MedDetect's patented O.R. Rapid Heat Transfer Sterilizer is a dry-heat sterilizer designed to provide quick and efficient reprocessing of instruments at the point of delivery, the company says. Using rapid laminar dry airflow to transfer heat (375'F) to instruments, the Rapid Heat sterilizer achieves FDA-approved sterilized processing (12 log kill) in six minutes for unwrapped instruments and 12 minutes for wrapped instruments. During operation, the sterilizer remains cool to the touch and is highly insulated to keep heat inside the sterilizer; you need only turn it on at the beginning of the day and leave it on (it plugs into a 110-volt outlet) for immediate use if needed (it takes 12 minutes to achieve operating temperature from a cold start), says MedDetect. Because the device doesn't use water, the potential for rust and corrosion associated with traditional steam sterilization is eliminated, the company says. Among the accessories available for the compact (17" x 17" x 15") stainless steel sterilizer is a cart to facilitate transport and use of the Rapid Heat sterilizer. The sterilizer lists for $4,995. For more information, visit www.meddetect.com, call (217) 498-9482 or circle number 167 on your Reader Service Card.

Dropper allows for preparation of small volumes of ophthalmic solution
The Steri-Dropper line of bottles from EPS, Inc., is designed for the extemporaneous packaging of sterile ophthalmic solutions, says the company (see "Can You Mix Meds in Your Facility?" on page 22). By packaging the bottles, tips and caps in blister packages containing two of each - rather than packages of 12 or 20 each - you can prepare whatever you need without compromising the sterility of an entire case. The polyethylene vials are made from zinc stearate-free resin to minimize the risk of particulates forming in certain ophthalmic preparations. Cases consist of 100 Steri-Droppers, or 50 blister packages. There are three sizes: 3ml (case price ranges from $65 to $75.50, depending on the number of cases you buy at once), 7ml ($72 to $84.50) and 15ml ($75.50 to $88.50). For more information, visit www.medidose.com, call (800) 523-8966 or circle number 168 on your Reader Service Card.

Suture anchors preloaded with high-strength suture
DePuy Mitek is now offering its Quick Anchor Plus family of suture anchors pre-loaded with Orthocord, the company's next-generation orthopedic suture, which it introduced this summer. Orthocord is coated with a proprietary material that's said to increase the slide-ability of the suture and enhance knot-tying. The result is three new products. In addition to multiple shoulder indications for both arthroscopic and open procedures, the GII Quick Anchor Plus with Orthocord may be used in many elbow, hand, foot, wrist, ankle and knee procedures. It uses a 2.4mm drill hole and provides 39 pounds of pull-out strength, the company says. Rotator Cuff Quick Anchor Plus with dual-suture Orthocord features 70 pounds of pull-out strength and a 2.9mm drill hole; and Super Quick Anchor Plus with dual-suture Orthocord, which can be used in the shoulder, ankle, foot, wrist, elbow and knee, offers 55 pounds straight tensile strength and is 45 percent less stiff than other high-strength suture, according to DePuy Mitek. The company would not give pricing. For more information, visit www.depuymitek.com, call (800) 382-4682 or circle number 169 on your Reader Service Card.

An anesthesia machine just for ASCs
The Platinum SC430 anesthesia system from Paragon offers many of the features your anesthesia providers want - an AV-S ventilator with ascending bellows (20ml to 1600ml without changing the bellows), 8.4-inch color touch screen with dual waveforms and trim knob, ultra low flow capabilities, O2, N2O and air dual flowmeters, double Selectatec vaporizer manifold, work surface lighting, integrated electrical outlets, three large drawers, writing tray, auxiliary oxygen flowmeter, scavenger and high pressure hoses - in a compact machine that weighs just 165 pounds. Standard ventilation modes include volume mode (with fresh gas compensation), pressure mode and pressure support mode. Electronic PEEP, pressure limiter and spirometry are also standard. The new A200SP compact heated absorber accepts a single three-pound pre-pack canister and includes an auto/bag switch to activate and deactivate the ventilator. The machine's modular construction includes six GCX mounting rails for patient monitors and accessories. The Platinum SC430 comes with a two-year warranty and costs $32,900; $34,900 with one vaporizer. For more information, visit www.paragonservice.com, call (800) 448-0814 or circle number 170 on your Reader Service Card.

Train for minimally invasive spine
If you're thinking of adding minimally invasive spinal surgery or surgeons, your surgeons want to stay sharp or you just want a way to teach your patients about their procedures, the Smart Endospine Surgical Trainer may be a good fit for your facility. Developed with the assistance of John Chiu, MD, of the California Center for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, the trainer is large enough to accommodate a section of spine or model. There are 13 ports fitted with grommets (10mm hole, 5mm hole available), a 10-inch LCD color monitor and large side openings for easy access to the work area. The company's Camera Stick (a simulated endoscope) is included and can be mounted in any port. The Endospine Surgical Trainer lists for $1,955. For more information, visit www.3D-med.com, call (937) 746-2901 or circle number 171 on your Reader Service Card.

Paper bags that can help with AAMI compliance
According to AAMI Standard ST46, using paper/poly pouches to separate small items in a wrapped or filtered instrument tray is forbidden because the poly laminate is a barrier to sterilization and its water repellancy may contribute to wet pack. New paper bags from Health Mark made of 100 percent medical grade paper - which is porous to sterilant and moisture-absorbent to help dissipate condensate - are an alternative. Price ranges from $37 to $98.80, depending on the quantity (the largest bags come in lots of 250, the smallest in lots of 1,000) and the size of bags you order. For more information, visit www.hmark.com, call (800) 521-6224 or circle number 172 on your Reader Service Card.