ZipLine Medical wants to close up surgical wounds without stitches or staples

To prevent the scarring and discomfort of stitches and staples, a medical device company has created what it thinks is a quicker, simpler and more desirable way to close small surgical wounds. ZipLine Medical‘s product uses two sticky strips and a series of ratcheted plastic ties that connect them. The strips are placed on either […]

By Deanna Pogorelc on January 21, 2014

To prevent the scarring and discomfort of stitches and staples, a medical device company has created what it thinks is a quicker, simpler and more desirable way to close small surgical wounds.

ZipLine Medical‘s product uses two sticky strips and a series of ratcheted plastic ties that connect them. The strips are placed on either side of a surgical incision after the procedure is completed. Then the straps are tightened to close the incision, and a protective bandage is placed over the top.

Whereas stitching and stapling puts stress on points where the skin is punctured, this design distributes stress more evenly and provides uniform closure across the incision, the company says. It doesn’t puncture the skin and could be applied by someone other than a skilled surgeon.

ZipLine Medical began marketing its line of Zip devices this summer and just closed on a $4.3 million Series C from RA Capital Management LLC, XSeed Capital and Claremont Creek Ventures.

The Zip, which is being sold in 8 cm and 15 cm lengths, is designed to withstand normal activities (like moving, showering, etc.) and can be worn for up to two weeks, according to the company. Then, instead of returning to the doctor to have stitches or staples removed, the patient can peel it off of their skin. Xconomy reported that the 8 cm version costs $60.

Last month, ZipLine Medical presented preliminary data from a prospective clinical study that compared the device to traditional stitches in skin cancer excisions. According to the company, the data suggests that the device reduced the time it took to close a wound by 57 percent and led to similar cosmetic outcomes as stitches.

ZipLine Medical launched the class 1 exempt medical device in June with an initial focus on plastic surgery, cardiology and orthopedic markets. It will use the new round of funding to expand sales and marketing.

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The Campbell, Calif., company was founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneur Dr. Amir Belson, who also co-founded Neoguide Systems. That company made a minimally invasive colonoscopy scope and sold its assets and IP to Intuitive Surgical in 2009.

[Image credit: ZipLine Medical]