ETHICON™ was founded 80 years ago on the pillars of research, vision, innovation and a commitment to improving the quality of patients’ lives. Products to aid haemostasis were first provided by Ethicon Biosurgery in 1959 with the introduction of SURGICEL® oxidised regenerated cellulose haemostat (ORC).
Fifty years later, the company is still a world leader in ORC technology and continues to bring to market innovative technologies. The current haemostasis portfolio available from the company includes:
• A fibrin sealant.
• SURGIFLO™ haemostatic matrix – an advanced flowable haemostat.
• SURGICEL® Original, an absorbable haemostat developed for flexibility and reliability.
• SURGICEL NU-KNIT® – an absorbable haemostat developed for good strength and coverage.
• SURGICEL FIBRILLAR™ – an absorbable haemostat developed for versatility, adherence and conformability.
• SPONGOSTAN™ – A haemostatic absorbable gelatin sponge which can absorb 45 times its own weight and is fully absorbed into the body in between four and six weeks. This product has 60 years of demonstrated performance.
The latest technology launch from the company is an addition to the Surgicel family of absorbable haemostats. The new offering, SURGICEL SNoW™, is composed of individual fibres that are needle punched to interlock the structured non-woven material (hence the name SNoW). This increases surface contact of the haemostat with the bleeding site and is said to deliver improved speed, handling and overall performance when compared with Surgicel Original absorbable haemostat. The structure of the new material also results in a 43% faster time to haemostasis than Surgicel Original absorbable haemostat.1 Handling too is improved, when compared with Surgicel Original. It offers enhanced conformability and adherence to the bleeding site,2 and is said to be easy to reposition without sticking to instruments.2 The new absorbable haemostat is suitable for use in open and minimally invasive procedures in urologic, general, cardiovascular, vascular and gynaecologic applications.
The bactericidal advantage
Surgicel absorbable haemostat is said to be the only absorbable haemostat with proven bactericidal properties,3,4 having broad-spectrum activity in vitro against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, including MRSA, VRE, PRSP, and MRSE.5 Surgicel SNoW is now part of the comprehensive portfolio of haemostasis solutions offered by the company. Partnership with Ethicon Biosurgery can offer significant savings across the portfolio through effective rationalisation along with appropriate product selection. Professional education and training, for both clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, are key elements of the company’s presence in the marketplace, offering procedural insights and hands-on product training at world class centres across Europe.
References
1 Data on file. Ethicon, Inc. TTH Study. 2 Data on file. Ethicon, Inc. VOC Final Report. 3 Spangler D., Rothenburger S., Nguyen K., Jampani H., Weiss S., Bhende S. In vitro antimicrobial activity of oxidized regenerated cellulose against antibioticresistant microorganisms. Surg Infect. 2003;4(3): 255-262. 4 Dineen P. The effect of oxidized regenerated cellulose on experimental infected splenotomies. J Surg res. 1977;23:114-116. 5 Data on file. In vitro study, Ethicon, Inc. For more information contact:
Ethicon Biosurgery, a division of Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd
Pinewood Campus
Nine Mile Ride,
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 3EW
Tel: 01344 864000
Fax: 01344 871171
Email: ethiconbiosurgery@its.jnj.com
Web: www.ethicon360emea.com
