Founded by a pair of passionate surgeon innovators, Osheru is a medical device company pioneering a new paradigm in eyelid surgery with bold, forward-looking technology. Osheru’s story began in 1987 when co-founders Patty and Knute Buehler met in medical school, eventually becoming partners in both life and business. Bonded by their curiosity and love for medical history, they often visited museums. During one such visit, an exhibit on ancient Egyptian medicine sparked the idea that would inspire the development of the Ziplyft device.
They came across an ancient text that described a method of removing excess eyelid skin by compressing it between two small twigs and tying off the ends. Deprived of blood supply, the excess skin would fall off within seven days. Similarly, circumcision is done all over the world using a compression clamp to remove this excess skin tissue without the need for cautery or sutures. Inspired by this simple yet effective technique, Dr. Patty Buehler, an eye surgeon, began reimagining eyelid surgery. After years performing traditional blepharoplasty and observing patients’ complications and lengthy recovery times, Patty envisioned a modern solution to revolutionize eyelid surgery based on an ancient idea.
Patty and Knute set out to create a device that would transform eyelid surgery for both surgeons and patients. They collaborated with a patent attorney and a design engineer, eventually receiving a patent for the idea in 2014. Raising kids, Knute’s political career and running their surgical practices put device development on hold. It wasn’t until 2020, when pandemic lockdowns slowed their busy lives, that the Buehler’s revisited their and officially launched Osheru.
Since then, Osheru has made remarkable strides in their product development. During the pandemic, the Ziplyft prototype was refined in the Buehlers’ kitchen, progressing from experiments on chicken thigh skin to tests in a local cadaver lab. In 2022 the company had a breakthrough when they won the prestigious Bend Venture Conference, the largest venture capital event in the Pacific Northwest, providing critical momentum to move the Ziplyft device forward.
In 2023, Osheru continued its winning streak, taking home the top prize at the ASCRS Eyecelerator Pitch Competition for best early-stage company. With guidance from a growing network of mentors and advisors—including Gil Kliman, Dick Lindstrom, John Berdahl, Chirs Calcaterra and Gary Berman— Osheru further honed its vision and product. The company made history in 2024 by becoming the first company to win the Eyecelerator competition twice, securing the People’s Choice Award while competing against Fortune 500 competitors.
Supported by a $4.7M seed round from individual investors and strategic partners, Osheru has assembled a talented team of individuals, including John Garland as Chief Commercial Officer, Lauren Contursi as Director of Quality, and Alyssa Pineau as Product Manager. Together, our team is dedicated to reshaping the future of eyelid surgery.
At Osheru, we draw inspiration from ancient wisdom and modern innovation. The Ziplyft offers a safer, faster, and more effective solution for eyelid surgery for patients and surgeons alike, ensuring a more youthful, revitalized appearance and improved peripheral vision. With each new advancement, we continue to honor both the past and the future of patient care.
What does Osheru mean? Osheru means the left eye (OS) of the Egyptian god, Horus, whose left eye was damaged in battle but restored and became a powerful symbol of healing and regeneration in Egyptian culture.
