Teleflex Launches the LMA® Gastro™ Airway for Airway Management During Endoscopic Procedures

Global airway management provider launches innovative technology to address airway management challenges associated with endoscopic procedures.

The LMA® Gastro™ Airway is the first laryngeal mask designed specifically to facilitate esophageal access and promote airway control during endoscopic procedures.

WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX), a leading global provider of medical technologies for critical care and surgery, has today announced the launch of the new LMA® Gastro™ Airway with Cuff Pilot™ Technology – the first laryngeal mask specifically designed to facilitate esophageal access and promote airway control during endoscopic procedures.

The use of moderate-to-deep sedation during endoscopy is a common practice around the world. Respiratory depression from sedative drugs and airway obstruction requiring intervention are known risks associated with endoscopic procedures, with studies demonstrating that hypoxemia can occur in 11-50% of cases.^1-3 In the United States there are more than 6.9 million upper endoscopies performed each year.⁴ Today, many of these are undertaken without an airway management device in place.

The LMA® Gastro™ Airway is the latest innovation by Teleflex under the LMA® Brand. Indicated for airway management in adult patients undergoing endoscopic procedures, the LMA® Gastro™ Airway is designed to maintain a patent airway throughout the procedure to support patient safety.

The LMA® Gastro™ Airway also features Cuff Pilot™ Technology – an integrated, cuff pressure indicator that constantly monitors cuff pressure, detecting changes resulting from fluctuations in temperature, nitrous oxide levels and movements within the airway. It provides at-a-glance feedback, highlighting changes that could affect patient safety.⁵ The continuous control of intracuff pressure through in-line (or integrated) cuff pressure monitoring has been clinically shown to reduce the risk of post-operative airway morbidity or leaks.^5,6 In addition, the LMA® Gastro™ Airway has an integral bite block to reduce the potential for damage to the endoscope due to biting, helping to avoid costly repairs.

"Teleflex has a rich history of innovation focused on solving unmet clinical needs and this latest innovation under the LMA® Brand is testament to that," said Justin McMurray, President of the Teleflex Anesthesia & Emergency Medicine Division. "Our LMA® Brand revolutionized airway management with the development of the original laryngeal mask airway. We are excited to continue this tradition with the introduction of the LMA® Gastro™ Airway to empower clinicians to achieve airway control during endoscopic procedures."

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people's lives. We apply purpose-driven innovation - a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs - to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow®, Deknatel®, Hudson RCI®, LMA®, Pilling®, Rusch® and Weck® - trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Teleflex, the Teleflex logo, Cuff Pilot, LMA, LMA Gastro are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates, in the U.S. and/or other countries.

© 2017 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-002891

References

1. Cote GA, Hovis RM, Ansstas MA, et al. Incidence of sedation-related complications with propofol use during advanced endoscopic procedures. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010;8(2):137-142.
2. Qadeer MA, Rocio Lopez A, Dumot JA, Vargo JJ. Risk factors for hypoxemia during ambulatory gastrointestinal endoscopy in ASA I-II patients. Dig Dis Sci. 2009;54(5):1035-1040.
3. de Paulo GA, Martins FP, Macedo EP, Goncalves ME, Mourao CA, Ferrari AP. Sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy: a prospective study comparing nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol and monitored anesthesia care. Endosc Int Open. 2015;3(1):E7-E13.
4. Peery AF, Dellon ES, Lund J, et al. Burden of gastrointestinal disease in the United States: 2012 update. Gastroenterology. 2012;143(5):1179-1187 e1171-1173.
5. Martin DP, Bhalla T, Thung A, Tobias JD. Clinical evaluation of a novel LMA with a color-coded pressure gauge. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;77(1):76-78.
6. Wong DT, Tam AD, Mehta V, Raveendran R, Riad W, Chung FF. New supraglottic airway with built-in pressure indicator decreases postoperative pharyngolaryngeal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Can J Anaesth. 2013;60(12):1197-1203.