Minimally Invasive System Harvests Veins via Endoscopy

A new system for harvesting vessels utilizes a cut-and-seal technique, minimizing thermal spread and facilitating an endoscopic approach to vessel harvesting.

The VirtuoSaph Plus Endoscopic vessel harvesting system is indicated for use in minimally invasive surgery allowing access for vessel harvesting, and is primarily indicated for patients undergoing endoscopic coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and peripheral artery bypass grafting. It is indicated for cutting tissue and controlling bleeding through coagulation, and for patients requiring blunt dissection of tissue, including dissection of peripheral blood vessels in the extremities and vessel harvesting along the saphenous vein.


The system consists of a disposable trocar, dissector, and harvester. The trocar is inserted into the leg incision and stays in place with a clip securely placed on the skin, allowing fast conversion between procedural steps. The dissector accesses the saphenous vein by entering the trocar through the port. A reusable endoscope enters the body through the dissector, which includes optical components that send an image to a video monitor for the clinician to view. The rod then dissects the saphenous vein and surrounding branches, and cauterizes and cuts the branches of the saphenous vein to allow harvesting. The VirtuoSaph Plus Endoscopic vessel harvesting system is a product of Terumo Cardiovascular Systems (Ann Arbor, MI, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Related Links:
Terumo Cardiovascular Systems