MagpieX MedTech Accelerator makes its first investment in infant positioning device startup, SmölTap
When an infant under four weeks of age shows a fever, the standard of care is a spinal tap to rule out Meningitis. This infection is dangerous, and delays in diagnosis can lead to an extended hospital stay or even death. The traditional constraint method consists of physically holding the baby in a 'crunched' position during the spinal tap procedure, which requires several people to keep the baby perfectly still while the tap is administered. The procedure is stressful for the baby, parents, and the physician, and the current method adds to the risk of failed taps. About 25% of taps are unsuccessful, which causes the procedure cost to be more than double that of a successful tap.
SmölTap enters the scene to improve the rates of successful infant spinal taps. This novel stabilization device holds the infant still during the tap, maintains their ability to breathe comfortably, and better positions the baby for the maximal width of the spinal fluid column (per ultrasound data). The benefits provided by SmölTap will allow for greater ease in diagnosis and reduced costs associated with failed taps, not to mention a decrease in the stress of the infants, doctors, caregivers, and parents.
Founder Dr. Brian Alverson, MD, knew first-hand the struggles around infant spinal taps from working within the Department of Pediatrics at Rhode Island Hospital. The screaming babies, nervous parents, and stressed staff–he saw a problem that needed to be solved. Together with co-founder Dr. Ravi D’Cruz, MD, Alverson ideated an easy-to-use device that could comfortably hold the baby–losing the need for extra caregivers to force the baby into the ‘crunched’ position.
Since the end of 2019, the Foundation for the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC Foundation) has acted as the interim project manager for SmölTap. The work has included overseeing the prototype development by Nelsen Product Development, LLC, as well as patent filing, the completion of clinical and user validation studies, fundraising strategy, and much more. This work has been made possible through the Brown Biomedical Innovations to Impact Fund, with an initial investment in the startup of $100,000.
The SmölTap team has recently expanded; Robert Cooper has come on board as Chief Executive Officer. He has a proven track record of revenue generation, strategic planning, optimization, integrated marketing, strategic alliance, and corporate development. With over 25 years of experience as an accomplished senior executive and emerging company entrepreneur, Robert is the perfect fit to lead SmölTap to success.
SmölTap is currently raising $500,000 to complete commercialization efforts. The startup has caught the eyes of more than just the MagpieX fund; one local angel group is currently going through a rigorous diligence process with the SmölTap team.
MagpieX is thrilled to have gotten in on the ground floor of this investment opportunity. Stay tuned for updates on this startup and more in the future–there are big things on the horizon.
Are you interested in more information about SmölTap, the NEMIC Foundation’s role as project manager, or MagpieX MedTech Accelerator’s role as an initial investor?
Reach out to Maey Petrie, Director of the NEMIC Foundation and Program Manager at MagpieX: