Product News: September 2004

Reduce the risk of needlesticks
You may be able to comply with OSHA regulations and reduce costs with the NeedleZap. The unit emits low-voltage electricity that disintegrates the needle and kills pathogens, the company says. To use it, insert the needle, rotate and push it against the electrodes. The NeedleZap can handle needles 16 gauge to 30 gauge and up to 2.5 inches long. It operates from a battery pack including two D-size rechargeable batteries or with an AC or DC charger/adapter, and the company says it can disintegrate up to 100 needles without recharging. The company promotes the device as easier to use and less expensive than safety needles. The company also says the device reduces red bag costs, because one-third more zapped syringes can fit in a sharps container. The system costs $180. Call (888) HCL-INTL, visit www.hcl-intl.com or Circle 167 on your Reader Service Card.

Multifocal IOLs for myopes
The Array silicone intraocular lens with OptiEdge is available for high myopes desirous of multifocal vision correction. It is available in .5 diopter increments from '10 D to 5.5 D including plano. The rounded anterior edge reduces reflections by scattering light, while the sloping edge minimizes the potential for edge glare.'The company didn't give pricing. Call (714) 247-8200, visit www.amo-inc.com or Circle 168 on your Reader Service Card.

Lower tables that might offer greater surgeon, staff comfort
Laparoscopic surgery, which uses longer instruments than open surgery, has changed the relation of the surgeon's hands to the height of the operating room table. Studies suggest that the most ergonomic height for laparo- scopy should position the laparoscope handles at or below elbow level. Here's a look at two surgical tables designed to go lower than traditional tables.

Smart Table. "With the Smart Table, surgeons no longer have to stand on stools to perform laparoscopic or bariatric procedures," says Mike Naughton, a company spokesperson. Based on measuring from the floor to the top of the pad, Smart Table goes 6 inches lower than competing tables. Its top is 7 inches wider than standard tables to accommodate larger patients up to 500 lbs. According to the company, the table's programmable remote control remembers table positions for various doctors and procedures. Call (800) 810-1262, visit www.advantagemedical.info or Circle 169 on your Reader Service Card.

C-MAX Table. Since St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo., purchased the C-Max surgical table, OR business manager Roque Ramos, RN, says the hospital's neurosurgeons have gotten the most use out of it. "They like that it goes lower than our other tables. It's more comfortable during spine procedures," says Mr. Ramos.

St. Luke's demoed the table and their nurses immediately liked the extra control pendant, says Mr. Ramos. "If the batteries ran out on the primary pendant, they can switch to the second pendant without having to waste any time."

The table can lift patients up to 1100 lbs. and can articulate patients up to 900 lbs. Call FH Surgical of North America for more information at (615) 855-0090 or Circle 170 on your Reader Service Card.

Specialty-specific surgical gloves
Kimberly-Clark Health added three models to its Safeskin PF Powder-Free Latex Surgical line:

Safeskin PF. This glove offers good barrier properties and tactile sensitivity with a polymer coating for easy damp- or dry-hand donning, the company says.

Safeskin PF Underglove. According to the company, this glove is lighter and has a slick surface to facilitate double- gloving.

Safeskin PF Micro. This glove is thinner than the original. The company says it's best for procedures where tactile sensitivity is necessary. Its non-slip finish allows for excellent instrument control during delicate procedures such as eye, neuro and plastic surgery, says the company.

Safeskin PF Ortho. This glove, which is thicker than the original, is designed for procedures that require increased barrier protection.

The company did not provide prices. Call (800) KC-HELPS, visit www.kchealthcare.com or Circle 171 on your Reader Service Card.

Pain-free injections?
Injections may be more comfortable for patients with a new technology from Sontra Medical. The SonoPrep skin permeation device applies relatively low frequency ultrasonic energy to the skin for about 15 seconds. The ultrasonic horn contained in the hand piece vibrates at 55,000 times per second (55KHz), bombarding the skin with bubbles, which break through the lipid barrier and let larger molecules through. After 24 hours, the skin returns to normal. The company says surgical facilities can use it to anesthetize skin before inserting an IV or catheter, particularly in pediatric cases. The unit costs around $2,000.

Contact Sontra Medical for more information. Call (508) 553-885, visit www.sontra.com or Circle 172 on your Reader Service Card.

Comfortable compression garments
Patients may enjoy the comfortable cotton lining in compression garments from Annette International. You can use the Full Body Suit Sleeveless (17366PAN) for both lipolasty and breast augmentation patients. The cups are framed with Power Net, which the company says provides compression to the incision site, which reduces the risk of inflammation. The company also offers a line of post-surgical undergarments. Retail prices range from $40 to $100.

Call (877) 883-0822, visit www.annetteinternational.com or Circle 173 on your Reader Service Card for more information.

Anesthetize with less medication?
The MADgic (Mucosal Atomization Device) sprays a fine mist of medication onto the mucosal membranes, giving you good coverage with less medication, the company says. MADgic's malleable applicator forms to patients' anatomy to apply topical anesthetics, vasoconstrictors or thrombin to the nose, pharynx, larynx and trachea. You can use MADgic before intubation, bronchoscopy and endoscopy. Because MADgic is disposable, it reduces the risk of possible cross-contamination. The company didn't provide pricing. For more information, call (888) 380-9808, visit www.wolfetory.com or Circle 174 on your Reader Service Card.