The Chang Robotics Fund Invests in Suture Shield to Advance Robotic Surgery Safety

Suture Shield is redefining surgical precision, and the Chang Robotics Fund is proud to back their mission to make robotic surgery safer, faster, and more efficient.

Suture Shield is making robotic surgery procedures safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective. During robotic-assisted surgeries, a common but serious challenge is needle loss, which occurs in roughly 3% of procedures and can take an average of 35 minutes of operating room time to locate. This not only delays procedures but also increases costs and the risk of complications. 

Suture Shield’s patented technology addresses these challenges head-on. By eliminating the risk of needle loss and removing the need for an assistant (saving around $750 per procedure), Suture Shield helps hospitals reduce costs while improving surgical precision and patient outcomes. 

The company is built on the experience of Dr. Steven Bowers, an accomplished robotic surgeon who identified the problem firsthand and developed a solution through years of practice. His expertise led to the design and patenting of Suture Shield’s unique technology, which allows surgeons to maintain their preferred needles while preventing loss. Currently, Suture Shield is the only company offering such a solution that allows surgeons to use their preferred needles as well. 

The Chang Robotics Fund is proud of our strategic investment in Suture Shield, as they exemplify the kind of founder-led, high-impact innovation we seek. Our decision was solidified by the company's winning performance at the 2025 Jacksonville Venture Competition (“JVC”) and the executive team's deep-rooted ties to premier healthcare institutions, including the Mayo Clinic. Suture Shield is not just an incremental improvement; it is a technology platform poised to redefine surgical precision. We are thrilled to back their mission to make robotic surgery safer, faster, and more efficient for hospitals and patients alike. 

Suture Shield exemplifies the kind of capital-efficient innovation that defines the Chang Robotics Fund. This being technology that delivers real and measurable impact. By combining real-world clinical expertise with engineering discipline, Suture Shield represents the type of scalable, technically rigorous company that defines the Fund’s investment philosophy. 

The capital from the Chang Robotics Fund will enable Suture Shield to manufacture product, conduct FDA registration testing, and launch initial clinical evaluation cases at leading robotic surgery centers. The data collected from these evaluations will serve as critical validation to support strategic M&A discussions within the medical device industry. 

Dr. Steven Bowers - Inventor and Co-Founder

“I determined early on in my robotic surgery experience that surgeons needed a better way to manage needles. I began using prototypes of Suture Shield and believe the device will make robotic surgery better for surgeons and patients alike.”— Dr. Steven Bowers, Inventor and Co-founder of Suture Shield

It’s not too late to join the Fund and support the innovative companies we’re investing in. To get in contact, fill out the contact form.

To learn more about Suture Shield, visit www.suture-shield.com and follow Suture Shield on LinkedIn.