Five Finalists Chosen for APCI, MedTech Color ‘Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!’ Competition

Alliance for Pediatric Device Innovation (APDI), a federally funded consortium led by Children’s National Hospital, recently announced the five finalists of its Medtech Color edition of “Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!” competition. MedTech Color is a non-profit organization that represents people of color in the medtech industry. The competition aims to advance medical device development that meets critical need while promoting a more inclusive approach to medical technology innovation.

The MedTech Color edition of the competition supports pediatric medical device advancements from African American and Hispanic innovators.

“The children we serve come from diverse backgrounds, so nurturing diversity among our innovators will help us ensure that their needs are met,” said Kolaleh Eskandanian, PhD, MBA, vice president and chief innovation officer at Children’s National and APDI program director and principal investigator, in a press release. “We are delighted to partner with MedTech Color in this endeavor.”

Handpicked from 27 pediatric entries by MedTech Color and ADPI judges, the five finalists will now compete on March 15 at the MedTech Color 4th annual Pitch Competition at the University of California, Los Angeles campus for a share of up to $50,000 in grants funded by FDA.

"The competition's additional investment in companies developing technologies for the pediatric population is significant,” said Kwame Ulmer, MedTech Color founder and board member, in a press release. “This means more patients will get access to medtech ecosystem accelerants. As more pitch finalists from diverse backgrounds finally get access to funding, this will provide more opportunities for children and young adults in overlooked communities."

The finalists are:

Kofimi Technology: This Danvers, MA, company has a patent-pending pulse oximeter device designed specifically for pediatric populations, which, according to Kofimi, can provide superior accuracy for all levels of skin pigmentation.

Rubitection: Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Rubitection, the company’s namesake, is a low-cost skin assessment management tool for chronic wounds and measures the properties of the skin. Through the system, the user is able to monitor incremental changes in skin health to predict potential risks, monitor skin progression, and customize care.

SealCath: The Mount Pleasant, SC, company has created a double balloon catheter, called SethCath, that is designed to treat infants with bowel disorders. Made for mucous fistula refeeding, the catheter, according to SealCath, offers a gentle and precise method to provide nutrition.

TNC Medical Solutions: The company, based in Los Angeles, CA, offers an advancement in gastrostomy tube (g-tube) reinsertion designed to improve quality of life for pediatric patients that rely on enteral feeding.

WearableDose: Located in Bowie, MD, this wearable technology company is using artificial intelligence to track real-time, precise dosimetry in cancer treatment.

In addition to the finalists that will soon compete in the pediatric only competition, both Kofimi Technology and SealCath were chosen to compete in the broader MedTech Color competition, which is open to adult and pediatric devices. Both pitch competitions will be held on the same day.