Smith+Nephew Rolls Out Flow Flextend Coblation Wand for Arthroscopy

Smith+Nephew has launched its new Flow Flextend Coblation Wand, which is used for arthroscopic RF resection in the hip, knee, and shoulder.

The wand was designed as an extension of the company’s Flow-IQ technology and boasts an adjustable-angle tip. Diagnosing the source of hip pain can be challenging, and hip repairs are procedurally complex. Smith+Nephew said Flow Flextend was designed specifically for hip procedures to provide improved access to targeted tissues compared with existing wand designs.

In addition to the Flow-IQ tech for precise or rapid tissue treatment, it features a precision electrode with an adjustable-angle tip to improve access to targeted tissues, and a set-and-forget mechanism that maintains a chosen angle without continuous adjustment.

Last month, the Watford, Wertfordshire, England-based company earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) de novo classification for its Tessa spatial surgery system for ACL reconstruction surgery. Using accelerated computing and AI technology, the Tessa system brings personalized planning, augmented reality, advanced imaging, navigation, and real-time tracking to help transform arthroscopic procedures.

Comments from clinicians

Dr. Joshua D. Harris, orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist: “The articulation gives the Flow Flextend Coblation Wand a significant advantage over—and a lot more versatility in the central compartment without capsular disruption than—any of the other instruments I have used before.”

Dr. Jovan Laskovski, orthopedic Surgeon at Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center: “The Flow Flextend Coblation Wand’s tip geometry—and the fact that it’s flexible—allows for a precise capsule-to-labrum recess and preservation ofFlw  the capsule.”