Smith+Nephew SNN recently announced the launch of the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand, a new RF resection technology designed to improve joint access and tissue targeting during complex hip procedures. The wand extends the company’s proprietary FLOW~IQ technology with an adjustable-angle tip, enabling surgeons to reach hard-to-access hip, knee and shoulder anatomies while supporting precise and efficient tissue removal.
Dr. Joshua D. Harris, orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist specializing in sports medicine and hip preservation, noted that the wand’s articulation provides greater versatility and access within the central compartment while reducing the need for capsular disruption compared with other instruments.
Dr. Jovan Laskovski of Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center also highlighted that the wand’s flexible design and tip geometry enable precise work around the capsule-to-labrum recess while helping preserve the capsule.
Likely Trend of SNN Stock Following the News
Following the announcement, shares of SNN fell 0.4% at yesterday’s close. Year to date, shares of the company have lost 9.5% compared with the industry’s 16.1% decline. However, the S&P 500 has risen 12.7% in the same timeframe.
Smith+Nephew could see a positive impact from the launch of the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand as the product expands its advanced COBLATION portfolio and addresses an unmet need in complex hip procedures. Its adjustable-angle design and enhanced tissue access could encourage adoption among orthopedic surgeons seeking greater procedural efficiency and precision. Broader utilization across hip, knee and shoulder procedures may strengthen Smith+Nephew’s position in sports medicine and arthroscopy while creating additional opportunities for revenue growth.
SNN currently has a market capitalization of $12.52 billion.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
More on the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand
The FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand is the latest addition to Smith+Nephew’s FLOW Wand portfolio, combining FLOW~IQ and COBLATION technologies with an adjustable tip designed for hard-to-reach anatomy. FLOW~IQ Technology automatically balances saline outflow with COBLATION energy to deliver either precision or speed according to clinical needs.
The wand’s set-and-forget angle adjustment mechanism allows surgeons to establish a preferred angle and release the adjustment mechanism without having to hold it throughout the procedure. The wand can be adjusted from -10 degrees to +65 degrees, while an ergonomically positioned mechanism enables one-handed angle adjustment and hands-free retention during procedures.
Its electrode design allows tissue ablation from both the tip and sides of the electrode, supporting targeted tissue removal. The wand removes tissue 11% faster than its legacy RF hip wand, while FLOW~IQ COBLATION Wands can remove free-floating tissue approximately four times faster than non-FLOW~IQ Wands in VAC mode.
The FLOW FLEXTEND Wand is compatible with the WEREWOLF COBLATION and INTELLIO SHIFT Systems. It also incorporates AMBIENT technology for real-time monitoring of intra-articular fluid temperature and SCOPE-SENSING Technology to support safer operation around sensitive arthroscopic equipment.
Industry Prospects Favoring the Market
Going by the data provided by Persistence Market Research, the global arthroscopic devices market is predicted to be valued at $8.6 billion in 2026 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.9% through 2033.
Factors like the increasing prevalence of joint disorders, sports injuries, an aging population, rising demand for minimally invasive procedures and expanding outpatient surgical centers are boosting the market’s growth.
Other News
Smith+Nephew recently received FDA De Novo classification for its TESSA Spatial Surgery System, a cutting-edge accelerated computing and AI technology that combines personalized planning, augmented reality, advanced imaging, navigation and real-time tracking to enhance arthroscopic procedures. The technology originated with Perceive3D S.A., a University of Coimbra spin-off acquired by Smith+Nephew.
Smith+Nephew launched the LYNX COBLATION Laryngeal Wand, a multipurpose surgical device designed specifically for ENT surgeons performing airway procedures. The wand combines fine tissue dissection and rapid mass debulking in a single instrument to treat anatomies from the supraglottis to the trachea while operating at low temperatures.
SNN’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Currently, SNN has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Globus Medical GMED, West Pharmaceutical WST and The Cooper Companies COO.
Globus Medical, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.34, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.
West Pharmaceutical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.37, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.9%. Revenues of $872.3 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.2%.
WST has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 16%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 17.4%.
The Cooper Companies, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, reported a second-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.21, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10%. Revenues of $1.08 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.6%.
COO has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 8.3%. COO’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.8%.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.