Smith+Nephew expands its leading WEREWOLF™ Technology into total joint arthroplasty with launch of WEREWOLF FASTSEAL 6.0 Hemostasis Wand

LONDON, Aug. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN,NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology business, today announces the launch of WEREWOLF FASTSEAL 6.0 Hemostasis Wand, bringing its leading radio-frequency technology to orthopaedic reconstruction surgeons.

Using low temperature thermal energy, the FASTSEAL 6.0 Hemostasis Wand delivers hemostatic sealing during open orthopaedic procedures such as total joint arthroplasty (TJA) – this technology has shown to significantly reduce total blood loss*1 as well as significantly shortening procedure time.**2

Intra-operative bleeding presents challenges for surgeons, including risks to patients and impaired visibility during the procedure. The FASTSEAL 6.0 Wand aims to support surgeons to overcome those challenges while managing patient outcomes.

“The FASTSEAL 6.0 Hemostasis Wand excels in its delivery of hemostasis. The MAX power button feature allows me to immediately target and treat bleeding vessels quickly and effectively. The wand felt great in my hand; was easy to manoeuvre, comfortable, and versatile” commented Ronald W, Singer, MD, OrthoCarolina, USA, and the first surgeon to use the FASTSEAL 6.0 Wand since its approval by the FDA. “As we look to minimise the footprint in our operating room spaces, being able to integrate the [FASTSEAL] wand onto the WEREWOLF platform is hugely beneficial too.”

The launch of the FASTSEAL 6.0 Wand expands the WEREWOLF platform utilising Smith+Nephew’s leading radio-frequency technology. Building off the strong legacy of the WEREWOLF brand, predominantly used in Sports Medicine and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) procedures, the latest generation of the WEREWOLF Controller now allows for one single system to be used across multiple specialties including Sports Medicine, ENT and orthopaedic procedures.

“We’re thrilled to introduce our industry-leading WEREWOLF technology into a new market segment with hemostasis wands,” said Scott Schaffner, SVP and GM, Global Sports Medicine, Smith+Nephew. “With this launch we’re combining our most innovative Sports Medicine technology with our leading Orthopaedic Reconstruction portfolio to offer a complete Smith+Nephew solution; one that is hugely valuable for our orthopaedic customers and their patients.”

References
* compared to monopolar electrocautery for THA using an anterolateral approach (p=0.0001, n=50)
** compared to monopolar electrocautery for infected revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (p=0.044, n=80)
1.Marulanda GA, Ulrich SD, Seyler TM, Delanois RE, Mont MA. Reductions in blood loss with a bipolar sealer in total hip arthroplasty. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2008;5(2):125-131.
2.Derman PB, Kamath AF, Lee GC. Saline-coupled bipolar sealing in revision total knee arthroplasty for infection. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2013;42(9):407-411.

About Smith+Nephew
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business that exists to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 18,000 employees  deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global franchises of Orthopaedics, Advanced Wound Management and Sports Medicine & ENT.

Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in more than 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $4.6 billion in 2020. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN,NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on TwitterLinkedInInstagram or Facebook.

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SOURCE: Smith+Nephew, PR Newswire, 17th August 2021