Proto Labs, a leading quick-turn manufacturer of CNC machined and injection molded custom parts for prototyping and short-run production, has announced two Honorable Mention award recipients as part of its Cool Idea! award program. The d-TSSU™, created by Inclined Biomedical Technologies in Minneapolis, Minn., and the EZ Vac Sander®, created by Richard Brunner of Coatesville, Pa., will receive discounted prototyping and short-run production services in connection with their awards.

“The caliber of applications we’re receiving for the Cool Idea! award is truly amazing,” said Proto Labs founder and CTO Larry Lukis. “We decided to add the Honorable Mention award category as a way to recognize even more innovative product ideas.”

Inclined Biomedical Technologies’ d-TSSU™ is a patent-pending desiccated-tissue section storage unit that potentially revolutionizes the storage and stabilization of fresh-frozen tissue sections. d-TSSU™ can store tissue at room temperature for up to six months without the need for toxic chemicals or refrigeration, an invention that may be valuable for pathology laboratories, medical Pharma businesses, hospitals and government facilities.

“This product is the first storage device that does not require refrigeration or the use of formaldehyde for tissue preservation,” said Theodore Sadler, the creator of the d-TSSU™. “It will be a convenient and environmentally friendly tool for many institutions, including laboratories and militaries in remote locations that don’t have access to electricity.”

The EZ Vac Sander is a home improvement product that vacuums drywall dust as it sands for minimum cleanup and improved working conditions. The product is the first of its kind to have a 400-grit Silicon Carbide Pelletized Industrial Super Abrasive base that is designed to withstand years of use, eliminating the need for sand paper meshes. The sander may also help reduce the risk of lung disease and other health issues caused by drywall dust, making it a potentially valuable tool for home improvement professionals and DIYers.

“I was inspired by problems I saw in the construction industry,” said Brunner. “I saw issues people were having with outdated sanding tools – the mess, unhealthy drywall dust, the cost of constantly replacing sand meshes – and wanted to create a solution. This is completely dust-free and will make sanding a much easier and inexpensive task for home owners and professionals.”

The Cool Idea! award program is designed to give product designers the opportunity to bring innovative products to life. Throughout the course of this year, Proto Labs will provide an aggregate of up to $100,000 worth of prototyping and short-run production services to award recipients, and discounted services for Honorable Mention award recipients. For more information, visit www.protolabs.com/coolidea.

Proto Labs
www.protolabs.com