CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Novare Surgical Systems Inc. and Starion Instruments today announced the signing of a joint development and distribution agreement to integrate Starion’s Tissue Welding technology into Novare’s RealHand instruments for minimally invasive surgery. The collaboration will result in a first of its kind device for laparoscopic surgery: a full freedom of movement hand-held laparoscopic instrument with cut-and-seal capability. Novare will be responsible for distribution of the device upon launch.
“Novare and Starion are combining their technologies to introduce an extremely versatile instrument that offers the ability to cut, seal, grasp and dissect tissue, all with the comprehensive freedom of movement unique to a RealHand(TM) laparoscopic instrument”, said Kerry Pope, Novare’s president and chief executive officer. J.C. Kirtland, President and CEO, Starion Instruments added, “Surgeons performing advanced laparoscopic procedures such as hysterectomy, colectomy, and bariatric surgery have been frustrated by the limitations of current cut-and-seal platforms. The combination of these technologies will address those frustrations.”
About RealHand Instruments for Minimally Invasive Surgery
RealHand instruments are the very first full range of motion hand-held laparoscopic instruments. Developed with the EndoLink(R) mechanism, RealHand technology is designed to mirror the surgeon’s hand direction with the added benefit of tactile feedback. As such, when the surgeon’s hand moves in one direction, the instrument tip exactly follows.
Unlike any other surgical device, RealHand instruments offer complete 7 degrees of freedom of movement in a hand-held instrument and with no need for additional hardware. Moreover, RealHand will enable surgeons to perform more difficult maneuvers that otherwise cannot be completed with traditional rigid instruments. RealHand instruments make it easy to actively manipulate and complete tasks regardless of whether the instrument is positioned over, under, or around structures.
RealHand instruments will provide for greater dexterity and control around critical structures and vasculature. The increase in range of motion will lead the way for development of new surgical approaches and techniques. RealHand instruments have received FDA 510K clearance.
About Novare Surgical Systems
Based in Cupertino, Calif., Novare Surgical Systems was originally founded in 1999 to develop, manufacture and market devices for cardiac surgery. RealHand was developed entirely at Novare Surgical and represents a shift in the company’s focus toward devices for minimally invasive surgery. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.novaresurgical.com.
About Starion Instruments and Tissue Welding(TM)
Starion Instruments designs, manufactures and sells surgical instruments that simultaneously seal and cut tissue during surgery, employing a proprietary Tissue Welding(TM) technology, which requires no electricity or ultrasonic energy across tissue. Starion products are in use world wide in cardiac, otolaryngology and general surgical procedures. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.starioninstruments.com.
Novare Surgical Systems Inc.
CONTACT: Kerry Pope, President and CEO of Novare Surgical Systems Inc.,+1-408-873-3161, kpope@novaresurgical.com; or Kirt Kirtland, President andCEO of Starion Instruments, +1-408-522-5200, orjkirtland@starioninstruments.com
