GENESEE COUNTY/Batavia Batavia resident unveils new medical device to the public

• published: 01 May 2015
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GENESEE COUNTY/Batavia Batavia resident unveils new medical device to the public Last semester R.N. nursing students at GCC were the first group to set their eyes on a patented innovative ostomy prosthetic device this morning. The "Choice Cap System" was created by Batavia resident Georgann Carrubba, President and CEO of Tencar Inc. Carrubba, a 2003 graduate of GCC, has been a nurse for 30 years. Working for the Visiting Nurses Association with Kaleida health, she realized the need for a better system for ostomy patients, one that would finally give the patients a choice for discreteness, added security and activity. In May of 2011, while having a coffee with her nephew Sammy, Carrubba noticed a bowl sitting on a shelf from across the room. She says it caught her eye for some reason. "I got this great idea after looking at it and I have no idea where it came from.", says Carrubba. The next morning she made the first prototype of the Ostomy Cap System and fabric covers. She immediately contacted her lawyer and business partner Eugene Tenney. Carrubba and Tenney filed for a patent in November of 2011 and the product was approved by the U.S. Patten Office in February of 2014. In February of 2015, Carrubba and Tenney filed for a second patent on a new design and locking system. The Choice Cap double protection system is made of light weight plastic and is durable and will allow ostomy patients double protection and discreteness improving their self image. In the last year, Carrubba has received a lot of help from the Innovative Zone created by the GCEDC. They were able to connect Carrubba with Launch NY and Ed Bizari. Launch NY offers expert assistance, guidance, and connections to resources, including funding. Bizari has become a mentor for Carrubba and has opened many doors for her business and her invention through grants and connections. She also has had access to High Tech Rochester and their services while at the Innovative Zone. Carrubba was also introduced to 43North and has applied to compete in the competition this year. 43North gives out $5 million in cash prizes each year to some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs and startups from around the globe. 43North is part of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion initiative, which is providing new economic opportunities throughout Buffalo and Western New York. On May 20, 2015, Carrubba will be presenting her product to patients at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 2311 George Urban Boulevard in Depew. The product will be going to market in the fall and introduced to distributors then. For more information on the product you can check out the Tencar Inc. website. http://www.tencarinc.com/