Jordan Kaufmann , an alumna with a doctorate in biomedical engineering, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the University of Texas to develop a new method of treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) using stent-grafts.
Kaufmann’s inspiration for this method came from noticing the flaws of the current treatment, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The method uses a physical object placed near the site of the aneurysm to strengthen the walls of the aorta. EVAR has strong results, but the risks of endoleaks-blood flow around the graft and into the aneurysm sac–persist. Kaufmann’s device, known as a stent-graft, improves the current procedure by using the body’s own tissue to repair the aneurysms and reduce the chance of rupture and endoleaks
According to the CDC, abdominal aortic aneurysms is a condition where a section of the aortic artery, the tube which carries blood from the chest down through the abdomen, balloons to dangerous sizes, with some reaching sizes of seven centimeters or more. Prolonged swellings often result in rupture and subsequent death by internal bleeding, with a mortality rate as high as 90 percent.
Doctors have recently seen a slow decline in deaths caused by the condition thanks to early screenings and medical advancements like those developed by Kaufmann.
Her project has the potential to improve treatment of patients with AAA and increase their lifespan with minimally invasive surgery. The device took years of hard work, perseverance and the mercy of the UT grant board, but Kaufmann credits the foundations of her skills to the engineering department here at N.C. State.
“The device itself comes from my dissertation work in Biomedical Engineering at UTSA, but N.C. State provided me with not only the engineering background, but also how to think and overcome obstacles,” Kaufmann said. “Most engineers at N.C. State know that it’s not exactly an “easy A” degree. What they might not realize is that those hours spent trying to solve homework problems-sometimes unsuccessfully-not only teach you mechanics or differential equations, but they’re also teaching you to think and how to overcome failure.”
Kauffman’s technical skills were not the only factor that led to her success. Her skills as both a businessperson and presenter were ultimately what helped convince the grant board that her work would guarantee success.
“While at N.C. State I also had the opportunity to be a Franklin Scholar and worked on a degree in interpersonal communication, which has come in handy for the business side of this adventure,” Kaufmann said. “Then, of course, there were the design classes I took which gave me the very real (and very necessary) hands-on skills I needed to build equipment for my project.”
To other N.C. State students who wish to put their degrees to full use, Kaufmann said your degree is what you make of it.
”People knew I had a good education, and that gives you a slight leg up, but you have to keep working,” Kaufmann said. “I would also suggest diversifying. Knowing your specialty is great, but knowing a little bit about a few other areas is even better.”
Kauffman already has big plans for the money she’s been awarded. Over the next five years, she hopes to continue to develop her device while growing her company. Her chief goal, however, is to one day sell her equipment or license it to a larger medical company where victims of AAA worldwide may benefit from her work.
