Arizona WearTech Center member receives new patent

ReSuture Inc., an Arizona-based startup developing anatomical models to expedite adoption of life-saving therapies, has recently received a patent for its synthetic vascular tissue. ReSuture's innovative technology delivers the most accurate procedural experience outside the operating room - allowing surgeons to perfect necessary skills currently learned on-the-job. This newly approved patent on technology developed in Arizona will improve perioperative care and surgical accessibility, reduce the economic impact of complications and operative training, and streamline medical device sales and development.

ReSuture’s partnerships across Arizona help it to provide lifelike physical simulations, innovative sensor technology and advanced data analysis to enhance medical device performance and surgical skill. Through public-private collaborations with the WearTech Applied Research Center and researchers at Arizona State University, ReSuture is building technology that will integrate novel sensors and robust data analysis to empower both surgeons and medical device manufacturers to deliver exceptional care.

“Our first-issued patent protects our technology and prioritizes patient safety,” says Hannah Eherenfeldt, co-founder and chief executive officer of ReSuture. “By recreating specific diseases and anatomy seen in the operating room in a synthetic environment, we ensure that new technologies remain impactful in an ever-changing medical landscape. ReSuture’s partnerships with Arizona State University’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, and innovators from Arizona WearTech Center, are an exciting part of ReSuture’s future, as we build upon this success and advance our mission to make surgery safer.”

ReSuture's technology uses machine learning to evaluate surgical proficiency during simulations, offering insights into both surgeon performance and equipment functionality. Access to this data is critical for surgeons and medical students as it enhances surgical safety by enabling skill refinement and fostering better understanding of optimal practices. Accurate sensors that can track and quantify operative movement and pressure have significant commercial potential to medical research institutions, hospitals, and surgical robotic companies.

The integration of machine learning into simulation-based training not only provides crucial feedback for surgeons to refine their techniques but also lays the groundwork for standardized assessments across the medical field. This breakthrough aligns with the larger narrative of advancing patient safety by ensuring that practitioners are not just adequately trained but continually guided by data-driven insights, ushering in an era of precision and proficiency in surgical practice.

ReSuture’s involvement with the WearTech Center epitomizes the transformative force of collaborative innovation in advancing medical technology. Its technological developments embody the Center’s applied research model that champions the strategic synergy between the public and private sectors. This approach seamlessly navigates the entire spectrum of product evolution, from ideation and project formation to rigorous validation and critical commercialization phases. What distinguishes this collaboration is its holistic nature – it doesn't merely expedite the process; it intricately weaves diverse expertise from academia and industry, fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas materialize into impactful realities, reshaping the medical landscape with a fusion of academic rigor and market-driven practicality.

“The WearTech Center enables innovations by connecting entrepreneurs to research teams and industry leaders that accelerate the commercialization process guiding projects through idea generation, project formation and validation,” says Wes Gullett, operations director of Applied Research Centers. “We are proud to create a team that prioritizes the health and wellness of Arizonans by accelerating innovative and life-changing technologies.”

Information on WearTech Center projects and more is available at azweartech.org. To learn more about the Partnership for Economic Innovation and its initiatives, visit azpei.org.