--- title: Innovation Institute Blog (9) description: Discover cutting-edge research, groundbreaking innovations, and entrepreneurial insights at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute Blog. Explore transformative ideas in technology, healthcare, and more from leading experts and pioneers in academia and industry. Stay informed, inspired, and connected to the forefront of innovation at Pitt. (9) --- [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Become A Mentor](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/mentor/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittinnovates) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittinnovates) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitt-innovation-institute) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittinnovates/) [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/page/9#main) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Search for: Search Choose Research Site: Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Navigate Our Offerings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/navigate-our-programs-step-1/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Submit Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) # Blog ## [PopSole Puts Best Foot Forward](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/popsole-puts-best-foot-forward) July 12, 2023 Pitt Duo Launches Innovative Shoe Insert to Help People With Foot Pain Beth and Jeff Gusenoff are a podiatrist and a plastic surgeon by trade, but entrepreneurs at heart. Over the past five years they have been developing a supportive pressure-reducing shoe insert crafted initially for their patients recovering from procedures that transfer fat to the bottom of the foot for various foot conditions. Now they have formally launched their company, PopSole™, hired a contract manufacturer in Western Pennsylvania and are pounding the pavement to find distribution partners. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/popsole-puts-best-foot-forward) ## [Tech Tuesday: Novel Organic Compounds to Target Inflammation](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/tech-tuesday-novel-organic-compounds-to-target-inflammation) July 11, 2023 Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute highlights a Pitt technology or a set of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnerships. This week, we feature a technology that has the potential to treat infectious, inflammatory and post-traumatic disorders such as sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, autoimmune diseases, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, cardiovascular disease and more. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Johns Hopkins University have synthesized new carbon analogs of pyranose derivatives and approaches using these compounds may overcome some of the current challenges of cytokine inhibitors which often only target downstream cytokines and often play a less meaningful role in the inflammatory process. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/tech-tuesday-novel-organic-compounds-to-target-inflammation) ## [Tech Tuesday: Mobius, A Modular Rail System for Assisted Mobility](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/technology-tuesday-automated-diagnosis-of-acute-ear-infections-0-0) June 27, 2023 Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute highlights a Pitt technology or a set of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnerships. This week, we feature a novel modular, expandable rail system that can be easily installed to modify existing living spaces to improve accessibility in the homes of those with mobility issues. The technology is spearheaded by Jonathan Pearlman, PhD, Chair and Associate Professor, Dept. of Rehabilitation Science and Technology and David Brienza, PhD, Associate Dean for Technology and Innovation, SHRS. SUMMARY: Mobius, consists of a structural track which will serve as an anchor for a wide range of accessibility devices including handrails, grab bars, and stair lifts, which can be added to the Mobius as the needs or desires of the user change. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/technology-tuesday-automated-diagnosis-of-acute-ear-infections-0-0) ## [Commercialization Gap Fund Supports Four Prototype XProjects With Swanson School of Engineering](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/chancellors-gap-fund-supports-four-prototype-xprojects-with-swanson-school-of-engineering) June 21, 2023 Four innovation projects have been selected to receive funding from the Innovation Institute’s Commercialization Gap Fund to have prototypes of their innovations created in collaboration with the Swanson School of Engineering’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/chancellors-gap-fund-supports-four-prototype-xprojects-with-swanson-school-of-engineering) ## [Tech Tuesday](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/technology-tuesday-automated-diagnosis-of-acute-ear-infections) June 13, 2023 Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute features a technology or collection of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnering. This week we feature a device co-developed by innovators from Pitt and CMU that quickly and accurately diagnoses ear infections and prevent over-prescription of antibiotics. The technology is spearheaded by Alejandro Hoberman, MD, Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics, Vice Chair of Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh. Automated Diagnosis of Acute Ear Infections SUMMARY: More than 20M prescriptions per year = $2B direct and $2B indirect costs Up to 50% of ear infection diagnoses are wrong Only 75% accuracy with experienced clinicians There is a need for simple, reliable clinical decision support to improve AOM diagnosis and reduce unnecessary antimicrobial therapy. 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