Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) subsidiary develops and markets a broad portfolio of advanced surgical instruments for minimally-invasive and traditional surgery. Also included within the company's sales is Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), which offers sterilisation and disinfection products. The company's focus is on designing devices for the interventional diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and conditions. Its products include surgical stapling products, energy-based devices, endoscopic surgery devices and breast biopsy products. EES also used to offer Given Imaging's PillCam ESO capsule endoscope in the US but, in November 2007, terminated the agreement due to a focus on its strategic priorities within gastroenterology and other areas.

EES has manufacturing sites in Cincinnati and Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the US and in Mexico, with sales and distribution offices in more than 50 countries. In addition, ASP conducts its manufacturing and R&D at its headquarters in Irvine, California, USA.

From 1st January 2008, EES will become part of J&J's new Surgical Care Group. This move was announced in November 2007 and is part of J&J's efforts to accelerate growth. A series of organisational changes will be implemented, including the creation of a strategy to sharpen the company's focus on opportunities outside its traditional areas of interest and in growing markets, as well as the creation of two new operating groups. The changes are designed to build on the strengths of J&J's broad base of businesses and decentralised structure. The new structure is intended to help J&J capitalise on the convergence of science, technology and services, using its expertise across its pharmaceutical, biologics, devices, diagnostics and consumer businesses to bring new solutions to market. The company believes it can accelerate growth through a dedicated focus on the intersection of its existing capabilities, customer needs and emerging trends.

The Surgical Care Group will focus on technologies and services to enhance patient care in the surgical setting. In addition to EES, it will include Ethicon and DePuy. Sherilyn S McCoy, currently Company Group Chairman for Ethicon, will assume the role of Worldwide Chairman of Surgical Care and become a member of J&J's executive committee.