Brook & Beyond Finalist Project Aims to Expand Access to Lifesaving Surgical Monitoring
A team of Stony Brook University researchers is developing a low-cost, carbon-dioxide monitoring system that could bring lifesaving respiratory monitoring technology to many parts of the world where healthcare technology remains limited. The project, one of eight finalists in the Brook & Beyond Innovation Challenge, is designed to provide a portable, reusable, capnograph to measure exhaled carbon dioxide during surgery as an alternative to expensive commercial capnography systems.
The project addresses a critical healthcare gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where millions of patients undergo surgery each year without access to continuous end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) monitoring. A global standard during anesthesia, EtCO₂ monitoring helps clinicians detect respiratory problems and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
The multidisciplinary team includes Dr. Jonathan Oster from Stony Brook Anesthesiology, Professor Jon Longtin from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Wei Yin from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Sean Boykevisch from the Office of the Vice President for Innovation and Partnerships (IPP), Michael Bielski from the Center for Biotechnology, and several graduate and undergraduate students.
“With a vibrant and expansive health care infrastructure here on the main campus, Stony Brook has an enormous opportunity to meld engineering with healthcare for innovative and impactful health care solutions globally,” observed Co-PI Longtin. .
Out of 64 submissions, the project advanced to the final round of the Innovation Challenge alongside seven other finalists. Although not selected among the four projects ultimately receiving funding, being named a finalist recognized the team's innovative approach to expanding access to essential surgical monitoring technology.
Brook & Beyond is a milestone-based innovation program that helps Stony Brook faculty and student teams advance early-stage research toward real-world impact through funding, mentorship, commercialization guidance, and intellectual property support.
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