Featured Client – Jones Innovative Medical Solutions

Spencer Jones, 23, was in nursing school at the University of Arkansas and in residency at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center when he was asked to draw blood on a patient. “They had an IV site, and I said, ‘Can I stop the infusion and pull blood?’ They said no; that the access devices currently being used did not have that capability.” It seemed unbelievable to him that with all the advances in medical equipment, there wasn’t a device that could perform these functions.

Jones decided to develop his idea. He stated his device — the bifurcated venous access device, or BVAD — is intricate “but the concept is simple.” Thanks to its two-channel configuration, the device will allow blood draws a bit upstream from the delivery IV, “and the great thing is it’s all painless. It’s just a much better option for patients.”

Mr. Jones decided to enter the 14-week 2014 ARK Challenge as a systematic way to develop his idea into a real, marketable product. During the 14 weeks, Mr. Ortiz met with Mr. Jones and provided him with a wide variety of guidance to assist him in the development of his technology and his business. Mr. Jones won the Ark Challenge and its $150,000 prize. In addition, he was able to attract an investor with ties to the medical device industry. Here is what Mr. Jones has to say about the assistance he received from business and technology consultant, Rudy Ortiz:

“From the very first meeting I had with Rudy, I knew I was in good company. My early stage company needed guidance as I secured intellectual property protection, sought capital and negotiated investment agreements. The wisdom that Rudy had to offer was not just insightful, but proved to be tangibly fruitful after I applied it to my business. Anytime I needed to “run the traps” on a new development, or prepare for a pivotal meeting, I would seek consul from Rudy. By our third meeting, I trusted Rudy so much that I asked him to be on my company’s Advisory Board.

Looking past the great advice, one thing that stood out early on with Rudy was the spirit of his professional relationship. I quickly understood that Rudy had my back, which gave me great confidence as I navigated the startup journey. His advice was crucial as I negotiated my company’s largest milestone; securing an investment partnership that’s taking my product to market. Without Rudy, my company would not have experienced the same degree of growth and progress as it has in the past 6 months”.

Since developing the BVAD, Mr. Jones has acquired a patent on “Safe Break”, an access line adapter that greatly reduces the chances of an IV being pulled out. The device can work in conjunction with the BVAD or with other access line devices.