Five student groups were awarded prizes for innovations they developed to address safety issues in healthcare as part of the 2024 Health Hackathon hosted by New York City-based Weill Cornell Medicine.
Nearly 200 future researchers, physicians, and engineers participated in the annual competition, held from March 8-10. Of 35 student teams, five received a grand prize for the solutions they developed, according to a March 21 news release from the health system. At least 12 companies have been created through the Health Hackathon since it began nine years ago.
This year's awardees:
- A team that developed a device to prevent pressure ulcers received the grand prize of $3,000. In the competition's final round, the team presented a physical prototype of the device that delivered electrical stimulation to increase blood flow to affected parts of the body.
- The most innovative prize ($2,500) went to a team that created a wearable device that detects carotid artery issues to prevent stroke.
- The prize for best use of AI ($2,500) went to a team that created a virtual assistant to support home health nurses in responding to adverse events.
- The most market ready prize ($1,500) went to a team that created a medical test to diagnose vaginal health issues.
- The award for most potential ($500) went to a team that created AI software that detects intimate partner violence in acute care settings.