Today we’d like to introduce you to April King.
April, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been administering all types of anesthesia for 20 years in the hospital and ambulatory care arenas.
A third of my cases require deeper stages of sedation verses general anesthesia. As a patient is sedated the airway easily becomes occluded making it tough to breathe. The remedy physically requires the anesthesia provider to lift the patients lower jaw (jaw thrust maneuver) which lifts the tongue and soft tissues off the back of the throat enabling the patient to breathe. This can be challenging when there are other tasks to be done and one is stuck holding open the airway. During my research, I discovered the many lawsuits and cases resulting in mortality that have occurred due to airway occlusion and hypoventilation. This prompted my formation of Hypnoz Therapeutic Devices and the patented Jaw Elevation Device. (JED®) The JED® assists the provider in maintaining a patient’s airway by mechanically providing jaw thrust. Once applied, the JED® holds a patient’s airway open and allows an anesthesia provider to safely administer sedation or anesthesia without having to instrument the airway. These increases both safety for the patient and convenience for the anesthesia provider.
The JED® is now being sold and used in hundreds of ambulatory care and hospitals throughout the US and Internationally. The device is manufactured locally in San Diego and is registered with the FDA. Our company has completed all R&D, start-up capital, manufacturing, labeling, patents, trademark, marketing and distribution based on local resources. The JED won the both the San Diego Inventors Form Summer Invention Contest and the CONNECT group Most Innovative New Product – Life Sciences Awards on December 2011. The JED has graced the cover of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesia Journal in 2013… Since that time the JED is gaining traction in other locations that require patient sedation. Hypnoz believes the JED® offers a “hands-free” solution that will become the new standard of care for patient airway safety.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, there have been many bumps along the way. One of the largest ones was deciding to go with an exclusive distribution model when we first launched. This proved to be a disaster as the distributor was bought out and the contract did not enable sales for another 12 more months. This drained company cash flow.
Currently, we sell direct and use non-exclusive distribution partners.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Hypnoz Therapeutic Devices story. Tell us more about the business.
At Hypnoz, we are passionate about designing, creating, and manufacturing devices that improve patient safety.
I have been a CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) administering all types of anesthesia for 20 years in the local community.
With our team, I am proud to have created the Jaw Elevation Device (JED). I hope the device can help save lives now and in many years into the future while providing an open airway to all sedated patients. Bringing a new idea to market has been one of the most exciting and educational processes in my life.
Since there are no other competitive products to the JED, we aim to promote patient safety and provider convenience utilizing a novel approach to “hands free” airway management. I believe this is what sets our company apart from others.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I believe we will continue to expand our distribution base and expand the awareness of the JED.
Already there have been several published studies that have demonstrated the efficacy and benefits to using the device. (See our website www.hypnozdevices.com for more information)
It is our goal to have the JED be part of the standard of care for airway management.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1115 Wales Place Suite 101
Cardiff by the Sea CA 92007 - Website: www.hypnozdevices.com
- Phone: 855-350-0300
- Email: aking@hypnozdevices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hypnoz-Therapeutic-Devices-1618112591850001/?survey_id=794390290721434&modal=composer
Image Credit:
Sharon Hackley
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