Ethicon Launches HARMONIC ACE®+7 Shears with Advanced Haemostasis at Tripartite Colorectal Meeting

LONDON, June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Breakthrough technology redefines ultrasonic energy with HARMONIC^® promise of precision, now combined with larger vessel sealing  

First purely ultrasonic device with a 7mm vessel sealing indication^[1] 

Ethicon, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, today announces the UK and Ireland launch of HARMONIC ACE^®+7 Shears with Advanced Haemostasis (HARMONIC ACE^®+7), the first purely ultrasonic device with a 7 mm sealing indication. HARMONIC ACE^®+7 combines the precision and multi-functionality expected of HARMONIC^® with reliable large vessel sealing; a benefit combination that does not exist in any other product, representing a true breakthrough in ultrasonic energy technology. The new device will be featured at the Tripartite Colorectal Meeting this week, in Birmingham. The Tripartite Meeting is a joint meeting of the American, British and Australasian colorectal medical societies.

The HARMONIC ACE^®+7 is setting a new standard in ultrasonic energy by demonstrating larger vessel sealing strength using the Advanced Hemostasis mode. Benchtop testing shows:

• Greater 5 to 7 mm vessel-sealing reliability than LigaSure^[TM] devices^[2]
• 140% higher median burst pressure vs LigaSure^[TM] 5 mm Blunt Tip, when sealing 5 to 7 mm vessels in the Advanced Hemostasis mode^[3]
• 112% higher median burst pressure vs LigaSure Advance™, when sealing 5 to 7 mm vessels in the Advanced Hemostasis mode^[4]

"The majority of the vessels we need to divide in colorectal surgery are usually less than 5mm in size. However, the vast majority of surgeons would be hesitant to use an energy device alone on these vessels.  In addition the major colonic vessels are sometimes larger than 5mm," explains Professor Timothy Rockall, Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, Professor of Surgery at Surrey University and immediate Past President of The ALSGBI.

"With the new HARMONIC ACE ®+ 7, we now have the capacity to manage vessels up to 7mm so it will give many surgeons more confidence when attempting to seal the larger colonic vessels, and without the need for clips or other mechanical methods."

HARMONIC ACE^®+7 is designed for use in numerous procedures and specialties including General, Colorectal, Bariatric, Gynaecology, Thoracic, and Urology, enhancing surgeons' ability to handle multiple jobs with superior precision. The new HARMONIC ACE^®+ 7 is best suited for cases which require dissection, mobilisation and large vessel sealing.

"The HARMONIC ACE^®+7 represents a breakthrough in ultrasonic technology that now enhances surgeon choice. Surgeons no longer need to trade off precision and multi-functionality for sealing strength. It may in some cases also reduce the need for additional devices, such as clips, improving procedure efficiency," said Kate Masschelein, UK & Ireland Sales & Marketing Director for Ethicon Energy.  

About Our Energy Business  

Ethicon is a leader in advanced energy solutions and offers one of the broadest portfolios of ultrasonic energy devices using HARMONIC^® technology and advanced bipolar energy devices using ENSEAL^® technology. Click here to learn more.

HARMONIC^® ultrasonic devices combine precision and multifunctionality: Uniquely designed for precise dissection, sealing and transection, one device enables surgeons to perform multiple jobs without instrument exchanges. HARMONIC^® technology is the proven leader in advanced energy with more than 17 million procedures worldwide.^[5] Devices in the HARMONIC^® portfolio are used for open and laparoscopic procedures that require unmatched precision.  The portfolio can be used across a range of surgical specialties: General, Colorectal, Bariatric, Vascular, Gynaecology, ENT, Urology, Thoracic, and Plastic and Reconstructive. Click here to learn more.

ENSEAL^® Tissue Sealers consistently cut and seal vessels up to and including 7mm through high uniform compression. Devices in the ENSEAL^® portfolio are intended for use during both open and laparoscopic surgical procedures where division of vessels, lymphatics and tissue bundles is performed.  These surgical specialties include: General, Colorectal, Bariatric, Gynaecology, Thoracic, Plastic and Reconstructive, Urology, and ENT. Click here to learn more.

About Our Company  

Ethicon's surgical technologies and products (including sutures, staplers, energy devices, clip appliers, trocars and meshes) are used around the world to treat colorectal and thoracic conditions, women's health conditions, hernias, cancer and obesity. Ethicon is part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. Learn more at http://www.ethicon.com.

[1]. Internal Claim Reference: C0000001635, C0000001585.

[2]. In benchtop test on 5‐7mm porcine carotids that compared burst pressure failures under 240 mmHg, HARMONIC ACE®+7 (2/152 failures) versus LigaSure™ 5mm Blunt Tip and LigaSure™ Advance (15/154 failures) (P = 0.001) Data on file (PRC064872).

[2]. In benchtop test using 5‐7mm porcine carotids that compared median burst pressure for HARMONIC ACE®+7 (1419 mmHg) and LigaSure™ 5mm Blunt Tip (591 mmHg) (p< 0.001). Data on file (PRC064872).

[3]. In benchtop test using 5‐7mm porcine carotids that compared median burst pressure for HARMONIC ACE®+7 (1419 mmHg) and LigaSure™ Advance (670 mmHg) (p< 0.001). Data on file (PRC064872).

[4]. Internal sales data as of June 10, 2013

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events.  If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Ethicon. and/or Johnson & Johnson.  Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; challenges to patents; economic factors, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial distress of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to governmental laws and regulations and domestic and foreign health care reforms; general industry conditions, including trends toward health care cost containment; and increased scrutiny of the health care industry by government agencies.  A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, and our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Copies of these filings are available online at http://www.sec.gov, http://www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson.  Neither Ethicon. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

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