ZEISS Receives FDA Clearance for MTLawton – A New Generation of Bipolar Forceps for Electrosurgery

Jena, Germany | Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

ZEISS Medical Technology announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for MTLawtonTM. These new disposable bipolar forceps are made from a special copper-base alloy and potentially reduce tissue adhesion and subsequent charring during dissection of tissue. Thanks to the extended shaft, the forceps also reduce visual restrictions in the surgical field and help surgeons to be efficient during electrosurgical procedures.

By working closely with users, ZEISS Medical Technology succeeds in developing solutions that help doctors treat their patients in the best possible way. The development of the new bipolar forceps from ZEISS is based on close collaboration with Michael T. Lawton, one of the world's leading neurosurgeons. "The MTLawton Disposable Bipolar Forceps are a real advance in electrosurgery over aluminum forceps. Our copper-base alloy has superior thermal conduction to improve cautery-based hemostasis and reduce tissue adhesion,” emphasizes Michael T. Lawton, MD, President and CEO, Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix/Arizona (USA). “I take these MTLawton bipolars into battle with all my difficult arteriovenous malformations, and they give me a noticeable advantage.”

During minimally invasive surgery, bipolar forceps are used, among other things, for hemostasis and tissue separation. When coagulating tissue, the high heat at the tips of the electrosurgical instruments can cause the instruments to stick to the tissue. MTLawton from ZEISS takes non-stick technology to a whole new level by introducing our bipolar forceps made of a special copper-base alloy. The improved material conducts heat away from the silver-plated tips faster. Thereby, tissue adhesion and charring are potentially reduced.

In neurosurgery, visualization and surgical instruments need to go hand-in-hand such that critical structures are not covered. With its elegant shape and extended working length, the MTLawton allows a clear view of the cauterization area – even in narrow and deep cavities. Thanks to the copper-based material, MTLawton from ZEISS is also robust and enables surgeons to handle tissue more efficiently.

"With the acquisition of Kogent Surgical in April 2022, ZEISS has expanded its range of surgical solutions for microsurgery. We are pleased to be able to introduce the first surgical instrument from this acquisition to the market with FDA approval for MTLawton," says Dr. Markus Weber, CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec.

ZEISS will present MTLawton along with other solutions for neurosurgery at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in San Francisco from October 10-12, 2022.

You can find more information about electrosurgical instruments from ZEISS here: www.zeiss.com/microsurgical-instruments