Sorin Group Launches the VascuClear(™) Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting System

VascuClear EVH offers improved ergonomics and environmentally friendly packaging

Sorin Group (MIL:SRN)(Reuters Code: SORN.MI), a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular devices, is proud to announce the introduction of its VascuClear™ Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting (EVH) system to replace the existing EVH product offering.

EVH offers patients a minimally-invasive alternative for vessel harvesting. With EVH, the vessel is removed using a small incision, which greatly reduces the patient’s pain, recovery time, infection rates and scarring.

As a truly open carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) EVH system, VascuClear is not reliant on sealed gas insufflation and carries little to no risk of CO₂ embolism or intraluminal clot formation. A study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery ¹ concluded that an open carbon dioxide EVH system can significantly lessen the complication of clot formation when compared with a sealed EVH system. VascuClear also operates at a low temperature, minimizing thermal spread.

The VascuClear Precision Bipolar design improvements include an easy-to-use button configuration with textured buttons to provide a better feel and grip. The controls are spring loaded to return the jaw to a neutral position when released. A bright tip on the jaw improves visibility while inside the harvesting tunnel and handles have an improved ergonomic feel and keep cords out of the way. As part of Sorin Cardiopulmonary’s environmentally friendly Green Leaf Program, VascuClear is delivered in visibly clear, recyclable packaging and is conveniently organized and easy to open for immediate use.

“The introduction of VascuClear provides clinicians with the newest tool for minimally invasive endoscopic vessel harvesting and strengthens our comprehensive line of cardiovascular products and services,” said Michel Darnaud, President Cardiopulmonary and Intercontinental Business Units.

All of the features of Sorin’s previous EVH device, ClearGlide™ were retained. This includes a truly open CO₂ system, low operating temperature, greater flexibility and a smooth cut and seal that require no additional “tugging” on the vessel. As part of Sorin’s commitment to conduit quality, the Bonchek^TM Vein Distention System distends and irrigates a vein graft to a predetermined level to avoid over-distention of the harvested vessel.

Sorin Group’s extensive line of perfusion products, pack design services and EVH systems have been continuously expanded and improved to achieve better patient outcomes and enhance the clinician’s experience.

1. Brown et al. Strategies to reduce intraluminal clot formation in endoscopically harvested saphenous veins, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery; 2007;134(5):1259-1265.

About Sorin Group

Sorin Group (www.sorin.com ) is a global, medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The Company develops, manufactures and markets medical technologies for cardiac surgery and for the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders. With 3,700 employees worldwide, Sorin Group focuses on three major therapeutic areas: cardiopulmonary bypass (extracorporeal circulation and autotransfusion systems), cardiac rhythm management, and heart valve repair and replacement. Every year, over one million patients are treated with Sorin Group devices in more than 80 countries.

For more information, please visit: www.sorin.com

Contact:

Martine Konorski
Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: +33 (0)1 46 01 33 78
Mobile: +33 (0)6 76 12 67 73
e-mail:
martine.konorski@sorin.com
or
Francesca Rambaudi
Manager, Investor Relations
Tel: +39 02 69969716
e-mail: investor.relations@sorin.com