CES 2025

The Patient Safety Technology Challenge made its debut at CES® 2025 in Las Vegas on January 6-9, where the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative (PRHI) unveiled the winners of the highly anticipated Patient Safety Technology Challenge Grand Awards. This competition spotlighted innovative technologies aimed at transforming healthcare and improving patient safety. With over 700 teams from across the United States participating, six finalists made it to the CES stage, each showcasing their groundbreaking solutions.

The Patient Safety Technology Challenge Grand Awards Showcase took place on January 9 at the Start-Up Stage, where over 100 attendees had the opportunity to hear the finalists pitch tech-enabled solutions designed to improve patient safety. The Patient Safety Technology Challenge booth was located right next to the Start-Up Stage and offered attendees a chance to learn more about the competition and the transformative innovations on display. The booth was staffed by Carolyn Byrnes, MPH, CPH, JHF Policy Director, and Ariana Longley, MPH, PRHI Patient Safety Consultant, with finalists taking turns to engage with visitors throughout the week. Longley, who is the Project Manager of the Patient Safety Technology Challenge, shared her reflections on the event, saying, “My favorite part of CES was seeing the finalists and other competitors we invited to attend get inspired by the innovations surrounding them and being immersed in the midst of disruption that helps fuel change.”

Jewish Healthcare Foundation CEO, Karen Feinstein, discussed the significance of CES for local innovators in a recent article published by the Pittsburgh Business Times. She highlighted the unique opportunity CES provides Pittsburgh-based companies and innovators to make their mark on a global stage. Organizers estimate that CES 2025 had around 150,000 attendees and over 4,500 exhibits, underscoring the immense scale of the event and the incredible opportunity it provided for these innovators to gain visibility. With so many people gathered to witness the latest technological advancements, CES proved to be the perfect platform for the Patient Safety Technology Challenge to shine a light on solutions poised to transform healthcare.

In addition to the showcase, JHF and PRHI hosted a cocktail reception for the Grand Award finalists and other competitors to network with Pittsburghers, patient safety leaders, PRHI Board members, and friends of the Foundation. Attendees were offered a valuable opportunity to envision the future of patient safety technology and explore potential collaborations.

Each of the winners of the 2025 Patient Safety Technology Challenge Grand Awards embodies the spirit of innovation, creativity, and passion for improving patient safety, and their solutions have the potential to change the landscape of healthcare. Winners were judged based on criteria including innovation, scalability, impact on patient safety, and feasibility. SoundPass Medical, Boom Surgical, and Elythea each won $7,000 prizes in the Idea, Development, and Growth stages, respectively.

SoundPass Medical

Category: Idea

Innovation: A trailblazer in neurosurgical precision, SoundPass Medical has developed an ultrasound-guided stylet for external ventricular drains (EVDs). This cutting-edge solution provides real-time 3D imaging, significantly enhancing safety during brain procedures. By reducing the risks associated with EVD placement, SoundPass Medical is revolutionizing brain surgery procedures. Their success was also highlighted when they won a $10,000 prize at the U.S. Army xTech Live Pitch Competition at CES.

SoundPass Medical teammates, Kyril Cole (left) and Travis Hotchkiss (right), pictured with Jewish Healthcare Foundation CEO, Karen Feinstein

Bloom Surgical

Category: Development

Innovation: Bloom Surgical’s LaparoVision is a breakthrough single-use laparoscope lens cleaner designed to maintain surgical visibility during critical procedures. This innovative device helps ensure that surgeons can maintain clarity throughout operations, reducing delays and improving outcomes. Bloom Surgical previously triumphed in 2023 and 2024 at the Bench to Bedside Competition at the University of Utah Health, sponsored by the Patient Safety Technology Challenge.

Bloom Surgical teammates, Jacob Sheffield (left) and Brandon Sargent (right), pictured with Jewish Healthcare Foundation CEO, Karen Feinstein

Elythea

Category: Growth

Innovation: Elythea has developed a powerful AI platform designed to predict pregnancy complications early. This tool allows clinicians to allocate resources effectively and engage high-risk patients with timely interventions. Elythea’s focus on underserved areas, where access to timely care is often limited, makes this innovation a game-changer in maternal health. In 2023 Elythea was recognized with an award at the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge at the University of San Diego and St. Thomas University, also sponsored by the Patient Safety Technology Challenge.

Reetam Ganguli of Elythea, pictured with Jewish Healthcare Foundation CEO, Karen Feinstein

In addition to the Grand Prize winners, the Patient Safety Technology Challenge recognized three notable runners-up for their extraordinary contributions. They are equally committed to advancing patient safety and improving healthcare practices, and their solutions reflect the innovative spirit of the competition. Each of these innovators received $1,250 to continue their impactful work:

Galen Health: Focusing on early detection technology for pancreatic cancer, Galen Health is aiming to reduce high mortality rates and improve patient outcomes.

Reel Free: Developed by a winner at the Patient Safety Technology Challenge-sponsored 2024 ASUio competition, Reelmate Remote is a motorized device designed to manage oxygen tubing in home healthcare settings, improving patient safety and comfort at home.

ERinfo: Specializing in facial recognition and AI tools for patient identification during emergencies, ERinfo enhances the accuracy and speed of patient identification in critical situations, helping to prevent errors and improve outcomes.

CES 2025 served as an ideal platform to showcase these pioneering solutions to a global audience, bringing attention from healthcare leaders, investors, and technology enthusiasts from all over the world. As these winning innovations evolve, it’s clear that the Patient Safety Technology Challenge is continuing to foster a new era of healthcare safety – one where patient well-being is at the heart of every technological advancement. We look forward to seeing how these teams, and others who follow in their footsteps, continue to shape the future of healthcare innovation.

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