Byram Hills High School senior Gavin Bunting won a Patent Application Award at the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals for the AI-based computer program he developed that would streamline video documentation from the da Vinci robotic surgical system.
Gavin, a member of the Byram Hills three-year Authentic Science Research Program, engineered a highly accurate, easy-to-use tool that automatically filters out irrelevant content from lengthy videos of robotic surgeries that are used in archiving, research and education. The program would reduce hours of manual work and human error.
In March, Gavin’s work was recognized at the Westchester Science & Engineering Fair with the New York Invents Award, which included the opportunity to present his work at the New York Invention Convention in Albany in May. At that statewide event, he won a gold medal, securing him a spot at the national Invention Convention in Dearborn, Michigan, at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation from June 3-5.
The award comes with patent application services provided by an intellectual property law firm to assess the feasibility of applying for a patent and assist in the patent application process, Gavin said.
“I’m grateful that my invention was recognized on the national level,” Gavin said. “The convention was a great experience.”
He developed the computer program because he found that even though the da Vinci robot can seamlessly record surgeries, doctors still spend hours of valuable time manually reviewing and editing videos for various uses.
“Gavin has persisted over three years to develop an important innovation to aid future surgeons and enhance the use of robotic surgery,” said Stephanie Greenwald, director of the Byram Hills science research program. “Gavin is a thoughtful and diligent scientist who is destined for great success, and we are honored to be a part of his journey.”
Gavin, the first Byram Hills student to compete at Invention Convention, plans to study computer engineering at Purdue University.