US deal for Surgical Innovations

The Leeds-based firm has signed an eight-year exclusive distribution agreement with CareFusion, a medical device company, for its PretzelFlex laparoscopic retractor in the US.

Under the distribution agreement, CareFusion has acquired exclusive US rights to PretzelFlex for eight years. This replaces the existing licensing agreement for the Diamond-Flex which is due to end in 2012 and is based on minimum contracted volumes.

The patented PretzelFlex has been developed by SI for the effective retraction or repositioning of large organs, such as the liver, to provide access during complex minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

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

The device will be manufactured by SI for CareFusion and it will be marketed in the US under the CareFusion brand. SI retains the right to manufacture and distribute the device.

Graham Bowland, the chief executive of SI, said: “Confirmation of this latest agreement with CareFusion affirms a long standing and successful partnership and gives us increased exposure to a growing US market for innovative MIS products.”