NEMIC Introduces Startup Spotlight with SMöLTAP Showcase
Welcome to our MedTech Startup Spotlight series, where we shed light on groundbreaking companies that are reshaping the medical landscape with their innovative solutions. In this inaugural edition, we are excited to showcase SMöLTAP, a visionary startup that is set to revolutionize the process of infant spinal taps through its cutting-edge medical device.
Infant spinal taps are essential procedures for diagnosing various medical conditions in young patients. However, this delicate process can be challenging due to the need for accurate positioning and gentle restraint to ensure safety and precision. SMöLTAP has risen to this challenge by developing a game-changing medical device that promises to transform the experience for both medical professionals and their tiny patients.
SMöLTAP's Mission: Enhanced Comfort, Safety, and Accuracy
Founded by a team of passionate medical professionals and innovators, SMöLTAP is driven by a clear mission — to improve the standard of care for infants undergoing spinal taps. SMöLTAP's device incorporates a range of innovative features that set it apart from traditional methods. First and foremost, the device offers gentle yet effective restraint and positioning, optimizing the infant's comfort during the procedure. By minimizing unnecessary movement, medical professionals can achieve greater accuracy and precision, streamlining the process and reducing stress for both the patients and their caregivers.
The ergonomic design of SMöLTAP ensures ease of use for medical practitioners, empowering them to perform spinal taps with enhanced confidence and efficiency. Additionally, the device is engineered to accommodate a wide range of infant sizes, making it versatile and adaptable for diverse clinical scenarios.
SMöLTAP's success is rooted in strong collaboration with healthcare professionals and institutions. The team actively seeks feedback from medical practitioners to refine their device, ensuring that it meets the specific needs of the pediatric medical community.
How NEMIC Became a Pivotal Partner for SMöLTAP
In 2019, NEMIC joined forces with Brian Alverson and Ravi D’Cruz after securing $100,000 in BBII funding. Together, they achieved significant milestones, completing five rounds of prototyping, filing patents, testing the device at two different sites and on 24 infants, and confirming the device as an FDA Class 1 exempt product. NEMIC's market validation surveys further confirmed the device's potential impact on the medical community.
With the help of NEMIC-recruited CEO Bob Cooper, the team was able to secure $500,000 in additional funding; and in 2023, SMöLTAP was awarded a $50,000 Innovation Voucher from Rhode Island Commerce for use towards prototyping and further development of the company. The success of SMöLTAP has set a new standard for pediatric medicine, inspiring other entrepreneurs to drive innovation in the healthcare industry.
NEMIC is incredibly excited to feature SMöLTAP as our first spotlighted MedTech startup. Through their dedication to excellence and their passion for improving patient care, SMöLTAP has earned its place at the forefront of medical innovation. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and groundbreaking ventures in our MedTech Startup Spotlight series as we continue to explore the future of healthcare together.
This work has been made possible by the whole team at NEMIC, SMöLTAP, and the supporting contractors along the way, including Bob Cooper, Brian Alverson, Ravi D’Cruz, Heather Godek, Dan Nelsen, Aidan Petrie, Lydia Shin, Al Huang, Maey Petrie, Joey Gu, Tom Hutchinson, Michelle Wu, Natasha Collia, Eric Balighian, Eric Biondi, and many more.