Product News: April 2001

Improvement in Minimally-Invasive Surgical Technology
The Direct Coupled Interface (DCI) from Karl Storz Endoscopy-America is an endoscope accessory that maintains an upright image for the surgeon at all times.When the DCI is used, surgeons do not have to rotate the camera in relation to the endoscopic eyepiece; instead, it auto-rotates. The DCI provides the surgeon one-handed control of the entire endoscopic system, leaving the other free to work with other instruments. The control panel contains four buttons: focus, rotation control, and two programmable function keys to control camera operations such as zoom. Additionally, the DCI is designed to replace the conventional eyepiece interface with a "snap-in" coupling mechanism. In other words, one endoscope can be quickly detached and another clicked into place.

The company reports that the DCI system is recommended for both general surgery and laparoscopy, particularly complex laparoscopic procedures such as gastric bypasses, laparoscopic cholecystectomies and Nissen fundoplications. DCI was the winner of a 2000 "new product of the year" at the annual meeting of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS). Call (800) 421-0837, visit http://www.karlstorz.com, or circle 131.

A Patient-Friendly Pump
Many models of infusion pumps have a problem ensuring the prevention of free-flow of fluid, causing potential overdoses of medication. This can occur because the free-flow protection is not built into the pump. Rather, they require the attachment of a back-check valve after the pump is primed with fluid. Curlin Medical, manufacturer of the Curlin 2000 Plus, has developed an alternative to this approach: an infusion pump with an internal stop valve that provides free-flow prevention before priming. Curlin claims that the integrated design will be a more failsafe means of preventing free-flow accidents in both hospital and ambulatory settings. The company points to a recent JCAHO alert about adverse patient reactions during the use of infusion pumps, which called for the introduction "of a free-flow protection device that is integral" to the infusion pump set. For more information, call (714) 893-2200, visit http://www.curlinmedical.com, or circle 132.