Ethicon*, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies**, today announced its state-of-the-art and fully functional surgical lab on wheels will travel to hospitals in 70 locations across America providing surgeons and other healthcare professionals the opportunity for hands-on learning experiences and demonstrations with the newest technologies for colorectal, bariatric, gynecological and thoracic procedures.

The Ethicon Surgical Innovations Lab will showcase the company’s portfolio of advanced energy solutions including the recently launched ENSEAL X1 Curved Jaw Tissue Sealer, which continuously senses changes in tissue and responds with the optimized amount of energy during surgery.¹

The groundbreaking ECHELON CIRCULAR Powered Stapler will also be among the surgical stapler technology featured on the more than 850-square-foot mobile lab. In recent studies, the ECHELON CIRCULAR, which is the world’s first circular powered stapler, has been shown to reduce anastomotic leaks, a relatively common and potentially life-threatening complication of colorectal surgery, by nearly 74% compared to manual circular staplers.² Surgical staplers utilize specialized staples to close off and cut through organs, tissue and blood vessels in both laparoscopic and traditional surgery.

“After a year like no other, we’re eager to bring these latest advances directly to surgeons in their own communities and continue building on our trusted legacy of innovation to shape the future of surgery,” said Nefertiti Greene, President, US Ethicon. "Ethicon has a significant research, development and educational focus on improving patient outcomes, reducing life-threatening and costly complications, and streamlining surgery through innovations in surgical stapling technology and energy-based devices.”

Over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited opportunities for surgeons and other practitioners to travel for in-person learning experiences. The Ethicon Surgical Innovations Lab mobile tour is being conducted to help surgeons and hospitals stay current on the latest technologies and the science behind them from the convenience of their own cities. Surgeons will be able to use the various devices on inanimate tissue and engage with key faculty, engineers and researchers on the technical aspects of the products, as well as the body of evidence that supports them.

The Ethicon Surgical Innovation Lab was recently in Dayton, Ohio at Kettering Health for one of its first stops on the national tour. “The mobile lab was an amazing experience. The benefit for our surgeons and staff to be able to get hands-on training and education cannot be measured. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to visit the lab to definitely do so. We walked away with very valuable knowledge and understanding of the new technology being offered. Definitely a must see for clinicians and staff,” said Jerry Willis, Strategic Sourcing Manager Surgical Services, Kettering Health.