Safely Progressing Labor
Transforming labor and delivery through practical, evidence-driven engineering.
Did you know?
Labor & Delivery is the most common reason for hospital admission
Increase in C-section rates since 1990
Experience some form of labor protraction or arrest
Number of unplanned C-sections in the US per year
Involve oxytocin for induction or augmentation
percent of time spent in Stage I labor
Labor and Delivery by the Numbers
Percent of all US births with C-sections
Cost of vaginal delivery
Cost of C-section
Our Technology
Our proprietary system promotes labor progression by restoring effective contractions.
For decades, Oxytocin has been the primary non-surgical intervention for stalled or delayed labor. Its mechanism—stimulating stronger uterine contractions—can increase myometrial workload, sometimes leading to uterine fatigue, tachysystole, and maternal or fetal distress. Despite widespread use, labor dystocia remains a persistent clinical challenge.
A Different Mechanism of Action
3VO Medical's ILAS (Intrauterine Labor Augmentation System) introduces a mechanical, physiology-aligned alternative. The system uses a slender transcervical catheter to position a sterile, compliant sac within the uterine cavity, which may be placed even prior to active labor.
A bedside controller synchronizes with real-time contraction patterns and inflates the sac only during contractions. This approach augments intrauterine pressure mechanically—without increasing myometrial energy demand. By achieving target intrauterine pressures, ILAS supports cervical effacement and dilation while facilitating fetal descent, aligning with the natural biomechanics of labor.
Clinical and Operational Implications
ILAS is designed to address a central limitation in current obstetric care: the reliance on pharmacologic escalation for mechanical inefficiency. By directly augmenting pressure rather than forcing increased uterine work, the system aims to:
- Reduce dependence on pharmacologic agents such as Oxytocin
- Shorten labor duration in appropriate cases
- Lower rates of uterine hyperstimulation
- Improve maternal and neonatal outcomes
Mission
3VO Medical is focused on advancing intrapartum care through targeted, data-driven intervention. ILAS represents a shift from pharmacologic intensification to mechanical optimization—offering a new approach to managing stalled labor within modern hospital labor and delivery units. Not a better drug — a better approach. This is what Progress looks like.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Childbirth is the leading cause of hospital admission in the U.S. It consumes 11% of inpatient beds and generates over $50 billion in annual reimbursement. In nearly one in three low-risk births, labor stalls. The result: hundreds of thousands of unplanned C-sections each year, driving longer stays, higher complication rates, and more than $10,000 in added cost per case. The emotional cost for the mother is even higher, with a longer recovery, and a measurable increase in postpartum depression, breastfeeding complications, and fear of future pregnancies. ILAS directly addresses this gap by restoring labor progress mechanically, reducing maternal risk, and avoiding surgical intervention.
Our Team
Meet the individuals advancing the next generation of maternal care.
James Kelley
Co-Founder, Product Development
Jim brings 40 years of product and business development experience spanning Medtronic, Abbott (St. Jude Medical), and Integer Holdings. Jim has successfully brought over 50 Class II/III medical devices to market. His expertise encompasses catheter systems, biomaterials, manufacturing operations, and novel clinical procedure development. From first-in-human cardiac studies to large-scale contract manufacturing, Jim's leadership has delivered innovative, FDA-compliant solutions adopted by over one million patients worldwide.
Jay Snell
Co-Founder, Systems Architect
With a 35-year career in medical device development, Jay has led first-in-human catheter and implantable device programs from concept through FDA approval at Abbott (St. Jude Medical), VisCardia, and 3VO Medical. His career spans cardiac pacemakers, ICDs, ablation systems and heart failure, with deep expertise in systems architecture, clinical engineering, and FDA regulatory strategy. Jay holds multiple patents and brings unmatched experience in Class II/III device development.
Mai-Linh Vu, MD, FACOG
Medical Affairs
Dr. Vu leads Medical Affairs at 3VO Medical, bringing deep expertise in obstetrics, gynecology, and women's health innovation. A Yale- and UT Health San Antonio-trained physician, she completed a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Stanford and is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Vu also founded Human Intelligence, LLC, advising medical and biotech companies on clinical strategy and emerging therapies.
Mark Kelley
Mechanical Engineering
An experienced mechanical engineer with deep expertise in complex medical device design, from concept through fabrication. Mark's career spans microfluidic systems, implantable devices, precision optical-mechanical assemblies, and surgical instrumentation across leading medical device firms. Known for rigorous tolerance analysis, hands-on prototype machining, and effective collaboration with design teams and external vendors, Mark thrives in fast-paced environments demanding precision and innovation.
Latest News
3VO Medical Participates in NSF I-Corps Program
The U.S. National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program is an immersive, entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of invention to impact. This seven-week experiential training program prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory — accelerating the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded and other basic research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization.
3VO Medical, Inc. Awarded NSF SBIR Phase I Grant to Advance Novel Solution for Labor Dystocia
Los Angeles, CA, May 4, 2025 – 3VO Medical, Inc. has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant of $305,000 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on a novel solution to labor dystocia — a dangerous and common complication of childbirth in which labor fails to progress, often resulting in emergency cesarean delivery, maternal injury, or adverse neonatal outcomes. 3VO Medical is developing a first-of-its-kind medical device designed to objectively monitor and support the mechanics of labor in real time, providing clinicians with a new treatment for stalled labor. This work is grounded in fundamental biomedical engineering research into uterine biomechanics, maternal physiology, and intrapartum signal acquisition. If successful, the technology has the potential to meaningfully improve outcomes for mothers and newborns, and lower the significant healthcare costs associated with complicated labor.
3VO Medical, Inc. Joins Octane MedTech Incubator
Octane is a prominent Southern California-based non-profit organization dedicated to building the regional technology and medical technology (medtech) ecosystem. Founded in 2002, its primary mission is to drive innovation and economic growth by connecting entrepreneurs with capital, resources, and strategic partners. LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator: A top-performing accelerator that helps startups grow and scale.
Contact Us
Whether you're an investor, potential partner, or interested in learning more about our technology, we'd love to hear from you.
Office Location
3520 Multiview DriveLos Angeles, CA 90068
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