Covidien, a provider of healthcare products, has introduced V-Loc knotless suture reload device.

The V-Loc knotless device, designed to increase operating room efficiency during laparoscopic and single-incision procedures, works with the company’s proprietary Endo Stitch and SILS Stitch suturing devices.

The V-Loc device features a barb and loop design, which helps in faster suturing by eliminating the need to tie any knots.

According to a recent pre-clinical study, V-Loc device saves surgeons 35-42% of the time required to suture inside the body.

Duke University Medical Center surgery assistant professor Dana Portenier said the ability to suture internal tissue laparoscopically without the need to tie knots can help surgeons shorten one of the labor-intensive tasks performed during bariatric surgery.

"As an early user of the Endo Stitch device with the V-Loc reload, I’ve been able to perform laparoscopic suturing with greater ease and efficiency than I previously could have using traditional devices that require knots," Portenier added.

Covidien Surgical Solutions vice president and chief technology officer Paul Hermes said, "We believe that our new V-Loc knotless suturing reloads for minimally invasive surgery will help surgeons perform aspects of their procedures with greater efficiency."

The company is featuring its new V-Loc reloads, along with LigaSure 5 mm blunt tip vessel sealing instrument, the LigaSure Advance pistol grip vessel sealing instrument and the Endo GIA Black reloads with Tri-Staple technology at the 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery on 22 June 2012.