Williamston Medical Innovator Receives Award, $400,000 Grant

Williamston-based AI Medical Devices, Inc. will close 2008 on a positive note. The medical device supplier recently got a $400,000 loan from the Michigan 21st Century Jobs fund and one of its founders, John Schwartz, was named innovator of the year by MichBio, Michigan’s biotechnology industry association.

AI Medical devices produces the Airway RIFL (Rigid Intubating Fiberoptic Laryngoscope), a device that facilitates placement of a flexible plastic tube into the trachea of patients to protect the airway and allow mechanical ventilation. The procedure, although common, is difficult, often traumatic and—if improperly done—can cause grave damage. It is especially difficult to perform on those suffering cervical spine injuries.

Schwartz, a Michigan State University (MSU) professor, and his brother ,Richard, an MSU graduate and Medical College of Georgia emergency room physician, created AI Medical Devices more than two years ago.

The brothers devised their innovation while on a sailboat in the Virgin Islands. Richard was in the military and was concerned about inserting medical tubes in people with spinal and facial injuries.

They started tinkering with pina colada straws in hopes of creating a device that might make the procedure less risky. When they got home, they fully developed their device and made plans to get it on the market.

They now have 11 patents pending. Two have been approved.

The two brothers recently completed a new scope that has a camera in the tip. It’s being tested in some markets, but should be in most markets in January.

“It’s completely electronic system,” Schwartz says. “We’ve done away with all the fiber optics.”

Now they need to find a CEO that can take them to the next level.

“We agreed with the 21st Century Fund, that we would hire a Michigan-based CEO for the company and that we would do most of the product development here,” he says. “We are also looking for some office space and warehousing space.”

Source: John Schwartz, AI Medical Devices, Inc.

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.  

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

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