Invention Success Stories:
LensLifter — Convenient Desktop Eyewear Holder
Restoration Robotics — Revolutionary Hair Transplant Robot
Eneura - Migraine Treatment Device
CardioThrive — Life-Saving Portable Defibrillator with Integrated Instructions
Success Stories: From Idea to Market
Turning an idea into a successful product is more complex than most inventors realize. Even a seemingly simple invention requires careful planning, prototyping, intellectual property protection, and a path to market. At Invention to Market, we guide inventors through this challenging but rewarding process.
Below are real-world examples of how we’ve helped inventors design, test, protect, and launch their ideas—showing exactly what it takes to turn a concept into a market-ready product.
LensLifter: A Simple Idea, A Complex Journey
A Case Study in Product Development
Most inventors believe that if they have a good idea, the hard part is over. The reality? Bringing even the simplest Invention to Market requires extensive planning and execution.
Take LensLifter, for example—a straightforward gadget designed to lift eyeglasses off the face easily. It may seem like a simple solution, but getting it from idea to store shelves was anything but simple.
Production: Scaling Up
Early Production in the U.S.: For the first production run, I used injection-molded tooling manufactured in the Midwest. This allowed me to produce units at a cost of $2.50 each FOB (Free On Board) in the U.S.
Scaling to China: As demand grew, I transitioned production to China, reducing the cost per unit to $1.00 FOB while maintaining quality. This strategic move allowed me to lower the retail price to $4.95, simultaneously increasing margins and making the product more competitive.
Packaging and Branding
Trademark: I secured a trademark for the LensLifter brand, ensuring its unique identity in the marketplace.
Packaging: I designed attractive retail packaging and a point-of-purchase (POP) display box that doubled as a metal display and shipping container. This dual-purpose design optimized logistics and enhanced in-store presentation.
Marketing and Sales
Promotional Materials:
Data sheets and promotional postcards were created to educate potential buyers and distributors.
A dedicated website showcased the product and facilitated online orders.
I developed a price list with quantity ordering terms to appeal to a range of buyers.
Sales Strategy: I initially sold LensLifters to distributors and large retailers at $5.00 per unit, with a retail price of $9.95. Later, the cost reductions from Chinese manufacturing allowed a new retail price of $4.95, expanding the product’s market appeal.
Achievements
Nearly 100,000 units of LensLifter were sold, primarily through distributors and retailers.
While I was unable to finalize a deal with Sunglass Hut and Luxottica, which could have led to sales in the millions, the product’s success validated its concept and market viability.
Lessons Learned
LensLifter taught me invaluable lessons about:
The importance of prototyping and creating production-ready samples.
Scaling production to meet demand while maintaining profitability.
Strategically transitioning manufacturing for cost efficiency without compromising quality.
The challenges of securing high-volume retail partnerships and how to navigate them.
Case Study Takeaways
This case study demonstrates the comprehensive support Invention to Market provides:
Concept Development: Turning an idea into a detailed, market-ready design.
Prototyping: Creating high-quality prototypes to validate and promote the product.
Production: Scaling manufacturing, both domestically and internationally.
Sales and Marketing: Developing branding, packaging, and promotional strategies to drive sales.
If you have an idea or invention and want to take it to market, Invention to Market is here to guide you through every step of the journey.
1. The Problem & Initial Inspiration
The inventor noticed a recurring frustration—glasses were often placed on surfaces instead of in their case, leading to misplacement, scratches, and breakage. The idea? A tiny, effortless tool that makes lifting glasses easier, especially for people with limited dexterity.
2. Concept Development & Intellectual Property Protection
Before moving forward, we ensured the idea was both viable and legally protected:
✅ Sketching & Renderings – Exploring form and function through early design sketches.
✅ Prototyping & Testing – Creating multiple 3D-printed prototypes to refine shape and usability.
✅ Provisional Patent Application – Securing initial intellectual property protection.
✅ Patent Application Filing – Ensuring long-term protection for the unique design and functionality.
3. Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Market Validation
After validating the concept, we moved into Design for Manufacturing (DFM)—a crucial step for making production efficient and cost-effective. To test market demand, we produced a short-run batch using rubber molds, allowing early adopters to try the product.
✅ Small-Scale Production Run – Manufacturing an initial batch in the U.S. for quality control.
✅ User Feedback & Iteration – Observing how customers interacted with the product and refining accordingly.
4. Scaling to Mass Production & Reducing Costs
Once we confirmed demand, it was time to transition to full-scale manufacturing:
✅ Manufacturing Liaison – Partnering with suppliers to ensure quality and consistency.
✅ Production in China – Reducing costs significantly while maintaining product standards.
5. Branding, Packaging & Retail Strategy
A great product isn’t enough—it needs branding, marketing, and strategic positioning:
✅ Trademark Design & Filing – Protecting the name and visual identity.
✅ Instructional Design – Ensuring clear usage guidance for customers.
✅ Retail Packaging & POP (Point-of-Purchase) Displays – Creating an eye-catching retail presence.
6. Market Launch & Sales Growth
With patents secured, manufacturing optimized, and branding finalized, LensLifter was ready for launch:
✅ Distribution Agreements – Getting the product into major retailers.
✅ Sales & Growth Strategy – Expanding through e-commerce and in-store placements.
The Lesson for Inventors: Even the simplest idea requires prototyping, intellectual property protection, manufacturing expertise, branding, and sales strategy. Without expert guidance, the process can be overwhelming.
At Invention to Market, we help inventors navigate every step—ensuring their product is not just made, but successfully sold.
Restoration Robotics: Precision Through Iterative Development
Refining Robotic Surgery Through Extensive Testing
Restoration Robotics set out to revolutionize hair transplantation, replacing manual procedures with a robotic-assisted system for increased precision and consistency.
Our role? Conducting extensive user testing, observations, and iterative prototyping to refine the technology based on real-world needs.
1. Understanding the Procedure & Identifying Challenges
To ensure the robotic system met surgeons' and patients' needs, we conducted:
✅ Extensive Observations – Documenting real-world hair transplant procedures.
✅ Surgeon & Technician Interviews – Understanding workflow and ergonomic challenges.
✅ Patient Experience Research – Identifying discomfort and movement-related issues.
2. Real-World Testing: Experiencing the Process Firsthand
Our design team physically tested the procedure by sitting in the chair for long periods to understand patient discomfort during the two-stage process:
✅ Forward-Facing “Harvesting” Phase – Extracting donor follicles from the back of the scalp.
✅ Reclined “Implantation” Phase – Placing hair follicles into thinning areas.
This dual-position chair system had to function in space-constrained clinics, particularly in cities like New York, Tokyo, and London, where medical office space is at a premium. Our goal was to develop a single-chair solution that seamlessly converted between both positions.
3. Iterative Prototyping & Refinement
✅ Adjustable Chair Mechanism – Engineering a smooth, efficient transition between procedures.
✅ Surgeon Feedback Integration – Ensuring comfortable access and precision control.
✅ User Interface & AI Refinement – Optimizing the robotic guidance system for ease of use.
Through iterative testing and refinement, we transformed Restoration Robotics into a clinically validated, market-ready robotic system that improves accuracy, comfort, and efficiency—solving major industry pain points.
eNeura sTMS: Breakthrough Migraine Therapy Without Medication
A Drug-Free Alternative for Millions of Migraine Sufferers
Migraines impact millions, and traditional medications come with side effects and limitations. eNeura’s sTMS therapy provides an FDA-cleared, drug-free solution that stops migraines in seconds using electromagnetic pulses.
At Invention to Market, we ensured the device was not just effective, but user-friendly and accessible:
✅ Human-Centered Design – Ensuring comfort and ease of use through multiple iterations.
✅ Integrated Smart Diary – Tracking treatments automatically for better migraine management.
✅ Instant Relief with a Single Press – A simple, one-button interface for patients.
Through prototyping, patient feedback, and iterative design, we helped bring a life-changing migraine treatment to market.
Cardiothrive: A Life-Saving Device for Anyone, Anywhere
Portable, Affordable, and Easy-to-Use Emergency Defibrillation
When cardiac arrest strikes, every second matters—but traditional defibrillators are bulky, expensive, and require training. Cardiothrive changes that.
Through Design Thinking and extensive prototyping, we developed a compact, user-friendly defibrillator that makes life-saving action possible for anyone.
✅ Ultra-Portable Design – Small enough to carry anywhere.
✅ Integrated Step-by-Step Instructions – Guiding users through placement and operation.
✅ One-Touch Simplicity – No training required—ensuring immediate response.
By applying real-world testing and usability refinements, we ensured anyone—even a first-time user—could confidently operate Cardiothrive to save a life.
Your Invention Could Be Next
Every great invention follows a structured process—from concept to market success. At Invention to Market, we help inventors design, prototype, and launch products with expert guidance.
US Patent Number for the case study: US 6,273,386
Patents
Received multiple utility and design patents and contributed to many more patented inventions and designs, for which I was not named as an inventor.