Penn Health-Tech’s Rothberg Catalyzer is a two-day makerthon that challenges interdisciplinary student teams to prototype and pitch medical devices that aim to address an unmet clinical need. The Catalyzer’s third competition was held recently and was won by MAR Designs, a team of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics graduate students: Rebecca Li, Ariella Mansfield and Michael Sobrepera.

MAR Designs took home $10,000 for their project, an orthotic device that children with cerebral palsy can more comfortably wear as they sleep. According to the team, existing wrist orthoses improve function and treat/prevent spasticity but are uncomfortable. MAR Designs’ device initially allows full range of motion, but gradually straightens the wrist as the child is falling asleep.

SchistoSpot took home the Pioneer Award. Bioengineering and computer and information science seniors Alec Bayliff, Bram Bruno, Justin Swirbul and Vishal Tien designed a low-cost microscopy system that can aid in the diagnosis of the parasitic disease schistosomiasis.