing and service organizations. Developed, implemented, and verified all aspects of SW. Responsible for creation and maintenance of all documents required for the DHF: requirements, design documents, design reviews, risk plan and analysis, and verification plans and procedures. Results: Released product to market 9 months after assuming Director’s role.
- 2. LightSheer 400msLightSheer 400ms Goal: Expand operational range of laser system to support longer duration pulse lengths. Description: The “gold standard” for photonic hair removal, the LightSheer 400ms Diode Laser System features “long pulse” technology that enables effective treatment of the widest range of skin tones and hair colors on the market. The device employs near-IR diode laser bars, multi-lingual touchscreen interface, embedded electronics, peltier coolers, liquid-to-liquid and liquid-to-air heat exchangers, and an ergonomic “pistol-like” applicator. Role: Software Manager – Directed two SW engineers, two electrical engineers, while coordinating efforts with manufacturing and service organizations. Developed, implemented, and verified all aspects of SW. Responsible for creation and maintenance of all documents required for the DHF: requirements, design documents, design reviews, risk plan and analysis, and verification plans and procedures. Results: On schedule release of product to manufacturing. video hyperlink
- 3. SlimLine EZSlimLine EZ Role: Program Manager – Coordinated efforts of R&D, Regulatory, Marketing, outside testing houses, and vendors. Results: On schedule release of product to manufacturing and creation of marketing white paper. Goal: Rebrand multi-use fiber optic delivery system as a single-use disposable fiber. This was in response to the market’s desire to get away from the cost and liability of cleaning multi-use fibers. Description: The SlimLine EZ fiber optic was mated to Lumenis’ holmium laser system. This system was designed to treat a wide range of urological indications. Rebranding of this fiber required a suite of biocompatibility and sterility testing as well as the creation of new DFU, labeling, and packaging materials. White paper hyperlink
- 4. LonghornLonghorn Goal: Design, build, and verify engineering prototypes to support clinical trials for VC-backed start-up. Description: The Longhorn CD4 analyzer is a portable digital fluorescence imaging system designed in concert with a disposable “biochip”. The device is intended to supplant flow cytometry for in vitro diagnostic analysis of a patient’s HIV “viral load”. Portability is key, considering populations with the greatest risk for HIV infection are located in rural settings where standard laboratory equipment cannot be supported. The device employs multi-color LED illumination, compact microscope coupled to a CCD camera, multi-axis stepper motor driven biochip actuators, LCD display, embedded electronics, and rechargeable battery. Role: Program Manager– Created proposal to secure contract engineering funding from client. Proposal included creation of technical outline of scope of work, schedule, budget (capital and expense), deliverable milestones, and contractual stipulations regarding secondary development partners. Directed 8 member engineering team within KMC and coordinated efforts between Texas-based client, NJ-based SW contractor, German-based optical design firm, and CO-based medical disposable design firm. Managed schedule and budget including coordination of invoicing for contract services. Served as systems engineer performing optical design analysis, thermal and electrical power budgeting, and provided tolerance analysis of instrument/biochip interface. Responsible for creation and maintenance of all documents required for the DHF: requirements, design documents, design reviews, risk plan and analysis, and verification plans and procedures. Results: Delivered 4 prototype units to the client for clinical trials enabling them to secure $20M in additional funding. video hyperlink
- 5. PolarIce – SPIlNab™PolarIce – SPIlNab™ Description: SPINlab™, a hyperpolarizing system that enables the visualization of metabolic activity at the cellular level using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The system simplifies MRI research of metabolism by providing reliable access to hyperpolarized compounds in a dedicated unit. SPINlab performs preparation of a hyperpolarized sample, executes quality control analysis of the prepared sample, and enables injection of the sample into a patient located within an MRI scanner all within 10 seconds of the initial sample preparation. This system features a cryostat capable of achieving sub 1K temperatures. Actuation of samples is via pneumatic control. QC analysis is via non-contact, UV-Vis optical techniques. Role: Program Manager– Created proposal to secure $9M contract for contract engineering services from client. Proposal included creation of technical outline of scope of work, schedule, budget (capital and expense), deliverable milestones, and contractual stipulations regarding secondary development partners. Directed 8 member engineering team within KMC and coordinated efforts between CO-based medical disposable design firm and GE’s research staff in NY and WI. Managed schedule and budget including coordination of invoicing for contract services. Identified and managed optical design sub-contractor. Responsible for creation and maintenance of all documents required for the DHF: requirements, design documents, design reviews, risk plan and analysis, and verification plans and procedures. Results: Successful presentation of prototypes to GE’s research staff. hyperlink Goal: Develop a number of proof-of-concept prototypes in support of basic research related to cancer and metabolic processes.
- 6. ZephyrZephyr Goal: Head-to-head engineering competition to develop an electronics/SW platform to serve as the basis for TA’s thermal product portfolio. Platform needed to reduce cost, be implemented in less time and with less cost than alternative approach. Description: In contrast to the alternative, fully in-house design approach, Zephyr utilized a combination of OTS componentry, strategic development partnerships, and in-house subject matter experts (SME’s) to collaboratively offer dramatic cost and time savings. Merged National Instruments single board embedded modules (sbRIO: featuring real- time processor and FPGA) to custom designed “functionality modules”. It also seamlessly merged LabVIEW’s IDE with all of TA’s measurement, control, and analysis IP. This project was the first of its kind, within TA, to employ outside development services as a key player in the develop process. Role: Director of Engineering – Obtained executive budget authorization to move forward with Zephyr project. Lead engineer of HW/SW architecture. Responsible for the creation of technical requirements and the identification and vetting of a suitable SW/HW development partner. Coordinated efforts of internal SME’s and external development partner, for both technical interfaces and schedule/budget trade-offs. Results: Zephyr was completed in 5 months for a total of $270K, this is in comparison to the alternative approach which took 18 months and $1.5M. Reduced total SW costs by 27% and reduced expensed SW costs by 66%. COGS reduced by 7%. Furthermore, Zephyr served as the foundation for Direct Thermal Injection and Synchro SDT projects, both which have resulted in patentable technologies.
- 7. Discovery 5500 TGADiscovery 5500 TGA Goal: Refreshing and rebranding flagship product line within TA’s Thermogravimetric product portfolio. Description: This series of thermogravimetric analyzers provides market leading sensitivity (0.1ppm) made possible by a thermally compensated balance. Tru-Mass™ Balance technology eliminates thermal drift from all three sources: environmental, furnace heat injection, and resistive self-heating. Three furnace options are available which support operation over a wide range of temperature (ambient to 1,200°C) and environmental conditions (air, inert, vacuum). It also features a robotic autosampler coupled to an intuitive touchscreen to enhance usability and productivity. This instrument embodies traditional wire wound and IR lamp furnace technologies, advanced thermo-balance, 4-axis stepper motor driven robotic autosampler, multi- channel high precision gas flow controllers, and embedded electronics. Role: Director of Engineering – Directed cross-functional team of ten engineers, marketing, service and manufacturing personnel throughout entire product life-cycle (concept generation to market release). Served as principal investigator of Tru-Mass™ technology. Drove decision to consolidate multiple instrument variants into single instrument chassis. Orchestrated concurrent development of TGA with SDT instrument. Coordinated creation of requirements, test procedures, manufacturing and service works instructions. Results: Reduced COGS by 10%, released to market 9 months ahead of plan, harmonized 80% of electronics and firmware with SDT instrument reducing inventory, manufacturing, and service costs. Discovery 550 TGADiscovery 550 TGA Discovery 55 TGADiscovery 55 TGA video hyperlink
- 8. Discovery 650 SDTDiscovery 650 SDT Goal: Refreshing and rebranding TA’s SDT product offering. Description: This simultaneous thermogravimetric analyzer provides market leading performance for both weight(mg) and heat flow(mW) signal, enabling simultaneuos evaluation of weight loss events and thermal phase transitions. The furnace supports operation from ambient to 1,500°C in a range of environmental conditions (air, inert, vacuum). It also features a robotic autosampler coupled to an intuitive touchscreen to enhance usability and productivity. This instrument embodies a platinum wound furnace, twin thermo-balances, 4-axis stepper motor driven robotic autosampler, multi-channel high precision gas flow controllers, and embedded electronics. Role: Director of Engineering – Directed cross-functional team of ten engineers, marketing, service and manufacturing personnel throughout entire product life-cycle (concept generation to market release). Orchestrated concurrent development of SDT with TGA instrument. Coordinated creation of requirements, test procedures, manufacturing and service works instructions. Results: Reduced COGS by 10%, released to market 6 months after completion of Discovery TGA. Harmonized 80% of electronics and firmware with TGA instrument reducing inventory, manufacturing, and service costs. Reduced installation time by 50% (1 day from 2 days).
- 9. Direct Thermal InjectionDirect Thermal Injection Goal: To develop a revolution in thermal analysis by replacing primitive furnaces with state-of- the-art laser technology. Description: DTI is a revolution in the thermal analysis market. Replacing typical furnaces with solid state diode lasers enables performance and features simply impossible with older technologies. DTI provides a dramatic expansion in operational range (400°C), a 10-fold increase in instrument throughput, 70% reduction in instrument size, 75% reduction in instrument power draw, 400% increase in reliability, all while reducing COGS by 10%. DTI features: solid state diode laser, fiber optics, user-replaceable disposable quartz cavity, peltier cooler, multi-axis autosampler, thermo-balance, and embedded electronics. Role: Director of Engineering – Served as Principal Investigator for the development and internal promotion of DTI. Performed first principles analysis that spawned idea, organized 4-member “Skunk-works” team to provide proof-of concept. Selected laser technology and vendor. Championed promotion of DTI, with internal stakeholders, by creation of dynamic multi-media presentation including scale 3-D mock-ups. Results: Demonstrated principle of DTI within 4 months of obtaining executive approval for project. Filed provisional US patent. Presented internal marketing video and business case study to key stakeholders. video hyperlink
- 10. Synchro SDTSynchro SDT Goal: Double instrument measurement throughput without sacrificing accuracy and with little to no increase in cost. Description: By leveraging lessons learned during development of the TGA’s Tru-Mass™ balance it was demonstrated that with only small modifications in design, the Discovery SDT could offer the ability to measure two samples at the same time, without compromising the quality of either the weight (mg) or heatflow (mW) signals. This instrument embodies a platinum wound furnace, twin thermo-balances, 4-axis stepper motor driven robotic autosampler, multi-channel high precision gas flow controllers, and embedded electronics. Role: Director of Engineering – Served as Principal Investigator for the development of Synchro SDT. Performed first principles analysis that spawned idea and organized small team to provide proof-of concept. Executed performance analysis, created development cost and schedule projections, along with BOM cost analysis. Results: US patent filing eminent.