August 17, 2026 08:00 ET | Source: Smith & Nephew UK Ltd
Smith+Nephew’s new FLOW FLEXTEND™ COBLATION™ Wand improves access¹* and resection efficiency²** for complex hip procedures vs. fixed-angle options
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shoulderhipSmith+Nephew#kneeFLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wandenhanced joint acess
Smith+Nephew (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology company, today announces a breakthrough in RF resection technology for hip with its new FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand. Designed as an extension of its proprietary FLOW~IQ◊ technology with an adjustable-angle tip, the FLOW FLEXTEND Wand is designed to give surgeons enhanced joint access1* and precise tissue targeting3 for hard-to-reach hip, knee and shoulder anatomies.
Determining the root cause of a patient’s hip pain can be very challenging and repairs are procedurally complex. Current wand offerings - such as knee wands that have simply been made longer – fall short of surgeons’ needs for an improved option to better access all targeted tissues. The FLOW FLEXTEND Wand solves this unmet need with a wand designed by hip surgeons specifically for hip procedures with features including:
Proprietary, high performing FLOW~IQ Technology: Clinically and commercially validated since 2016, FLOW~IQ Technology automatically balances saline outflow with COBLATION energy, delivering exceptional precision or speed2,4** based on clinical need.
Precision electrode design with adjustable-angle tip: Designed to improve and expand access1* to targeted tissues while facilitating insertion and removal by straightening the shaft.
Set and forget angle adjustment mechanism: Once a desired angle is set, the surgeon may release their hand from the mechanism without touching it again unless required for further adjustments.5
Feedback from the surgeon community using the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand for the first time has been encouraging:
Dr. Joshua D. Harris, Orthopedic Surgeon at Houston Methodist specializing in sports medicine and hip preservation commented, “The articulation gives the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand a significant advantage, and a lot more versatility in the central compartment without capsular disruption than any of the other instruments I have used before.”
Dr. Jovan Laskovski, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center added, “The FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand’s tip geometry - and the fact that it’s flexible - allows for a precise capsule-to-labrum recess and preservation of the capsule.”
The FLOW FLEXTEND Wand utilizes Smith+Nephew’s proprietary COBLATION Technology - clinically proven to improve patient outcomes compared to mechanical debridement.6-8† Continuing to evolve over three decades of research and innovation, including refined wand designs, improved delivery systems and expanded indications, COBLATION Technology continues to set the gold standard for resection.
For more information about Smith+Nephew’s FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand and FLOW~IQ Technology, please visit the webpage here.
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Author
TH
TJ Halvorson
The De Angelis Group | Orthopedics This Week | MSK Innovations
Why This Matters
Two Perspectives
MBA Lens: Economic and industry impact
Smith+Nephew launched the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand, a strategic innovation addressing unmet needs in complex hip, knee, and shoulder procedures. This adjustable-angle RF resection technology enhances joint access and resection efficiency, leveraging their proprietary, validated FLOW~IQ and COBLATION technologies. It aims to strengthen Smith+Nephew's market position by offering a superior solution compared to existing fixed-angle options, potentially driving adoption and competitive advantage.
- The wand targets complex hip procedures, where existing offerings fall short, indicating a market opportunity.
- Leverages established COBLATION and FLOW~IQ technologies, reducing adoption risk and reinforcing brand equity.
PhD Lens: Clinical and outcomes impact
The FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand employs RF resection with an adjustable-angle tip, designed for enhanced access and precise tissue targeting in challenging hip, knee, and shoulder anatomies. Its FLOW~IQ Technology automatically balances saline outflow with COBLATION energy for precision or speed. The precision electrode design improves insertion and removal. Clinically, COBLATION technology is proven superior to mechanical debridement, with surgeons noting improved versatility and tissue preservation.
- Mechanism involves RF resection with an adjustable tip for improved anatomical access and tissue targeting.
- COBLATION Technology is clinically proven to improve patient outcomes compared to mechanical debridement.
React:
Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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