Ethicon Endo-Surgery Introduces HARMONIC FOCUS(R) Long Curved Shears for Deep Surgical Access

CINCINNATI, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethicon Endo-Surgery today introduced a new addition to its HARMONIC® line of surgical devices, the HARMONIC FOCUS® Long Curved Shears, which is specifically designed for use in open procedures that require deep access. The HARMONIC FOCUS® Long Curved Shears enable surgeons to dissect, cut, coagulate and grasp using precise ultrasonic energy that minimizes thermal damage to patients while providing surgical efficiency. Surgical oncologists, liver surgeons, general surgeons and colorectal surgeons often need deep access in upper gastrointestinal and colorectal procedures. The HARMONIC FOCUS® Long Curved Shears provide surgeons an alternative to the traditional "clamp, cut and tie" technique using advanced energy.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100511/CL02609 )

"Ultrasonic energy is an invaluable asset in surgery because of the precision and efficiency it brings," said Christopher Sonnenday, M.D., M.H.S, assistant professor of surgery and of health management and policy at the University of Michigan. "The right surgical technique and instrumentation is vital, and there are fundamental differences between open and minimally invasive surgery, particularly those that require deep access. A device that has the look and feel of traditional surgical tools but brings the benefits of advanced energy will be an important instrument for many surgeons that can contribute to the overall success of a procedure."

Like other products in the HARMONIC® line, the HARMONIC FOCUS® Long Curved Shears give surgeons the versatility to perform several important functions without the need to exchange instruments. Data has shown that the use of HARMONIC® technology in pancreatectomy saved approximately 30 minutes compared to procedures performed using the "clamp, cut and tie" technique.(i)  The HARMONIC FOCUS® Long Curved Shears are designed with a traditional scissors grip to improve surgeon comfort and familiarity.

HARMONIC® surgical devices are the leading ultrasonic cutting and coagulating surgical devices, used in more than 10 million surgical procedures worldwide to seal and divide vessels as well as lymphatics. The Ethicon Endo-Surgery energy portfolio also includes the ENSEAL® advanced bipolar devices that give surgeons control in tissue sealing larger vessels while minimizing tissue trauma. Using temperature-controlled technology not available in any other bipolar device, ENSEAL® devices offer minimal thermal spread for simultaneously sealing and transecting large vessels up to and including 7 mm and tissue bundles.

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery develops and markets 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.ethiconendo.com.

(i)  Data on file

SOURCE Ethicon Endo-Surgery