Podiatry Today ranks EasyWhip as one of “Top 10 Innovations in Podiatry”
More good news for the team at Winter Innovations LLC.
Each year, Podiatry Today hears from leaders in the world of foot and ankle medicine and surgery about important developments and significant strides being made in the field. That’s results in a list of the “Top 10 Innovations in Podiatry” that could have an impact on patients and practices. The latest rankings, in no particular order, include the Knoxville-based start-up in that group.
Here’s what the award-winning publication that emphasizes informative clinical features and columns as well as practice management articles says about the company and its EasyWhipTM medical device.
EasyWhip Suture uses a patented two-part needle design to simplify and standardize suture techniques for tendon and ligament reconstruction, according to the company website. Citing speed and quality of stitching as crucial to successful repair, Winter Innovations says EasyWhip is the first suture needle designed to provide both of these elements.
Surgeons can perform multiple stitch techniques with EasyWhip, including a traditional whip stitch, a proprietary WhipLock stitch (a combination of a whip stitch and a Krackow stitch), or custom patterns individualized to the needs of a case. Data from Winter Innovations found that the product led to 31 percent faster stitching and fewer premature failures than conventional needles.
Danielle N. Butto, DPM, FACFAS, who has over a year of experience with the product, says that in her experience, the detaching and reattaching of the suture loop allows for locking and more efficient whip stitching without requiring tendon detachment.
“Due to the design of the product, I find half as many needle passes are necessary to create a locking stitch compared to a Krackow method,” says Dr. Butto, who practices in Avon, CT. “This stitch technique is not possible with any other needle products, and the construct provides superior strength.”
The team at Winter Innovations – Lia Winter and Preston Dishner – was first runner-up in the PYA-sponsored “Ballard Innovation Award” (see teknovation.biz article here).
