New Device Assists Laparoscopic Surgeons

Utilizing vacuum, the LapCap safely elevates a portion of abdominal wall up and away from the underlying intestines and blood vessels in only 4-8 seconds, creating a pathway for blind Veress needle passage and reducing the surgeon's anxiety over this initial maneuver. The LapCap is a product of Aragon Surgical and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"We are extremely excited to be adding the breakthrough LapCap technology to the products already under development here at Aragon Surgical,” said Dr. Peter Edelstein, president and CEO of Aragon Surgical. "Having performed numerous laparoscopic operations myself, I have no doubt that the LapCap will be of great benefit to my colleagues at the start of their laparoscopic procedures.”

Laparoscopic gynecologists, general surgeons, bariatric surgeons, colon and rectal surgeons, and urologists create a pneumoperitoneum approximately 2.4 million times a year in the United States. Currently, the surgeon (often assisted by a nurse), must forcefully lift the abdominal wall using penetrating clamps while simultaneously attempting to safely pass the 12-cm Veress needle blindly into the abdomen.