Product News: April 2000

Facilities that handle GYN laparoscopic procedures may want to investigate several new features on Karl Storz's updated Steiner Electromechanical Morcellator. The device now incorporates a valve that is designed to seal in insufflated gas while morcellated tissue is removed. A blunt obturator is said to protect the patient and cutting blade from accidental contact. The shaft is 12 mm in diameter, allowing you to insert the device through an existing trocar without enlarging the incision. The device is reusable; the company says each use costs only $165, compared with about $400 for disposable morcellators.

If you need to document microsurgical procedures, you may want to consider the new Endovision XL video imaging system, also from Karl Storz. The company says the device, which attaches to your surgical microscope or colposcope, automatically adjusts exposure and can work in very low light conditions. You can get focal lengths of 15, 20 and 25 mm. A C-mount adapter for the camera head allows attachment to a standard colposcope or microscope. The camera head and coupler are Steris and Sterrad sterilizable. Contact Karl Storz Endoscopy at (800) 421-0837, visit www.karlstorz.com, or circle 50 on our reader service card.

New Ideas for Old Problems

A couple of new instruments from Rhein Medical may help your eye surgeons do better work. The company's Carpel One-Step Trabeculectomy Punch is designed to cut a perfect rectangular trabeculectomy section with just one motion, reducing tissue manipulation and inflammatory response. The head rotates 360 degrees, a help in secondary trabeculectomies, where the incision may not be able to be made in a convenient position.

The company's Brems Astigmatism Marker With Level is said to allow refractive and cataract surgeons to precisely mark the 90- and 180-degree axes while the patient is in the upright position (the eyeballs can torque when the patient is supine, making measurements in this position inaccurate). The surgeon rotates the marker to align the bubble in the level with the 90-degree axis. The marker leaves four radial marks and one pararadial mark. The 6-mm inner opening allows precise centration of the marker, and 14-mm outer diameter ensures full corneal coverage. Both instruments are reusable, autoclaveable, guaranteed for life, available for a 30-day surgical evaluation, and come with a complimentary instructional videotape. Call (800) 637-4346, or circle 52.

Scrap the Wrap

Owners of the new Sterrad hydrogen peroxide sterilization system may wish to investigate a new sealed container system from Case Medical, Inc. The company says you can place almost any type of instrument (including those with hard-to-reach lumen) into the SteriTite Container System, place the container in the sterilizer, turn it on, and then store the instruments without wrapping. The company says it did extensive testing on the case prior to releasing it. The device works in steam sterilizers as well. Call (888) 639-3264 or circle 51.

Rest Assured
The Centers for Disease Control suggests regular, routine testing of sterilizers in surgical facilities by a third party. If your state requires this, you may be interested in a new service from Autoclave Testing Service. The company sends you a batch of spore strips, and at each required interval - weekly or monthly - you place one of the indicators in with a load of instruments and mail it back to ATS in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The company will send your results back monthly; it will notify you immediately if the sterilizer is not working properly. You also get a certificate for display to inform patients that you are using the service. The cost ranges from $40 to $364 per year. Call (203) 325-3462, or circle 54.

On Your Mark

If you do LASIK at your center you may be interested in two new products from Accutome. The 3-Blade LASIK Marker makes a cross in the center of the cornea to help the surgeon align the suction ring. There are also variable-length side markers that help with flap alignment following ablation. For surgeons who prefer to make simple ring-style marks, there's the 7-mm LASIK Plain OZ Marker. This stainless-steel instrument features muted non-reflective surfaces. Contact Accutome at (800) 979-2020, visit www.accutome.com, or circle 53.

Safety First

A new book may help you reduce the risk of needlestick and sharps injuries in the OR. Advanced Precautions for Today's OR: The Operating Room Professional's Handbook for the Prevention of Sharps Injuries and Bloodborne Exposures, addresses the issues surrounding sharps injuries and provides common-sense techniques for exposure prevention. The author, Mark Davis, MD, an OB/GYN surgeon and safety and infection control consultant, offers suggestions on how to safely manage sharps, select blunt alternatives to sharps, choose effective personal protective equipment, and build an integrated system for exposure prevention. The book costs $14.95 plus $3.50 shipping. If you'd like to make sure everyone in your OR gets a copy of the book, you can purchase copies at a volume discount. Call (404) 261-4595, e-mail at [email protected], or circle 55.