Neonatal Airway Stabilization System
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Role: Technical Strategy / MBA cross-functional team
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Scope: Supported commercialization evaluation for a patented NICU device
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Focus: User research with clinicians, product feasibility, risk, and system-level strategy
Define
Premature and critically ill infants require intubation for effective ventilation, but maintaining secure placement of endotracheal tubes (ETTs) is a major clinical challenge:
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~98% of premature infants are intubated; ~40% experience tube dislodgement.
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Effective ventilation requires ±0.5 cm positional accuracy.
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Current devices rely on adhesive tape and plastic supports that often fail under patient movement, moisture, and routine handling.
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Clinical & System Consequences:
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Repeated sedation and airway instability disrupt blood pressure and heart rate.
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~33% adjustment failure rate leads to repeated taping and X-rays (~500 additional/year, ~$500k cost).
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Workflow interruptions for nurses and respiratory therapists; increased medicolegal risk.
Goal
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Evaluate the commercial potential of the LETT device, a patented neonatal ETT securement solution featuring the double-spring locking/adjustment mechanism
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Provide actionable recommendations for next steps in licensing, commercialization, or early adoption.
Approach
Empathize & Understand Users
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Conducted 20+ interviews with a mix of NICU nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric surgeons, and market experts.
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Documented real-world pain points, including frequent re-taping, workflow disruption, and fear of accidental extubation.
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Technology Analysis
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Deep dive into the LETT device mechanics, including the double-spring locking mechanism.
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Assessed current prototype status, potential enhancements, and development readiness.
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Identified key benefits: precise ETT adjustment without tube removal, reduced X-ray usage, stronger securement.
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Competitive & Market Assessment
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Full competitive analysis comparing LETT against incumbents like Neobar.
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Evaluated strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) across technical, commercial, and regulatory dimensions.
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Performed market sizing:
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Total addressable market: $2.21B globally
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Serviceable addressable market (ETT securement): $160M
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Serviceable obtainable market (neonatal segment): ~$16M
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Business & Commercial Strategy
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Developed a full business model canvas covering value proposition, customer segments, channels, revenue streams, and partnerships.
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Analyzed two potential go-to-market strategies: licensing to existing medical device companies vs. direct manufacturing and sales.
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Valuation & Recommendations
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Created a detailed valuation model using:
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Long-term savings NPV (~$5.42M)
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Comparable company multiples (~$12M)
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Qualitative scorecard (~$8.51M)
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Weighted triangulated valuation: ~$7.66M
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Recommended next steps: continue functional testing, validate efficacy, and pursue licensing opportunities to established device companies to reduce risk while leveraging market reach.
Impact
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Delivered a comprehensive Technology Readiness Report summarizing market potential, competitive landscape, technology benefits, and commercialization pathways.
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Identified actionable strategies to reduce workflow burden, patient risk, and operational costs in NICUs.
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Provided a structured framework for go/no-go commercialization decisions, setting the stage for early adoption and strategic partnerships.
