The patch uses LED lights to guide chest compressions during CPR. (AI photo)
Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during an emergency can be difficult for someone without proper training. Even when a bystander is willing to help, getting the depth and speed of chest compressions right can be challenging.
Four University of Washington students have developed a wallet-sized device that provides visual guidance during CPR. Their invention, called CPRight, won the $10,000 undergraduate first prize at the 2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition, announced on Friday.According to National Inventors Hall of Fame's (NIHF), the device is a small, single-use patch that uses LED lights to indicate whether chest compressions are being performed effectively.
Unlike systems that depend on external equipment, CPRight works independently, allowing rescuers to receive feedback while performing CPR.Shubham Bansal, Prisha Hemani, Deeya Sharma and Nikhita Vaddineni developed the invention under the guidance of Tristan Jafari. Their work was recognised at a national competition organised by the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), which rewards inventions created by university students.
The invention addresses a serious problem in emergency medical care. According to the NIHF, more than 350,000 Americans experience out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies annually, with approximately 90% dying. The figures cited by the organisation highlight the importance of effective emergency assistance, particularly when medical professionals are not immediately available.
How the patch helps someone performing CPR
The idea behind CPRight is to give rescuers immediate information about their chest compressions without requiring them to operate another device.Before starting compressions, the rescuer places the patch on the patient's sternum, commonly known as the breastbone. As CPR is performed, its LED indicators show whether the depth and rate of compressions are effective.The patch does not need to be connected to a smartphone or monitoring system. This allows the person performing CPR to receive visual guidance directly from the device.The students have also kept the design compact. Its wallet-sized form and single-use design are intended to make it a practical option for emergency situations.CPRight was one of several medical inventions recognised at this year's competition. While the University of Washington team focused on emergency resuscitation, other student groups worked on problems involving cancer treatment, rehabilitation, shoulder injuries and neurological monitoring.
From knee recovery to monitoring brain activity
One of the other recognised inventions aims to help people recovering from knee injuries or surgery. Rehabilitation can continue for months, and patients may need to perform exercises at home between appointments.Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill developed KAIRS, short for Knee Artificial Intelligence Rehabilitation Sleeve, to track movement during this recovery period.The system uses sensors embedded in a flexible sleeve to measure knee movement and range of motion. Information collected by the sleeve is processed through a mobile application and a cloud-based machine learning model.
This allows patients to follow their progress while clinicians can review their movements remotely.
The invention could also help people who have difficulty accessing regular physical therapy.The team of Samanyu Dixit, Hieu Minh Doan, Sahaj Sapovadia and Chinmay Singh, advised by Devin Hubbard, received the $5,000 undergraduate runner-up award.Another team focused on making brain monitoring more comfortable. Researchers at the University of South Florida developed NeuTrode, a flexible electrode for electroencephalography (EEG), which records electrical activity in the brain.EEG is used to investigate conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders and brain injuries. NeuTrode is designed to maintain contact with the scalp without gels or liquids, while accommodating different hair densities, skin conditions and head shapes.Developed by Bridget Clift, Cristina Ramirez-Vargas and Addison Whitehead under adviser Nathan Schilaty, the invention received the $2,000 People's Choice Award.
Inventions focus on cancer treatment and shoulder repair
The competition also recognised a device intended to address difficulties faced by patients undergoing radiation treatment after jaw reconstruction.Patients with head and neck cancer sometimes require jaw reconstruction following tumour removal. Titanium plates used to secure the reconstructed jaw can interfere with subsequent radiation treatment.These plates may prevent radiation from reaching some tumour cells while scattering it towards healing tissue.
According to the NIHF, approximately 60% of patients develop a complication within five years.To address this, a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine team developed ClearView-Jaw, which is designed to reduce radiation backscatter and shadowing. The invention aims to help clinicians direct radiation more precisely.William McKay, Zachary Spears and Amogh Vellore, advised by Anish Ghodadra and Matthew Spector, received the $10,000 graduate first prize.The graduate runner-up award went to BioAxis, a device associated with New York University and developed by Vitalis Regenerative Materials Inc.BioAxis is intended for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, which affect approximately three million Americans annually. It combines a patient's platelet-rich plasma with a bioresorbable polymer to form a hydrogel that adheres to tissue, supporting tendon preservation and repair.
The team of Rayan Bargouth and Asser El Ashwah, advised by Richard Stein, received $5,000.
Collegiate Inventors Competition
Established in 1990, the Collegiate Inventors Competition is organised by the NIHF and sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).This year's competition brought together 25 students from nine US colleges and universities. Ten finalist teams presented their inventions to judges drawn from the NIHF and USPTO. Along with their cash awards, winning teams receive a USPTO Patent Acceleration Certificate.The competition has recognised more than 500 innovators since its establishment, supporting student inventions with potential for patent protection.