Pneumothorax Decompression Needles for a U.S. Defense Contractor Supplying the Department of Defense Pneumothorax Decompression Needles for a U.S. Defense Contractor Supplying the Department of Defense Pneumothorax Decompression Needles for a U.S. Defense Contractor Supplying the Department of Defense Pneumothorax Decompression Needles for a U.S. Defense Contractor Supplying the Department of Defense Pneumothorax Decompression Needles for a U.S. Defense Contractor Supplying the Department of Defense
Scalable, Flexible Approaches to Custom Ophthalmic Surgical Devices
Product Type
Irrigation Aspiration Needle for Ophthalmic Surgery
Client
Multiple Medical Device Manufacturers (Enterprise, Mid-Size, and Startup)
The Challenge | A Needle That Keeps the Eye Alive
When surgeons remove a cataract, they can’t simply “open up” the eye like other tissue. The eye is fragile, more like a grape than a marble, and if the internal pressure collapses, vision can be permanently lost. To solve this, ophthalmic surgeons use a specialized irrigation aspiration needle. One port introduces fluid into the eye while another port removes it, maintaining just the right balance of pressure during surgery.
It’s a deceptively small and intricate device—but making it correctly requires extraordinary precision. That’s where Hart Enterprises came in. Over the span of just a few weeks, three different companies—an enterprise manufacturer, a mid-size regional company, and a Canadian startup—approached Hart with the same need. Each had a different way of working, and each experience illustrates how Hart adapts to meet customers exactly where they are.
Hart’s Solution
Enterprise-Scale: Built Exactly to Spec
The enterprise client was a nationwide ophthalmic surgical device manufacturer. They arrived with a drawing so large it took up a drafting table—yet it described a part smaller than a pencil. Every dimension, every tolerance, every material specification was already detailed. They even laid out exactly how Hart should manufacture it.
Hart followed their instructions to the letter. The result was a production-ready needle that met their exacting standards. It wasn’t the most collaborative project, but it showed Hart’s ability to execute flawlessly under tight requirements. For a Fortune 500–scale company, that kind of certainty and compliance was exactly what they needed to move forward with confidence.
Mid-Size Manufacturer: Partnering for Practicality
The second client—a mid-size medical device manufacturer—had a different challenge. They had tooling already underway, but the sub-assembly they needed wasn’t fully specified. Some dimensions were missing, tolerances weren’t locked in, and the company looked to Hart to help fill in the blanks.
Instead of dictating every detail, they asked Hart to apply its expertise. Hart’s engineers suggested efficient ways to refine the design, making the part more manufacturable without compromising performance. By collaborating this way, the company got a solution that fit perfectly with their molds, saved them time and resources, and kept them competitive.
This project demonstrated how Hart thrives when customers give space for input—turning partial ideas into fully functional, production-ready solutions.
Startup Success: One Day Becomes a Week, and a Win for U.S. Manufacturing
The third client was a Canadian startup looking to break into the U.S. market. At first, the founder planned to spend only one day at Hart’s facility, bringing along his equipment, testing media, and a vision for what the device needed to accomplish.
But that first day changed everything. Hart quickly produced a rough prototype to show what might be possible. The client was so energized by the progress, he asked, “Can I come back tomorrow?” He did—and then the next day, and the next. He ended up spending a full week onsite, working side by side with Hart’s engineers to refine and improve the design in real time.
By the end of the week, they had more than just a concept—they had a manufacturable product that exceeded his expectations. The startup not only secured Hart as its manufacturing partner but also chose to manufacture in the U.S. rather than overseas. That decision didn’t just benefit Hart—it meant another medical device was being produced domestically, strengthening U.S. manufacturing while helping a new company gain its competitive foothold.
The Outcome: Precision at Every Scale
Three companies, one device, three very different approaches. The enterprise client needed strict compliance, the mid-size company needed practical guidance, and the startup needed speed, adaptability, and affordability. Hart Enterprises delivered for all of them—proving its ability to scale, adapt, and partner effectively no matter the size of the customer.
Most importantly, each story underscores what makes Hart different: the ability to listen, to collaborate at the right level, and to manufacture with the precision required for the most delicate surgeries in the world.
Talk to Our Engineers
At Hart Enterprises, we meet customers where they are. Whether you have a drawing set in stone, an idea that needs refinement, or a bold concept you’re ready to test, our engineers are here to help you make it real.
"*" indicates required fields
