Washington University in St. Louis study shows ETHICON SECURESTRAP® Fixation Device provides superior holding strength at various deployment angles compared to blunt-tip hollow screw-fastener device

CINCINNATI, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A study published in the October 8 issue of Surgical Endoscopy concluded that an absorbable ''strap'' device, such as the ETHICON SECURESTRAP^® Fixation Device provides greater mesh-tissue fixation strength at acute deployment angles compared to an absorbable blunt-tip hollow screw-fastener device. The study was conducted by Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO, USA) and led by Corey Deeken, Ph.D., Director of Biomedical Engineering & Biomaterials Laboratory of the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.¹

Adding to the growing body of evidence that ETHICON SECURESTRAP^® Fixation Device, an absorbable ''strap'' device, provides superior holding strength, the study found that the absorbable blunt-tip hollow screw-fastener device at a 30-degree deployment angle is associated with an increased occurrence of immediate tack failure. These findings demonstrate that among absorbable fixation devices, the ''strap'' construct provides an advantage in producing stronger mesh-tissue fixation compared to the blunt-tip hollow screw-fastener when delivered at acute angles, as often occur during minimally invasive hernia repair.

The Washington University in St. Louis study, as well as an internal Ethicon study², both concluded that the absorbable blunt-tip screw-fastener fixation device is compromised when delivered at acute angles. "This speaks to our commitment of providing evidence to support the advancement of hernia repair," stated Jeff Rauso, Global Strategic Marketing Director, Ethicon Hernia Solutions. "ETHICON SECURESTRAP^® Fixation Device offers a unique solution to this issue. It is the geometry of our implant, offering two points of fixation and the stored energy delivery of the device that provides secure and reliable fixation at various deployment angles without the assistance of articulation. Our continued collaboration with all stakeholders and investment in research is leading to advancements in hernia care that stand to provide reduced costs to healthcare systems and potentially significant benefits to patients and surgeons."

About Ethicon

Ethicon, Inc. and Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., two companies with long histories of medical innovation, do business under the Ethicon brand. Their surgical technologies and products (including sutures, staplers, energy devices, clip appliers, trocars and meshes) are used around the world to treat colorectal and thoracic conditions, women's health conditions, hernias, cancer and obesity. Ethicon, Inc. and Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. are part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. Learn more at www.ethicon.com, and follow us on Twitter @Ethicon.

SOURCE Ethicon, Inc.