FDA Approves Device to Reduce Leakage and Bleeding After Surgery

Medical Ventures' PeriPatch Aegis, a product to reduce complications during surgery, received 510(k) clearance from the FDA, the company announced.

PeriPatch Aegis reinforces surgical staple lines during procedures such as bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity, and thoracic surgery to treat certain kinds of lung disease. When used with standard surgical staplers, it can help reduce leakage and bleeding around staple lines, the company said.

The PeriPatch can be used in minimally invasive laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures as well as in traditional open surgeries. The product uses Medical Ventures' proprietary PeriPatch bovine tissue technology.

Medical Ventures will begin limited marketing in the U.S. of the PeriPatch in the second quarter of 2007. A full launch into the U.S. marketplace is expected in the second half of the year.