{"id":403,"date":"2018-03-30T13:02:17","date_gmt":"2018-03-30T18:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/m2d2\/?p=403"},"modified":"2018-03-30T13:02:17","modified_gmt":"2018-03-30T18:02:17","slug":"meet-an-m2d2-200k-finalist-nolen-ortho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/m2d2\/2018\/03\/30\/meet-an-m2d2-200k-finalist-nolen-ortho\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet an M2D2 $200K Finalist: Nolen Ortho"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Nolen

Darren Nolen of Nolen Ortho<\/p><\/div>\n

Nolen Ortho is one of 20\u202f medtech \u202fstartups chosen as finalists in the 7th annual M2D2 $200K Challenge.\u202f Founder\/Inventor Darren Nolen tells the story of his innovation\u2019s journey from inspiration to the Challenge finals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is the innovation you\u2019ve entered in the M2D2 $200K Challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nolen Ortho develops next-generation tissue repair materials using our controlled activation technology: bone glue, osteoporosis repair, spinal fusion.<\/p>\n

What inspired you to develop\u00a0<\/i><\/b>your\u202f<\/i><\/b>idea<\/i><\/b>?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Starting with my work with tissue adhesives used in heart valve replacements, I have been driven to answer the limitations of tissue adhesive technology, the challenges associated with their use, and the reasons they were not used more broadly. I have long considered how to make tissue adhesives more useful, and how to expand their indications.<\/p>\n

Even the most advanced polymer, if it cures to a homogeneous microstructure,\u00a0will serve as a barrier to tissue ingrowth. No matter how adherent it may be to\u00a0wound edges, if\u00a0the\u00a0adhesive is a barrier, preventing tissue ingrowth, wound healing will not occur, and our repair will fail.<\/p>\n

Research into tissue adhesives\u00a0is\u00a0focused on advanced, novel, biocompatible adhesive polymers. That is all well and good, but it occurred to me that we already have\u00a0many<\/i><\/b>\u00a0suitable polymers.\u00a0Where we fail is in having a good activation method.\u00a0We needed\u00a0to control the microstructure of the cured repair material, and to do that we had\u00a0to control the curing\u00a0of the polymer.<\/p>\n

What are the most significant barriers you\u2019ve faced and overcome?\u202f<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

My greatest challenge has been, and remains, time. I never set out to be an\u00a0entrepreneur. I am just\u00a0an engineer who happened to come up with a really, really\u00a0good idea. I still have a mortgage and children and a very demanding day job. Relocating to Massachusetts has been a great help. I have\u00a0been\u00a0slowly\u00a0making\u00a0connections and recruiting people with the interest and ability to help.\u00a0M2D2 and Mary\u00a0Ann have been a huge help.<\/p>\n

Can you share a \u201cEureka!\u201d moment\u2014a breakthrough in the development of your idea?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a>There have been a few:<\/p>\n