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Lymphedema Sleeve
OVERVIEW
Lymphedema is a lymphatic system disruption resulting in obstructed
lymphatic flow, swelling, pain, and susceptibility to infection. This
condition affects more than 3 million Americans and approximately 150 million
people worldwide. It is estimated that at least 1-2 million breast cancer
survivors are alive today, and that 400,000 of them cope daily with lymphedema.
This condition is life-long and frequently worsens over time. There is
currently no effective medical or surgical treatment for this condition. The
current treatment protocol is compression therapy by wraps, bandages, or mechanical
compression devices. These treatments are confining and difficult to use
properly. This leads many patients to abandon treatment altogether,
thus living with the pain, swelling and confinement that comes from lymphedema.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The unique, patented design of the Kloecker Sleeve is primarily targeted to
patients who are suffering from Lymphedema or venous ulcers. Both
targeted markets suffer from a lack of innovative, aggressive treatment products.
These markets are inundated with antiquated products that are difficult to use,
difficult to achieve the conditions prescribed by the physician, and diminish the
quality of life of both the patient and care giver.
The Kloecker Sleeve sets itself apart from these antiquated products by
providing a compression system that can apply local gradient pressures consistently
from day to day, and consistent with the physician’s prescribed treatment.
External compression can be monitored easily and accurately through a small mechanical
pump with LED read outs for each section of the sleeve. The Kloecker Sleeve
increases patient compliance and greatly improves the treatment results.
The sleeve is a four-section compression garment for the arm, leg or
trunk of the body. It is comprised of multiple, interconnected air cells
as opposed to bladders or tubing. The significant difference in this design is
that the multiple cell configuration provides a high resolution surface that conforms
to the patient, providing consistent and even pressures. All other mechanical
compression devices are low-resolution systems and cause areas of uneven pressure
and skin shearing. The Kloecker Sleeve is less bulky and allows the patient
to carry-on with every day activities while wearing it. It can even be worn
outside of the house and away from power outlets.
MARKET POTENTIAL
Another primary market is the sufferer of venous ulcers. This condition effects
approximately 1% of the general population, 3.5% of those over age 65, and has a
recurrence rate of 70%. This market continues to grow as the population ages.
The estimated per-episode cost of care can exceed $40,000. With 2.5 million people
in the US having venous ulcers, the total US market is $3 billion. As with
lymphedema, the current treatment modalities are compression stockings, elastic
wraps/bandages and mechanical compression devices.
Innoventor signed an agreement with the inventor, Dr. Richard Kloecker, M.D. to
take this product to the marketplace. The Sleeve is the result of 30+ years of work in lymphedema by
Dr. Kloecker By combining his knowledge of the current products
and treatment needs, he fashioned his design. The micro pump developed by
Innoventor Engineering provided the mechanism for the patented device. In
order to realize the product’s potential and to effectively introduce the Kloecker
Sleeve to the targeted market, Innoventor Medical is pursuing $2 million in
capital. Innoventor Medical has a management team in place that has the
requisite domestic and international contacts that are experts in their fields of
materials and processes, and know the disease states better than anyone else
in the market.
PATENT STATUS
Patent Awarded.
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