MANSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that its Sonicision™ cordless ultrasonic dissection system won the 2013 Medical Design Excellence Award (MDEA), one of the medical technology industry’s highest honors. Covidien’s iDrive™ Ultra powered stapling system was also an MDEA finalist in the same category for Surgical Equipment, Instruments and Supplies. Since 1998, the MDEA program has recognized significant advances in medical product design and engineering that improve the quality of healthcare delivery and accessibility.

“We are honored to have two products recognized by the prestigious MDEA program this year,” said Paul Hermes, Chief Technology Officer, Surgical Solutions, Covidien. “Congratulations to both the Sonicision and iDrive Ultra teams for their tremendous achievements. Product research and development can be complex and challenging; however we have many dedicated people working to turn great ideas into valued medical solutions. We take great pride in Covidien’s ability to develop innovative technologies that improve clinical performance, while striving to reduce overall healthcare costs.”

The first product of its kind, the Sonicision cordless ultrasonic dissection device is a hand-held, battery-powered surgical instrument developed for soft tissue incision and hemostasis in a wide variety of surgical procedures. The innovative device delivers high frequency ultrasonic vibrations, which simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue. Sonicision has been shown to deliver faster dissection through tissue¹ and less plume for improved visibility² in the surgical field.

The unique cordless design and simplified set-up of the Sonicision system allow for more freedom of movement and better efficiency in the operating room. Its intuitive dual-mode energy activation control enables easy transition between energy modes for ease of use.

The iDrive Ultra system is the only reusable, fully-powered endostapler available in the market today, offering one-handed, push-button operation of all stapler controls for superior precision. It offers fingertip control of clamping, articulation, rotation, firing and opening, reducing unwanted motion during all stapling actions, with unlimited articulation within the 45-degree left/right range. This enables surgeons to place the device where they want it and keep it there throughout the stapling application. The iDrive Ultra system can be used in procedures where Covidien Endo GIA™ reloads are indicated, both in minimally invasive and open surgery. Moreover, as a reusable device, it is designed for economical steam autoclave sterilization in the hospital.

The iDrive Ultra device is fully compatible with Covidien’s complete line of Endo GIA reloads with Tri-Staple™ technology, which provides consistent performance over a broader range of tissue thickness.

The 2013 Medical Design Excellence Awards were presented at a ceremony on June 19 in Philadelphia, in conjunction with the Medical Design & Manufacturing East event.

1. Tsirline VB, Lau KN, Swan RZ, Montero PN, Sindram D, Martinie JB, Iannitti DA, Evaluation of an Innovative, Cordless Ultrasonic Dissector. Surg Innov, 2013.

2. Kim FJ, Sehrt D, Pompeo A, Molina WR, Comparison of surgical plume among laparoscopic ultrasonic dissectors using a real-time digital quantitative technology. Surg Endosc, 2012.

About Covidien

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2012 revenue of $11.9 billion, Covidien has 43,000 employees worldwide in 70 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Sonicision wins the 2013 gold Medical Design Excellence Award. Sonicision, the medical industry's first cordless ultrasonic dissection device, is a hand-held, battery-powered surgical device that is indicated for a wide variety of surgical procedures. The cordless design gives surgeons complete freedom of movement in the operating room-a first in the surgical application of ultrasonic energy. (Photo: Business Wire)

The iDrive Ultra stapling system is the only fully powered, reusable, battery-operated endoscopic surgical stapler in the world. Featuring one-handed push-button operation and unlimited articulation, the system eliminates the need for manual firing force and improves maneuverability, compared with traditional endomechanical staplers. (Photo: Business Wire)