Medtronic Product Wins Medical Device Excellence Award

Minneapolis - Medtronic announced that the company was named a 2006 Medical Device Excellence Award (MDEA) Silver Award winner for excellence in medical device design for its Straightshot M4 Microdebrider, manufactured by the company's Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) business unit. The Straightshot M4 Microdebrider is an ergonomically designed, powered handpiece for sinus, nasal and laryngeal surgery. It is used to treat chronic sinusitis, reduce nasal obstructions, perform tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies, and remove benign and malignant tumors in the airway around the vocal cords.

The Straightshot M4 has an innovative rotating design that facilitates simple, intraoperative blade tip rotation. Previously, there was no powered ENT microdebrider system that enabled surgeons to rotate only the tip of a curved blade in complex anatomy such as the nose and throat. This unique feature is designed to allow surgeons to perform medial and lateral cutting in the frontal sinuses, a more complete removal of polyps and mucin in the maxillary sinuses, and improves access to target tissue in the lateral and posterior areas of the airway. Additionally, the sculpted shape of the Straightshot M4 accommodates multiple hand positions and provides ergonomic comfort for surgeons with large or small hands.

With better, more comfortable access to sinus and airway anatomy, surgeons can perform a more precise, complete removal of obstructive or diseased tissue and help improve patient outcomes in chronic sinusitis and airway tumor surgery.

MDEA is a worldwide competition in which winning entries are chosen on the basis of the innovative use of materials or processes and design and engineering features that enhance the ability of medical professionals to provide healthcare, offer improved patient benefits, and better overall delivery of care.

SOURCE: Medtronic