PEAK Surgical Uses SolidWorks Software to Develop Low-Temperature Surgical Cutting and Coagulation Tools
Pioneering Technology Allows Surgeons to Cut Precisely and Control Bleeding Without Causing Heat Damage to Tissue
CONCORD, Mass., Aug. 11, 2008 — Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. (DS SolidWorks) (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D solutions, today announced that a new surgical device designed in SolidWorks® 3D CAD software provides the precision of a scalpel and the bleeding control of traditional electrosurgery without causing heat damage to surrounding tissues. PEAK Surgical Inc.’s PEAK PlasmaBlade™ 4.0, a low-temperature surgical cutting and coagulation tool that is part of the PEAK® Surgery System, was recently granted clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in general surgery.
The PEAK Surgery System also includes the PULSAR™ generator, which delivers plasma (energy) in short controlled bursts to the PlasmaBlade. Results of preclinical trials have shown that surgical incision healing and strength were significantly improved with the PlasmaBlade compared with traditional electrosurgical devices and that the PlasmaBlade was associated with minimal scarring and inflammation. PEAK Surgical standardized on SolidWorks software to incorporate ample ergonomic and functional feedback from several surgeons into the final design of the PlasmaBlade.
“Form and function are critical for surgical devices, and innovation begins with direct input from those who will be using them,” said Paul Davison, vice president of research and development at California-based PEAK Surgical. “SolidWorks saved us research and development time because it allowed us to rapidly fabricate multiple prototypes and trial them in parallel with surgeons. The software enabled us to easily build feedback into our products to ensure we achieved performance objectives.”
SolidWorks’ surfacing capabilities enabled PEAK Surgical engineers to make slight changes to the grip of the PlasmaBlade to ensure the device felt right to surgeons. Advanced sheet metal tools allowed engineers to accurately model parts so they could see how they would be made and how they would look. “SolidWorks allowed us to keep manufacturability and ergonomics in mind as we constantly refined the system throughout product development,” said Scott Taylor, senior research and development engineer at PEAK Surgical.
PEAK Surgical used SolidWorks Workgroup PDM software to ensure version control while enabling engineers to work on different parts of the same design at the same time. PEAK Surgical engineers also used SolidWorks SimulationXpress to ensure the tip of the PlasmaBlade could stand up to a variety of different stresses.
“Developing new medical technologies makes a profound difference in people’s lives,” said Jeff Ray, CEO at DS SolidWorks. “PEAK Surgical is yet another example of an upstart company that has made an innovative concept a beneficial medical reality using SolidWorks software.”
Peak Surgical relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller Hawk Ridge Systems for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
About Peak Surgical, Inc.
PEAK Surgical, Inc. is a medical device company that has developed the PEAK® Surgery System, a new tissue dissection system based on a proprietary technology that represents an evolutionary leap in the advancement of radiofrequency surgical technologies. The PEAK Surgery System consists of the PEAK PlasmaBlade™ 4.0, a disposable cutting tool that offers the exacting control of a scalpel and the bleeding control of traditional electrosurgery without the extensive collateral damage, and the PULSAR™ Generator, which supplies pulsed plasma radiofrequency energy to the PlasmaBlade. The PEAK Surgery System is cleared for use in general surgery in the United States. The company is exploring the applicability of this technology across additional surgical fields, including cardiothoracic, gynecologic, plastic and reconstructive, and neurosurgery. For more information, please visit http://www.peaksurgical.com/.
About Hawk Ridge Systems
Hawk Ridge Systems is one of the largest SolidWorks CAD VARs in North America. Founded in 1995 in the San Francisco Bay Area, HRS has 11 offices located throughout California, Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver, B.C. Hawk Ridge has 30 Certified SolidWorks Engineers on staff and maintains a 2:1 ratio of engineers to salespeople – more than double the industry norm. This heavy investment in customer support, plus an array of industry-leading products including SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, and SolidWorks PDM products has attracted thousands of West Coast customers in industries ranging from fiber optic networking products, semiconductor equipment, medical devices, consumer products, automotive, and aerospace. For more information visit http://www.hawkridgesys.com/.
About SolidWorks Powered by the Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience Platform, SolidWorks 3D applications help millions of engineers and designers succeed through innovation. SolidWorks delivers an intuitive experience in product design, simulation, publishing, data management, and environmental impact assessment. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit our Web site (www.3ds.com/solidworks) or call 1-800-693-9000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-781-810-5011). About Dassault Systèmes Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 150,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com. CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, SIMULIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, NETVIBES, 3DSWYM and 3DVIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation in the US and other countries. 3DVIA is a registered trademark and 3DVIA Composer is a trademark of Dassault Systèmes in the US and other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2012 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
