Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon today announced the U.S. launch of its next-gen Echelon 3000 stapler.
The Echelon 3000 is digitally-enabled and provides surgeons with simple, one-handed powered articulation, according to the Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) company.
The surgical stapler’s creators designed it with 39% greater jaw aperture and a 27% greater articulation span. The idea was to give surgeons better access and control over each transection. The software then provides real-time haptic and audible device feedback so that surgeons can make critical adjustments during procedures.
“Surgical complications often stem from difficult-to-access anatomy and compromised tissue, which this next generation Echelon stapler is specifically designed to address,” said Tom O’Brien, worldwide president of Endomechanical at Ethicon.
“Our goal, with Echelon 3000, is to arm surgeons with a device that helps address the root causes of surgical complications, enabling them to successfully navigate the differing needs of each patient’s anatomy, deliver on their preoperative plans and ultimately make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes,” O’Brien added in the news release.
Dr. Zane Hammoud, chief of general thoracic surgery at Ascension Providence Hospital System said the Echelon 3000 has greater articulation for better access to tissue in tight spaces, such as the thoracic cavity. “As a thoracic surgeon, these new enhancements to a trusted device may allow for a more seamless and efficient surgical experience.”
It’s possible to use the Echelon 3000 in a wide range of surgical procedures, it was designed for use in thoracic, colorectal, and bariatric/gastric laparoscopic procedures, where device access and control improvements could make a meaningful difference, according to Ethicon.