Treatments for pulmonary hypertension can require patients to undergo a significant lifestyle change. This is especially true for patients on continuous infusion medications. These medications are delivered by an infusion pump 24 hours, seven days a week. Although these medications are effective, it is not without its set of challenges. Patients need to know how to mix their own medication, fill their pumps, and operate the pump as it slowly infuses medication either under the skin (subcutaneously) or through an implanted intravenous catheter. 

Recently, we received the following inquiry to borrow a CADD MS3 pump, the device used to administer continuous subcutaneous infusion of prostacyclin medication:

Moved by Oliver’s initiative, our team sent out a demo pump to support Paige, a patient of Dr. Jefferey Feinstein’s at the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at Stanford Children’s Health. Oliver and Jonah created their prototype and submitted it for the Science and Engineering Expo at their school at the end of January 2020.  We salute Oliver and Josh’s efforts to raise awareness for pulmonary hypertension and help make life just a little bit easier for PH patients like Paige.

Most recently, Oliver and Jonah submitted their Splash Bag invention into the Santa Cruz County Science and Engineering Fair where they won first prize for inventions and also received a special award called The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize. Soon, the young inventors will be entering the California Invention Convention. We wish them all the best!

*2020 Update: Oliver and Jonah received a Global Impact Award for Originality at the 2020 National Invention Convention.

(Jonah and Oliver receive their award at the 1:05:25 mark)