London, UK, August 17, 2026
Smith+Nephew, a global medical technology company, has announced the launch of its new FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand, an advanced radiofrequency (RF) resection technology designed to improve access and tissue targeting during complex hip arthroscopy procedures. The new device extends the company’s proprietary FLOW~IQ technology with an adjustable-angle tip intended to help surgeons reach difficult hip, knee, and shoulder anatomies. According to Smith+Nephew, the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand is designed to provide enhanced joint access and precise tissue targeting, addressing limitations associated with fixed-angle wand designs and instruments originally developed for other anatomical applications. The launch represents another development in Smith+Nephew’s portfolio of technologies for soft-tissue repair and sports medicine.
Adjustable Design Targets Complex Hip Procedures
Hip procedures can present significant challenges for surgeons because of the complex anatomy and the difficulty of accessing specific tissues within the joint. Smith+Nephew states that conventional wand offerings, including longer instruments originally designed for knee procedures, may not provide the flexibility required for certain hip applications. The FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand was designed specifically with hip procedures in mind and incorporates an adjustable-angle tip intended to expand access to targeted tissues. Its precision electrode design allows the tip angle to be adjusted during the procedure, while the shaft can be straightened to facilitate insertion and removal. The device also incorporates a set-and-forget angle adjustment mechanism, allowing surgeons to establish the desired angle without continuously holding the adjustment mechanism. These features are intended to improve instrument versatility and support more controlled access during complex arthroscopic procedures.
FLOW~IQ and COBLATION Technologies Support Resection
The new wand utilizes Smith+Nephew’s proprietary FLOW~IQ technology, which has been clinically and commercially available since 2016. The technology automatically balances saline outflow with COBLATION energy, allowing the system to deliver performance focused on precision or speed depending on clinical requirements. Smith+Nephew states that ex vivo testing at default settings demonstrated differences in resection efficiency compared with fixed-angle options. The FLOW FLEXTEND Wand also incorporates the company’s established COBLATION technology, which uses radiofrequency energy to support tissue resection during arthroscopic procedures. Smith+Nephew says COBLATION technology has been developed through more than three decades of research and innovation, including advances in wand design, delivery systems, and indications. The company positions the technology as an important component of its sports medicine portfolio and continues to expand its applications across orthopedic procedures.
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Surgeon Feedback Highlights Device Versatility
Early feedback from surgeons using the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand has highlighted its adjustable articulation and flexibility as potential advantages in complex hip procedures. Joshua D. Harris, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip preservation at Houston Methodist, said the articulation provides increased versatility for procedures involving the central compartment and can support access without capsular disruption. Jovan Laskovski, an orthopedic surgeon at Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center, similarly highlighted the device’s flexible tip geometry for precise access to the capsule-to-labrum recess while supporting capsule preservation. For cGxP.wire readers, the new product is relevant as an example of continued innovation in arthroscopic medical devices and RF tissue-resection technology. Smith+Nephew operates across orthopedics, sports medicine and ENT, and advanced wound management, with approximately 17,000 employees serving healthcare markets in around 100 countries. The company reported annual sales of $6.2 billion in 2025. The FLOW FLEXTEND launch further expands its sports medicine technology portfolio and demonstrates the ongoing development of specialized surgical instruments designed to address challenging anatomical access and tissue-resection requirements.
Source: Smith+Nephew press relese
