Teleflex Launches New Second-Generation 2.9 mm Percuvance® System – A Breakthrough Advance that Makes Percutaneous Approach to Laparoscopic Procedures Even Less Invasive

WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Teleflex Incorporated TFX, a leading global provider of medical technologies for critical care and surgery, has announced today that it has officially launched its second-generation Percuvance® Percutaneous Surgical System and that the first clinical laparoscopic procedures in the U.S. using the system were performed at the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery. Teleflex's latest advance in percutaneous laparoscopy is more versatile and enables procedures to be even less invasive than its first-generation system while delivering the performance of 5 mm laparoscopic devices commonly used in minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) with less trauma.

The initial sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and laparoscopic gastric band removal procedures were performed by Dr. Dana D. Portenier* and his team. Dr. Portenier is the Chief of General Surgery at Duke Regional Hospital and the Division Chief at the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery.

"These are increasingly common but often challenging procedures," said Dr. Portenier. "Our experiences with the new system are consistent with other clinical studies, which showed that its handling and functionality were similar to standard 5-mm laparoscopic instrumentation. Further research will determine whether the system's smaller incisions could potentially demonstrate improvements in patient pain, cosmesis, and satisfaction."

The second-generation, 2.9 mm Percuvance System features additional interchangeable 5mm tool tips and a new quick-connect system to facilitate fast and secure tool-tip changes outside of the body. The system has the performance and versatility for use in common and advanced general laparoscopic procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, upper gastrointestinal, gastric, bariatric, colorectal and hernia. It enables surgeons to eliminate one or more additional trocars from their laparoscopic procedures versus the first-generation device while delivering the outcomes and performance they expect from their traditional laparoscopic devices.

The first generation Percuvance System has been used by more than 150 surgeons in the U.S. and EMEA since Teleflex implemented a limited release of the first-generation system in March 2015. The second-generation Percuvance device recently received FDA clearance and CE Mark approval. During the next month, a series of surgical procedures with the new Percuvance System will be conducted at other leading institutions in New York, Texas, Florida and California by surgeons with experience using the first-generation system.

"Our second-generation Percuvance System represents a significant advancement in the ongoing and perpetual evolution of minimally invasive surgery and is demonstrative of Teleflex's unwavering commitment to innovation," said John Tushar, President and General Manager of Teleflex Surgical. "We are encouraged by surgeons' enthusiastic response to our percutaneous surgical devices and are optimistic the new Percuvance System will become a new standard of care in laparoscopic surgery."

Teleflex is ramping up its sales and marketing efforts to familiarize surgeons worldwide with the unique performance capabilities and benefits of the 2.9 mm Percuvance System.

Percutaneous Laparoscopy: The next stage in the evolution of MIS

Traditional laparoscopic surgery revolutionized surgical practices more than 30 years ago, and approximately 3 million laparoscopic procedures are performed each year in the US¹. Since the early 2000s, new technologies and devices have been introduced with the goal of making these surgeries increasingly less invasive. None, however, has yet to become widely accepted in general practice for common laparoscopic procedures.

Percutaneous laparoscopy is a new category of laparoscopic surgery promoted by Teleflex to overcome the barriers that slowed widespread acceptance of other approaches. In developing the new Percuvance System, Teleflex listened to surgeons who said they wanted:

• Even less invasive surgical practices that do not compromise performance
• Reduced trauma and scarring
• A device that didn't require them to learn a new, complicated surgical technique.

"No matter what the surgery, patients generally prefer and are more satisfied with smaller incisions," said Dr. Chan W. Park^†, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine and a surgeon at the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery. "The development of new options for less invasive surgery that may also minimize discomfort for patients always represents a step forward in clinical care."

The Percuvance System has a short learning curve and requires few adjustments to surgeons' current techniques. In addition, it does not have the high costs associated with capital, service and fully disposable technologies.

About the Percuvance® System

Teleflex's Percuvance® Percutaneous Surgical System is a family of instruments used to perform laparoscopic procedures. It includes components that introduce a variety of instrument configurations into the abdominal cavity and requires a smaller incision site than traditional laparoscopic surgery. It offers reusable handles and seven disposable 5 mm interchangeable tool tips, which include graspers, scissors, dissector, electrocautery tools, and a Weck® Hem-o-lok® Polymer Ligation Clip Applier. Unlike some other laparoscopic devices, the Percuvance® System affords a percutaneous insertion into the patient without the use of an insertion trocar. The Percuvance® Percutaneous Surgical System with 5 mm attachments is indicated for the means to penetrate soft tissue to access certain areas of the abdomen. The systems are used to grasp, manipulate, cut, cauterize, and deliver Hem-o-lok System ligating clips to soft tissue during laparoscopic surgery.

Click here for animated video Teleflex.com/Percuvance

Teleflex Portfolio of Percutaneous Solutions

The Percuvance System complements another key product, the MiniLap® Percutaneous Surgical System, in Teleflex's growing portfolio of innovative yet practical solutions for percutaneous laparoscopy. The MiniLap System provides delivery and function through fully integrated and disposable 2.3 and 2.4 mm devices. Like the Percuvance System, the MiniLap System does not require a trocar for initial access and makes minimally invasive procedures even less invasive for procedures where common retraction, manipulation, and monopolar energy are required.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people's lives. We apply purpose driven innovation – a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs – to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow^®, Deknatel^®, Hudson RCI^®, LMA^®, Pilling^®, Rusch^® and Weck^® – trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Teleflex, the Teleflex logo, Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, MiniLap, Percuvance, Rüsch, Weck, and Hem-o-Lok are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates, in the U.S. and/or other countries. © 2016 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-002526

References:

¹ Source: Millennium Research Group, Inc, RPUS30LA13 | November 2014, US MARKETS FOR LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICES 2015, p30, figure 4.

*Dr. Dana Portenier is a paid consultant of Teleflex.
^†Dr. Chan Park is a paid consultant of Teleflex.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160815005047/en/