Ethicon Endo-Surgery Brings Hands-On Lab Training Experience to Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Conference

Highlights Best Practices in Reducing Tissue Trauma Through Surgical Simulations Featuring ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH^® Stapler, ECHELON ENDOPATH^® Black Cartridge, ENSEAL^® G2 Tissue Sealers and Other Recent Product Innovations

SAN DIEGO, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ethicon Endo-Surgery will demonstrate its latest product innovations and best practices in minimally-invasive procedures focused on improving clinical outcomes and the quality of patient care at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) conference, March 7-11 in San Diego, CA.  For the first time, EES will conduct four surgical simulations inside its exhibit booth (#419).  Surgeons will be able to "test drive" EES innovations including the industry's first powered endocutter, ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH Stapler ECHELON^®; the new ECHELON^® ENDOPATH^® Black Cartridge, designed to create a secure staple line in extra-thick tissue; and ENSEAL^® G2 Tissue Sealers, eight new energy devices that are designed to help surgeons achieve strong vessel seals in open and minimally invasive procedures.

Attendees will be able to learn best practice surgical techniques that can reduce tissue trauma during minimally invasive procedures.

"EES is committed to producing innovations that are based on a deep understanding of tissue science to address the unique challenges surgeons encounter during minimally invasive procedures.  We study how our medical innovations interact with and impact living tissue to enable surgeons to achieve the best patient outcomes," said Todd Kinser, Vice President, R&D at Ethicon Endo-Surgery.

Try First Powered Endocutter at SAGES
EES' most recent product innovation is the first of its kind ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler.  EES' powered endocutter provides surgeons with greater control and stability when they cut and staple tissue during surgery. Greater control may reduce trauma not only to the targeted area, but also to surrounding fragile organs and tissue. EES research shows that the Powered ECHELON FLEX™ reduces movement at the distal tip by at least 63 percent during tissue cutting and stapling compared to the Endo GIA™ Ultra and the Endo GIA™ Universal.[*] [**]

Transecting thick tissue presents a unique set of challenges to surgeons, which is why EES is introducing the ECHELON^® ENDOPATH^® Black Cartridge at SAGES.  The new ECHELON® ENDOPATH^® Black Cartridge is designed to create a secure staple line in extra thick tissue, such as the first firing in a sleeve gastrectomy.  Used together with the Powered ECHELON FLEX™ Stapler, the new ECHELON^® ENDOPATH^® Black Cartridge offers a highly effective solution for extra-thick tissue.

"We have been very pleased by the feedback we've received from the many surgeons who have tried Powered ECHELON FLEX™ in the few months since we introduced it in the U.S. They have told us that it provides them with greater stability and control in their laparoscopic procedures, which is very important to the patient and the physician. We are encouraging all of the physicians attending SAGES to visit our booth and try the Powered ECHELON FLEX™ for themselves," said Brian Thompson, Product Director at Ethicon Endo-Surgery.

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Endo-Surgery is the world's leader in providing advanced medical innovations for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, focusing on procedure-enabling devices for the interventional diagnosis and treatment of conditions in general and bariatric surgery, as well as gastrointestinal health, gynecology and surgical oncology. More information can be found at www.ethiconendosurgery.com.  To view videos and more information about Powered ECHELON FLEX™ in use, please visit: www.ethiconendosurgery.com/poweredechelonflex.

[*] Benchtop testing on porcine stomach (2.5-4mm thick). Surgeons (n=19) fired each instrument/reload once: PSE60A/ECR60G, 030449/030459, and EGIAUSTND/EGIA60AMT. Distal tip motion measurement during the firing cycle showed at least 63% reduction in tip movement of PSE60A/ECR60G vs. the other two devices.

[**] The third-party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Ethicon Endo-Surgery