RetractOrtho’s mission is to develop and introduce innovative retractor systems that simplify surgery for the physician and staff, so they can focus on delivering the best possible care for their patients.
Opportunity
RetractOrtho, Inc. was established to create a more efficient workflow to reduce and repair bone fractures, challenging the widespread use of outdated steel surgical retractors. RetractOrtho saw an opportunity to eliminate the need for multiple operators, manual retraction and repeated retractor removal and insertion.
Innovation
RetractOrtho designed the first self-retaining, radiolucent, single-patient-use retractor systems. The company used 3D printing technology to rapidly test new retractor system prototypes in a “real world” environment. RetractOrtho revolutionized an important routine surgical process that has been lacking innovation: surgical retraction.
Efficiency
The result is increased efficiency for physicians and their staff and more rapid surgical suite turnover. RetractOrtho systems are also efficiently manufactured to minimize cost to hospitals and surgery centers.
Leadership Team
Dr. Alidad Ghiassi
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Ghiassi is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of RetractOrtho. He is an academic orthopedic hand surgeon and medical entrepreneur in Los Angeles. He began his career at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center in 1999. In 2008, he became Chief of the Hand Surgery Service at USC-LAC County Medical Center and Co-Director of the Joseph H. Boyes Hand Fellowship program. Dr. Ghiassi has authored over 65 peer-reviewed articles and spoken at numerous local and national conferences. He is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of HIA Technologies, serves on advisory boards of VapoCool Jet Inc. and E-Merge Capital Partners, and continues to treat patients in his private practice in Brentwood, California.
Brad Klos
President & Co-Founder
Brad currently serves as the President and CEO of Cross Vascular, Boa Medical and Vector Vascular. He is also the Managing Partner at Evolve Medtech Partners, a medical device incubator and development company. Previously, he was the President and CEO of Traverse Vascular which was acquired by Teleflex and co-founder of SinglePass Transseptal with was acquired by Circa Scientific. Brad has 9 issued patents and other patents pending in various medical device specialties. BA in International Relations and an MBA in International Business from the University of San Diego.
Chris Crisman
Advisor
Chris joined RetractOrtho in early 2023 to support the US launch of its first commercial product line. He brings significant medical device sales, marketing and R&D experience from prior leadership roles at Guidant, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Angiodynamics and Axogen. Chris earned a BS in business at the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Management.
Steven Howard
Vice President, R&D
Steven has led Research and Development at RetractOrtho since its inception. He is a mechanical engineering professional with over 30 years of medical device experience developing novel products, processes, and equipment at companies including: REVA Medical, InSound Medical, Vessix Vascular, Spinal Elements, Sybron Dental Specialties and Endotec, Inc. He has 16 issued and 7 pending patents. Steven earned his BSME at the University of Pennsylvania.
Derek Kay
Business & Operations Manager
Derek joined RetractOrtho in 2022 to lead operations and logistics. He is experienced in scaling a variety of medical devices from concept to full market commercialization, most recently with Evolve Medtech Partners and Acutus Medical, Inc. Derek earned his BA at the University of Arizona.
Our Partners
Evolve Medtech Partners
Evolve Medtech Partners is a medical device development company and discovery engine. They partner with companies, inventors, physicians and investors to quickly and efficiently bring ideas from conception to licensing, acquisition or commercialization. Early stage medical device companies are launched, co-located and supported from the Evolve facility.
Vital Hospital Systems
Since 1979, VHS has been a leading distributor of medical supplies in the US market. The company initially focused on custom surgical packs and surgical microscopes, but quickly grew to take on new, high-quality manufacturers as they saw a growing demand for customer-focused medical distribution.
E-merge Capital Partners
E-merge Capital Partners is a venture capital and growth equity firm dedicated to investing in innovative, early-stage medical device companies and technologies to improve quality of life.
Our Partners
Evolve Medtech Partners
Evolve Medtech Partners is a medical device development company and discovery engine. They partner with companies, inventors, physicians and investors to quickly and efficiently bring ideas from conception to licensing, acquisition or commercialization. Early stage medical device companies are launched, co-located and supported from the Evolve facility.
Pathway Medtech
Pathway Medtech has an experienced team that provides contract manufacturing and packaging for E-merge portfolio companies. The company is ISO 13485:2016 certified and FDA registered. Pathway is located in the city of Santee in the Eastern region of San Diego County, close to Evolve Medtech.
E-merge Capital Partners
E-merge Capital Partners is a venture capital and growth equity firm dedicated to investing in innovative, early-stage medical device companies and technologies to improve quality of life.
