CareFusion Signs Partnership Agreement With Minimally Invasive Devices Inc.

CareFusion has obtained the distribution rights to Minimally Invasive Devices LLC’s FloShield laparoscopic technology.

The agreement gives San Diego, Calif.-based Carefusion the legal authority to sell and marketFloShield products. The FloShield system, according to Minimally Invasive’s Web site, is designed to eliminate or significantly reduce theneed to remove the laparoscope for cleaning during surgery.

FloShield produces a continuous “air-curtain” over the end of the scope that can eliminate fog and deflect smoke and debris. The FloShield PLUS system integrates a user activated saline flush that can wash debris from the front of the lens without scope removal.

“During minimally invasive surgery, operating room teams have struggled to keep the laparscopic lens clean, either constantly removing it, or operating with a diminished view,”said Wayne Poll, M.D., Minimally Invasive’s CEO and a laparoscopic surgeon. “FloShield has solved this problem. We could not be more pleased that CareFusion has partnered with us to help improve the safety and efficiency of a number of different procedures.”

A CareFusion executive said the company looks forward to “further expanding the use the the [FloShield] device in operating rooms.”

Minimally Invasive Devices launched the FloShield system last year. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.