Article preview from Start Up- October, 2010
Unlike the unwieldy "Jaws" of the blockbuster movie, the clamping jaws located at the tip of a new electrosurgical instrument from Aragon Surgical. are designed to help surgeons precisely seal and cut both tissues and vessels easier, faster, and more durably. The Caiman system is powered by proprietary Lektrafuse technology, consisting of a radiofrequency energy generator that delivers bipolar energy via a sophisticated algorithm.
Article preview fromStart Up- October, 2010
Unlike the unwieldy "Jaws" of the blockbuster movie, the clamping jaws located at the tip of a new electrosurgical instrument from Aragon Surgical Inc. are designed to help surgeons precisely seal and cut both tissues and vessels easier, faster, and more durably. The Caiman system is powered by proprietary Lektrafuse technology, consisting of a radiofrequency (RF) energy generator that delivers bipolar energy via a sophisticated algorithm.
The smart algorithm of the RF generator uses multiple feedback parameters to monitor tissue changes and gleans real-time feedback, every one-hundredth of a second, from what is actually occurring in the tissue. As a result, the generator is able to detect how long it should take to successfully complete the seal, thus preventing surgeons from over- or undersealing.
There are two sizes of the Caiman: a 24-cm- and a 44-cm-long shaft. The shorter shaft is used for open surgery, approximately two-thirds of procedures, while the longer shaft is used for laparoscopic procedures. "Surgeons are not going to receive a call at two o'clock in the morning about a patient with a seal that did not hold. Our seals are highly reliable," asserts Aragon's CEO Roseanne Varner, a device industry veteran who previously led Aspire Medical, Gynecare, Luxar and Atherotech.
The Palo Alto, CA-based enterprise is initially targeting several high-volume surgical specialties, including colorectal, gynecology, bariatric and oncology. "There are approximately 700,000 procedures performed annually in the US that could employ our two devices," says Varner, representing a market opportunity of roughly $800 million. The two variations of the Caiman received CE mark in early 2009, followed by Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance in June 2009 for the longer version and in January 2010 for the shorter version.
Purchase this article online or get it FREE when you subscribe to Start Up
Elsevier Business Intelligence announces the publication of a new Special Report "Bigger, Tougher,Faster"- Preparing for the New FDA. When the inspector comes calling ... will you be ready?
This 16-page report originally published in "The Silver Sheet". Learn more...
About Start Up
No publication reviews leading edge companies and technology better than START-UP. Each issue of START-UP profiles the most important new product companies, identifies the hottest technology areas, reviews funds flowing into private companies and investment trends, and reports on university tech transfer licensing. Industries covered: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical equipment & devices, and in vitro diagnostics.
Plus:
To find out about more about more about Elsevier Business Intelligence's medical device publications and databases, multi-user access and/or advertising with Medical Devices Today, please contact Kristy Kennedy at (480) 985 9512
Comments