Endoscopic Surgery Tools in Minnesota

Sonex Health develops ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgical solutions for musculoskeletal (MSK) procedures, focusing on carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release. The company's technology enables physicians to perform these procedures in office or procedure room settings using real-time ultrasound guidance, local anesthesia, and minimal incisions typically closed without sutures. Clinical evidence demonstrates faster patient recovery—return to normal activities within days rather than weeks—compared to traditional endoscopic approaches. Sonex Health operates the Institute of Advanced Ultrasound Guided Procedures, providing comprehensive professional education including self-guided web-based training, educational webinars, on-site cadaver training programs, and access to a state-of-the-art training laboratory. The company has completed patient enrollment in randomized controlled clinical trials (TUTOR study) and published real-world outcome data in peer-reviewed journals (Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, MISSION Registry). Products are designed on the principle of "refined simplicity," delivering elegant, effective solutions for hand and wrist surgical interventions. The company serves orthopedic surgeons, hand surgeons, and other physicians seeking minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open or endoscopic techniques. Sonex Health is positioned as both a medical device and education/training provider in the growing field of ultrasound-guided surgical procedures.

Scanlan International, Inc. is a family-owned manufacturer of precision handcrafted surgical instruments established in 1921 and based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Operating in their fourth generation, the company specializes in cardiovascular, microsurgical, minimally invasive, and temporary occlusion surgical instruments. Scanlan manufactures reusable and single-use surgical instruments including forceps, needle holders, scissors, clamps, retractors, suction instruments, and specialized tools for VATS/MIS procedures. The company is renowned for its proprietary products such as VASCU-STATT® bulldog clamps, Reliance Bulldog clamps, and the SCANTURIAN® minimally invasive surgical instrument line. All instruments are handcrafted using premium medical-grade stainless steel and titanium with advanced coatings for enhanced durability and performance. Scanlan offers comprehensive support services including instrument restoration, modification, cleaning and sterilization guidance, warranty coverage, and custom modifications. The company collaborates closely with surgeons across specialties to design and refine instruments for evolving procedural needs, serving hospital operating rooms and surgical teams globally.

IMRIS is a global leader in intraoperative MRI imaging solutions, specializing in fully integrated hybrid operating suites for image-guided neurosurgery. Founded in 2005 from research at Canada's National Research Council and headquartered in Chaska, Minnesota, IMRIS designs, manufactures, and deploys movable intraoperative MRI systems that enable real-time imaging during surgical procedures without patient relocation. The flagship product, the IMRIS Surgical Theatre, features a ceiling-mounted rail system that transports the MRI scanner between a diagnostic imaging room and adjacent operating rooms, bringing imaging directly to the surgical field. This innovation enhances precision in minimally invasive neurosurgical interventions and has benefited over 70,000 patients worldwide across more than 100 hospitals and cancer centers. The company holds 30 patents related to MRI-guided procedures and provides comprehensive services including customized surgical suite design, installation, clinical training, and ongoing support. IMRIS also offers image-guided surgical robotics and works in partnership with industry leaders to deliver integrated intraoperative imaging products.

Midwest Interventional Systems (MIS) is a vertically integrated, FDA-registered medical device contract manufacturer and design partner specializing in catheter systems and minimally invasive device components. The company designs and manufactures custom medical balloons (non-compliant, semi-compliant, and compliant variants) and medical extrusions (single-lumen to complex multilumen tubing) for interventional and endovascular applications. MIS serves 100+ minimally invasive device companies spanning neurovascular, atrial fibrillation, endoscopy, and other specialties. The company operates three core business units: Components (off-the-shelf and custom balloons and extrusions via online design tools), Design Services (concept-to-commercialization catheter engineering with a dedicated Co-Lab for rapid prototyping), and Manufacturing (pilot through full-scale contract manufacturing with in-house capabilities). Key offerings include IQueue (proprietary online extrusion designer for rapid custom ordering), Balloon Designer, Catheter Designer, and an online component store with 24-hour shipping and $50 minimum orders. MIS maintains ISO 14385:2016 certification and FDA registration. The company employs catheter engineers with 10+ decades of combined expertise and follows a proven 5-phase development methodology. Notable clients and testimonials reference work with neurovascular innovators, endoscope manufacturers, atrial fibrillation device companies, Mayo Clinic physician innovators, and leading MedTech firms.

Resolution Medical is a medical device development and manufacturing partner specializing in complex catheter delivery systems, active implantable devices, and component manufacturing. The company serves structural heart, cardiology, vascular, heart failure (VAD), neuromodulation, electrophysiology, and additional specialty markets including ENT, neurology, urology, oncology, endoscopy, and robotics. Core capabilities span the full product lifecycle: concept and design development, BioSimulation and testing with cardiovascular visualization in pressurized heart models, New Product Introduction (NPI) with design-for-manufacturing optimization, and end-to-end manufacturing from prototyping through commercial production. Resolution Medical operates specialized clean rooms, sterile packaging, labeling, and distribution infrastructure. In structural heart, the company develops implants and catheter delivery systems for mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valve interventions, as well as shunts, stents, closure devices, and embolic protection. Cardiology and vascular expertise includes complex delivery platforms, imaging and sensing catheter systems for peripheral, neurovascular, and cardiovascular applications, DVT/PE management, drug delivery, and flow management. Heart failure capabilities encompass VAD pump development, drivelines, and deployment systems. Neuromodulation focus includes Class III active implantables: implantable pulse generators (IPGs), leads, headers, adapters, and subassemblies for spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and peripheral nerve modulation. Electrophysiology specialization covers diagnostic mapping and energy delivery catheters with modalities including pulsed field ablation (PFA), RF energy, cryotherapy, and vapor therapy. The company maintains a quality management system per ISO 13485:2016 and operates under FDA guidelines. Resolution Medical was recently acquired by Resonetics (2025) and operates with 100+ engineers backed by 1,000+ combined years of experience.

Clarus Medical is an ISO 13485-certified manufacturer of small-diameter, high-quality medical endoscopes with over 30 years of design and manufacturing experience. The company specializes in precision endoscopic devices across four primary clinical domains: airway management (intubation scopes for anesthesia and airway control), spine surgery (minimally invasive surgical instruments), neuroendoscopy (neurosurgical visualization), and industrial inspection borescopes. Products are manufactured in an ISO 13485-certified cleanroom facility to ensure quality and sterility. Beyond direct medical device sales, Clarus Medical offers OEM and private label manufacturing partnerships with leading medical companies, positioning them as both a device innovator and contract manufacturer. The company focuses on minimizing patient trauma, reducing medical costs, and supporting life-saving clinical procedures through precision instrumentation.

Minnesota MedTec is an FDA-registered, ISO 13485:2003-certified contract manufacturer specializing in precision medical device components and subassemblies. The company provides comprehensive outsourcing services including extrusion, molding, tube processing, and product assembly for interventional cardiology, radiology, neuroradiology, urology, and gastroenterology applications. Core capabilities encompass custom medical tubing, balloons, braided delivery systems, catheters, and molded polymer components manufactured from medical-grade resins. The company serves as a full-service partner from concept through commercialization, offering clean-room assembly, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance expertise. Minnesota MedTec's manufacturing processes include precision extrusion, injection molding, ultrasound tip forming, multi-durometer shafts, and specialized tube processing techniques to support minimally invasive medical device production.

Torax Medical is a privately held medical device manufacturer specializing in minimally invasive surgical implants for gastrointestinal and pelvic floor disorders. The company's proprietary Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (MSA) technology uses interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores to restore sphincter function and barrier integrity. The flagship LINX® Reflux Management System is a laparoscopic magnetic implant that enhances lower esophageal sphincter function to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients seeking alternatives to continuous proton pump inhibitor therapy. Long-term clinical data demonstrates 99% of LINX patients report no regurgitation at 5 years, with 85% discontinuing daily PPI use. The company also offers the FENIX® Continence Restoration System, the only FDA-approved surgical implant for fecal incontinence. Both devices emphasize physiologic function preservation, allowing patients to belch and vomit naturally. Torax Medical provides comprehensive physician education, surgical training materials, and patient communication resources to support clinical adoption and patient outcomes in gastrointestinal surgical care.

Innovia Medical is a family of specialty surgical device companies with over 40 years of operating history, based in the USA (Minnesota, California) and the United Kingdom (Yorkshire, Wales). The company manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over 550 medical devices and surgical instruments across five primary specialties: aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, ear/nose/throat (ENT), ophthalmology, single-use surgical instruments, and sterile processing solutions. Key product lines include Tissu-Trans® fat transfer systems, Filtron® liposuction waste management, RhinoRocket® nasal packing for epistaxis, CORONET® corneal trephines with Cathedral Blade Technology, DTR Medical® single-use instruments (cervical biopsy punches, rotating instruments), and InstruSafe® instrument protection and transport trays for sterilization departments. The company operates manufacturing facilities in multiple global locations and supplies healthcare organizations and medical device distributors in over 70 countries. Products are designed with input from physicians and surgical professionals to address clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. Brand portfolio includes Summit Medical, Network Medical, Eagle Laboratories, DTR Medical, and established surgical brands (Shippert Aesthetics, EYETEC, Lacrimedics, DeVibliss). The company emphasizes rigorous quality control, precision manufacturing (including handmade blade production using Japanese steel), and sustainable practices with a net-zero carbon commitment by 2040.

Elucent Medical develops the EnVisio® System, a real-time 3D surgical guidance platform incorporating In-Body Spatial Intelligence™ technology. The system transforms standard surgical instruments into smart tools by attaching miniaturized spatial tracking components (SmartSensor™, SmartClip®, SmartSurface™) that provide continuous three-dimensional localization of target tissue during procedures. The EnVisio platform delivers 5x greater depth visualization compared to traditional localization methods, enabling surgeons to precisely locate and target lesions, tumors, and other anatomical targets with enhanced accuracy. The technology integrates seamlessly with existing surgical instruments and operating room workflows, minimizing tool transfer time and maintaining uninterrupted visibility throughout procedures. Key clinical applications include tumor localization, tissue resection guidance, and complex surgical navigation. The system has been adopted by major health systems including Prisma Health, UCLA Health, and Novant Hill. Elucent's platform emphasizes real-time spatial awareness, intuitive user interface, and compatibility with cardiac implants and other metallic devices. The company positions its technology as a modernization of surgical precision guidance, reducing the need for additional verification methods during procedures.

Surmodics, Inc. is a specialized medical device company focused on three core business segments: interventional endovascular products, performance coatings for intravascular medical devices, and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) chemical components. The company is a global leader in customized hydrophilic, hemocompatible, and drug-delivery surface coatings applied to complex intravascular devices for interventional cardiology, neurovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures. Surmodics manufactures and markets breakthrough endovascular thrombectomy and vascular access platforms, including the Pounce™ Thrombectomy Platform (for arterial and venous thrombi in vessels 2–16mm diameter range), Pounce™ Venous Thrombectomy System, and Sublime™ Radial Access Platform for radial-to-peripheral interventions. The company also provides Preside™ Hydrophilic Coatings for neuro, coronary, and peripheral device applications. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), Surmodics offers end-to-end development and scalable manufacturing services for complex medical devices. In the IVD space, Surmodics supplies high-performance chemical components for immunoassay tests and microarray diagnostics, enabling signal amplification and noise reduction in diagnostic platforms. The company operates under FDA regulation, with products restricted to physician sale and use. Surmodics serves interventional radiologists, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and diagnostic test manufacturers globally.

Cardio Flow, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer specializing in orbital atherectomy systems for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The company's flagship product, FreedomFlow, is a modern atherectomy platform featuring diamond-coated rotating spheres designed to efficiently treat complex vascular lesions across a wide range of vessel diameters (2 mm to 8 mm). The platform offers multiple catheter configurations (5 Fr and 6 Fr variants with 3- or 5-sphere driveshafts), adjustable rotational speeds (50K–76K RPM), and single-device versatility for treating multiple blockages and vessel types from ankle to hip. FreedomFlow is designed for use in hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based interventional labs, emphasizing workflow optimization, reduced capital costs, minimal inventory requirements, and rapid physician adoption with a shallow learning curve.