Meet our Companies: Medical Device Innovators in the PLSG Portfolio
This is an exciting time to be involved in life sciences. Our industry is rapidly evolving. Some of that, of course, is connected to the shift in healthcare paradigms as dictated by policy changes and new business models. Another factor, however, is the rapid pace of health technology innovation. Here, at the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, we have the privilege of seeing some of these game changers grow from an idea into a company. In fact, we have worked with nearly 500 companies and scores of entrepreneurs in all aspects of life sciences: Biotech Tools, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Therapeutics and Health IT. Today, we invite you to meet some of the medical device companies within our portfolio.
ALung Technologies
ALung Technologies respiratory assist system, called Hemolung (RAS), is for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a $6.3B worldwide market. Clinical trials are currently underway.
Carmell Therapeutics
Carmell Therapeutics has developed plasma-based bioactive materials (PMA) that contain a concentration of natural regenerative factors that promote healing, reduce complications, and save healthcare costs. The company recently announced the publication of the results of its pre-clinical studies on its tissue healing accelerant for the treatment of cutaneous radiation injury.
Medrobotics
Medrobotics’ flagship product is the Flex® Robotic System, a robot-assisted platform that provides physicians with single-site access and visualization of hard-to-reach anatomical locations. Medrobotics co-founder Howie Choset was recently awarded the 2019 Engelberger Robotics Award for Education in part for his work on the Flex Robotic System.
Quantum OPS
Quantum OPS develops devices that facilitate the effortless, rapid, and secure positioning of a patients’ shoulder, arm, hip or knee for surgery. These devices can be used to safely support anesthetized patients in the proper position for several hours during surgery.
ViaTherm Therapeutics
ViaTherm Therapeutics is an industry leader in diathermy technology. Their therapeutic deep heating products can reduce the pain associated with injury and aging while helping to promote flexibility, mobility and assist circulation.
ChemDAQ Inc.
ChemDAQ Inc.’s toxic (sterilant) gas monitoring systems protect workers from exposure to airborne toxins. The system was originally used in hospital and medical device sterilization operations in the US. It has since expanded internationally and to other industries such as food and beverage processing, water treatment facilities and other industries that use Peracetic Acid, Hydrogen Peroxide or Ethylene Oxide.
Forest Devices
Forest Devices’ ALPHASTROKE helps first responders quickly identify whether a patient has had a stroke so they can route the patient to the proper hospital. This ability to identify and triage stroke victims in the field can reduce the time it takes to begin treatment. This is significant as early treatment can prevent up to 6,000 deaths per year.
Neuro Kinetics
Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) has developed a unique, eye-tracking technology to be used for non-invasive, neuro-otologic diagnostic testing. The company is expanding its applications to include concussions and is currently conducting clinical trials.
Circadiance
Circadiance has developed respiratory products for individuals with sleep-disordered breathing. These patients need non-invasive ventilation or require monitoring. The company has innovated a collection of comfortable, breathable, easy-care cloth respiratory products designed to improve the patient compliance rate. Circadiance’s NeoPAP CPAP is designed to treat newborns and infants with (or recovering from) respiratory distress syndrome.
Intelomed
Intelomed has redefined the standard of patient monitoring and informatics with their non-invasive device that dynamically assesses a patient’s cardiovascular health by analyzing pulse and pulse oximetry waveforms in response to small perturbations. The company has received FDA and European (CE Mark) approvals for their first product, CVInsight® Patient Monitoring & Informatics System.
PECA Labs
Created out of CEO Doug Bernstein’s personal experience with congenital heart defects, PECA Labs is developing a suite of products designed to improve outcomes for children born with rare congenital heart defects. For example, the company has developed a synthetic valve conduit for pediatric right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction and a valve shunt for the treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). You can read more about PECA Labs and Doug Bernstein’s story here.
Rinovum Women’s Health
Rinovum’s product, the Stork™, aids in natural fertility and conception by “supported” natural conception conducted in the privacy of a patient’s home. The product is FDA-cleared to be used without a prescription and offers a low-cost alternative to clinical treatment options.
Starr Life Sciences
Starr Life Sciences is a leader in small animal research equipment. Their products include the MouseOx Plus® pulse oximeter, the world’s first and only patented non-invasive vital signs monitor specifically designed for mice, rats and other small laboratory animals.
These companies represent just one category of the PLSG portfolio. In addition to these innovative medical device companies, we also work with innovators that are disrupting the status quo in the areas of Therapeutics, Health IT, Diagnostics, and Bio Tools. You can learn more about those companies here.