Valleylab Announces New, Integrated ForceTriad(TM) Energy Platform for Electrosurgery

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Valleylab, a division of Tyco Healthcare Group LP and the market leader in advanced energy-based surgical systems, today announced the launch of the ForceTriad(TM) energy platform, a first-in-class integrated solution for electrosurgery. This platform provides the operating room with one energy system for electrosurgical and tissue fusion needs and gives surgeons the ability to deliver precisely controlled energy and improved tissue effect.

The ForceTriad(TM) energy platform is a full-featured electrosurgical generator intended for open and laparoscopic surgical procedures. It offers the surgeon a wide range of options, including electrosurgical cutting and coagulation, bipolar functionality and LigaSure(TM) tissue fusion. The updated LigaSure(TM) technology provides improved tissue-sensing and closed-loop control for faster and more consistent tissue and vessel fusion.

"The ForceTriad(TM) energy platform provides the surgeon improved tissue effect with consistent power delivery," said Barbara Levy, MD, Medical Director for the Women's Health and Breast Center, Franciscan Health System. "This energy platform will assist in improving focus on the procedure and perioperative efficiency."

In the past, operating rooms needed separate pieces of equipment to achieve different tissue effects: monopolar, bipolar and vessel sealing. The ForceTriad(TM) energy platform combines all three into one easy-to-use platform, making setup simpler.

The ForceTriad(TM) energy platform received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510 (k) concurrence in 2005 and has been used in more than 200 procedures during early customer evaluations.

"Valleylab has listened to its customers and is taking surgery to a new level, enhancing trusted products to provide surgeons with the ability to achieve greater control and consistency," said Bryan Hanson, Valleylab's president. "The ForceTriad(TM) energy platform underscores our commitment to developing safe and dependable operating room products."

About Valleylab

Valleylab, a division of Tyco Healthcare Group LP, is the world leader in the innovation and manufacture of advanced energy-based medical systems, including a complete line of electrosurgical generators, accessories and disposable products, the LigaSure(TM) vessel sealing system, patient return electrodes, argon-enhanced electrosurgery systems, laparoscopic instruments, the Cool-tip(TM) radiofrequency ablation system and smoke evacuation devices. More information can be found at http://www.valleylab.com/.

About Tyco Healthcare

As a major business segment of Tyco International Ltd. , Tyco Healthcare manufactures, distributes and services an extensive product line that includes disposable medical supplies, monitoring equipment, innovative wound closure products, advanced surgical devices, medical instruments and bulk analgesic pharmaceuticals. With industry-leading brand names such as Autosuture, Kendall, Mallinckrodt, Nellcor, Puritan Bennett, Syneture and Valleylab, Tyco Healthcare products are found in virtually every healthcare setting. More information can be found at http://www.tycohealthcare.com/.

Contacts: Sherri Hughes-Smith Valleylab 800-255-8522, ext. 6849 sherri.hughes-smith@tycohealthcare.com Lee-Ann Murphy Weber Shandwick 617/520-7216 lee-annmurphy@webershandwick.com