Feuer Innovation Accelerator Breathes Life into UH Caregiver Ideas
With new innovations and technology, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s is able to deliver and care for premature infants as early as 23 weeks into pregnancy. In addition to complex medical needs, these miracle babies may also face challenges in meeting developmental milestones. However, the Feuer Innovation Accelerator is helping UH caregivers to boost these infants’ quality of life.
Spreading a Culture of Innovation
An innovator himself, Michael Feuer knows how important it is to avoid complacency and test new ideas. He co-founded OfficeMax and grew the chain from a single store to more than 1,000 locations during his tenure as CEO. In 2021, he and his wife, Ellen, made a $2 million gift to support UH’s culture of innovation, establishing the Feuer Innovation Accelerator.
“Caregivers across UH are always coming up with new ideas based on patient needs. The accelerator turns their brainpower into a discovery machine,” said Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, UH CEO and Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. “Combine that with the power of UH Ventures, our innovation and commercialization division, and the potential is limitless.”
A Winning Idea for Kids
More than 70 groups of UH caregivers sought support for novel health care ideas in the accelerator’s first year. Among the winners to receive funding was a concept presented by a team of occupational, physical and respiratory therapists at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s. The problem? Some preemies can develop respiratory conditions that may require a ventilator for the first two years of life or more. Without enough mobility, these young children can become at risk for developmental delays and other long-term issues.
Enter the Rainbow Runner, a mobile accessory that secures the ventilator and tubing to the child, enabling them to move more freely. Inspired by a toddler living at the hospital who was understandably frustrated by the restrictions of a ventilator, the first iteration of the prototype was fashioned from a plastic storage bin, wheels and a fabric chest strap.
“We took every precaution testing the idea and it worked great," said pediatric rehabilitation supervisor Anna Maus, OTR/L. “It enabled this little boy to explore the world safely, and the increased mobility helped improve his respiratory function and allowed him to meet all sorts of developmental milestones. It had a tremendous impact on his quality of life and his outcomes.”
Future of Rainbow Runner
Today, a more sophisticated version of the Rainbow Runner is in development with the support of an external engineering team and in consultation with the North American Science Associates.
“Our goal as therapists is to normalize the sometimes ‘not-so-normal’ hospital experience and encourage opportunities for movement and exploration regardless of equipment,” said occupational therapist Molly Wiberg, OTR/L, CNT. “We are so appreciative of the UH Ventures team and the Feuer family for understanding the needs of these patients.”
“The Rainbow Runner team’s passion has been truly inspiring,” says Allison Hart, Lead Innovation Strategist with UH Ventures. “In many institutions, innovations like this with a smaller potential market have a difficult time receiving support, but the Feuer Innovation Accelerator allows us to focus on any innovation that meaningfully impacts the quality of care for our patients.”
“We are thrilled to hear about the Rainbow Runner and the early success of the accelerator,” said Michael and Ellen Feuer, who were honored at last month’s UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Naples Circle of Friends event for their enduring support of UH’s acclaimed children’s hospital. “This is an innovation that may not benefit every child, but for those that need it, the impact is incalculable.”