A medical professional wearing gloves uses an instrument to examine or treat a child’s ear while the child lies on a bed, highlighting options like Ear Tubes Without General Anesthesia as an alternative to traditional procedures.
A close-up of a white pen with a textured grip, a black clip, and a transparent blue section near the black pen tip, reminiscent of tools used for ear tubes without general anesthesia, all set against a light gray background.
A dental irrigation tool labeled "Precapits" is shown assembled in the foreground, with its disassembled internal components and casing parts arranged neatly in the background—similar to displays for Ear Tubes Without General Anesthesia—on a light surface.
A close-up, cutaway view of a medical device or catheter—ideal for procedures like placing ear tubes without general anesthesia—showing internal components such as gears, tubes, and a blue nozzle at the tip against a plain gray background.

PRECEPTIS MEDICAL

Preceptis, a startup medical device firm, developed a revolutionary new way for physicians to implant pediatric drainage tubes in the eardrums of children.

Preceptis partnered with Kablooe to develop the mechanical functionality and user touch points of the technology and move it from design, through clinical trials, and into the commercial marketplace.

Drivers

The Hummingbird® device enables the physician to quickly and painlessly deliver silicone rubber ear tubes with one hand, leaving the other hand to keep the child still and at ease during the procedure.

Solution

Kablooe saw an opportunity to improve the stability of the physician’s hands by making the device a one-handed operation.

This was no easy task.

Through extensive research and ideation, Kablooe developed a way for steering, deployment, and suction to be controlled with one hand from a stable, ergonomic device the size of a ballpoint pen.

Outcomes

The Hummingbird® treatment was successful in clinical trials and is poised for commercialization.

Children (and their parents) everywhere will be glad when the Hummingbird® device is commercialized, since it makes this procedure shorter and less traumatic—for everyone involved.

Hospitals, Clinics, and doctors can expect to save both time and money.

The device won the MN Cup Award and continues to attract the investor dollars needed to take the product to market.

Client: Preceptis Medical

Product: The Hummingbird®