This pioneering, female-owned medical device company’s mission is to transform airway management through its breakthrough product, the Horseshoe™ that will improve patient safety, enhance clinical workflows, and save lives.
Airway management is critical to emergency and intensive medical care, ensuring patients receive the oxygen they need to survive and recover. However the standard methods of securing breathing tubes—primarily adhesive tape and rudimentary stabilization devices—have remained mostly unchanged for decades. These outdated methods can lead to serious complications, including unintended extubation (the accidental removal of a breathing tube), facial pressure injuries, and inadequate oral care.
Surgicure Technologies, a pioneering, female-owned medical device company with a mission is to transform airway management. With the recent closure of a $1.785 million seed funding round, the company is poised to bring its innovative product, the Horseshoe™, to market. This patented device will improve patient safety, enhance clinical workflows, and save patients’ lives.
The Visionary Behind Surgicure Technologies
At the heart of Surgicure Technologies is Irena King, a dedicated and passionate innovator focused on improving patient care through advanced medical solutions. With a background in biomedical engineering and respiratory therapy, King recognized the critical flaws in traditional airway management methods early in her career.
Her experience working alongside frontline healthcare professionals inspired her to develop the Horseshoe™, a device that directly addresses the challenges of securing breathing tubes safely and effectively.
King has not only pioneered a groundbreaking technology, but she also broke barriers in the traditional male-dominated medical device field. Her leadership and commitment to patient safety continue to drive Surgicure’s mission forward, ensuring that the Horseshoe™ becomes a standard of care in hospitals worldwide.
The Problem: Unreliable and Risky Airway Securing Methods
Endotracheal (ET) tubes are used in a variety of medical situations, including critical care, emergency trauma, surgeries, and transport scenarios. These tubes ensure that patients—many of whom are unconscious, undergoing surgery, or suffering from respiratory failure—can receive adequate oxygen.
Adhesive tape or makeshift securing devices have been used to secure these tubes—which are far from optimal. Studies show that up to 30% of preventable deaths in intubated patients result from complications associated with inadequate tube securement.
If a breathing tube becomes loose or dislodged, the patient may experience brain damage due to the lack of oxygen, cardiac arrest, or even death. Plus, tape-based methods often cause painful facial injuries, and hinder effective oral hygiene practices, increasing the risk of infections and pneumonia.
The Solution: Surgicure Technologies’ Horseshoe™ Device
The Horseshoe™ is a revolutionary airway management device that significantly improves upon traditional ET tube securement. Originally developed by military respiratory therapists and later refined by Surgicure Technologies’ founder, Irena King, the device offers a reliable, patient-specific approach to securing breathing tubes.
The Horseshoe™ works by stabilizing the ET tube with a secure, adjustable mechanism that minimizes movement and dislodgment. Unlike tape-based solutions, this device is designed to distribute pressure evenly, preventing the formation of facial sores and pressure ulcers, which are common in patients with prolonged intubation. Moreover, it facilitates better oral care, reducing the risk of infection-related complications.
Key Benefits of the Horseshoe™
- Enhanced Tube Stability – By providing a secure and adjustable fit, the Horseshoe™ minimizes the risk of accidental extubation, ensuring that patients maintain a stable airway.
- Reduced Facial Pressure Injuries – The device eliminates the need for adhesive tape, which can cause painful skin irritation, pressure ulcers, and breakdown, particularly in burn and trauma patients.
- Improved Oral Care – Unlike traditional methods that restrict access to the mouth, the Horseshoe™ allows healthcare providers to perform oral hygiene more effectively, reducing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
- Cost Savings and Efficiency – By reducing complications such as unintended extubation and hospital-acquired infections, the device can lower healthcare costs associated with extended ICU stays and additional treatments.
- Versatility Across Medical Settings – The Horseshoe™ is designed for use in various critical care scenarios, including emergency rooms, trauma centers, ICUs, and during patient transport or evacuation situations.
Funding to Bring Innovation to Patients
Surgicure Technologies recently secured $1.785 million in seed funding, with major backing from Launchpad Venture Group and contributions from investors such as Gurtin Ventures, BakerBridge Capital, TiE Angels, and others. This investment will accelerate the commercialization of the Horseshoe™, ensuring that more hospitals and healthcare providers can access this life-saving innovation.
“This investment marks a transformative moment for Surgicure Technologies,” said Irena King, CEO and Founder of Surgicure. “The industry is poised for disruption as the current practices for securing life-sustaining breathing tubes often rely on flimsy tape, leading to potential complications such as cardiac arrest, brain damage, and preventable deaths. Our breakthrough solution is designed to tackle these challenges head-on, driving substantial improvements in patient outcomes.”
A New Standard in Airway Management
Surgicure Technologies is not just improving airway management, it is setting a new standard of care with a strong commitment to patient safety, efficiency, and innovation. The company is ensuring that healthcare providers have access to cutting-edge tools that enhance their ability to save lives.
“At Launchpad Venture Group, we are thrilled to lead Surgicure’s oversubscribed Series Seed round and support their efforts to bring innovative, patient-specific surgical solutions to market,” said Ian Levine, Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group. “Surgicure’s technology addresses critical unmet medical needs, including preventing unintended and accidental extubations—a serious and preventable cause of complications and mortality. We believe Surgicure has the potential to set a new standard of care, and we are excited to partner with their talented team to help make that vision a reality.”
Looking Ahead
With its innovative approach to airway management, Surgicure Technologies is positioned for a significant impact on the healthcare industry. The Horseshoe™ has the potential to prevent life-threatening complications, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes.
As the company moves forward with commercialization, patients, and clinicians alike stand to benefit from this transformative advancement in airway management.
