Project Description:

Every year approximately 105,000 adults undergo a spinal tap (also known as a lumbar puncture) in the U.S. in an emergency medicine setting. Many of these patients are suffering from a central nervous system infection or neurological condition that causes cognitive dysfunction, such as disorientation or confusion. In order to perform the spinal tap, the physician must place the patient in either the fetal position on their side or in a similar bent over position, but sitting upright. The patient must remain in this position with little to no movement for the entirety of the procedure. Any amount of movement can cause the procedure to fail. Upon failure, patients are sent to radiology to undergo the procedure at a later date under anesthesia. This process is costly to hospitals and can delay treatment for patients. To solve this issue, we created the SecureTap Body Brace! The SecureTap Body Brace improves this experience for both the patient and the physician by gently holding the patient in the proper position, allowing for a more efficient and less traumatic procedure. This device uses adjustable straps and an adjustable locking mechanism on its hinge to place the patient in their most bent position and prevent them from straightening their back. The design of our device is simple, allowing for an intuitive and fast setup in less than 1 minute and 30 seconds, while also being approachable for patients. There is nothing else currently on the market that addresses this issue, which gives us ample market opportunity! This device is truly impactful.