Medical Product Innovation

CPR Device That Secured Millions in NIH Grants

AdvancedCPR Solutions’ ELEGARD Case Study

Project Summary

AdvancedCPR Solutions developed a portable device that elevates patients during emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation, increasing survival rates by up to 6-fold compared to standard flat-surface resuscitation.

Problem

The technology worked, but the prototype wasn’t a product. Grant reviewers and investors expected something that could be manufactured, deployed, and used without supervision. The interface was also too complex for high-stress emergency use.

Solution

We productized the device: manufacturable at scale, durable, reliable, tested, and compact enough to fit in a vehicle’s trunk. The interface was simplified so first responders could operate it under pressure without hesitation. A clean, professional design package helped the team capture attention from reviewers and investors across three grant cycles.

Outcome

• Contributed to multiple NIH grants, including a $2M Phase II award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Advanced from rough prototype to manufacturing-ready product
• Deployed in ambulances and first responder vehicles nationwide

Read the full case study →

Opioid Syringe: From Usability Challenges to Award-Winning Product

HOSPIRA iSECURE™ Case Study

Project Summary

Hospira developed the iSecure, a pre-filled, prelabeled, sealed opioid delivery device designed to address theft and accountability gaps in healthcare systems. Bulk storage made it easy for staff to pull more than needed, creating inventory control problems.

Problem

Early versions failed usability testing. Nurses couldn’t figure out the activation sequence under pressure. The device required a specific series of steps to move from sealed to ready-to-inject, and that sequence wasn’t intuitive.

Solution

Partnering with Optimal Design and internal Hospira designers, we reworked the device’s operation step by step. Color-coded indicators, numbered sequences, and a redesigned grip gave nurses a clear path from sealed to injection-ready. Each action was immediate and unmistakable.

Outcome

• Won the NPE Award for new medical products
• Enabled controlled inventory management through unitized dosing
• Supported successful commercialization and integration under Pfizer

“It’s like I’ve been dreaming about this all my life as a hygienist. This is so great! I cannot wait to use this on my patients. Simply amazing!”

Fluoride Applicator: Re-Energizing a Stale Market

YOUNG DENTAL Case Study

Project Summary

Young Dental’s fluoride applicator line had been on the market for years in a category that hadn’t seen meaningful innovation. The market was flat, and the company chose to re-energize sales and differentiate from commodity competitors.

Problem

The existing applicator required multiple entries into the patient’s mouth, a particular challenge with pediatric patients. Engineering and marketing teams operated in silos, slowing decisions and creating friction around product direction.

Solution

The result was an ergonomic, single-entry applicator with improved grip, precision, and visibility. Providers can see exactly where they’re applying varnish. We also helped bridge the gap between engineering and marketing, translating priorities so both teams could align and move forward together.

Outcome

• Launched commercially and produced at high volume, estimated in the hundreds of thousands of units
• Licensed under Oral-B
• Revitalized a stagnant product line with a differentiated offering
• Delivered stronger internal alignment for Young Dental’s product development process

Skin-Graft Preparation: Ultra-Low Volume Specialized Equipment

BIOCUT SYSTEMS Case Study

Project Summary

BioCut Systems produces tissue-processing equipment for clean-room environments, priced near six figures and manufactured at extremely low volume: fewer than five units.

Problem

The existing machine lacked the brand language to justify a six-figure price point or to influence repeat purchases across the product line. Production volume was too low for injection molding, which limited fabrication options.

Solution

The exterior was redesigned to match the precision of the environment it operates in. The product was made easy to clean, simple to assemble, and safe to operate. We created a unified brand language across the product family so buyers recognized BioCut equipment and came back for the next instrument.

Outcome

• Elevated perceived value to support six-figure pricing
• Enabled manufacturability at ultra-low volume using machining and hand assembly
• Created a unified product family with brand elements carried through from the lead product to smaller instruments

TogetherMask: Supporting Frontline Workers

RODDY MEDICAL™ Case Study

Project Summary

When COVID created a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Kent Solberg was part of a team of engineers, designers, nurses, clinicians, and fabricators that came together to protect frontline healthcare workers.

Problem

Local medical teams had exhausted PPE supplies. Disposable masks couldn’t be reused. Standard masks blocked facial visibility, increasing patient anxiety and reducing human connection. Traditional supply chains couldn’t respond fast enough.

Solution

Over an intense 3 weeks the team designed a transparent reusable mask that restored face-to-face connection between provider and patient. The design integrated medical-grade filters still available during shortages and was built for rapid local production.

Outcome

• Supplied durable, reusable PPE to frontline medical teams during an active shortage

“TogetherMasks come in multiple sizes – designed for comfort and durability. They’re see-through to allow patients to connect with healthcare workers. Normal N95 masks are designed for daily use. With medical-grade filters, TogetherMasks are built to last for weeks.”