At Madonna, innovation starts with the patient. Our Research Institute works collaboratively with clinicians to develop technology and therapeutic solutions to meet the unique needs of the people we serve.
For spinal cord injury survivors, or those with limited mobility, we have created technology that turns a person’s abilities, however limited, into greater independence– helping them recover a sense of self and autonomy following a life-changing event.
“For over two decades, researchers in Madonna’s Institute have worked to advance the science of recovery and to improve the lives of patients who have experienced life-altering injuries and illnesses,” Dr. Judy Burnfield, PhD, PT, Madonna’s vice president of research, said. “We conduct groundbreaking research and develop innovative devices and treatments that improve rehabilitation care and outcomes. The work we do within Madonna’s Research Institute is driven by the real-world needs of the patients we serve, not only while they are with us at Madonna, but also as they transition back to their homes and communities.”
The Curbell AC20: Turning small movements into greater independence
Originally developed by Madonna’s Research Institute as the First Hope system, the Assistive Control Adapter (AC20) helps people with significant mobility limitations interact with their environment using the abilities they have.
A patient may use eye gaze, a sip or puff of air, a toe twitch or muscle movement to call a nurse, control the television, adjust lighting or open and close shades and drapes.
Madonna partnered with Curbell Medical to transform the original First Hope concept into the AC20, a medical-grade device now available for use in healthcare settings around the world.
“The device provides a first sense of hope for many individuals that, despite having experienced a catastrophic injury or illness, they will be able to have some form of control over their future,” Burnfield said.
Research that moves from idea to impact
Madonna’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the technologies developed within our own Research Institute. We collaborate with outside innovators to bring clinical expertise, patient experience and real-world testing into the development of what comes next.
Madonna + Ocuvera: Advancing pressure injury prevention
For people with spinal cord injury, preventing pressure injuries is an important part of supporting recovery and protecting long-term health. Not only does prevention improve patient outcomes, it also helps reduce healthcare costs. According to the National Institutes of Health, hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $26.8 billion annually.
Madonna is partnering with Ocuvera, a Lincoln, Neb. based healthcare technology company, to advance a Digital Pressure Injury Monitoring (DPIM) system designed to help nurses identify and prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries.
The collaboration began in 2020 with National Institute of Nursing Research-funded research. Madonna clinicians, nurses and researchers helped Ocuvera collect patient and clinical data, shape the technology’s core features and provide insight into how it could support real-world care.
Now, Ocuvera has received a two-year SBIR Phase II grant to further develop the technology, with Madonna continuing as the prime clinical research partner.
Madonna’s Research Institute is using 3D motion analysis and pressure mapping technologies to validate measurements and guide refinement. Patients recovering from spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, burns and strokes will participate in real-world testing alongside clinicians.
Their feedback will help improve the technology and ensure it works for the people who will use it.
“Pressure injuries are a serious issue in hospitals, as they can slow recovery, make rehabilitation more difficult and take a toll on patients’ morale,” Burnfield said. “We’re proud to join forces with our Ocuvera colleagues in this next phase of product development, working together to ensure the technology delivers meaningful impact for inpatients and the clinicians who support them.”