Latest software introduces new capability and expands use to additional procedures

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 12, 2012-- Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the North American introduction of a new bipolar resection in saline software application for its ForceTriad™ energy platform. With this new application, surgeons may now perform transurethral resections of the prostate using TissueFect™ sensing technology available with the ForceTriad energy platform.

The new software application provides expanded capabilities without the need for additional capital expenditures. Same-day deployment is available to more than 10,000 installed ForceTriad energy platforms in the U.S., using Covidien’s Valleylab™ Exchange software update system.

“This product demonstrates our commitment to working with leading companies in the endoscope industry to deliver economical healthcare solutions,” said Dan Voecks, Senior Director, Product Management, Endomechanical and Intelligent Devices, Covidien. “With this software application, Covidien continues its commitment to minimize cost for hospitals, while providing healthcare facilities with advanced technologies that further improve patient outcomes.”

The ForceTriad is a multifunctional, software-based energy platform, available worldwide, that uses TissueFect sensing technology to monitor changes in tissue impedance 3,333 times per second and adjusts energy output accordingly to deliver the appropriate amount of energy for the desired tissue effect. With the new software application, the ForceTriad energy platform has a wide range of initiation and power options, all on one familiar user interface. These multi-use capabilities offer additional value to healthcare facilities by providing the ability to use the ForceTriad energy platform in a broader range of surgical procedures and may negate the need to purchase additional hardware equipment.

System upgrades are available for all new and existing ForceTriad generators using Covidien’s secure, internet-based Valleylab Exchange software update system. The new capability is also compatible with bipolar resectoscopes produced by Karl Storz Endoskope and Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corporation.

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 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 41,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Source: Covidien

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