Covidien Redefines Surgical Stapling with Introduction of New Tri-Staple™ Technology Platform

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the worldwide launch of its proprietary Tri-Staple™ technology platform for endoscopic stapling. The first-of-its-kind technology enables surgeons to use staplers in a wider variety of laparoscopic procedures and in a broader range of tissue thicknesses than ever before.

In the initial phase of the launch, Covidien today is introducing the Endo GIA™ Reloads with Tri-Staple technology and the Endo GIA™ Ultra Universal stapler at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the course of the next 12 months, Covidien will launch additional stapling products developed with this new technology.

The new Endo GIA stapling system includes an ergonomically enhanced, lightweight handle designed for precise control. The easy-to-use stapling solution features unique reloads using Tri-Staple technology to deliver outstanding performance across a wider range of tissue thicknesses. The end result is simplified cartridge selection, a new grasping feature for improved tissue maneuverability, advanced compression for increased tissue stability and significantly less force needed for firing.

"One limitation of conventional endoscopic staplers is that the surgeon has to choose from multiple cartridge sizes to ensure an ideal staple line for every type of tissue. Also, significant force has to be applied to squeeze the handle that advances the knife blade in each firing, which can lead to fatigue after several procedures,” said Dr. Aurora Pryor, Associate Professor, Duke University Medical Center. "The new Endo GIA stapling system solves these problems. With a wider range of tissue thicknesses per cartridge, there are fewer reloads to choose from, greatly simplifying cartridge selection. Surgeons also benefit from a tool that is ergonomically optimized. The firing force is so smooth - it feels good in your hands, while still providing great control and maneuverability during advanced laparoscopic procedures.”

"This next generation of the Endo GIA stapling system is an engineering triumph that could not have been possible without the help of surgeons and ergonomics experts who share our vision of creating the best possible operating environment for both patients and surgical teams,” said Bob Desantis, Vice President, Endomechanical and Intelligent Devices Research and Development, Covidien. "We took the best features of our long line of innovative stapling products and went back to the drawing board to design a brand new system that gives surgeons many of the capabilities they told us they needed, as well as several new features that had not been thought possible before.”

Clinical field tests support the use of the new Endo GIA Reloads with Tri-Staple technology and the new Endo GIA Ultra Universal stapler in thoracic, bariatric, colorectal, general, hepatobiliary, urological and gynecological surgery. In addition, as part of its commitment to evidence-based medicine, Covidien is sponsoring clinical trials using the new stapling system, including bariatric and thoracic studies. Covidien plans to present interim and final results from these clinical studies at key conferences throughout the year.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2009 revenue of $10.7 billion, Covidien has 42,000 employees worldwide in more than 60 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

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