Medtech development is a fascinating area of healthcare. From innovations in brain surgery and wound healing to bacteria, virus and disease detection, medtech innovations have had a transformative effect on human health. At INVEST, a boutique healthcare investor conference scheduled for May 20-21 at the Willis Tower in Chicago, the startup contest Pitch Perfect is the centerpiece of the event.

The medical device and diagnostics track is one of four in the Pitch Perfect contest. The device and diagnostics track’s theme this year is chronic diseases and their management. Judges for the track so far include: Charity Tarn, an investor with Arboretum Ventures, and Jenni Le, a principal with Venture Investors Health Fund. Here’s a preview of the medtech companies that will take part in the competition.

To register for INVEST and to view the full agenda, click here.

Biometry Inc. developed a patented sensor and device for people with asthma and COPD to identify the risk of an attack up to 20 days before symptom onset. Using a test strip and connected device, it measures airway inflammation in breath through fractional exhaled nitric oxide, according to the company’s website. Its technology is used to biologically determine risk of attack, adherence, efficacy of medication, and exposure to environmental triggers. The diagnostic data is augmented by digital solutions and evidence-based self-management programs through an exclusive partnership with the American Lung Association.

To register for INVEST and view the full agenda, click here.

Micro-Leads Inc. seeks to help people with chronic pain, diabetic neuropathy, sleep apnea, urological disorders, and migraines through its smart implant technology. Micro-Leads has developed “smart programmable electrodes” to unlock a new class of implants. It uses hermetic electronics within each electrode array. Shape-memory smart implant electrodes are self-expanding and provide minimally invasive and injectable delivery paradigms by unlocking treatment to a 3x-5x larger therapeutic area, according to its website. ​

Highland Instruments developed its ElectroSonic Stimulation (ESStim™) to address unmet clinical needs in addiction, chronic pain, and movement disorder. Its brain stimulation technology combines independently controlled electromagnetic and ultrasonic fields to focus and boost stimulation in neural tissue, according to its website. ESStim™ has been successfully implemented for the treatment of chronic pain in clinical trials. ESStim™ has also been successfully implemented for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease in clinical trials and is currently being investigated for the treatment of Opioid use disorder.

Leuko Labs developed PointCheck™, the first device for non-invasive white cell monitoring. By removing the need for a blood draw, millions of immunosuppressed patients can be tested more frequently, moving towards improved quality of life and improved clinical outcomes. It enables frequent at-home monitoring to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for cancer chemotherapy patients. The technology combines microscopy and AI to collect and analyze videos of blood flowing through superficial capillaries. Risk of infection is a huge concern for chemotherapy patients. PointCheck™ helps show when risk of infection is elevated, to help trigger preventive treatments before infection occurs.

Rapid Nexus seeks to address an unmet need in healthcare: a lack of products made to repair nerve damage due to peripheral neuropathy and wound healing products that treat periwounds. Its tech is designed to provide microbial control and nerve repair to ensure faster, more effective healing.

Xpan wants to improve minimally invasive surgery with a device designed to reduce the time it takes to make routine surgical closure. It developed an expandable trocar to reduce complications, lead to faster recovery and higher versatility for minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. The device has received FDA clearance, according to the company.

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