Surgical Stitching System Combine Flexibility and Precision

The system mounts quickly and easily on an endoscope, and allows sutures to be deployed under direct visualization, capable of deploying multiple running and interrupted stitches with a single insertion of the endoscope. The system uses a unique design that mimics a curved needle, allowing for controlled depth of suture placement.

The system includes a cap, a catheter-based actuating curved needle with a mechanism for needle transfer, a catheter based needle actuator, and a catheter needle tip-transfer device, which allows for reloading of new suture without endoscope removal. The suturing device can be used with commercially available endoscopes, including double channel endoscopes that permit independent use of a tissue retractor to facilitate precise suture placement and full thickness closure.

The single-handed operation allows physician to maintain system control, and is reloadable while maintaining visibility of the operative site. A unique cinch design provides secure closure without the need to tie surgical knots. Sutures are available in both absorbable 2-0 Polypropylene (PP) and nonabsorbable 2-0 Polydioxinone (PDO). The Apollo Endosurgery OverStitch system is a product of Apollo Endosurgery (Austin, TX, USA), and has received the European Community (CE) marking of approval.

“Our efforts to improve patient care through less-invasive procedures will continue to highlight endoscopic surgery's prominence in the world of healthcare,” said Dennis McWilliams, president and CEO of Apollo Endosurgery said. “Apollo Endosurgery will continue to strive towards maintaining its leadership position as an innovator and a driving force in advancing this new class of less invasive therapies.”

“Endoscopic suturing with the OverStitch device provides great potential to transform how we treat the bariatric patient by offering new less invasive endoscopic approaches for both early intervention and the treatment of complications from previous surgical weight loss procedures,” added Luigi Angrisani, MD, President Elect for the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity (IFSO; Naples, Italy).

Related Links:
Apollo Endosurgery
International Federation of Surgery for Obesity