FETAL THERAPY TECHNOLOGIES
REIMAGINING THE SAFETY OF FETAL SURGERY
Fetal Therapy Technologies is a microsurgical device company, developing purpose-built tools for fetal surgery and women’s health
WHAT IS FETAL SURGERY?
Fetal surgery is a groundbreaking field that treats life-threatening conditions before birth by operating on a baby while still in the womb. These procedures can correct severe or life-threatening congenital defects. By intervening during pregnancy, fetal surgery can give babies a chance at healthier outcomes and a better quality of life.
THE PROBLEM: SUBPAR TOOLS
The womb is one of the most complex and delicate organs in the body; it changes drastically daily, its sensitive to changes in pH and blood pressure, and it cannot heal after damage.
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Despite this, almost all tools used in fetal surgery are off-label and borrowed from other medical disciplines. These tools are designed for more durable tissue, and cannot meet the specialized demands of the womb.
This lack of purpose-built instruments contributes to high complication rates, limiting safety in this life-changing field.
THE CONSEQUENCE: PRETERM BIRTH
Fetal Surgery Faces
40%
Preterm Birth Rate
Fetal Surgery At
20-25
Weeks of Pregnancy
Amounting to
$85K
In Additional Expenses
Fetal surgery can repair life-threatening conditions before birth, but it carries a major risk: preterm birth. Up to 40% of cases lead to preterm birth due to amniotic membrane damage from surgical access. Because this tissue cannot heal, intervention can cause fluid leakage and trigger preterm labor.
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These surgeries typically occur between 20-25 weeks of gestation, and preterm birth typically occurs 1-2 weeks after. In these cases, not only are children born 3 months early, they must now recover from surgery, without their mother.
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These preterm complications often result in long NICU stays, additional health complications, and emotional and financial strain for families. Reducing the rate of preterm birth complications is the key to establishing safer fetal surgery.
OUR SOLUTION
Making these surgeries safer means giving clinicians the right tools to perform them. Working directly with the Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, we’ve developed a platform microsurgical port that provides safe access into the uterus for every fetal surgery. Our port has been designed to minimize damage throughout the procedure, translating to a lower risk of preterm birth.