Starion Instruments
HCID Member | Medical Devices & Tech
775 Palomar Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085 USA
phone: 1-408-522-5200
fax: 1-408-522-5201
Symbol Private
Founded 0
Employees
www.starioninstruments.com
Research Sector Medical Devices & Tech
Summary Description
Instruments for hemostasis during surgical procedures.
Management
J.C. Kirtland, President and CEO
Keywords
surgery, urology, cardiology, surgical equipment, surgical, instruments, blood, tissue, hemostasis, j2008

Comment | Printable Version | Aug. 28, 2008
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Description
Starion Instruments develops and manufactures instruments enabling hemostasis during open and endoscopic procedures using focused heat and pressure. All devices employ the company's proprietary Tissue Welding(TM) technology to simultaneously seal and divide blood vessels and tissue.
Products / Services
Starion's product portfolio is currently used within the domains of cardiac surgery, head and neck/ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery, general surgery, gynecology, pediatrics and urology. The Cautery Forceps, UltraSlim Cautery Forceps (for delicate structures) and SC Forceps are commonly utilized in open procedures. Starion has also developed forceps primarily used for more specific applications, including the Cardio Forceps for open cardiac vessel harvesting and the ENTceps for thyroidectomy, tonsillectomy, parotidectomy, and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). Starion's line of Thermal Ligating Shears consists of: the STLS, a single-speed hand-activated device used in endoscopic procedures; the TLS2, a two-speed, hand-activated device for open and laparoscopic general surgery procedures (i.e. gastric bypass and cholecystectomy); and the TLS3, the company's latest device for the ligation and dissection of large vessels encountered in gynecological, urological, and general surgical procedures. Additionally, demonstrating the versatility of Tissue Welding, Starion has partnered with Novare Surgical Systems to develop the ThermaSeal, the first truly articulating seal and divide instrument ever offered.
Technology / Differentiation
The Universal Power Supply (UPS) is a compact (<3 lbs and hangs from IV pole), low voltage, direct current (DC) power supply providing a constant yet adjustable current that generates a precise amount of power in the resistive heating element for a particular device. (Using only the minimum required energy reduces the effects on neighboring structures.) Electrical current from the UPS passes through the heating element, instead of traveling through the patient as it does in radiofrequency devices. A temperature gradient is then created on each side via the thermally insulated tips of the Starion instrument; higher temperatures enable dissection and division, while lower temperatures are optimal for denaturation and ligation. Pressure is applied to a vessel to facilitate coagulation of denatured proteins. Each simultaneous seal and division is complete in seconds, enhancing the recovery of delicate and critical tissue.
Market / Customers
General and specialty procedures within the conventional electrosurgery sector (which includes open and laparoscopic/minimally invasive procedures in general surgery and various surgical specialty areas) total approximately 17 million procedures annually and are forecast to grow to nearly 20 million in 2010. The global market for endoscopic surgery devices and instruments is expected to reach $18.5 billion by 2011.
Status
Having established credentials in cardiac and ENT markets, and concurrent with world-wide expansion, Starion is now focusing on applications of Tissue Welding technology in general, gynecological and urological surgical markets.


2008-09-08-142