Finally The Working Prototype....wow almost one full year of iterations to get here.
I can finally make a plan with clinical sites to test it and prove it works, or not!
The slightly more complex iteration that I asked another shop to make seems to be on hold. Initially they seemed very excited about partnering but balked at the "market potential" question. It is certainly not a huge market and Oregon just outlawed medically unnecessary inductions.
Yet still over 2 million inductions are performed each year, as well as countless augmentations.
Inch by inch we make progress.
A multi- media business plan blog for the Amni-Nik®
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Where we are now
The Amni-Nik® is a class one medical device.
The Amni-Nik® does not need a formal 'clinical trial'. However we do need to 'prove' the concept and get some useable prototypes into the hands of first users and that is the stage we are at now. We have decided the best way is to make surgical grade stainless Amni-Nik®'s that can be autoclaved. We are excited to see how the Amni-Nik works in the hands of a variety of practitioners in various settings.Our data collection system is in place and we are in contact with clinical sites.
This medical illustration has been very helpful. It inspired the multi-media format of the business plan.This and our logo was done by www.bajemastudios.com
The Amni-Nik® does not need a formal 'clinical trial'. However we do need to 'prove' the concept and get some useable prototypes into the hands of first users and that is the stage we are at now. We have decided the best way is to make surgical grade stainless Amni-Nik®'s that can be autoclaved. We are excited to see how the Amni-Nik works in the hands of a variety of practitioners in various settings.Our data collection system is in place and we are in contact with clinical sites.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Market Potential
It is not easy to get an exact figure on AROM (artificial rupture of membranes) frequency. Partly because of how records are kept, partly because of the use of the procedure to both start and augment labor. At the same time it is not hard to estimate how many procedures and thus how many devices might be sold in a best case scenario where Amni-Nik® had 75% or more of the market.
10th most frequent is dialysis, normally done 3x per week. Annually an average of 400k people are receiving dialysis. Therefore 1.2 million dialysis are performed each year and AROM is more then that. About 4 million babies are born each year and AROM is probably performed in about half of births to either induce or augment labor. The HCUP records use to 'assist delivery' but it is hard to determine if this is the entire use. AROM is billable as a separate procedure however many care providers use a universal billing code for obstetrics and the procedure may not be accurately recorded in available data.
We think it is safe to say the entire market in the USA is between 1.5 and 2.5 million per year.
Safer devices have historically replaced antiquated technology and chances of capturing the entire market and becoming a new standard of care in a few years are good.
Estimating from Available Data
In the 2013 HCUP report AROM is listed as ninth most frequently preformed medical procedure.10th most frequent is dialysis, normally done 3x per week. Annually an average of 400k people are receiving dialysis. Therefore 1.2 million dialysis are performed each year and AROM is more then that. About 4 million babies are born each year and AROM is probably performed in about half of births to either induce or augment labor. The HCUP records use to 'assist delivery' but it is hard to determine if this is the entire use. AROM is billable as a separate procedure however many care providers use a universal billing code for obstetrics and the procedure may not be accurately recorded in available data.
We think it is safe to say the entire market in the USA is between 1.5 and 2.5 million per year.
Safer devices have historically replaced antiquated technology and chances of capturing the entire market and becoming a new standard of care in a few years are good.
FDA class 1
Today I got the following email from the FDA
Based on the device description you provided, our office of device evaluation believes this device does not seem to exceed the limitations of exemption; it can be regulated as a class I exempt device under 884.4530 as long as the device is remains in accordance with the class 1 exemption as explained in 21 CFR 844.4530.
ODE does not have any special labeling requirement specific to these devices.
This is what I anticipated hearing, that this device requires no specific labeling or regulatory over site and we can go ahead and make it in a proper manufacturing facility and sell it through distribution channels appropriate for sterile medical equipment. Getting this confirmation is very satisfying.
Based on the device description you provided, our office of device evaluation believes this device does not seem to exceed the limitations of exemption; it can be regulated as a class I exempt device under 884.4530 as long as the device is remains in accordance with the class 1 exemption as explained in 21 CFR 844.4530.
ODE does not have any special labeling requirement specific to these devices.
This is what I anticipated hearing, that this device requires no specific labeling or regulatory over site and we can go ahead and make it in a proper manufacturing facility and sell it through distribution channels appropriate for sterile medical equipment. Getting this confirmation is very satisfying.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Engineering, more engineering, prototype, rinse and repeat......
pencil sketch to usable product.
Five or six engineers worked at various stages on the Amni-Nik® With the exception of the first who only made a 3d print out of the pencil sketch. Each one contributed a thought or an idea. All along I as the practitioner/ inventor was challenged to communicate effectively about the procedure, the user experience and the conflicting needs for safety and a sharp robust and reliably effective in a comfortable easy to use form.
Much of the credit for the final engineering of the Amni-Nik® goes to
Koji Intlekofer
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