Five-year deal for keyhole-surgery firm

The Leeds-based group, which makes devices for use in minimally invasive surgery, said the Pretzel-Flex is an innovative new instrument that can reposition large organs, such as the liver, during keyhole surgery.

A common use of the device is to safely shift the liver out of the way during a gastric bypass. For this type of operation, the liver must be moved in order to obtain access to the upper stomach.

Surgical said the Pretzel-Flex makes it much easier for doctors to shift large or swollen livers that are common in obese individuals.

Under the distribution agreement, CareFusion has acquired exclusive US rights to Pretzel-Flex for five years. Surgical will manufacture the device for CareFusion and it will be marketed in the US under the CareFusion brand.

Surgical retains the right to manufacture and distribute the device under its brand name in all other markets.

The Pretzel-Flex can be inserted into the abdomen through a tiny hole, measuring no more than 5mm. The surgeon can then activate it so it assumes a pretzel shape.

Surgical’s chief executive Graham Bowland said: “This latest agreement with CareFusion affirms a long-standing and successful partnership and gives Pretzel-Flex access to an established US sales force that is already well versed with our flex technology.”

CareFusion’s senior vice-president, Jim Leitl, said: “The new Pretzel-Flex laparoscopic retractor is a strong, complementary fit with our current portfolio of minimally invasive surgical products.”

Last week, Surgical signed a £5m five-year deal with its distributor in the US.

Its US partner will distribute the group’s Logi and LogiCut product ranges, together with its reusable line.

The partner has been granted first refusal on all future Surgical’s branded products for the next five years.