The FDA approved Intuitive Surgical’s fully wristed 60mm stapler, an industry first for the robotic surgery giant.
The device, which is dubbed the SureForm 60, is a single-patient stapler that allows for 120 degrees of wristed articulation that is controlled by surgeons using the company’s da Vinci console. When combined with da Vinci’s tremor filtration and tip stability along with the 120 degrees of articulation, surgeons are getting more precise stapler manipulation and placement, the company said.
The stapler is capable of measuring tissue compression before and during staple firing, making automatic adjustments to the firing process as staples are formed and the transection is made. It makes more than 1,000 measurements per second, allowing for consistent staple lines and helping reduce the chance of tissue damage.
“Intuitive continues our minimally invasive innovation with our 60mm stapler, rooted in extensive research and development and an understanding of surgeons’ needs,” Sal Brogna, Intuitive’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.
SureForm 60, which can be used in general, thoracic, gynecologic, urologic and pediatric surgeries, is compatible with the da Vinci Xi and X surgical systems.
In 2016, Intuitive partnered with Dextera Surgical to develop a surgical stapler and cartridge to be used with da Vinci system. That partnership came on the heels of a successful six-month feasibility evaluation of Dextera’s MicroCutter stapler tech.