Some technology releases are improvements, some are duds and others are the same old products with tiny tweaks and a new package. To find the right technology, the first step is to sift through product literature and ask peers about their product preferences. Novation, a healthcare contracting services company, defines new medical technology as a device or product that offers an incremental improvement to what is already on the market regarding patient care, patient safety or healthcare worker safety. Conversely, a new device or product could be the first of its kind on the market. With all the available options, how can consumers know what’s right for them? Product reviews can be helpful and so can word of mouth. The first step, however, should be to make certain that the technology is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), says Jenifer Axline, RD, LD, director of innovative technology at Novation. Every year, Novation works with suppliers to compile a new medical technology catalog that showcases innovative medical products. It is organized by categories — one of which is surgical. The catalog includes color images and information on patient care, patient safety or healthcare worker safety benefits that the products may provide. The following is a compilation of some new surgical technologies. It is wide-reaching but far from comprehensive. For more information on any of the below products, please use the contact information listed. Editor’s note: All claims are attributed to representatives of the respective companies. Alcon Labs (800) TO-ALCON Alcon Labs’ innovative micro-coaxial technologies — the INTREPID® Micro-Coaxial System — is advancing surgical techniques to allow micro-incision procedures with no compromises in technique or outcomes. Alcon Labs INFINITI® Vision System with the OZil® Torsional handpiece is the ideal modality for micro-incision techniques and is specifically designed to increase cutting efficiency and control. The INTREPID® Fluidic Management System is specifically designed to deliver improved chamber stability and enhanced fluidics during micro-coaxial phacoemulsification, combined with Mini-Flared ABS® and INTREPID® I/A tips that are specifically designed to enhance all aspects of cataract lens removal. Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc. (888) 466-6633 Dornoch’s transposal system is an integrated infectious fluid collection and disposal system with operating room (OR) and facility-wide applications. For 2008, Dornoch is introducing a new line of fluid carts. “Transposal Ultra Fluid Carts” are designed to be left in the OR suite all day. The carts provide a clean, sealed and disinfected fluid reservoir for each patient. The system has 33- and 52-liter capacity options and an on-board regulated vacuum. The equipment uses inexpensive reservoir lids that can be disposed of after each patient use. All collected fluids are safely processed on-site which minimizes exposure risks and dramatically reduces red-bag waste. A complete 10-OR suite fluid management system begins at $30,000. Intellisurg (866) 550-3566 New surgical technologies are most useful when they are implemented properly. Some groups, such as Intellisurg, help ensure this goal. Intellisurg is a specialized partnership of The Granger Group, Skytron and Beta Design, and was created to rapidly deliver turn-key healthcare facility solutions that integrate equipment with operations and building plans. Through this partnership, the groups address program needs, space planning, construction and finance, as well as equipment needs and specifications. The Granger Group has developed over $830 million in healthcare projects, Skytron plans state-of-the-art medical equipment and other building systems during the schematic design phase, and Beta Design brings proven plans and experience in client-centered design for surgical facilities. MD Technologies inc. (800) 201-3060 MD Technologies inc. produces three Environ-mate® DM6000 Series Suction-Drain™ Systems for fluid waste management. The DM6000 is for sterile processing departments and utility rooms. The DM6000-2, on the other hand, is for endoscopy, has two suction inputs for EGD, ERCP, bronchoscopy and colonoscopies. Lastly, the DM6000-2A, has unlimited capacity and an optional fluid totalizer that indicates volume aspirated. DM6000-2A is great for arthroscopy, urology or cystoscopy. These silent, space-saving systems offer tremendous cost savings. Most fluid management cost is for canisters and disposables, and the remainder of the costs go toward waste disposal. The compact, wall-mounted Environ-mate® eliminates both those costs. Other fluid disposal systems require transporting suctioned fluids to a disposal site, whereas Environ-mate® disposes fluid directly from the suction field to the sewer and therefore eliminates staff exposure. Environ-mate® requires a drain that can be installed during construction or remodeling. Mindray Co. Ltd. (888) 816-8188 Mindray Co. Ltd. designs, develops and manufactures quality patient monitors that are used around the world. The PM-7000 multi-parameter patient monitor with its 10.4-inch color TFT display, optional 12-lead ECG (including Mortara arrhythmia as ST segment analysis) and capability of up to eight waveforms, is a prime example. Add to that the optional external Artema anesthetic agent bench with auto id or internal Oridion Microstream EtC02 and you have one powerful monitor. We offer many features from our eye catching large font display mode where you can view ECG, Pulse ox, NIBP measurements and waveforms covering the entire screen. View up to 96 hours graphic and tabular trending of all parameters. Since it’s suitable for adult, pediatric and neonatal patients and has a 2.5-hour lithium ion battery, the PM-7000 is truly a full-featured monitor. It comes with a three-year warranty. NUVO (800) 663-1152 The Volante Series surgical tables were designed to meet the ever-changing demands of today’s operating room. The Volante series is available in three models; V1000T, V1000 and V750. With lifting capacities of 1,000 pounds and articulating capabilities of 800 pounds, the V1000T and V1000 were engineered to accommodate the needs of the increasing number of bariatric procedures. The V750 has a lift and articulation capability of 750 pounds. All models have full body imaging, 180-degree rotating table top, fully powered sections and a pressure-reducing mattress that looks sleek and streamlined. Available accessories include orthopedic traction bar assemblies, shoulder chairs, width extenders, patient positioning supports and more. Olympus Surgical (800) 548-5515 Olympus — a global leader in designing and delivering advanced and innovative healthcare solutions — has developed a CO2 intra-luminal insufflation unit, which can be used during advanced laparoscopic procedures to reduce bowel distension and rapidly restore blood flow. This allows surgeons to perform an intraoperative endoscopy prior to, during, or immediately after a procedure to assess its integrity, identify bleeds and check for anastomic leaks. As a result, patient outcomes are improved because endoscopic visualization assists in detecting problems immediately as opposed to post-operatively and patients experience less of the pain and discomfort that is normally associated with air-insufflation-induced bowel distension. Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp (800) 323-9653 Richard Wolf’s 5509 HD camera offers true-detail images that promote safe and fast endoscopic procedures. The camera head has interchangeable couplers for specific surgical applications, preset settings and is procedure-specific with onscreen display for convenient setting. The camera produces1280-by-1024 pixel image quality from an ergonimic camera head with two programmable camera buttons that control brightness, digital zoom, printing, video record on or off, white balance and more. Outputs on the camera include DVI, RGB, S-video and composite for high definition and standard definition requirements. Smiths Medical (800) 558-2345 As of January, BCI® Advisor® Multiparameter vital signs monitors became compatible with Provation® Medical’s MultiCaregiver software. This software allows data collected by the Advisor during procedures such as endoscopies and minor surgeries to be downloaded in real time to MultiCaregiver’s procedure log. It can then be interfaced with electronic medical records. The Advisor offers intuitive operation and competitive pricing and is ideal unit for use during procedures that involve sedation and post-procedural monitoring. The MultiCaregiver system is used in ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals and physicians’ offices. Starion Instruments (408) 522-5200 Starion Instruments introduces the third generation of “tissue ligating shears” (TLS3). Unlike conventional products that employ monopolar, bipolar or ultrasonic energy, the TLS3 features Starion’s patented tissue welding technology which uses direct heat and pressure to simultaneously seal and divide soft tissue. This reduces thermal spread and reduces the risk of inadvertent collateral damage. The TLS3 features enhanced dissecting capabilities, an ergonomic handle design, jaws that are longer and more tapered, and two-speed finger control for unparalleled performance in open and minimally invasive procedures. Three lengths provide improved sealing and dividing of larger vessels that are frequently encountered in general surgical, gynecological and urological procedures. STERIS (800) 548-4873 The new Surgimax™ general surgical table is designed with quality engineering. With its six-section tabletop design and extreme low-height capability, the Surgimax table provides the greatest flexibility for all diagnostic and surgical procedures including spinal, ENT, ophthalmologic, GI, bariatric, endoscopic, arthroscopic, rectal, OB/GYN, orthopedic and general pain management procedures. The Surgimax table provides full body C-arm access from the top of the sternum to the toes and from the femoral artery to the top of the head, and features an outstanding 40-degree Trendelenburg capability that improves gravity retraction for laparoscopic surgery. Welch Allyn (866) 801-8428 Welch Allyn, a leading manufacturer of frontline medical products and solutions, last fall introduced the ProXenon™ 350 Surgical Illuminator and Headlight System, a durable, user-friendly device that offers superior comfort, rapid lamp change and extended lamp life. This is a significant innovation in lightweight surgical headlight systems. The ProXenon 350 Surgical Illuminator has ergonomically improved design and an angled control surface that is unique to surgical light sources, and allows its operator to access controls more easily. Its turret guard exposes only the active port on the four-port rotating adaptor and eliminates guesswork and unnecessary delays during procedures. In addition, the FiberSense™ Safety Port automatically senses when a fiber optic cable has been removed from an active port. It then closes the shutter, which prevents high-intensity light from exiting the light source.
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