Minimally invasive procedure aids early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer, potentially increasing long-term survival rates significantly

Company Website: http://covidien.com
MINNEAPOLIS -- (Business Wire)

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that its superDimension Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB™) system, the first technology of its kind, is included in the new American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines to aid in diagnosing and managing lung cancer. The evidence-based clinical practice guidelines were released by the ACCP earlier this month.

Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., causing more deaths among men and women than any other type of cancer.¹^{In its early stages, lung cancer presents few, if any, symptoms. As a result, the vast majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed in the late stages, when there is minimal chance for a cure. With early detection, however, an estimated 85 percent of lung cancer cases can be diagnosed in the earliest, more curable stage.² Early detection and immediate treatment can dramatically increase the typical long-term survival rate from 15 percent at 5 years¹to 88 percent at 10 years.²}

“Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy has over eight years of clinical use in the United States,” said David S. Wilson, MD, FCCP, Medical Director, The Lung Institute at Columbus Regional Health. “The diagnosis of lung cancer guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians, which specifically state the increased yields of ENB and historic safety of bronchoscopy, make ENB a preferred diagnostic procedure for lung cancer. ENB has become a platform technology for further diagnostics and therapeutics in the lung periphery. Guideline status marks a new era of bronchoscopy made possible by ENB.”

Through proprietary software and electromagnetic technology, the superDimension ENB system uses the natural airway access of the lungs to safely locate and more easily obtain a tissue sample of a lesion, even in the areas of the lung that are difficult to reach and where two-thirds of all lung lesions cannot be accessed by a traditional bronchoscope.³ Moreover, by enabling physicians to perform a tissue biopsy without a scalpel and a needle aspiration through the chest wall, the ENB system minimizes morbidity associated with more invasive procedures.

“Cancer patients, in general, benefit from diagnosis of their condition at the earliest possible stage, which may lead to earlier treatments and, potentially, more favorable outcomes,” said Bryan Hanson, Group President, Surgical Solutions, Covidien. “ENB is a minimally invasive approach to accessing difficult-to-reach lung lesions, which can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“Covidien is committed to developing innovative medical technologies that improve the patient’s quality of life, while reducing the overall cost of healthcare,” Hanson added. “Covidien’s superDimension technology is a great example of this commitment.”

More than 40,000 patients have undergone a superDimension ENB procedure at over 500 leading medical facilities worldwide. The procedure is most commonly performed by a specialty physician, such as a pulmonologist or thoracic surgeon, and is completed in 30-60 minutes.

For more information about the superDimension ENB system, please visit Covidien booth #219 at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in Philadelphia through May 22 or www.superdimension.com.

References
1. The International Early Lung Cancer Action Program Investigators. N Engl J Med 2006; 355:1763-1771.
2. American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts & Figures 2013.
3. Schwarz, Y et al. Real-time electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy to peripheral lung lesions using overlaid CT images. Chest 2006; 129:988-994.

About Covidien

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2012 revenue of $11.9 billion, Covidien has 43,000 employees worldwide in 70 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Contacts:

Covidien
John Jordan, 508-452-4891
Manager, Communications
Surgical Solutions
john.jordan@covidien.com
or
Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President
Investor Relations
cole.lannum@covidien.com
or
Marguerite Copel, 203-821-4720
Vice President, Communications
Surgical Solutions
marguerite.copel@covidien.com
or
Todd Carpenter, 508-452-4363
Senior Director
Investor Relations
todd.carpenter@covidien.com

Source: Covidien