Boston Scientific touts “new generation” surgical technology

Boston Scientific has spoken of the benefits of its new FLEXView system, which will herald a “new generation” of minimally invasive surgical technology.

Originally developed by Guidant, which Boston Scientific acquired in April, the FLEXView system is designed to enable surgeons to perform stand-alone cardiac ablation procedures in a “closed-chest” environment, with a full view of the procedure at all times.

Additionally, the system will allow surgeons to perform unilateral ablations, decreasing surgical invasiveness in the process.

Lisa Earnhardt, president of Boston Scientific’s cardiac surgery business, remarked: “With the launch of the FLEXView System, Boston Scientific has delivered a new generation of minimally invasive surgical technology.”

She added that the new technology would have benefits for patients, who should feel less pain, spend less time recover and a faster discharge from hospital following surgery.

Adam Saltman of the Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York, concluded that the future of cardiac surgical ablation would rest in minimally-invasive technologies like FLEXView.

Boston Scientific’s merger with Guidant created one of the largest medical device companies in the world. Johnson & Johnson had attempted to bid for Guidant, but Boston Scientific’s offer was eventually selected.