Metamason, a healthcare-focused 3D scanning and 3D printing company has raised $3M in seed funding led by 3P Equity Partners, a manufacturing-focused private equity firm located in San Jose, CA; and Tsing Capital, known as China’s foremost cleantech venture capital firm. The round also included a collection of individual angel investors throughout the country.
Metamason plans to utilize the funding to complete FDA regulatory clearance and run initial clinical trials for its patent-pending flagship product, Respere™—a custom fit, 3D-printed CPAP mask designed to revolutionize treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The company’s proprietary Scan·Fit·Print™ process uses 3D body scanning, patented algorithmic design, and on-demand 3D printing to create individually customized, ergonomic medical device products.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious disorder affecting 1 in 4 men and 1 in 9 women in the US alone where your airways close during sleep. “Apnea events,” in which the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxes and does not allow air to pass through, can interrupt your sleep hundreds of times per night, depriving your body of vital oxygen and rest. In addition to chronic fatigue, OSA can lead to anxiety, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke and even early death.
“Many people suffering from OSA can’t remember the last time they had a good night’s sleep,” Karpas said. “Mass-produced masks fit poorly because every human face is different. Metamason empowers patients through curated personalization. It’s our goal to improve lives by transforming the CPAP experience.”
The only truly effective long-term treatment for OSA is CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure – in which the patient wears a respiratory mask throughout the night. CPAP works by providing a constant gentle airflow, ensuring that the passage of air is never constricted.
“We’re not just selling a product,” said Metamason founder and CEO Leslie Oliver Karpas. “We want to give patients and providers direct influence over the creation of objects that profoundly affect their lives.” CPAP, he explained, is a good place to start. “Despite CPAP therapy’s proven efficacy, over half of patients quit because of discomfort due to poor fit of their masks.”
Respere CPAP Mask Overview
Respere™ is a light, subtle, and secure CPAP mask individually designed for every patient. Coming to market in 2017, the Respere™ digital platform will allow a sleep apnea patient to scan his or her face, and our proprietary algorithm will design a CPAP mask customized to fit the person’s unique facial topology.
“Many people suffering from OSA can’t remember the last time they had a good night’s sleep,” Karpas said. “Mass-produced masks fit poorly because every human face is different. Metamason empowers patients through curated personalization. It’s our goal to improve lives by transforming the CPAP experience.”
Each Respere™ product will be made to order and 3D printed from soft medical grade silicone using our exclusive Investment Molding™ technique, Respere™ offers comfort, flexibility and flawless fit.
The company plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign for Respere later in 2016 and begin marketing activities in early 2017.
In October 2015, Metamason won the startup pitch competition at Inside 3D Printing Santa Clara, and in March of this year, the company was chosen as one of five finalists for the SXSW Interactive 3DIY Innovation Award, garnering a flurry of positive press and being named one of “6 Cool Innovations That Are Making The World A Better Place” by reason.com. Additionally, Metamason was recently accepted into the prestigious Singularity University Startup Network.
