Wednesday, September 24, 2008
2008 R&D 100 Winner
Steady hands help ensure patient safety in operating room, but surgeons can always use more help. Enhancing surgical precision is the Harmonic FOCUS Curved Shear with HARMONIC Blue Hand Piece, from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. The shear is designed to precisely dissect, grasp, cut, and coagulate tissue, allowing for safer dissection near vital structures, increased surgical efficiency, and reduced operating time compared to electrocautery. Ultrasonic vibrations are guided through the horn of the hand piece and down to the active blade. When the vibrating blade is placed into contact with tissue and pressure is applied, simultaneous coagulation and transection of the tissues or vessels is accomplished. This all takes place at a lower temperature than electrocautery and with no electrical energy passing to or through the patient.
Technology
Surgical shear
Developer
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
