Heeley sheds light on medical procedures

Alan Heeley, managing director of Heeley Surgical, which employs four people, has developed a retractor using fibre optic technology to remove the need for a separate light source during surgery. The self-illuminated hand-held surgical retractor, which holds back tissue, can be used in breast, plastic and general surgery.

The product will be launched in early April and Heeley Surgical said it has already attracted “significant interest” from surgeons in the NHS, private health providers and hospitals in the Middle East.

Experts from Creative Sheffield, part of Sheffield City Council, have helped Heeley Surgical to bring the retractor to market.

Heeley Surgical’s new retractor is battery-operated and has an in-built LED light. This provides the light needed for up to four hours. The retractor also is single use and disposable. Mr Heeley said: “It can potentially cut waiting times for patients and bring savings for the NHS. Many medical procedures could benefit with a worldwide market in excess of 20m.

“I still get a buzz out of doing what I do after almost 50 years in the trade. That comes from knowing that products I’ve designed are helping surgeons improve the health and wellbeing of patients.”

Mr Heeley himself was saved from paralysis by surgeons earlier in his life. He started the surgical instrument-making business back in 1977 along with wife Carol but was forced to sell up in 1999 when he needed to have three discs in his neck replaced – the result of a car accident years beforehand.

In 2008, the family firm was resurrected from Thorncliffe Business Park, Chapeltown. The firm, which is currently seeing its offices expanded, declined to disclose turnover.