7 July 2015

Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, today announces a partnership with Scopis GmbH, the German developer and manufacturer of surgical navigation systems, as the exclusive distributor of Scopis TGS® Target Guided Surgery system in the UK, Ireland and Belgium from 1 July. Integration and compatibility between Smith & Nephew's ENT product range and Scopis TGS system will support surgeons to perform some of the most complex advanced ENT surgeries.

British ENT specialists will be able to take a first look at Scopis' TGS system by visiting the Smith & Nephew stand at the British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology (BACO) - the leading Otolaryngology congress in the UK (Liverpool, 8-10 July 2015).

Scopis TGS is a "next-generation" solution for navigated Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) that offers surgeons highly advanced image guidance and visualisation capabilities in a single system. The analysis and planning in the 3D anatomy in TGS is based on the Building Blocks® software, developed by Scopis with Professor Peter J. Wormald (Present Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery at University of Adelaide, Australia) and a worldwide network of leading key opinion leaders in ENT. This unique solution allows the analysis and identification of sinus cells in the complex patient anatomy and planning of natural drainage pathways to the sinuses.

During surgery, the planned pathways are overlaid in real-time onto the endoscopic image providing the surgeon with unique Scopis Augmented Reality technology. A special instrument guidance and alarm system assists the surgeon to guide his endoscopic instruments on the pathways direct to the targets. Guidance of endoscopic instruments can help the surgeon to perform a more minimally invasive and selective surgery.

Video footage of Scopis' TGS® features and surgical experience can be viewed here.

Scopis' TGS is provided by the Scopis Hybrid Navigation® system; the first interdisciplinary navigation platform that offers electromagnetic, optical and simultaneous hybrid tracking technology in one unit. This provides a unique solution for the ENT surgeon that can be extended to an interdisciplinary use also in the cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) and neurosurgery.

The partnership demonstrates reinforces Smith & Nephew's strategy desire to collaborate with companies sharing the same vision in providing healthcare professionals with innovative ENT technologies.

"This is an important enhancement to Smith & Nephew's ENT portfolio", explains Mike Gutteridge, Business Unit Director for Smith & Nephew's European ENT business. "Partnering with manufacturers of complementary devices enables us to present the most complete product portfolio to ENT surgeons, delivering best in class technologies for surgery, patients and payers."

Smith & Nephew's Growing ENT Portfolio

This July, Smith & Nephew will also introduce to Europe, the VENTERA◊ sinus dilation system as part of its sinus product portfolio. The VENTERA system is a balloon-based device for hybrid sinus surgery procedures. Balloon dilation of the paranasal sinuses has emerged as a valuable tool in the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis, although the traditionally high cost of the procedure has limited the potential of the technique. The VENTERA system offers a simple, elegant and cost-effective alternative to other balloon dilation systems on the market and, along with Scopis TGS System, it represents a significant step forward in enabling greater access to a highly effective technique.

"The partnership with Smith & Nephew as the exclusive distributor in the UK, Ireland and Belgium in the ENT market allows us to propose our next-generation solutions for ENT surgery with the most professional expertise and support.", said Bartosz Kosmecki, Chief Executive Officer at Scopis GmbH. "Combining the Scopis TGS with Smith & Nephew's ENT product portfolio extends our current minimal-invasive solutions for an even less invasive chronic sinusitis treatment with benefit for surgeons and patients."

The Scopis TGS system along with Smith & Nephew's range of ENT products, including the VENTERA System, will be showcased at the 15th British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology (BACO) 8-10 July 2015 at the BT Convention Centre (ACC), Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 4FP - Hall 2 Stand No. 17 For more information, visit Smith & Nephew's UK & Ireland website.

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Smith & Nephew

Hayley Greaves
Smith & Nephew
Tel: +44 7803 625381
Email: hayley.greaves@smith-nephew.com

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 14,000 employees and a presence in more than 100 countries. Annual sales in 2014 were more than $4.6 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our corporate website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com

Smith & Nephew's new ENT business was formed from the acquisition of ArthroCare Corporation in 2014. In addition to the established COBLATION◊ technology, well known for the treatment of tonsils and turbinates, the new business also has a range of other products providing solutions for FESS, epistaxis and septoplasty.

About Scopis and Scopis TGS technology®

Scopis GmbH, based in Germany, develops and manufacturers surgical planning and navigation systems for ENT, maxillofacial and neurosurgery. The Scopis TGS® technology is a unique "next-generation" solution for navigated Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) that offers surgeons highly advanced image guidance and visualisation capabilities in a single system. The Scopis TGS® technology is provided by the Scopis Hybrid Navigation® system that is the first interdisciplinary navigation platform that offers electromagnetic, optical and simultaneous hybrid tracking technology in one unit. The Scopis TGS® technology is compatible with existing endoscopy equipment, image modalities, and many surgical instruments.

TGS® technology allows the surgeon to:

  • Analyse the 3D anatomy using the Building Blocks® planning software
  • Plan sinus drainage pathways target anatomy
  • View surgical plans overlaid real-time onto the endoscopic image with Augmented Reality
  • Guide navigated instruments on planned pathways to targets
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