Leading health care products company,
Covidien plc.
(
COV
) recently received 510(k) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for its LigaSure curved, small jaw, open
sealer/divider surgical instrument. The device can now be utilized
for ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries.
Earlier, in February 2011, Covidien had received FDA approval to
use the LigaSure instrument for general surgeries. With this latest
FDA approval, the device can be applied to an extended range of
surgeries such as head and neck procedures along with
parotidectomies, thyroidectomies and additional open ENT
procedures. About 160,000 of such procedures are conducted every
year in the U.S. alone.
The LigaSure vessel sealing products from Covidien's Energy
business (under the Medical Devices segment) significantly
contribute to the company's top-line growth. The LigaSure
technology has been used in millions of surgeries worldwide and has
received positive feedback from surgeons. In the last reported
quarter, revenues from Energy Devices soared 10% to $330 million,
led by strong vessel sealing sales.
The multifunctional LigaSure Small Jaw instrument offers physicians
greater flexibility while performing procedures in confined
surgical rooms. The device is capable of sealing, blunt dissection,
grasping and dividing tissue efficiently, requiring less time and
effort. Powered by the ForceTriad energy platform, the device
offers low temperature profile, suitable to the surgeon's
requirements and spreads minimal thermal energy to surrounding
tissues.
The LigaSure device will be displayed at the American College of
Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress in Chicago, IL from September 30
to October 4.
Covidien is a leading global health care products company with a
history of developing high-quality products in a cost-effective
manner. It competes with
Johnson & Johnson
(
JNJ
),
Becton Dickinson
(
BDX
) and
C.R. Bard
(
BCR
), among others. The company plans to bolster sales with the help
of strategic acquisitions.
Covidien remains committed to rolling out new products and
technologies, focusing on emerging markets, and boosting market
share in core segments through investments in sales and marketing
infrastructure.
However, sustained pricing/procedure volume pressure, fluctuating
foreign exchange rates, a sluggish U.S. and European economy
represent major headwinds. We currently have a Neutral
recommendation on Covidien, which carries a short-term Zacks #4
Rank (Sell).
BARD C R INC (BCR): Free Stock Analysis Report
BECTON DICKINSO (BDX): Free Stock Analysis
Report
COVIDIEN PLC (COV): Free Stock Analysis Report
JOHNSON & JOHNS (JNJ): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research