L2M – Commercial Validation and MVP Development of a Pediatric Biofeedback Tool for Grip and Pinch Strength Assessment

Pediatric therapists struggle to obtain accurate grip strength measurements because current tools were originally designed for adults. These tools require excessive hand strength and fail to engage children, leading to unreliable data. As a result, therapists often resort to subjective estimates, making it difficult to track progress, tailor treatment plans, or justify therapy to insurance providers. Our solution is a child-friendly grip strength tool with sensory feedback (lights and sounds) to make assessments engaging and ensure precise, reliable data.

Through the L2M Internship, we will focus on three key areas: IP & regulatory groundwork, business strategy, and product development. First, we will file a provisional patent and prepare regulatory pre-submissions to navigate compliance for our Class II medical device. Second, we will refine our go-to-market strategy by assessing distribution channels, reimbursement pathways, and commercialization partners. Third, we will test and iterate our prototype with pediatric therapists and children, gathering feedback to refine our design and ensure usability. Our goal is to finalize our Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by Q3 2025.

By the end of the internship, we will be positioned for early 2026 fundraising to support batch manufacturing and market launch, assuming we meet regulatory and IP milestones. This project will lay the foundation for bringing an innovative, evidence-based grip strength assessment tool to market, ensuring pediatric therapists have the data they need to make informed treatment decisions while making therapy more enjoyable for children.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michelle MacDonald

Student:

Partner:

DMZ Ventures Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

McMaster University

Program: