Key Strengths

• Proven experience designing and managing the development of medical devices, including surgical robotic systems

• Nature published author, developed first portable exoskeleton to make human locomotion more efficient

• Experienced leader with strong interpersonal, communication, vendor management, and teamwork skills

• Broad technical knowledge base that can be utilized across many diverse fields

 

Work Experience

• Associate Professor– NC State/UNC Chapel Hill Dept. of Biomedical Engineering 2021-Present

• Lead Senior Design Instructor – NC State/UNC Chapel Hill 2019 – 2021

  • Developed Senior Design curriculum, a course on medical device conception and development

• Senior Product Development Engineer – Asensus Surgical, Raleigh, NC 2014-present

  • Managed development of surgical robotic systems, surgical simulators, augmented reality tools, remote surgical systems, and surgical optimization projects.

  • R&D lead for developing system components and subsystems for laparoscopic surgical robots

  • Developed an 3D-HD, articulating endoscope

  • Developed customer and product requirements and developed and managed V&V test plans and procedures for FDA and CE submissions

• Biomedical Engineering Consultant – Bio 54 2021-Present

  • Developed novel drug delivery systems

• Adjunct Professor and Course Developer – North Central University 2015-2018

  • Taught Masters and PhD level courses in R&D management, management of technology, and quality management 

  • Developed Masters and PhD level online courses in engineering and patent law

• Graduate Research Assistant - North Carolina State University (2009-2014)

  • Full funding and stipend for graduate research designing human exoskeletons.

• Design Engineer - Thayer Coggin Inc. High Point, NC (2006- present)

  • Designed contemporary furniture and help with product development

• Medical Device Design Engineer - Martin Innovations, Raleigh, NC (2008-2011)

  • Designed automated and robotic exam tables and patient mobility devices (patient lifts, patient movers, MRI compatible stretchers)

• Mechanical Design Engineer - MPD2 , Raleigh, NC 2009-2011

  • Designed portable solar power systems and farms

• Contract Design Engineer 2009-2011

  • Designed metal working equipment, and re-engineered linear actuators

 

Education

PhD - University of North Carolina/ North Carolina State University (2009-2014)

• PhD - Biomedical Engineering

  • Dissertation: Characterizing optimal performance of a passive elastic ankle exoskeleton during human locomotion

  • COE Fellowship Recipient

  • Examination Fields: Biomechanics, Mechatronics, Design Engineering, Controls, Dynamics, Robotics, Musculoskeletal Physiology, Rehabilitation

  • BS - North Carolina State University (2005-2009) Graduated Magna Cum Laude  

• BS - Biomedical Engineering

  • Bioinstrumentation Concentration

Awards

• Nature published author for research in developing human exoskeletons

• Exoskeleton designs exhibited in the London Museum of Science, Popular Mechanics, BBC, CNN, Science, and Discovery Chanel

• President’s Award from the American Society of Biomechanics 2012

• Da Vinci Award 2011 for Environmental Adaptation/Daily Living Chair-A-Table

• Chancellor’s Innovation Fund (2012) Development of a passive elastic exoskeleton $75,000

 

Design Engineering

• Developed first portable exoskeleton to make human locomotion more efficient and lower metabolic cost of walking

  • Designed space frame carbon fiber composites, mechanical gearing, and mechatronic controls based on biofeedback

• Developed 3D articulating endoscopes from concept to manufacturing

  • Managed third party developers and vendors

  • Designed parts for manufacturing and set up manufacturing line and assembly protocols

• Designed robotic exam tables and patient mobility devices 

• Designed and developed portable solar farm equipment

• Developed over 15 medical devices manufactured and sold internationally

 

Coding / CAD

• CAD Solidworks

• Coding Matlab, Vicon, Labview Programs written to analyze: 3D motion capture, inverse dynamics, human kinetics and kinematics, EMG, human metabolics, genetic algorithms, engineering simulations, FEAs, microcontroller and electronics programming

 

Patents

• US20200315740A1 Identification and assignment of instruments in a surgical system using camera recognition

• US 8561226 B1 MRI or imaging transfer table

• US 20130296741 A1 Ankle-foot orthotic devices with integrated vibrotactile biofeedback and related methods

• US9492302B2 Apparatus and clutch for using controlled storage and release of mechanical energy to aid locomotion

• US 20130046218 A1 Exoskeleton using controlled storage and release

• US 20120291197 A1 Patient Lift Device

• US 8464371 B1 Patient lifting device

• US20160265603A1 Electromechanical, unidirectional, rotary clutch systems and methods

• US20220000558A1 Augmented reality surgery set-up for robotic surgical procedures

• US20220068506A1 Tele-collaboration during robotic surgical procedures

 

Publications and Presentations

-Reducing the energy cost of human walking using an unpowered exoskeleton, Wiggin MB, Collins SH, Sawicki GS (2015 Nature)

-  Dynamic Walking 2013 Spring stiffness affects energy cost during walking with a clutched ankle- foot orthosis

-  Dynamic Walking 2012 Passive Dynamic Ankle Exoskeleton Reduces Metabolic Cost of Walking

- An exoskeleton using controlled energy storage and release to aid ankle propulsion. IEEE Int Conf Rehabil Robot Wiggin, MB., Collins, S.H., Sawicki, G.S. (2011)

-  Regional SICB 2011 A Bio-Inspired, Passive-Elastic, Ankle Exoskeleton

-  ICORR 2011 An exoskeleton using controlled energy storage and release to aid ankle propulsion.

-  Dynamic Walking 2011 A Passive Elastic Exoskeleton Using Controlled Energy Storage and Release to Reduce the Metabolic Cost of Walking

-  ASB 2010 A Passive-Elastic Ankle Exoskeleton Using Controlled Energy Storage and Release