Covidien has received FDA clearance for the iDrive powered stapling system. The system consists of a rechargeable battery-powered handle and a right-angle linear cutter (RALC), the attachable part which does the actual stapling and cutting. With a push of a button, the RALC deploys 32 titanium staples in two rows, after which the integrated knife separates the two parts. The RALC has a curved shaft for better access to deep structures during procedures such as low anterior resections for rectal cancer. The iDrive will be the first in a series of powered devices and will be available in the first quarter of 2011.
See the video below for a demonstration of the system in action:
Press release: Covidien Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for the iDrive(TM) Powered Stapling System