The ECHELON FLEX™ is a line of surgical staplers manufactured by Ethicon (a Johnson & Johnson company) used in open and minimally invasive procedures to simultaneously cut and staple tissue. These devices are available in both manual and powered configurations and are known for their articulation and precision in a variety of surgical specialties.
Key Features and Benefits
- Articulation and Maneuverability: The staplers feature articulation mechanisms that allow the distal portion of the shaft to pivot, facilitating lateral access to difficult-to-reach surgical sites. The powered vascular stapler, in particular, offers a broad range of approach angles (up to 100°) due to its increased articulation and a thinner shaft design.
- Tissue Handling: The system, especially with the Gripping Surface Technology (GST) reloads, is designed to reduce tissue slippage during firing, which helps ensure consistent staple formation and may reduce complications like bleeding and leaks.
- Stability: The powered firing system provides enhanced stability at the end effector, with reports indicating a significant reduction in tip movement compared to non-powered or competitor devices. This stability is particularly important in critical procedures involving delicate structures like pulmonary vessels.
- Clinical Outcomes: Use of ECHELON FLEX™ Powered Staplers has been associated with improved clinical and economic outcomes, including a lower rate of bleeding complications, shorter length of stay, and reduced operating room time in procedures like VATS lobectomy and bariatric surgery.
- Versatility: The ECHELON FLEX™ system is designed for a wide range of tissue thicknesses and is used in general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures
Product Variants
The ECHELON FLEX™ line includes several variants, each designed for specific surgical needs:
- ECHELON FLEX™ ENDOPATH® Staplers: These are manually operated devices available in various shaft lengths (compact, standard, long) and come in 45mm and 60mm options. They are intended for a broad range of general surgical applications.
ECHELON FLEX™ Powered Vascular Stapler: This device features a narrower anvil, thinner shaft, and a curved tip for enhanced maneuverability and precise placement on fragile vessels. It is primarily used for vascular transection, especially in thoracic procedures.
ECHELON FLEX™ GST System: This system includes the powered stapler and proprietary reloads with Gripping Surface Technology, which offers an atraumatic ridged surface to hold tissue in place securely during firing. This system is used in bariatric, colorectal, and thoracic procedures.
Manufacturer: Ethicon
Addresses:
- Corporate Headquarters (Raritan, NJ):
- 1000 US Highway 202 S, Raritan, NJ 08869, United States
- Phone: +1 877-384-4266
Product Prices
The prices for ECHELON FLEX™ surgical staplers vary significantly depending on whether the item is a single-use stapler unit, part of a multi-unit box, or a reload cartridge. Individual stapler units can range from approximately $400 to over $800 each, while boxes (typically 3 units) can cost several thousand dollars.
Sample Product Pricing
| Product Description | Single Unit Price (Approx. USD) | Box Price (Approx. USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Ethicon ECHELON FLEX™ Powered ENDOPATH® Stapler 45mm | $440 – $500 | Varies (often sold in boxes of 3) |
| Ethicon ECHELON FLEX™ ENDOPATH® Stapler 60mm (manual) | $625 – $800 | ~$7,700 (box of 3) |
| Ethicon ECHELON FLEX™ Powered 35mm Vascular Stapler | ~$400 | Varies (often sold in boxes of 3) |
| Echelon Endopath Stapler Reload (e.g., green, blue) | Varies greatly | ~$2,150 – $3,160 (box of 12) |
Free References
Improving Hemostasis in Sleeve Gastrectomy With Alternative Stapler
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes of Gripping Surface Technology Staple Reloads versus Standard Staple Reloads Used with Manual Linear Surgical Staplers
A novel narrow profile articulating powered vascular stapler provides superior access and haemostasis equivalent to conventional devices
Rupture of the staple suture site after stapling the right inferior pulmonary vein with double rows of staples: a case report
Mechanical Stapling Devices for Soft Tissue Repair: A Review of Commercially Available Linear, Linear Cutting, and Circular Staplers
Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Single-Use and Multi-Use Surgical Staplers with Staple Line Buttressing in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery
A Novel, Easy-to-Use Staple Line Reinforcement for Surgical Staplers
Improving Performance and Access to Difficult-to-Reach Anatomy with a Powered Articulating Stapler
Systematic review of operative outcomes of robotic surgical
procedures performed with endoscopic linear staplers or robotic
staplers
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