Teleflex Inc., a provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, is partnering with robotic surgery company Intuitive Surgical Inc. to manufacture Weck disposable trocar seals and obturators for Intuitive's new da Vinci Xi surgical system.
According to Wayne, Pa.-based Teleflex, the agreement will provide surgeons performing robotic procedures with the same options as its Weck Vista line of bladeless laparoscopic access ports used in standard laparoscopic cases.
“The structured collaboration between both companies allows for leverage of differentiated Weck technology that creates value for da Vinci customers,” said John Tushar, president and general manager of Teleflex’s Surgical Division. “As Intuitive Surgical has built a strong and highly recognized brand, Teleflex’s Surgical Division will benefit from the extended market reach of its Weck Vista technology on the da Vinci Xi platform. Teleflex is pleased to be associated with such a strong brand and market presence with Intuitive Surgical and da Vinci technology.”
Weck brand seals and trocars developed for the da Vinci Xi system use the same technology as Weck Vista access ports, specifically the patented atraumatic dilating obturator tip. According to Teleflex, in standard laparoscopic cases, the Weck Vista Access portfolio meets doctor's needs by providing a broader offering of primary entry access ports: high clarity in optical ports with uniquely designed ridged cannulas, wide variety of balloon and cone open access ports, standard ridged and smooth cannula access ports.
The da Vinci Xi system is the fourth generation of the da Vinci technology and is designed as a minimally invasive approach to large-incision abdominal surgeries. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Intuitive Surgical says the robot has been optimized for multi-quadrant surgeries. The da Vinci Xi System was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in early April.