San Antonio startup Turn Medical LLC closed a $3.8 million bridge financing round for commercialization and marketing of its new prone therapy system.
The Pronova-O2 Automated Prone Therapy System was rolled out last year and is Turn Medical's first commercial product. It's an adjustable wheeled hospital bed that can accommodate up to 400 pounds. The system is designed to help medical staff and clinicians more safely rotate patients into a prone position or on their sides, which reduces the risk of skin breakdown for patients — and sprains and other injuries for caregivers.
According to a 2013 New England Journal of Medicine study, the mortality rate of patients in respiratory distress can be reduced by more than 50% by placing them in a prone position early in the treatment process.
Turn Medical CEO Tara Psencik said in a news release the $3.8 million in new funding will provide resources to further market the system and increase the number of automated devices available in the U.S.
She added that use of the automated prone positioning system could help resolve some of the challenges that nursing shortages may bring. The World Health Organization predicts there will be a shortage of 5.7 million nurses by 2030.
Jackson Walker served as Turn Medical's legal counsel during the transaction.
The medical device company was launched in 2018, co-founded by iPsencik, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Wilson, Chief Operations Officer Chris Niederkrom and Chief Program Officer Eric Barta, all of whom previously worked at Kinetic Concepts Inc. Based in San Antonio, the startup has a dozen employees.
The new Pronova devices are being sold across the United States and are available for rent in some markets.
