Unique medtech start-up seeks investment
Medical stitching has not changed since the times of Ancient Egypt. The manual process is slow and puts millions of healthcare practitioners around the world at risk of HIV, Hepatitis B and C through accidental puncturing of the skin.
Sutrue has invented an automated device that will bring suturing into the 21st century. It encloses the needle in a cartridge, which can be safely disposed of with no risk; and removes the reliance on the skill of individual surgeons. The device revolutionises the process itself, while keeping to industry standard-needles that practitioners are used to.
This will help to drastically reduce the number of injuries that occur globally to healthcare professionals – a need that is already reflected in existing UK, EU and US legislation requiring employers to adopt needle-safe technology where it exists. Sutrue is the only device that allows clinicians to use the sharp suture needles they prefer for most wound closures. The patented mechanism also has an Endoscopic version, which has been successfully tested on a Zeus medical robot by Mr Richard Trimlett at Royal Brompton Hospital.
The start-up demonstrates how 3D-printing can revolutionise prototyping of medical devices – inventor Alex Berry used 3D metal printing technologies provided by GE Additive to create the mechanism. Berry is now considered a thought leader in the field of 3D printing, having presented for GE Additive in New York, the Santa Clara IdTechEx Exhibition in California, the Hamlyn Symposium in London, and Cannes Lions in Nice. Sutrue will be exploring medical robotics in a talk at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Industry Showcase on 12th March 2019, and exhibiting at the Med-Tech Innovation Expo on 15-16th May.
The devices are now advanced prototypes ready to go through regulation. Sutrue has engaged with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), whose team of experts will commence the design-to-manufacture process. Trials are to follow, with 5 NHS hospital groups already keen to participate. MD Stephen Squire is a Chartered Engineer in medical technology and an expert in product regulation with 27 years’ experience in the NHS.
The device’s veterinary version is also close to commercialisation, with Sutrue having engaged with an international veterinary distributor.
To date, Sutrue has received investment from a range of private and public investors, including the UK's NHS Innovation Centre. It is also actively seeking and applying for grants with the help of Innovate UK. To take their revolutionary devices to market, the company are currently fundraising through the Envestry platform. If you’d like any further information, please email nia@sutrue.com