Tom Hedman, Ph.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor
Education
Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Strathclyde (1995)
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1985)
B.S. with Distinction, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1983)
Short Bio
Thomas Hedman, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Hedman is active in translational research and technology commercialization.
He is the CSO and Chairman of Intralink Spine, Inc., founder and CSO of Crosscoat Medical, LLC. and founder of several other small medical technology companies.
The treatment strategy pioneered by Dr. Hedman involves direct chemical modification of the extracellular matrix of collagenous connective tissues to achieve improvements in mechanical properties. His research team has shown that this approach has the potential to revolutionize the care, and the cost for care, for a wide variety of diseases. Current application areas for this novel technique include: spinal disc degeneration and chronic low back pain, spinal deformity, knee meniscus tears, tissue collapsibility (soft palate) in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, and equine soft palate displacement and ligament/tendon tears. Previously, Dr. Hedman invented, patented, and led the development of the first North American artificial spinal disc, a technology that was acquired by Medtronic-Sofamor-Danek.
Dr. Hedman has more than 65 peer-reviewed publications. He holds more than 30 issued or pending US and international patents and has received research funding from the NIH, the Arthritis Society of Canada, the Kentucky SBIR-STTR Matching Funds Program, angel investors, and numerous orthopaedic medical device companies.