Covidien LigaSure Vessel Sealing Devices: Types, Uses & Buyer’s Guide

Covidien LigaSure™ vessel sealing devices are advanced bipolar electrosurgical instruments designed to seal vessels and tissue bundles during surgical procedures. Today part of the Medtronic surgical energy portfolio, LigaSure technology is used across a wide range of open and minimally invasive procedures.

The LigaSure family includes multiple instrument styles designed for different surgical approaches, tissue types and procedural requirements. Options include LigaSure Small Jaw, Exact Dissector, Impact, Blunt Tip, Maryland Jaw, XP Maryland Jaw, Thoracic Maryland Jaw and laparoscopic L-Hook instruments.

For hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and surgical practices purchasing LigaSure instruments, understanding the differences between these devices can help identify the appropriate product and manufacturer catalog number for a facility's existing equipment and procedural needs.

What Is LigaSure?

LigaSure is a bipolar vessel sealing technology used for ligation and division of vessels, tissue bundles and lymphatics.

Unlike a basic electrosurgical instrument, LigaSure technology applies energy together with controlled pressure to create a vessel seal. Many LigaSure instruments also incorporate a cutting mechanism, allowing the surgeon to seal and divide tissue with the same device.

Depending on the instrument, LigaSure devices may be designed for open surgery, laparoscopic surgery or specialty procedures.

What Is the Difference Between Covidien and Medtronic LigaSure?

Healthcare buyers may encounter both the Covidien and Medtronic names when searching for LigaSure products.

LigaSure was historically marketed under Covidien. Following Medtronic's acquisition of Covidien, LigaSure became part of the Medtronic surgical energy portfolio.

As a result, purchasing departments may search for these products using terms such as:

• Covidien LigaSure

• Medtronic LigaSure

• LigaSure vessel sealer

• LigaSure sealer/divider

• LigaSure handpiece

• LigaSure surgical instrument

• LigaSure disposable

• LigaSure vessel sealing device

When purchasing replacement instruments, the manufacturer catalog number is one of the best ways to confirm the exact product required.

Types of LigaSure Vessel Sealing Devices

The LigaSure portfolio contains instruments with different jaw configurations, shaft lengths and surgical applications. Here are some of the primary LigaSure device families buyers may encounter.

LigaSure Small Jaw

The LigaSure Small Jaw Open Sealer/Divider is designed for open surgical procedures and combines vessel sealing with an integrated cutting mechanism.

Its relatively compact jaw configuration is useful when surgeons require precise access and tissue manipulation in an open surgical field.

Common buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• ENT surgical departments

• General surgery departments

• Head and neck surgery programs

• Surgical supply purchasing departments

The Small Jaw platform may be considered when a facility needs a compact LigaSure instrument for open procedures.

LigaSure Exact Dissector

The LigaSure Exact Dissector combines vessel sealing, tissue dissection and division in an open surgical instrument.

Its design is intended to provide precise dissection while retaining LigaSure vessel sealing functionality.

Potential surgical applications include procedures within general surgery, urologic surgery, thoracic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and certain ENT procedures.

Buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• ENT practices with surgical facilities

• General surgeons

• Urologic surgery departments

• Thoracic surgery departments

• Plastic and reconstructive surgery departments

• OR materials management teams

This is an important LigaSure category for buyers searching for a device capable of both dissection and vessel sealing.

LigaSure Impact

The LigaSure Impact™ Curved Large Jaw Sealer/Divider is an open vessel sealing instrument designed with a larger curved jaw.

The larger jaw and longer sealing surface make the Impact family particularly relevant when surgeons are working with larger tissue bundles during open procedures.

Common buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• General surgery departments

• Gynecologic surgery departments

• Colorectal surgery programs

• Surgical oncology departments

• High-volume operating rooms

• Hospital purchasing and value-analysis teams

For procurement personnel, LigaSure Impact devices can often be identified by the LF44-series manufacturer catalog numbers.

LigaSure Blunt Tip

The LigaSure Blunt Tip Sealer/Divider is available in configurations suitable for open and laparoscopic procedures.

These instruments feature a blunt, double-action jaw with contoured tips and an integrated cutting mechanism.

Common configurations include:

LF1823 — 23 cm, open
LF1837 — 37 cm, laparoscopic
LF1844 — 44 cm, laparoscopic

The different shaft lengths allow facilities to select a device appropriate for open access or minimally invasive procedures.

Buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• General surgery departments

• Bariatric surgery programs

• Colorectal surgery programs

• Gynecologic surgery departments

• Urology departments

• Laparoscopic surgery centers

LigaSure Maryland Jaw

The LigaSure Maryland Jaw Sealer/Divider combines vessel sealing and cutting with a curved Maryland-style jaw.

The curved jaw is designed to facilitate vessel dissection and access compared with straight-jaw configurations.

Common catalog numbers include:

LF1923 — 23 cm open Maryland Jaw
LF1937 — 37 cm laparoscopic Maryland Jaw
LF1944 — 44 cm laparoscopic Maryland Jaw

These instruments feature a rotating shaft and curved jaw configuration, making the Maryland Jaw family particularly relevant when surgeons require dissection, vessel isolation, sealing and division.

Buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• General surgery departments

• Colorectal surgery programs

• Bariatric surgery programs

• Gynecologic surgery departments

• Urologic surgery programs

• Minimally invasive surgery programs

LigaSure XP Maryland Jaw

The LigaSure XP Maryland Jaw Sealer/Divider is a newer Maryland-style vessel sealing platform designed to provide additional tissue handling capabilities, including a larger jaw opening, increased jaw length and higher tissue compression.

The XP Maryland Jaw platform is indicated for surgical specialties including general, colorectal, bariatric, urologic, vascular, thoracic and gynecologic surgery.

Buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• Advanced laparoscopic surgery programs

• Colorectal surgery centers

• Bariatric surgery programs

• Gynecologic surgery programs

• Urology departments

• Thoracic surgery programs

• Vascular surgery departments

For facilities evaluating newer LigaSure technology or standardizing their surgical energy inventory, the XP Maryland Jaw family is an important product line to consider.

LigaSure Maryland Jaw Thoracic

The LigaSure Maryland Jaw Thoracic Sealer/Divider is a specialized Maryland-style instrument designed for thoracic procedures.

The device is designed for sealing pulmonary veins and arteries and combines the access characteristics of a Maryland jaw with LigaSure vessel sealing technology.

Primary buyer targets include:

• Hospitals with thoracic surgery programs

• Cardiothoracic operating rooms

• Thoracic surgeons

• Lung surgery programs

• Surgical oncology programs

• Hospital value-analysis committees

• OR supply chain departments

This is a more specialized LigaSure product, so purchasing departments should verify the exact catalog number and generator compatibility before ordering.

LigaSure Retractable L-Hook

The LigaSure Retractable L-Hook Laparoscopic Sealer/Divider combines several laparoscopic functions within one instrument.

Available configurations include:

LF5637 — 37 cm
LF5644 — 44 cm

The instrument combines a Maryland-style jaw with a retractable L-hook and is designed for laparoscopic use.

Buyer targets include:

• Hospitals

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• Minimally invasive surgery programs

• General surgeons

• Bariatric surgeons

• Colorectal surgeons

• Gynecologic surgeons

• OR purchasing departments

LigaSure Devices for Open vs. Laparoscopic Surgery

One of the most important considerations when purchasing LigaSure instruments is whether the device is intended for an open or laparoscopic procedure.

Open LigaSure Instruments

Open surgical options include devices such as:

• LigaSure Small Jaw

• LigaSure Exact Dissector

• LigaSure Impact

• LigaSure Blunt Tip Open

• LigaSure Maryland Jaw Open

• LigaSure Curved Jaw Open Sealer/Divider

These products may be used by surgical departments performing procedures through an open surgical approach.

Laparoscopic LigaSure Instruments

Laparoscopic options include:

• LigaSure Blunt Tip 37 cm and 44 cm

• LigaSure Maryland Jaw 37 cm and 44 cm

• LigaSure XP Maryland Jaw

• LigaSure Retractable L-Hook

• Specialty thoracic LigaSure instruments

Longer shaft lengths and rotating shafts allow these devices to be used during minimally invasive procedures.

What Surgical Specialties Use LigaSure?

Because LigaSure is a vessel sealing platform rather than a single surgical instrument, its applications span numerous surgical specialties.

Depending on the specific LigaSure model and its indications for use, potential users include:

General Surgery

General surgeons may use compatible LigaSure instruments in procedures involving tissue dissection, vessel sealing and division.

Colorectal Surgery

LigaSure instruments are used in colorectal procedures where surgeons may need to dissect tissue and seal vessels during bowel surgery.

Bariatric Surgery

Long-shaft laparoscopic LigaSure devices can be relevant for minimally invasive bariatric procedures.

Gynecologic Surgery

Gynecologic surgeons may use LigaSure vessel sealing instruments during open or laparoscopic procedures where vessel and tissue bundle sealing is required.

Urologic Surgery

Certain LigaSure devices are indicated for urologic surgical procedures and may be purchased by hospitals and urology surgery programs.

Thoracic Surgery

Specialized LigaSure instruments, including the Maryland Jaw Thoracic device, are designed for thoracic applications.

ENT and Head & Neck Surgery

Certain open LigaSure instruments are indicated for ENT procedures, including applications associated with thyroid, neck and parotid surgery.

Vascular Surgery

Specific LigaSure devices may also be used within vascular surgical applications according to their individual indications for use.

Who Buys LigaSure Instruments?

For medical supply purchasing, knowing the end user is just as important as knowing the product.

The primary institutional buyers for Covidien and Medtronic LigaSure instruments include:

• Acute-care hospitals

• Hospital operating rooms

• Ambulatory surgery centers

• Outpatient surgical facilities

• Surgical specialty hospitals

• University and teaching hospitals

• Veterans and government healthcare facilities

• General surgery practices with surgical facilities

• Bariatric surgery programs

• Colorectal surgery programs

• Gynecologic surgery centers

• Urology surgery centers

• ENT and head & neck surgery programs

• Thoracic surgery programs

Within these organizations, purchasing decisions may involve OR managers, materials managers, surgical supply buyers, procurement specialists, supply chain directors, value-analysis committees and surgeons.

What Should Buyers Check Before Ordering LigaSure?

LigaSure instruments are not interchangeable simply because they use the same vessel sealing technology.

Before purchasing, verify:

• Manufacturer catalog number

• Open vs. laparoscopic configuration

• Shaft length

• Jaw style

• Instrument diameter

• Seal and cut configuration

• Generator compatibility

• Package quantity

• Facility preference or surgeon preference card

• Current manufacturer instructions for use

Generator compatibility is especially important. Different LigaSure products may specify compatibility with platforms such as the Valleylab™ FT10 energy platform, Valleylab LS10 generator or ForceTriad™ energy platform, depending on the instrument.

The exact manufacturer catalog number should be verified before substituting one LigaSure instrument for another.

Shop Covidien & Medtronic LigaSure Instruments

Lexicon Medical Supply offers Covidien and Medtronic LigaSure vessel sealing instruments for hospitals, surgery centers, clinics and healthcare facilities.

Search our surgical supply catalog by LigaSure product name or manufacturer part number to quickly locate the instrument your facility requires.

Our selection may include LigaSure open and laparoscopic vessel sealing instruments, Maryland Jaw devices, Blunt Tip instruments, Impact devices, Small Jaw instruments and other Medtronic surgical energy products.

For facilities purchasing surgical supplies in quantity, contact Lexicon Medical Supply for product availability and purchasing assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LigaSure made by Covidien or Medtronic?

LigaSure was historically sold under the Covidien brand. Covidien became part of Medtronic, and LigaSure is now included within Medtronic's surgical energy portfolio. Buyers may therefore encounter both Covidien and Medtronic names when searching for LigaSure instruments.

What does a LigaSure device do?

LigaSure technology uses bipolar electrosurgical energy and pressure to seal vessels and tissue bundles. Many LigaSure instruments also incorporate a cutting mechanism that allows sealed tissue to be divided with the same instrument.

Are all LigaSure devices the same?

No. LigaSure instruments differ in jaw design, shaft length, diameter, surgical approach and other specifications. Some are designed for open procedures while others are designed for laparoscopic or specialty applications.

What is the difference between LigaSure Maryland Jaw and Blunt Tip?

The Maryland Jaw family uses a curved Maryland-style jaw designed to facilitate access and vessel dissection. LigaSure Blunt Tip devices use a blunt double-action jaw with contoured tips. The appropriate choice depends on the procedure, surgeon preference and the manufacturer's indications for use.

What is the difference between LigaSure Impact and Small Jaw?

LigaSure Impact uses a comparatively large curved jaw and longer sealing surface, while the Small Jaw instrument provides a more compact open-surgery configuration. Facilities should select the exact instrument specified by the surgeon or procedure requirements.

Are LigaSure instruments reusable?

Many commonly purchased LigaSure hand instruments are sterile, single-use devices. Buyers should verify the manufacturer's instructions for the specific catalog number because the LigaSure portfolio includes different instrument configurations and components.

How do I find the correct replacement LigaSure instrument?

The safest purchasing method is to locate the manufacturer catalog number from the existing product packaging, surgeon preference card or facility inventory system. Search that catalog number rather than relying solely on the term "LigaSure."

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Clinical Information Disclaimer: This article is intended for general product education and purchasing information. Surgical instruments should be selected and used only by appropriately trained healthcare professionals in accordance with the manufacturer's current indications, instructions for use, warnings, facility protocols and generator compatibility requirements.