Winter Innovations

Winter Innovations is a medical device company specializing in orthopedic surgery solutions. The company was founded in 2018 by Lia Winter and Preston Dishner, who were then biomedical engineering students at the University of Tennessee. The inspiration for the company came from Lia Winter's experience as an undergraduate research assistant, where she observed the challenges surgeons faced with existing suture passing and management techniques during orthopedic procedures.

The company's flagship product is the Easy-Whip®, a patented two-part needle and suturing system designed to improve the efficiency and consistency of the whip-stitching process in orthopedic reconstruction surgeries, such as ACL reconstruction. This system allows for the creation of stronger and more consistent whip-stitches in less time compared to traditional methods. The Easy-Whip® device has received FDA clearance, marking a significant milestone for the company. Winter Innovations operates in the medical device market, targeting orthopedic surgeons and healthcare facilities. Its business model revolves around the sale of its proprietary surgical devices. The company has received multiple accolades, including winning the 2018 "Newcomer of the Year" award at the Startup Day pitch competition in Knoxville and securing a $25,000 grant.

Keywords: orthopedic surgery, medical devices, suture fixation, surgical tools, ACL reconstruction, whip-stitching, sports medicine, medical technology, surgical equipment, graft preparation