One of our own is recognized on The History Channel’s Modern Marvels, Invent Now Challenge! In NYC last Thursday evening, co-inventors Brian Boothe and Kim Bertron were awarded first runner-up and $10,000 for the Invent Now Challenge. Kim Bertron and the SimpleShot will be highlighted on the History Channel locally on, Wednesday, the 16th at 10pm.
One day Kim Bertron’s 10 year-old daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes, had a severe hypoglycemic episode. This occurs when the blood glucose level drops so low that a violent seizure can result and in this specific case, it did. Bertron’s daughter became unconscious.
An injection of glucagon had to be administered immediately, but shaking with fear and adrenaline, Bertron broke the needle while trying to insert it through the tiny metal ring of the vial.
Thankfully, she had a back-up kit in the car and was able to calm down enough to complete the multiple steps and administer the life-saving drug correctly.
Mom opts for solution
This traumatic event “spun me into action,” recalled Bertron. She later learned that her initial failure was quite common among parents of children with diabetes and she pledged to find a simpler, quicker solution. With the help of engineers Brian Boothe and John Wiley Horton, the SimpleShot was born.
The SimpleShot is a single syringe that stores powder in one chamber and a diluting solution in the other, allowing easy, instant mixing when the seal between the two chambers is broken by pushing the plunger. In an emergency situation this device provides faster, easier administration of reconstituted drugs.
Bertron was so pleased with the prototype, she submitted it to the Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge sponsored by The History Channel. The SimpleShot was chosen among 2,500 inventions as one of 25 semi-finalists. Last Thursday evening, the challenge awarded the SimpleShot as first runner-up for the 2007 Modern Marvel of the Year. SimpleShot will be featured on The History Channel Wednesday, May 16th at 10pm.
The prototype co-invented by North Carolina State University grad, Boothe, is currently featured on display along with the 24 fellow semi-finalists at various museums throughout the country.
Log on to http://www.history.com/invent/ to view semi-finalists’ creations.
Engineering allows creativity
After graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Boothe initially began a career in finance, but found it lacked the creative outlet he craved. He transferred to NC State and earned a B.S. in engineering and was awarded a scholarship from NC State to earn his master’s in mechanical engineering.
Through referrals by Horton, patent attorney and fellow engineer, Boothe began to assist clients through the life cycle of new product launches. Horton and Boothe saw the need for a collaboration and Corsair, EDA, Inc., http://www.corsair-eda.com was formed. Corsair, EDA, Inc. with offices at the Technology Incubator on Centennial Campus, offers clients such services as initial concept development, design selection and iteration, prototype fabrication, product validation, and low volume manufacturing and production. Corsair helps clients realize their goal of successful product launch.
This “fee for service” arrangement is the easiest and most cost-effective way someone can take a concept from the back of a napkin to a viable product.
Boothe was first introduced to the Technology Incubator at NC State by Larry Dickinson of 3F, LLC. Dickinson was in need of design consultation. 3F provides research and engineering services for makers and users of technical textiles, advanced composite materials and structures, and their applications.
For 3F, Boothe provided creative design support for the development of a “Personnel Lowering Device” for the Air Force. The idea was to develop a pocket sized device to allow parachutists stuck in trees to lower themselves to the ground safely. The innovation was to develop and use a new non-woven textile and package it into a working system that would fit in the pocket of a flight suit.
Incubator inspires success
“In knowing that we (Horton and Boothe) wanted to make this an established business, the Technology Incubator just made sense,” said Boothe. The NC State University Technology Incubator offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to advance their growth. For a nominal fee the Incubator offers office space, access to conference rooms and Internet as well as university resources like business planning and financial advice. The Technology Incubator, located on Centennial Campus of NC State, is an economic development tool designed to accelerate the growth and success of start-up companies.
Upon applying to the Incubator, Boothe was prompted to complete Corsair’s business plan and look to the future. “Being in the environment of the Incubator alone is very attractive. Everyone here is motivated to succeed, that, and being a part of the university brings a lot to the table for a small start-up company,” Boothe said.
When asked if Boothe plans to anchor Corsair in the Triangle, he said, “there’s this unwritten moral responsibility I feel to repay the opportunities I’ve been given by NC State.”
With this challenge Modern Marvels hopes to discover inventions “with potential to have universal implications if brought to fruition.” Boothe’s SimpleShot has the capability to reduce errors in dosage, save time, eliminate potential contamination and reduce the risk of needle stick exposure for the delivery of reconstituted medication to patients in life-threatening situations. Most importantly, it could help save lives and if that isn’t a “universal implication,” I’m not sure what is.
