Human Engineering Research Laboratories

Pittsburgh, PA

HERL is a pioneering partnership between the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh, focused on enhancing mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities. By leveraging advanced engineering, clinical research, and medical rehabilitation, HERL creates innovative, user-centered solutions that address real-world challenges.

The team at HERL comprises skilled engineers supported by advanced fabrication and testing facilities, enabling a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation engineering. Engaging in all phases of the research cycle, HERL conducts in-depth studies and develops high-quality, medical-grade products in its state-of-the-art machine shop. This unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application fosters an environment where individuals with disabilities can actively participate in developing solutions that directly impact their lives.

Rehabilitation & Engineering Center for Optimizing Veteran Engagement & Reintegration

Minneapolis, MN

RECOVER empowers Veterans to engage in meaningful roles and activities. The program develops, evaluates, and translates innovative rehabilitation interventions and technologies into clinical practice. This ensures real-world impact for Veterans. RECOVER primarily serves two groups: Veterans with lower-limb amputations and those with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCID). Both require comprehensive rehabilitation across recovery and life transitions. Recognizing their complex needs, RECOVER promotes optimal recovery and empowers Veterans to lead fulfilling lives. The initiative removes barriers to participation, manages pain and secondary complications, and supports aging Veterans to maintain independence in their communities.

TTAP engineers drive RECOVER's research mission and use their specialized expertise to develop innovative prototypes that improve the quality of life for Veterans, caregivers, and clinicians.

VA Engineering Health Innovations: Cleveland

Cleveland, OH

VehiCLE is a team of engineers dedicated to bringing VA technologies to the private sector through licensing and distribution through the national VA system. They fabricate high-quality functional prototypes, perform design and cost analyses, and develop key technical documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and design history files (DHF).

Based at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, VehiCLE partners with Sears think[box] at Case Western Reserve University, leveraging their advanced makerspace and fabrication facilities. VehiCLE assists TTP and VA innovators in advancing technologies with a focus on manufacturability, emphasizing ease of fabrication, reduced weight, simplified assembly, and lower costs.