Team Aloe Wins 15th Annual Bench to Bedside Grand Prize with AI-Enabled Ultrasound Device for At-Home Injury Monitoring.
An AI-powered ultrasound device that helps patients track shoulder injury recovery from home has earned team Aloe the Grand Prize at the 15th Annual Bench to Bedside competition, hosted by the University of Utah's Center for Medical Innovation. Developed by students from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, Aloe uses machine learning to detect asymptomatic rotator cuff tears early, aiming to prevent reinjury and improve long-term outcomes.
Bench to Bedside, a program hosted by the Center for Medical Innovation, brings together students from medicine, engineering, business, and design to develop solutions to real-world clinical challenges. Over the academic year, teams collaborate with healthcare professionals and industry leaders to develop and prototype new medical technologies while building strategies for regulatory approval and market adoption.
This year’s competition brought together 31 teams and over 600 attendees, including clinicians, investors, entrepreneurs, and community members. Originally founded in Utah, Bench to Bedside has grown into a global showcase, with this year’s competition featuring teams from across the United States and the other side of the globe. In addition to teams from the University of Utah, Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, Montana State University, and Northeast Ohio Medical University, one team traveled from the National University of Singapore to showcase their innovation at the annual competition night.
All participating teams benefit from year-round access to the Center for Medical Innovation’s Prototyping & Design Lab, a prototyping budget, as well as engineering and regulatory consultations. In addition to the $20,000 Grand Prize, $60,000 in milestone funding was awarded to ten outstanding teams, helping them to push their inventions forward. Sponsored by the Crocker Catalyst Foundation and University of Utah Health, the Bench to Bedside program has provided over $1.5 million in funding since 2012, empowering student innovators to turn their ideas into impactful healthcare solutions.
To learn more about the Bench to Bedside program and the Center for Medical Innovation, please visit cmi.uofuhealth.org
Bench to Bedside 2024-2025 Program Stats
- 31 Competing Teams
- 140 Student Competitors, ranging from 1st year undergraduates to PhD candidates.
- 30+ Majors and academic disciplines represented.
- 6 participating institutions (University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Montana State University, National University of Singapore)
- 100+ Professional Mentors & Competition Judges
CMI Bench to Bedside 2025 Award Winners:
Aloe: Aloe developed a handheld, AI powered ultrasound device that patients with rotator cuff injuries will take home to monitor their rehabilitation. Reinjury often begins with substantial, asymptomatic tears, and we aim to see those tears before the patient feels them. Team Members: Spencer Marx, Nathaniel Fargo, Helaman Brown, Kwon Saavedra, Isabella White, Bethany Covington, David Needens (University of Utah), Konrad Willey (Brigham Young University). Grand Prize Award - $20,000.
Impedia: The Impedia Smartwatch uses bioimpedance technology to measure blood pressure non-invasively, eliminating the need for a bulky, uncomfortable blood-pressure cuff. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, with high blood pressure being the #1 modifiable risk factor for developing the disease. Impedia empowers consumers by enabling blood pressure monitoring anytime, anywhere, at the touch of a button. Team Members: Henry Crandall, Steven Kramer, Ellia Hayes, Leonorah Pierre Jerome, Nicole Duckering (University of Utah). Grand Prize Runner-Up - $10,000
OrthoBolt: OrthoBolt LLC fills the gaps of the increasing challenges in spinal procedures, particularly in patients with osteoporosis and low bone density, through the design of an expandable pedicle screw optimized with cutting-edge rotating strut technology. These screws offer optimal anchoring in both healthy and compromised bone, reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional screw fixation methods. Team Members: Brandon Wilde, Mitch Kirkham (University of Utah). Legacy Grand Prize - $15,000
Pebble AI: Pebble AI is a non-invasive, AI-driven suggestions tool specializing in HIE. It leverages multimodal AI (audio + video) to provide fast, accurate, and cost-effective assessments. Scalable and integrable with healthcare systems, Pebble AI enhances early diagnosis, reduces human error, and improves access to advanced medical insights in under-resourced areas. Team Members: Amelia Nelson, Archit Dudeja, Rylie Gagne (University of Utah), Rohan Tanjavur, Robert Mele (Johns Hopkins University), Muhammad Abid Mirza (University of Maryland), Emiliano Urciaga (Monterrey Institute of Technology). Patient Safety Technology Challenge - $7,500
TriagePoint: TriagePoint is an AI-powered health platform that delivers fast, intelligent symptom assessments to help users make informed care decisions. By reducing unnecessary ER visits and supporting clinical efficiency, TriagePoint empowers patients and healthcare systems alike through accessible, research-backed triage technology. Team Members: Alexander Gibson, Andre Bernal, Jacob Zicherman (University of Utah), Spencer Gibson (Carnegie Mellon University). Best in Medicine - $5,000
Zonal Coating Application System (ZCAS): The Zonal Coating Application System (ZCAS) is a novel technique for coating cardiovascular devices to enhance endothelialization and reduce thrombus. Initially designed for the WATCHMAN LAAO device, ZCAS applies a two-part coating: a thromboresistant layer for blood-exposed areas and an endothelialization-promoting layer for tissue-contacting zones, minimizing peri-device leakage and improving long-term device performance. Team Members: Mustafa Houmsse, Andrew Muskara, Jalal Jwayyed (Northeast Ohio Medical University) Best in Business - $5,000
OrthoBalance: Improper ligament balancing during Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) leads to pain, stiffness, and instability, often requiring revision. OrthoBalance provides physicians with an affordable, data-driven tool to assess and adjust ligament tension intraoperatively to effectively enhance precision, reduce revision rates, and improve patient outcomes. OrthoBalance ensures that patients get the outcome that they deserve the first time. Team Members: Spencer Kayser, Ben Matheson, Kyra Herronen, Kade Strutz (Montana State University). Best in Engineering - $5,000
CodeMed AI: CodeMed AI is an AI-powered medical scribe that listens to doctor-patient conversations and generates real-time, structured clinical notes. Designed to integrate with any EHR system, it saves physicians time, reduces costs, and improves accuracy. Future features include automated billing, making CodeMed AI a complete solution for clinical documentation and efficiency. Team Members: Thomas Lundquist, Spencer Boris, Harrison Oakes, Jaden Searle (Brigham Young University). Best in Digital Health - $5,000
Forte BCI: A device that allows user to create music in real-time through thought alone towards applications such as music therapy and neurorehabilitation. Team Members: Alexander Venezie, Alan Mo, Evan Lee, Megan Morris, Lily Prescott, Alexander Bracken (University of Utah). Eccles & Marriott Libraries Award - $5,000
Code Clock: The Code Clock ACLS device is a tablet-sized device used during in-hospital cardiac arrest to designate roles, time and record resuscitation efforts, improve team coordination, improve adherence to the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithm, and help providers quickly get to the root cause of the cardiac arrest without the mental burden of recalling complex, time-sensitive protocols. Team Members: Alicia Du, Diego Perez, Evan Marsh, Emily Yang, Josh Whiting, Leonardo Ferrisi (University of Utah). Consumer’s Choice - $2,500
NeoPulse: The NeoPulse device addresses the critical need for diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias in neonates by offering a portable, single-patient, reusable cardiac monitor designed for continuous at-home use. Unlike traditional EKG Systems, NeoPulse features a comfortable, fabric-based electrode system that wraps around the chest and shoulders without adhesives, making it ideal for delicate newborn skin. Team Members: Calvin Coates, Parker Mason, Zach Wade, Sam Davies, Cambri Jessop, Izabella Echols (University of Utah). Consumer’s Choice - $2,500