Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) has introduced Harmonic Ace 45cm Curved Shears, a new addition to its Harmonic line of surgical devices, at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The new device is designed for extended reach in obese patients. It is said to be 25% longer (9cm) than the Harmonic Ace device.
The additional length of the Harmonic Ace 45cm is expected to enable surgeons to reach anatomy during procedures on obese patients while reducing the need to relocate trocars. The Ace 45cm also reduces the need to push down on patients’ abdomens, enabling surgeons to rotate the jaws of the device without impacting the trocar.
Ethicon Endo-Surgery Harmonic Ace 45cm is primarily intended for use in bariatric, general, colorectal and gynecologic laparoscopic surgeries for obese patients, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, colectomy and hysterectomy.
Ethicon Endo-Surgery said that with the Harmonic Ace 45cm, surgeons will experience the same precision, efficiency and versatility they expect from the Harmonic Ace portfolio. In addition to the new ACE 45 cm Harmonic device, Ethicon Endo-Surgery also provides 45cm advanced bipolar devices (Enseal) with the additional length ideal for the obese patient population.
Rami Lutfi, section chief of minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center and medical director, The Chicago Institute of Advanced Bariatrics, Saint Joseph Hospital, said: “The extended reach of the ACE 45cm ensures that I have the access I need for procedures on my obese patients, making it easier to reach anatomy with the same control I have on non-obese patients.
“Since more than 34% of the US population is considered obese, and due to comorbidities associated with obesity and the greater likelihood of obese patients needing surgery, it is incredibly important that device manufacturers innovate for the needs of these patients to ensure they can get the same quality of care as all other patients.”