Some of the most advanced new technologies are being applied in the medical sphere. And sometimes it just takes a small, simple device to change the way an operation has been done for decades.
Dr. Swarna Balasubramaniam and her company Noleus Technologies, are looking to do just that, with a biotech device that almost resembles a plastic bag attached to a hose, but has the potential to change lives and save both patients and hospitals a lot of money. The former colon and rectal surgeon has left her practice, traveled to North Texas to take part in the Health Wildcatters accelerator, and founded Noleus to bring the product to fruition.
“I’m really excited - the opportunity to change the way we take care of people after surgery is just enormous; to change something that’s been done the same way for 75 years, and to make people better faster,” Balasubramaniam said. “In a way, we can do really advanced surgery, but then if you get… a secondary complication that does you no good, so this is one of those things that can get you back to a better quality of life.”
The company takes its name from the complication it is trying to prevent: ileus, swelling in the intestines after a surgery that prevents them from functioning properly. When this happens, a patient can’t eat or drink, which slows recovery time. In some cases it can cause vomiting and nausea. Because of this, patients are usually kept in the hospital for about five to seven days after an abdominal surgery. Balasubramaniam said that with her device, that amount of time could be significantly shortened.
Nearly 20 percent of patients experience the nausea and vomiting complications after an abdominal surgery. Nearly every patient experience swelling.
The device works to prevent the swelling, so a patient can recover faster. It is inserted into the patient, lying directly on and molding to the intestines. Then, using negative pressure therapy, excess fluid is suctioned through small holes and removed from the body. The device is flexible and can be removed from a patient with a small incision.
“I’ve done surgery for a lot of years and this is a problem we face with every single patient we operate on,” Balasubramaniam said. “The secret here is the suction allows this thing because it's flexible to touch and mold to the intestines and that’s why it works really well. Then you’re done, you can eat, drink and go home sooner.”
"the opportunity to change the way we take care of people after surgery is just enormous."
Balasubramaniam founded the company in 2015. Although the company is based out of Sugar Land, she is currently working in Dallas as part of the Health Wildcatters 2019 cohort. She added that DFW makes sense as an area to make connections with investors and potential future clients, and that the region will likely be an early market for the product. Noleus is planning on raising about $1.5 million soon to make that happen.
While the patents have been approved on Noleus’ device, it has yet to receive FDA approval for use in hospitals. However, Balasubramaniam said that besides patients, the hospitals themselves will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the device, since it will free up beds quicker, save money and help raise patient outcome data.
“I just had the idea one day… and I wasn’t going to do anything about it because I was like, ‘Oh, that’s obvious,’ but then about 15 years before that, when I was first in practice, I had an idea and I didn’t do anything… then I saw that turned into a big device, and I was like, ‘Hey, I guess my idea was pretty good,’” Balasubramaniam said. “This time when I had an idea, I was like, ‘Well maybe this is a good idea and I just don’t know it.’”
