Gold Medal – IFIA INV Innovation Competition, Switzerland
IFIA
August 2024
The 4th IFIA INV Competition was an exciting event that brought together over 600 inventors from 40 countries 🌍. Held virtually, this prestigious competition provided a platform for innovators to showcase their groundbreaking ideas. With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and real-world impact, the competition featured 15 different invention categories, ranging from medical devices to AI-driven solutions. The evaluation process was rigorous, with expert judges assessing the creativity, functionality, and potential of each invention. 🏆
This competition was extra special for me because I received my second gold medal for my third invention: the Soft Robotic Laryngoscope with AI-Assisted Navigation and Automated Intubation. Every step of this journey—from ideation to execution—was filled with challenges, but seeing my efforts recognized on an international stage made it all worthwhile! 💡
The idea for this invention came from a very personal place—my mother works in anesthesia, and I’ve often heard her talk about the challenges of intubation procedures, especially in difficult cases. Seeing how existing tools could sometimes cause discomfort or complications, I wanted to develop something that would make the process safer, smoother, and more efficient for both doctors and patients. That’s how my journey with soft robotics and AI-assisted navigation began!
My invention replaces the traditional metal blade with a soft robotic blade made of biocompatible materials, reducing trauma during intubation. It adapts dynamically to the airway using force sensors and AI-powered navigation, ensuring a precise, real-time guided insertion. With an automated tube deployment system, it minimizes manual errors, making intubation safer and more effective—especially in emergency situations.
Unlike previous years, where I used Fusion 360 for 3D modeling, this time I challenged myself to learn Blender from scratch! Creating a high-quality animation required mastering modeling, rigging, texturing, and rendering—all completely new to me. It was a tough but exciting experience, and I pushed myself to make the animation look professional and visually clear. In the end, I was proud to see my idea come to life in the best way possible!
Another key part of the competition was creating a 3-5 minute video explaining my invention in English. I wanted to make it clear, engaging, and easy to follow, so I spent time refining my script and practicing my delivery. While I’ve done technical presentations before, this was a new challenge—presenting in a professional way while keeping it natural. After a few takes, I recorded a video that truly represented my work! 🎤📹
This competition wasn’t just about individual success—it was amazing to see other talented inventors from Iran participating alongside me. The innovation spirit was truly inspiring! Sharing this experience with like-minded creators, exchanging ideas, and supporting each other made the journey even more memorable.
To participate, I created a detailed video presentation showcasing my invention 🎥. From explaining the concept to demonstrating the 3D animation, I wanted to make it both informative and engaging. This video was my chance to share my passion for innovation and show how this AI-powered laryngoscope can make a real difference in the medical field. Check it out on YouTube! 📺✨
