Ethicon Endo-Surgery Introduces Two New Staplers for Open Surgical Procedures at ASCRS

MINNEAPOLIS, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) today announced the launch of two new surgical staplers designed to optimize efficiencies and compression during open surgery. The Ethicon Endo-Surgery Linear Cutter 55/75, engineered with novel staple technology and selectable staple heights in one cartridge, provides superior hemostasis(i) for patients and improved efficiencies to surgeons, nurses and facility administrations. The Ethicon Endo-Surgery Intraluminal Stapler (ILS), designed with a new tissue compression scale, provides surgeons improved flexibility and control so that they can address the individual needs of each patient. The products, which are the latest additions to the company's portfolio of solutions for colorectal surgery, will be featured at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), May 15-19, 2010 in Minneapolis.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100514/CL04980 )

Both surgical staplers were designed in collaboration with surgeons to be used in colorectal, bariatric and general procedures. The new products address the variability of tissue compression. Tissue compression—or the measurement of tissue density—prior to stapling is required with all surgical staplers to reliably deliver a staple line with proper staple formation. The optimal amount of compression is variable and affected by multiple factors such as the type, condition and thickness of targeted tissue. Tissue may vary in thickness and compressibility from patient to patient, as well as within an individual's GI tract. This variability extends to the amount of compression needed for effective hemostasis.

"The importance of stapling is a critical aspect of surgery that should not be underestimated. There are several variables that must be taken into account—sometimes during the procedure— in order to prevent post-surgical complications such as hemostasis," said Larry Sasaki, M.D.* at North Louisiana Surgery Center & Louisiana State University School of Medicine at Shreveport. "Advancements in stapling technology that secure tissue better and give surgeons the ability to make adjustments during the procedure based on varying tissue conditions is a welcome improvement over previous stapling instrumentation available for open surgery."

The EES Linear Cutter 55/75 (available in 55mm and 75mm lengths) employs an innovative and novel 3-D staple technology, which produces angled, parallel staple legs that overlap, unlike traditional surgical staples. In addition, the EES Linear Cutter 55/75 staples are deployed in a row of six instead of four. These innovations produce a unique staple line, delivering optimal tissue compression and superior hemostasis(i). The new EES Linear Cutter is also enhanced with:

• a single cartridge that contains three different staple heights, enabling surgeons to select staple height during surgery – based on the individual tissue thickness of the patient - without switching cartridges.
• an intermediate locking mechanism which allows for easier, one-handed tissue manipulation, allowing surgeons to gently interact with tissue.

In addition to the surgical benefits, the EES Linear Cutter 55/75 provides economical and operational benefits for materials and operations managers. As a result of relying on a single staple cartridge, SKU codes associated with the device are reduced by 50 percent. This results in increased efficiency to surgeons, nurses and facility administration.

"We are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiencies in our hospital and look forward to bringing in new products that help us do this," said Shannon Dough, general/GYN OR products coordinator at The Christ Hospital. "For example, if the number of cartridges needed for surgical stapling is limited, this could have positive implications on keeping our supply costs down while at the same time helping to reach our goals for inventory turnover."

The other new product from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, the EES Intraluminal Stapler, enables surgeons to select the appropriate staple height between 1.0 and 2.5 millimeters for their patients. This allows them to control the amount of compression applied to tissue depending on the clinical situation, which can help the surgeon reliably deliver a staple line with proper staple formation. Similar to the EES Linear Cutter, the EES Intraluminal Stapler has fewer SKU codes than other brands, which helps increase efficiencies for facility administration.

EES implements Halsted's principles of surgery— the importance of hemostasis, adequate blood supply and the gentle handling of tissue for safe and effective surgery—when developing advanced surgical products. EES considers the unique properties of each patient's tissue when designing surgical staplers, which the Company designs its stapling devices to minimize trauma so that tissue can return to its natural state once the pressure is removed.

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)Preclinical animate study comparing the NTLC75, TLC75 and GIA80 (3.8mm cartridge). Data on file.

*Paid consultant to EES

SOURCE Ethicon Endo-Surgery