EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a series of articles submitted by UNeMed, UNMC’s marketing and licensing arm, highlighting UNMC scientists who have created and marketed inventions during research.
Ben Boedeker, M.D., Ph.D., joined UNMC in April of 2003, and is an associate professor in the department of anesthesiology.
Dr. Boedeker is a native of Wyoming and comes from a rural ranching background. He attended veterinary school at Colorado State University on an Army medical scholarship followed by service as a research veterinarian at the Walter
Reed Army Institute of Research.
He earned a Ph.D. in pathology at Georgetown University while on active duty at Walter Reed with dissertation research in novel gastrointestinal cytoprotective drug development. After completion of a military commitment for veterinary school, he attended medical school at the John Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. That was followed by residency in anesthesiology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he became board certified in anesthesiology with special qualifications in pain management.
After training he remained as staff at Walter Reed. While a resident at Walter Reed and continuing as a staff anesthesiologist, Dr. Boedeker created a novel drug delivery development laboratory in collaboration with Duncan Haines, Ph.D., that led to numerous drug-delivery patents. Many of these patents have been commercialized by SkyePharma Inc.
After completion of military obligation to the U.S. Army for medical training, he did a branch transfer to the U.S. Air Force Reserves and is still active with that service. Unusual military projects in which Dr. Boedeker was involved include creating and implementing a medical training program for anti-Soviet forces during the Soviet-Afghan War, performing volunteer medical service in Vietnamese refugee camps in the Philippines during the “boat people” exodus following the Vietnam War, and working with the U.S. Army Chemical Corps at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, where he provided medical support for personnel working with novel chemical weapons.
He currently serves as an special medical adviser to the Commander of the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), Medical Materiel and Research Command, Fort Detrick, Md., and as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to the Commander of the Global Innovation and Strategy Center (GISC), Strategic Air Command (STRATCOM).
TATRC has tasked him with developing novel airway management solutions for the far forward battlefield. This research has generated numerous patent applications since his employment at UNMC and Omaha VA Medical Center. In addition to development of novel far forward battlefield management capabilities, he is interested in developing telemedicine capabilities for perioperative medicine care.
Education & Training:
- Doctor of veterinary medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., 1979
- Doctor of medicine, John Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii, 1987
- Ph.D. in pathology, Georgetown University School of Medicine & Dentistry,
Washington, 1988
Invention disclosures through UNeMed:
- Laryngeal Mask (LMA) Intubation Endotracheal Tube
- Pusher Rod for Insertion of an Endotracheal Tube Through a Laryngeal Mask or
Supraglottic Airway Device
- Robotic Intubation Assistant
- Endotracheal Video Device
- Novel Curved Instrument for Use with Indirect View During Surgery
- Endotracheal Video Device Modification
- Curved Endotracheal Tube Intubating Forceps
- Novel Video Laryngoscope Blade to Support ENT Surgery
- Oral Airway with Novel Ports
- Intubating LMA with Channels for Suction and Other Uses
- Larangoscope Blade with Novel Shape and Ports
- Virtual Airway Management Device
- Biofilter for Anesthesia Machine and Ventilation Devices
- Intubation Stylet/Tube Exchanger with Memory Capabilities for Indirect Laryngoscopy
- Non-Flexible, Pre-Formed, Indirect Video Laryngoscopy Intubation Stylet
Patent titles through UNeMed:
- Intubation Related Apparatus and Methods
- Device for Insertion of Endotracheal Tube