In a world where innovation is the driving force behind progress, it's inspiring to witness young minds stepping up to the plate and reshaping the landscape of Wellness and Health. The 2024 Invent Oregon competition showcased an array of remarkable individuals and projects that are not only making wellness accessible but also innovating outdated equipment.
This year’s Fourth Place winners Jennelle Andersen, Sierra Sotela, Nikki Gramm, and Tara McDonnell are transforming women's health with their innovative product from Jensa Wellness. They have created shapewear undergarments that deliver targeted heat therapy to alleviate symptoms of endometriosis and PMS.. This dual-function apparel combines the benefits of supportive shapewear with the soothing effects of heat therapy, offering a discreet and effective way for women to manage menstrual discomfort. Jensa Wellness' creation represents a significant advancement in personal health and wellness products, providing a much-needed solution for many women. Receiving 4th place overall in the competition and taking home $2,000 in prizes.
In emergency situations, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Ancile Systems, led by Carter Stewart and Emmett Allen, who are both pursuing degrees in mechanical engineering at OIT, are veterans of the 2023 InventOR competition. They returned to compete this year with an improved design for their automatic field tourniquet. The “AFT” is a critical lifesaver designed to swiftly halt traumatic bleed events by cinching a tourniquet with just the push of a button. This innovation has the potential to transform emergency medical response times, offering a simple and effective solution to control severe bleeding, while recording critical vitals through sensors built into the unit, reducing the potential for human error in the field. This elegant solution showcases the power of combining medical expertise with engineering prowess, and Ancile Systems took home $1,500 for the Most Outstanding Community College award!
Human error is the 3rd leading cause of death in the States, and this is not due to a lack of knowledge or skill in the medical field, but to overworked and overstressed medical professionals . Led by Chloé Le Moing, Coré addresses the pressing issue of burnout and fatigue among medical providers with their innovative wellness check system. Recognizing the critical need for supporting mental and physical well-being in healthcare professionals, Coré's system is designed to monitor their vitals and state of mind, then offer simple actionable steps to maintain and improve the overall wellness of medical staff to mitigate error, fatigue, and burnout. This proactive approach not only aims to enhance the quality of life for healthcare workers but also ensures better patient care by maintaining a healthier and more alert workforce.
These projects at Invent Oregon 2024 illustrate the remarkable potential of student innovators to address real-world challenges with practical, impactful solutions. From lifesaving medical devices to wellness-focused innovations, the competition highlights the transformative power of combining empathy, creativity, and technology in healthcare.
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