Each prosthetic socket is custom made and acts as a direct interface between the prosthesis and the patient's limb. Studies show that ill-fitted prosthetics can lead to pressure injuries, skin breakdown, hypersensitivity, and other problems that may keep people from using their prosthesis daily.

The idea Dr. Khan pitched at Alligator Tank brings sensor technologies into the socket itself, identifying areas during the fitting that might lead to discomfort or injury with continued use of the prosthesis.

"The goal is to catch these problem points early in the socket creation process and provide a comfortable fit for the patient with greater time and cost effectiveness," he says.

From innovator to entrepreneur

As a patient and a physician, Dr. Khan knew that finding a way to accelerate the socket-fitting process while lowering clinician costs presented a great business opportunity.

The opportunities at Mayo Clinic allowed Dr. Khan to develop his Alligator Tank pitch. In addition to consulting with friends who have experienced limb loss and professional prosthetists who make the devices, he spoke with several Mayo physicians who regularly care for amputees and witness the effects of poor socket fit. They encouraged Dr. Khan to explore ways to improve and update the current process for prosthetic fitting.

He also worked closely with faculty within Mayo Clinic's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department who helped him develop his idea, Internal Medicine faculty who encouraged his interest in innovation and helped him make many connections within their Mayo Clinic network, and faculty involved with Mayo's partnership with Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital who taught him about common problems facing amputees and introduced him to patients living with limb loss.

Dr. Khan is now working with Mayo Clinic Research Innovation, Mayo Clinic Ventures, and other internal resources as he continues his efforts to turn his idea into a reality.

Fostering entrepreneurial spirit in Mayo's trainees

Clinical innovation and entrepreneurship are strategic areas of importance for Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Trainees can enroll in a four-week elective course or a year-long academy, both aimed at helping develop and strengthen skill sets in clinical innovation and thinking. Additionally, Mayo Clinic in Florida was the first in the nation to create a formal innovation curriculum embedded into its Internal Medicine Residency program, in which Dr. Khan is currently a trainee.

Abdallah El Sabbagh, M.D., associate program director for innovation for the Internal Medicine Residency, says Dr. Khan's success is attributable in large part to the support and connections he found at Mayo Clinic, which fosters innovation and creates such opportunities for its trainees.

"For years, innovation has remained an untapped resource in medical training, despite its undeniable importance in advancing patient care and transforming healthcare delivery," he says. "We are fortunate that Mayo Clinic recognizes the immense value of innovation and has committed significant resources to making it a priority in medical education.

"Dr. Khan's story should inspire trainees across all of Mayo Clinic that anything is possible in this institution and that they should carry forward with their ideas, as creativity knows no age, hierarchy or background. What it knows is that the needs of the patients come first."