An Edmond, Oklahoma woman has developed and launched a medical device, Yni.Fit, designed to address urinary incontinence in women. Allison Watkins, a patient entrepreneur, created the device after struggling to find a suitable solution for her own bladder leakage issues, a condition she says affects millions of women in the United States.
Watkins secured FDA approval and launched Yni.Fit in Oklahoma this summer. The device is an insertion device intended to help stop urinary incontinence.
Addressing a Widespread Need
"There's all kinds of information out there about how many women it actually impacts, but millions and millions of women," Watkins stated. Recognizing the widespread need, she filed her first patent in August 2015 and has since brought the product to market.
Watkins shared that she found the process of talking to investors and medical professionals daunting at times. "As soon as I pulled out my prototypes and saw the look on their face I knew I was on to something and that of course then just kept me going," Watkins said.
From Local Launch to National Expansion
Watkins chose to launch Yni.Fit in Oklahoma first, stating, "My biggest supporters are here and I thought... this device that has so profoundly changed my own life I would love to share with people that are really close to home." She plans to expand the product nationally next year.
Advice for Aspiring Patient Entrepreneurs
Drawing from her experience, Watkins encourages other patients with product ideas to take the leap. "You're never gonna be ready," she said. "You just gotta start."
