Hegenberger Medical

What Hegenberger Medical does

Hegenberger Medical is a UK-registered (Milton Park, Abingdon) healthcare company founded in 2015 by Danish Certified Nurse Midwife Malene Hegenberger to commercialize the Hegenberger Retractor, a single-use, self-retaining vaginal retractor made from smooth medical-grade plastic (35g) for postnatal suturing of perineal trauma. The device employs a self-locking mechanism that delivers hands-free retraction, providing the clinician with an optimal view of tears and reducing musculoskeletal strain; it is the first obstetric device brought to market by a midwife in nearly 200 years and was developed over four years across 88 prototypes. The product portfolio also includes maternity consumables (cord ring, amniotic membrane perforator, abdominal and head measurers, gynae protection sheet, umbilical cord clamp, ultrasound gels) and a Hegenberger Training Pillow for clinical education.

The company monetizes primarily through hardware sales of the single-use retractor to hospital maternity units, complemented by training and certification services delivered via the Hegenberger Institute e-learning platform and the Hegenberger mobile app. Go-to-market is a global distributor model with 30+ exclusive regional partners across 46+ countries (14 European, 7 Asia/Middle East, 2 Australasian, 5 North American, 2 South American), supplemented by a directly owned US entity (Hegenberger Medical LLC, New York, launched August 2023) for North American market entry. Over 700 clinicians have been certified through free online CPD-accredited training sessions led by the founder. Since 2021 the company has operated as part of MedCo, a specialist medical equipment supplier providing growth resources; key endorsements include the Danish Design Award 2020, Index Award 2021 finalist status, CNN and BBC Women's Hour features, and a Harvard Medical School product review in OBG Management (2023).

Name

Hegenberger Medical

Legal name

Hegenberger Medical Ltd

Website

https://hegenbergermedical.com/testimonials/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hegenberger Medical is a UK healthcare company that develops and distributes the Hegenberger Retractor, a single-use self-retaining vaginal retractor for postnatal suturing, sold globally through exclusive medical device distributors and direct sales to hospital maternity units.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Obstetric Medical Devices

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047)

akta.pro primary industry

Labor & Delivery / Obstetric Hospitalist (OB Hospitalist) Services (HLAKAJAK)

Keywords

• Obstetric medical devices
• Postnatal suturing equipment
• Vaginal retractor devices
• Maternity care products
• Single-use surgical instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Milton Park, Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hegenberger Retractor Sales: Sale of the Hegenberger Retractor device and related obstetric products (training pillow, cord ring, amniotic membrane perforator, etc.) to hospitals, maternity units, and through distributor networks globally. The device is sold as a single-use medical device.
2. Training and Certification Services: Free online training sessions for clinicians resulting in CPD certification. Paid training programs for suturing technique education presented by Malene Hegenberger. The Modern Midwife partnership course for expectant mothers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hegenberger Medical designs, manufactures, and sells the Hegenberger Retractor — a single-use, self-retaining vaginal retractor made from smooth medical-grade plastic for use during postnatal perineal suturing. The company complements the core retractor with a portfolio of obstetric consumables (cord rings, amniotic membrane perforators, ultrasound gels, measuring tapes, fluid collection sheets) and digital training platforms (Hegenberger Institute e-learning and Hegenberger mobile App) for clinician certification and patient education.

Product overview

Hegenberger Medical offers a portfolio of maternal health medical devices centered around the Hegenberger Retractor — a self-retaining vaginal retractor for postnatal suturing. The core product is complemented by a suite of maternity-related consumables (cord rings, amniotic membrane perforators, measuring tapes, umbilical cord clamps, ultrasound gels, and fluid collection sheets). Supporting the device portfolio are two digital platforms: the Hegenberger Institute e-learning platform (offering clinician certification and maternal education courses) and the Hegenberger App (mobile-based retractor training). The company positions itself as a complete solution provider for pre- and post-natal care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hegenberger Retractor: Revolutionary self-retaining vaginal retractor for postnatal suturing, designed to improve visibility and clinician ergonomics during perineal repair procedures.
• Hegenberger Institute
• Hegenberger App

Products and services

• Hegenberger Retractor A self-retaining, single-use vaginal retractor made from smooth medical-grade plastic (35g) with a self-locking mechanism, designed to optimise visibility and ergonomics during postnatal perineal suturing. Sold to hospitals, maternity units, and clinician customers globally through a distributor network.
• Hegenberger Institute An e-learning platform providing CPD-certified suturing technique training for clinicians and educational courses for expectant mothers on pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care.
• Hegenberger App Mobile application providing training on the Hegenberger Retractor, accessible on phones and tablets via Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of midwives were extremely positive or somewhat positive about the Hegenberger Retractor
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AMT SurgicalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2022AMT Surgical appointed as strategic Enterprise Partner and exclusive distribution partner of the Hegenberger Retractor in Canada. AMT Surgical is a leading medical distributor with 25+ years clinical experience, conducting business with 400+ hospitals in Canada.
• AviquímicacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2022Aviquímica appointed as strategic Enterprise Partner and exclusive distribution partner of the Hegenberger Retractor in Portugal. Leading company in distribution of medical, surgical, hygiene, patient comfort and safety products with 50+ years providing innovative healthcare solutions.
• The Modern MidwifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with The Modern Midwife (Marie Louise) to provide exclusive on-demand courses for expectant mothers covering pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care. Content includes antenatal education, hypnobirthing, and perineal health education.
• Wing PlastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWing Plast AB based in Smålandstenar, Sweden serves as manufacturer and distributor for Sweden. ISO 14001:2015 certified manufacturer of the Hegenberger Retractor.
• EndotechminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEndotech handles orders for delivery to Norway through their website www.endotech.no.
• Kebomed A/ScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Denmark (except products covered by Hegenberger Medical directly).
• Cetro Medical ABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Sweden.
• Medero AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Norway.
• Kimal PLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for United Kingdom.
• Medical Dynamics B.V.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Netherlands.
• O'Leary MedicalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Ireland.
• BenetecminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Belgium.
• Laubscher & Co. AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Switzerland.
• S. A. B. ImpexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Czech Republic.
• Palex MedicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Spain.
• Praesidia Medical DevicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Italy.
• P. J. Dahlhausen & Co. GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Germany.
• Rocket MedicalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand.
• Lakes Medical InnovationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor covering Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin.
• TJ SurgicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor covering Nevada and California.
• Legacy MedicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor covering Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maine, Virginia.
• MedED Solutions LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS distributor covering South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Georgia.
• Innova MedicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Panama.
• Elcom S.A.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Costa Rica.
• Al Sadira Medical Equipment Trading LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for UAE.
• INEX Innovate Pte LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Singapore.
• Imperial Surgical CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for India.
• MC MedicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Japan.
• Global Medical SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Kuwait and Bahrain.
• Atrium Medical Care WLLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Qatar.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CooperSurgical (CooperCompanies): CooperSurgical is a major women's health medical device company with a portfolio spanning obstetrics, gynecology, fertility, and surgical devices. It is a broad incumbent in women's health medical devices and competes in overlapping OB/GYN surgical instrument categories, though at much greater scale and broader scope than Hegenberger.
• Applied Medical: Broad-line medical device manufacturer with a strong portfolio of surgical retractors, access devices, and disposables across multiple surgical specialties. Applied Medical is a broad incumbent in the surgical retractor space that could move into single-use OB/GYN retraction if the category matures.
• ConMed: Global medical device company with significant general surgery and OB/GYN portfolios, including surgical instruments and disposables. A broad incumbent competitor in surgical and OB/GYN devices, though with a much wider product portfolio than Hegenberger.
• Integra LifeSciences: Diversified medical technology company with surgical instruments and retractors, including specialty surgical instruments. Integra is a broad incumbent in specialty surgical instrumentation, with a much broader portfolio and global scale than Hegenberger.

Direct peers

• Rocket Medical: UK-based manufacturer and distributor of obstetric and gynecological medical devices. Rocket Medical is both a Hegenberger distribution partner (Australia, New Zealand) and a direct competitor in OB/GYN surgical instruments, giving it a near-perfect comparison within the same category and geography.
• Symmetry Surgical: Manufacturer of surgical instruments including retractors, used across OB/GYN and other surgical specialties. Symmetry Surgical is a direct peer in the surgical retractor category where Hegenberger competes, with a much larger reusable instrument portfolio.
• Scanlan International: Specialty manufacturer of premium surgical instruments and retractors, sold into hospitals and academic medical centers. Comparable to Hegenberger in the surgical retractor category, though focused on reusable precision instruments rather than single-use disposables.

Others

• Kimal PLC: UK medical device distributor serving NHS and private hospitals across multiple specialties, including obstetrics. Kimal is Hegenberger's exclusive UK distributor and functions as a channel partner rather than a direct competitor, but is a comparable UK specialist medical distributor.
• AMT Surgical: Canadian medical device distributor with 25+ years of clinical experience and relationships with 400+ hospitals. AMT Surgical is Hegenberger's exclusive Canadian distribution partner and a comparable medical device channel partner in the North American OB/GYN market.
• MedCo: Danish specialist supplier of medical equipment that became a strategic partner of Hegenberger Medical in 2021. MedCo is not a direct competitor but a channel and corporate partner whose resources and infrastructure directly support Hegenberger's growth and go-to-market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/546736946270292
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hegenberger-speculum
• Instagraminstagram.com/hegenbergermedical

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hegenberger Medical