Hem-o-lok: Teleflex Launches Plus Version Ligating Clip | First Innovation in Two Decades

Teleflex announced via its social media channels that its new version of Hem-o-lok — the Hem-o-lok PurplePlus — has received FDA approval for market launch. The Hem-o-lok PurplePlus is a large ligating clip that can be applied using a smaller applier.

The Hem-o-lok ligating clip is one of the most significant hemostatic products in major surgical procedures. For vessel occlusion exceeding 7mm, using a ligating clip is the safest and most effective method. Since its initial approval by the NMPA in China, Hem-o-lok has become the gold standard for large vessel ligation. Following the expiration of related patents for Hem-o-lok, dozens of domestic companies in China began producing copies of Hem-o-lok. Among them, Kangji Medical is undoubtedly the most successful — its ligating clip product line alone generated 235 million RMB in sales (2024 data), accounting for over 23% of its total revenue. It can be said that the ligating clips and the puncturing devices have enabled Kangji to achieve the "leader" position in the Chinese surgical instrument industry.

Of course, the original Hem-o-lok has been on the market for over twenty years. Although many companies now develop and produce ligating clips, the fundamental designs largely remain unchanged from two decades ago, a testament to the near-perfect initial design of Hem-o-lok.

With advancements in medical technology, Hem-o-lok itself required an upgrade. Consequently, Teleflex has innovated upon the Hem-o-lok, leading to the creation of the Hem-o-lok PurplePlus.

Hem-o-lok PurplePlus

The Hem-o-lok PurplePlus is an upgraded ligating clip that can be introduced into the abdominal or thoracic cavity through a 5mm applier. It is capable of ligating vessels or tissue structures ranging from 2mm to 13mm in diameter.

The design of the Hem-o-lok PurplePlus retains many features of the original Hem-o-lok:

The main structure of the Hem-o-lok PurplePlus remains largely consistent with the previous generation, but numerous details have been optimized.

Staggered Tooth Structure Design: Incorporates a 360° reliable engagement design, effectively preventing slippage on vessels and tissue.

Three-Point Fixation Structure: The applier utilizes a three-point contact design, ensuring the Hem-o-lok PurplePlus remains stable during loading and locking, effectively reducing the risk of clip dislodgement.

Flexible Hinge Design: Allows for ligation of 2-13mm vessels/tissue structures through a smaller (5mm) trocar, maintaining jaw opening while simplifying the operational procedure.

Advantages of Hem-o-lok PurplePlus

Compatibility with a 5mm applier enables use through a 5mm trocar, reducing the required instrument access site size by four times compared to traditional 10mm platforms.

Capability to ligate vessels and tissue from 2mm to 13mm, potentially reducing the inventory need for different clip sizes clinically.

(The original text implied a comparison table showing the vessel/tissue size ranges for traditional Hem-o-lok models. A note is added here as the specific data wasn't translated.)

About Teleflex

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people's lives. We employ purpose-driven innovation — a relentless search for unmet clinical needs — to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our diverse portfolio provides solutions in areas including Vascular Access, Interventional Cardiology and Radiology, Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Urology, and Respiratory Care.