About Huot
.jpg "Greg Wittenberg and Sam Huot")
In 2005, Dr. Samuel Huot, a family physician, discussed his ideas for a new and innovative tool for making elliptical excisions with two engineers, George Dunham and Richard Ward. He described the problems with doing an elliptical excision, noting that it was difficult to make a completely symmetrical incision, difficult to keep the sides 90 degrees to the surface, and time consuming to complete.
While other manufacturers had attempted to manufacture elliptical punches in the past, these endeavors failed to utilize horizontal blade movement. Dr. Huot's idea was to introduce a thin flexible blade which would rotate within a plastic housing. This movement would facilitate more effective cutting action, while still maintaining an elliptical shape. The tool would be as quick and easy to use as a standard circular punch, and the resulting scar much less noticable.
The concept took over a year to perfect. In 2006, Huot Instruments, LLC was formed to bring this innovative punch, now known as the ElliptiPunch, to market.
During the ElliptiPunch's development period an associate of Dr. Huot, Dr. Greg Wittenberg, approached the company with an idea that he had been developing. Dr. Wittenberg's idea was to add "viewing windows" to the standard round biopsy punch thereby enabling the clinician to determine, with precision, that the blade is centered over the lesion. The VisiPunch, as it would be known, would also have the additional benefit of allowing the doctor to easily remove any specimen that may remain in the punch.
Dr. Wittenberg joined the company in 2006, bringing with him the basic technology for the VisiPunch.
Huot Instruments established its state of the art manufacturing facility in late 2006, and began producing and marketing the ElliptiPunch and VisiPunch.
In February 2008, Huot Instruments obtained its ISO 13485:2003, Directive 93/423EEC Annex V, and CE certifications. These certifications ensure that only the highest quality products are produced by Huot Instruments. These certifications also enable Huot to apply for permission to market these innovative products worldwide.
Huot Instruments continues to research and develop innovative medical devices.