Thursday, May 1, 2008

Covidien Introduces the VascuSeal


Covidien (NYSE: COV, BSX: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that its Surgical Devices business unit has introduced the VascuSeal™ Vascular Sealant System throughout Europe and in select Middle East markets. VascuSeal™ offers surgeons a unique advanced hydrogel that provides an immediate, blood-tight seal that is effective intraoperatively and throughout the critical healing period. VascuSeal™, which is CE-Marked, is intended for use as a surgical sealant during arterial and venous reconstructions to seal suture lines.
Unlike a hemostatic agent, a vascular sealant can seal blood leaks and does not depend on either the time for the blood to clot or the strength of the blood clot to perform successfully. The VascuSeal™ Sealant System offers surgeons a valuable tool to reduce bleeding from the suture line in vascular bypass procedures, and reduces post-operative complications associated with suture line bleeding.
The VascuSeal™ sealant technology is a patented synthetic, absorbable hydrogel delivered by a dual syringe applicator. The device can be stored at room temperature and prepared in less than two minutes. VascuSeal™ sealant polymerizes within seconds when sprayed on the suture line and is blue in color which provides the vascular surgeon visualization of coverage and thickness of the material upon application. Postoperatively, VascuSeal™ sealant continues to seal the suture line as healing progresses under the gel. After several days, the hydrogel breaks down into water-soluble molecules that are absorbed and cleared through the kidneys.
“The VascuSeal™ Vascular Sealant System represents another innovative product in the BioSurgery marketplace,” said Scott Flora, President, Surgical Devices, Covidien. “We expect VascuSeal™ to be well-received by surgeons looking to improve patient outcomes, save time and reduce blood loss during surgical procedures,” added Flora.