Days before Labor Day weekend, Kallisio received an unexpected email from head and neck cancer patient Gia S.
Facing an aggressive diagnosis and learning more about the potential side effects of radiation, Gia did what many patients do: searched for answers. Her goal was simple but critical, protect her teeth and oral health during treatment. That search led her to Kallisio’s stentra™ system, so she reached out directly.
“I had even rescheduled my CT simulation so my dentist could upload a scan,” Gia shared. “But I didn’t realize stentra needed to be prescribed through my treating physician.”
With the clock ticking, Kallisio CEO Rajan Patel stepped in personally, offering to connect directly with Gia’s care team to determine whether stentra could be integrated without delaying treatment.
72 Hours. A Holiday Weekend. Zero Margin for Delay.
Gia’s radiation oncologist was understandably concerned about timing. Her cancer was aggressive, and treatment could not wait.
What once would have been impossible was made achievable through automation, validated workflows, and advanced 3D printing: an FDA-cleared, patient-specific oral immobilization device engineered, verified, manufactured, and delivered in just 72 hours.
Despite the approaching holiday weekend, collaboration moved swiftly. Gia’s physician agreed to incorporate stentra into the treatment plan, and her dentist expedited the intraoral optical scan.
“A special thank you to Dr. H. for facilitating the imaging process and getting everything over to Kallisio so quickly.”
Once the files were securely uploaded to Kallisio, stentra was custom 3D printed to precisely match Gia’s anatomy and position her tongue safely out of the radiation field. Three days later, the device arrived, ready for CT simulation.
From First Use to First Success
“I’m back home and happy to share that the stent placement went wonderfully during my CT simulation,” Gia reported. “Thank you to Dr. M. for being willing to incorporate this new appliance into my therapy plan. I feel honored to be your first patient using it, and hope many more will follow.”
The Follow-Up That Matters Most
As treatment progressed, Gia checked back in with encouraging news.
“The staff is surprised by how many oral issues I don’t have.”
Stentra fit comfortably, with no reported tooth pain, gum irritation, or oral thrush during treatment. Gia also provided thoughtful patient feedback, suggesting additional support for dry mouth during device insertion to further enhance the experience.
“Thank you to Rajan at Kallisio for your dedicated expertise, your urgency, and for keeping your promise of a 72-hour turnaround,” Gia wrote. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who collaborated to make this happen, and I truly hope many more patients benefit from this device.”
We continue to keep Gia in our thoughts and wish her strength and healing as she completes treatment and recovery.
