SickKids Study Highlights SMöLTAP® Positioner as Breakthrough in Infant Lumbar Success, Safety

Invented by two physicians, stabilizer tool aims to increase first-stick success rates while decreasing stress and cost of complications

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, May 29, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- By significantly improving the safety, speed, and success of infant lumbar punctures (LPs), the SMöLTAP Positioner marks a critical advancement in pediatric care, according to a new study conducted by researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

The results, which were presented at #PAS2025 (Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting) in Honolulu, Hawaii, found:

-First-pass success rates jumped from 41% to 63% using the SMöLTAP Positioner—a 22% improvement over traditional positioning techniques.

-Traumatic lumbar punctures, which can compromise diagnostic accuracy and patient safety, dropped from 59% to 36%—a 3.5x improvement in non-traumatic outcomes.

-These results held even after adjusting for variables such as provider experience, acuity level, and procedural timing, reinforcing SMöLTAP’s consistent clinical superiority.

“Traumatic lumbar punctures can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and increased stress for both families and care teams,” said Dr. Natasha Collia, an attending pediatric emergency medicine physician. “This device demonstrates meaningful reductions in trauma and improvements in first-pass success, which can translate to faster diagnoses and better outcomes.”

Designed with ease and efficiency in mind, the SMöLTAP Positioner showed impressive results among first-time users:

-65% first-pass success rate among new physicians.
-76% of LPs were non-traumatic.
-88% reported time savings, and 71% perceived it as safer than conventional methods.

Over 80% of clinicians found it easy to use, adjust, and clean–demonstrating a minimal learning curve and strong user confidence.

In addition, SMöLTAP removes the need for a dedicated infant holder, significantly reducing staff burden and allowing more streamlined procedures in fast-paced clinical environments.

“From time savings to safer outcomes, SMöLTAP is more than a positioning tool—it’s a procedure enhancer,” said Robert Cooper, CEO, SMöLTAP, Inc.

This research underscores SMöLTAP’s role in transforming pediatric lumbar puncture procedures by prioritizing patient safety, procedural efficiency, and provider usability.

SMöLTAP hit the market in 2023 and is now in over 60 hospitals across the United States and Canada, including:

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Banner Health's Diamond Children's Medical Center
Baxter Health
Boston Children’s Hospital
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
Children's of Alabama
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Essentia Health
Johns Hopkins - All Children's
Johns Hopkins - Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bayview
John Muir Health
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital
Logan Health
Loma Linda University Children's Health
Maine General Health
Massachusetts General
Mayo Clinic
Mission Children's Hospital
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Piedmont Athens Regional
Prisma Health
SickKids of Toronto
SouthCoast Health
St. Luke's Children’s
St. Mary’s
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Tséhootsooí Medical Center
UC Health
University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital
University of Virginia Children's Hospital
VCU Children’s
UTMB Health Children’s Hospital
Wolfson Children's Hospital
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation



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About SMöLTAP
The brainchild of two physicians, SMöLTAP is an innovative positioning stabilizer that secures an infant in a consistent position for a spinal tap. The solution is a compelling response to a frustrating need that can improve procedural stress to infant and team. Our mission is to increase first-stick success rates and improve the infant spinal tap procedure experience for all involved.
To learn more, visit www.smoltap.com
Follow us @smoltap #PediatricInnovation #PAS2025 #LumbarPuncture

Peter Lucas
Practice Marketing & Communications
+1 401-525-8113
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