Inlet Medical Launches Carter-Thomason(R) CloseSure System XL(TM)
Laparoscopic Surgical System Helps Prevent Herniation in Obese Patients
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Jan. 5, 2005) - Inlet Medical Inc., a privately held medical
device company that develops and markets specialty laparoscopic surgical products, has
launched the Carter-Thomason® CloseSure System XL(TM) in the United States. The CloseSure
System XL combines a Pilot® guide and suture passer to ensure complete wound closure after
laparoscopic surgery and prevent post-surgical herniation in obese patients, a common
complication among these patients. Laparoscopic surgery, performed through several small
incisions, is growing in this patient group with the rise in bariatric surgery as a
treatment for obesity. The CloseSure System XL is based on the company's innovative
Carter-Thomason CloseSure(TM) System, which has been on the market since 1998, and has
a 100 percent success rate.
"As the number of obese patients increases, physicians require specialized surgical
tools to ensure the best possible outcomes for this challenging patient group," said Lee
Jones, president and chief executive officer, Inlet Medical. "The Carter-Thomason CloseSure
System XL offers physicians and patients significant benefits in various laparoscopic
procedures, particularly bariatric surgery to treat obesity -- a rapidly growing procedure.
With this surgical system, physicians can close incisions completely, prevent herniation at
the site and improve outcomes without extending surgical time."
Herniation, or a rupture of muscle tissue, is a relatively common complication of
laparoscopic surgery, and obese patients have a greater risk of developing hernias at
an incision site. Full-thickness closure of the four layers of the abdominal wall prevents
this problem. Hand suturing is especially difficult in obese patients, and the Carter-Thomason
CloseSure System XL puts full-thickness closure within reach for these patients.
One in four Americans is considered obese and an estimated 400,000 people died of
obesity-related complications in 2000. The number of bariatric procedures is increasing
rapidly, with a majority now performed laparoscopically. According to the American Society
of Bariatric Surgeons, 63,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in 2002, 15 percent of
which were laparoscopic. In 2005, an estimated 250,000 procedures will be performed with
85 percent completed laparoscopically.
Recently, the Carter-Thomason Closure System XL was named the 2004 Innovative Product
of the Year by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Inlet Medical also markets a line
of laparoscopic gynecology products for pelvic support procedures. The CloseSure System is
also used in conjunction with these procedures.
About Inlet Medical, Inc.
Inlet Medical Inc., based in Eden Prairie, Minn., is a privately held medical device company that specializes in surgical
products for the women's health market. The company develops and markets laparoscopic surgical instruments to gynecologists who perform
pelvic reconstructive surgery in women. As many as 5 million women in the United States may be able to benefit from the company's unique
product offerings. More information about the company can be found at www.inletmedical.com. Educational information about the procedures
is available at www.inletmedical.org.
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