Technical:
Canon 5D mII + Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS + PocketWizard Plus II transceivers
Paul Buff White Lightning X1600 flash heads + Paul Buff softbox modifiers
Processing in Phase One Capture One 6
—
Ryan Hendrix
Commercial Photographer
Wichita + Kansas City
316-841-5612
ryan@ryanhendrix.com www.ryanhendrix.com
Photograph copyright Ryan Hendrix Arts LLC
Caitlin Hendrix - Brite Divinity College Graduation
Shot at University Christian Church in Fort Worth, TX
May 12, 2012
Technical:
Canon 5D mII + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS + Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II
Processing in Phase One Capture One 6 + Adobe Photoshop CS6
—
Ryan Hendrix
Commercial Photographer
Wichita + Kansas City
316-841-5612
ryan@ryanhendrix.com www.ryanhendrix.com
Photographs copyright Ryan Hendrix Arts LLC
Allie began her apprenticeship today at Beards Floral Design. She was dressed for success.
Retired Rockford audiologist Larry Clayton holds up an insert he invented that is custom-fitted into a person’s ear canal to relieve pain from temporomandibular joint disorders, better known as TMJD. Clayton received his second patent for the device last year and is trying to raise capital to increase awareness among dentists and therefore increase sales.
By Alex Gary
BUSINESSROCKFORD.COM
Posted Jan 22, 2012
ROCKFORD — Company-sponsored research pays for the vast majority of patents received by local researchers, engineers and inventors.
The old-fashioned inventor, someone who comes across an entirely new idea, is still out there, but the path from brainstorm to the marketplace can be awfully long.
In the case of retired audiologist Larry Clayton, his journey is 14 years and counting.
Clayton received his second patent in 2011 for the Temporomandibular Disorder “Ear System” — TMDes. It is a custom-fitted prosthesis placed in a patient’s ear canal to relieve the pain from temporomandibular joint disorder pain, better known as TMJD. The temporomandibular joint is the hinge linking your jaw to your skull and is responsible for all of your mouth movements, from talking to chewing. In the U.S., more than 10 million people suffer from chronic TMJD pain, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Clayton had the idea for the prosthesis in 1997, when a patient he had fitted with a hearing aid told him the device also seemed to lessen her TMJD pain.
His 2011 patent updates the original design. The modifications allow for patients to leave the inserts in overnight. The inserts work by providing near-field support at the temporomandibular joint, allowing it to relax.
Along the way, Clayton recruited TMJD sufferers for developmental studies; formed a company, Ascentia Health Inc., with his son, Michael; found investors to allow them to submit the inserts to the FDA for approval; located a company in Pennsylvania to make the product; and persuaded and trained several dentists in Illinois and Wisconsin to custom-fit patients for the devices.
FDA approval was granted last September after studies revealed the TMDes showed 16 percent greater pain reduction than a bite splint, according to a clinical measurement called the craniomandibular index; a 70 percent greater pain reduction, according to a symptom severity index; and 56 greater pain reduction, according to a visual analog scale.
A bite splint, or night mouth guard, has been the only TMJD pain alternative for years.
The key now, Clayton said, is to find $3 million to $5 million in investment capital.
“We really need to raise patient awareness. Virtually no one knows that this is available,” Clayton said. “We need to hire several people in the sales force to be trained and penetrate the various dental society meetings. TMJD affects a lot of people. The market is huge.”
Although the economy is improving, Clayton said the market for venture capital has been difficult. Ascentia has been talking to capital groups in Madison, Wis., and Minneapolis.
“Since I’ve sold my audiology clinic, I guess I have more time to devote to this,” Clayton said. “This has become a new career in itself.”
——————————————————————
Patient Testimonial: TMDes® FDA cleared for TMJD pain
Klipsch KPT-904 front left / center / front right + dual Klipsch KSW-12 Subwoofer main stage. KPT-904 loudspeakers are from the Regal Opry Mills Stadium 20 Cinema in Nashville, Tennessee.