Ethicon Endo-Surgery Introduces First Powered Endocutter with Enhanced System-Wide Compression and Stability, Allowing Surgeons Greater Control in Laparoscopic Surgery

CINCINNATI, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To further reduce the risk of tissue trauma during laparoscopic surgery, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (EES), announced today the launch of the ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler -- the industry's first powered endocutter with enhanced system-wide compression and stability. Developed in collaboration with surgeons worldwide, Powered ECHELON FLEX™ allows greater instrument stability with at least 63 percent reduction in tip movement during tissue cutting and stapling compared to the Endo GIA™ Ultra and the Endo GIA™ Universal.^{(1, 2)}

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More Stability, More Confident Stapling with Powered ECHELON FLEX™

When using endoscopic stapling devices in laparoscopic surgical procedures, stability is critical to the safe and effective use of the device. Surgeons need stapling devices to operate smoothly and consistently to reduce inadvertent movement of the distal tip during firing; potentially resulting in less trauma to the targeted area and surrounding vital organs and tissue from damage. The Powered ECHELON FLEX™ Stapler is the first powered endocutter with system-wide compression and stability, meaning it delivers consistent, properly formed staples across the entire length of the staple line by maintaining a uniform gap in the jaws from the instrument's proximal end to distal tip.

According to Robin Blackstone, M.D., FACS, Medical Director and Bariatric Surgeon at the Scottsdale Healthcare Bariatric Center, "the benefits of the device are immediately evident when you use it. I am particularly pleased with the control and ease of operation of the Powered ECHELON FLEX™ stapler, which provides smooth, consistent compression and firing, and maneuverability. I can see how it will be of enormous value in procedures that involve thick tissue and challenging angles."  

System-Wide Compression is Critical to EES' Approach to Safe and Effective Stapling

Compression (the balance of pressure over time) is a critical component of the EES approach to safe and effective surgical stapling. Prior to stapling, applying compression over time ensures a more consistent thickness in the targeted tissue. After tissue is compressed, it is ready to accommodate a securely closed staple. Proper staple formation is necessary to achieve a leak-proof and hemostatic staple line.

"At EES, understanding the scientific properties of living tissue and its relationship with surgical instruments is the foundation upon which we develop our instruments," said Gabe Szabo, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ethicon Endo-Surgery. "With the launch of the ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler, we have again applied our science of tissue management in order to find ways to improve surgical outcomes for patients. Through the addition of powered technology to our proven ECHELON FLEX™ platform,  surgeons will benefit from a solution that combines enhanced system-wide compression and effortless firing to improve stability of the tip on or near vital structures and in thick tissue."

The Advantages of Surgeon-Controlled Power

The Powered ECHELON FLEX™ stapler offers surgeons the advantages of powered, controlled firing through advanced features including:

• Powered, Controlled Firing – Powered operation reduces the force required to fire the instrument, which leads to less movement of the tip on or near vital structures during transection (has at least 63 percent less movement)⁽³⁾ potentially resulting in less tissue trauma, even in thick tissue and at awkward angles. Increased distal tip stability provides improved control of target and surrounding tissue during firing sequence over manually fired endocutters, resulting in potentially less trauma to vital structures.  
• Dual Safety System – Powered ECHELON FLEX™ is the only powered endocutter with a dual safety system that includes a manual override, allowing surgeons to maintain precise placement and control of the jaws at all times. The surgeon also can pause or reverse firing at any time during the transection.  
• Controlled Placement – A manual jaw closure allows precise controlled placement by the surgeon on target tissue and provides tactile feedback as the device is closed.

Other key product features and benefits include:

• Responsible Power – A disposable battery pack ensures full power for the case, without initial capital purchase or hassles with extra setup, disposal, recharging equipment or hospital sterilization processes.
  • The battery pack contains four lithium CR123a batteries, which do not contain heavy metals; has a special built-in power drain that ensures the battery pack can be thrown away immediately after the case; is mostly drained within 24 hours; and it is safe to discard the batteries in the normal medical waste stream.
• One-handed Operation – Effortless firing, natural articulation and ergonomic handle design enables one-handed use, which lets the surgeon focus less on the instrument and more on the patient/procedure.

The ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler will initially be available in a 60mm length. For more information and to view videos of Powered ECHELON FLEX™ in use, please visit: www.ethiconendosurgery.com/poweredechelonflex

About EES ECHELON FLEX™ Endocutters

ECHELON FLEX™ endocutters are used in more procedures than all other brands. The new Powered ECHELON FLEX™ provides the same performance and benefits of the proven ECHELON FLEX™ platform: natural articulation to improve precision compared to traditional lever-based, two-handed endocutters; great articulation angle to help access transection sites that are difficult to reach; and the ability to grasp, hold and manipulate tissue without the use of a second device. The Powered ECHELON FLEX™ uses the same wide range of cartridges as the ECHELON FLEX™.

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery is the world's leader in providing advanced medical devices 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.

Related Links:
ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler

SOURCE Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.