Anesthesia

Havel’s Incorporated, the Cincinnati-based market leader in echogenic needles, has announced the release of a new echogenic ultrasound needle which could help reduce radiation exposure. Last month, Havel’s Incorporated released four new echogenic needles using their new, innovative Micro Laser Etching (MLE™) technology, which creates multiple angled surfaces to reflect sound waves back to the transducer even at steep insertion angles.

The new needle, the Echogenic EchoTuohy™ Epidural Needle, will be used for ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks, epidural catheter placement, and epidural steroid injections. As ultrasound image quality continues to improve, many practitioners are looking for ways to avoid radiation exposure for themselves and their patients. Those switching to ultrasound guidance for epidural steroid injections will be happy to see the reflection from Havel’s MLE™ echogenic feature as they guide their injection to its target. The portability of ultrasound units, the expense of big fluoroscopy equipment, and the growth of pain management are all reasons why people are turning to ultrasound guided procedures and to Havel’s new echogenic needles.

Havel’s does something similar with their EchoStim® and EchoBlock® products using their patented Corner Cube Reflectors, or CCR® marks, which indent the needle slightly making it impossible to pass wires or catheters through the cannula. Now with the MLE™ technology users are free to pass wires or catheters through the cannula without obstruction. John Barrett, the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Havel’s Inc. said, “Once we had the technology to make needles echogenic without affecting the inner diameter, I knew a Tuohy Epidural Needle was our next logical addition to the line.”

Havel’s Inc. recently exhibited at the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Annual Meeting at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle Washington. The CRNA’s in attendance were very interested in Havel’s Echogenic EchoStim® Insulated and EchoBlock® Non-Insulated needles for ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks.

Some in the industry are surprised to hear that CRNA’s are using ultrasound for peripheral nerve blocks, but not Havel’s. We have been marketing our echogenic needles to AANA members since the products release in 2007. Now as ultrasound continues to spread throughout the hospital, CRNA students seem to know as much or more about ultrasound as the experienced veterans.

For now, both groups are focused on improving their skills and technique as they are well aware ultrasound is here to stay. Havel’s is also here to stay, releasing even more echogenic products in the coming months. Be on the lookout for the new EchoTuohy™ in September and the new EchoAccess® and EchoCath™ coming in 2011.

You can see Havel’s echogenic needles for yourself in Booth #2416 at the ASA Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA this October. Hope to see you there.

According to an article from HealthDay News, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists do not need to be supervised during procedures.  A recent study showed that patients were not at greater risk for complications or death from anesthesia when CRNAs performed the work unsupervised by a anesthesiologist or surgeon. 

Read more here:  Certified Nurse Anesthetists Can Safely Go Solo, Study Suggests

AS REPORTED IN OUTPATIENT SURGERY:

Study Shows Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks

Physicians at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, assessed the abilities of 8 anesthesia residents and fellows and 12 staff anesthesiologists to recognize the spread of a simulated local injection around raisin targets embedded in a semi-opaque gelatin model.

The study’s participants were instructed to place a 22-gauge nerve block needle next to the model’s target structures using ultrasound guidance. After placement, the participants notified a research assistant, who either injected 1mL of water or made no injection at all. The participants were then asked to confirm or deny that the injection took place.

The study, published in the July issue of the journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, showed that residents and fellows correctly identified the injection’s spread – or lack of spread – 91% of the time, while staff anesthesiologists demonstrated a 93% accuracy rate.

Colin McCartney, MD, a Sunnybrook anesthesiologist and the study’s lead investigator, says that ultrasound is an easy way for anesthesia providers to determine that local anesthetic spread occurs in the correct place.

“This is tremendously important as failure to ensure the correct spread can lead to intravenous injection of local anesthetic with convulsions and cardiac arrest in patients,” he says. Other advantages of using ultrasound guidance during regional anesthesia include reducing PONV and faster post-op discharges.

A recent article in Outpatient Surgery explains the findings of a study published in the latest issue of the journal Anesthesiology. 

In 3,081 patients in Taiwan who underwent total knee or hip replacement surgeries, the likelihood of developing an SSI 30 days after surgery was 2.2 times greater for those who had general anesthesia than for those who had an epidural or spinal anesthesia.

Read more in Outpatient Surgery.

Havel’s Incorporated Announces the Release of Four New Innovative Ultrasound Needles.

 The market leader in echogenic needles for ultrasound guided regional anesthesia releases four new innovative echogenic needles. 

Micro Laser Etching on PTC Needle

 

CINCINNATI, July 12/Havel’s Incorporated/ – Havel’s Incorporated, the Cincinnati-based market leader in echogenic needles, announces the release of a new line of needles with Micro Laser Etching near the tip.  “I am very excited about the new MLE™ echogenic feature because it does not affect the inner diameter of the needle, allowing users to pass wires or catheters through the cannula without obstruction,” says John Barrett, vice president of sales & marketing for Havel’s Incorporated.  The new MLE™ technology allows for a much larger variety of sizes. 

Known for their patented Corner Cube Reflectors, or CCR® marks, Havel’s revolutionized the ultrasound needle industry.  CCR® marks near the tip of the needle reflect sound waves back to the transducer, showing anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists exactly where the tip of the needle is under ultrasound.   Instead of CCR® reflectors, which slightly reduce the inner diameter of the needle, the new needles have Micro Laser Etching, or MLE™, near the tip to reflect sound waves back to the transducer.  The tip is therefore visible under ultrasound with no reduction of inner diameter.  “We hope to eventually use the new MLE™ technology on a variety of products for use throughout the hospital,” Barrett says. 

The new needles include the EchoBlock® PTC for Ultrasound Guided Pain Injections and the EchoBlock® PTC30 for Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks.  The AccuTarg® Quincke and the AccuTarg® Chiba point needles feature the MLE™ reflectors and can be used in radiology and for ultrasound guided procedures.

The ISURA Show in Toronto.

Havel’s Inc. recently exhibited at the International Symposium of Ultrasound for Regional Anesthesia (ISURA) in Toronto, Canada.  Havel’s showed their EchoStim® Insulated, EchoBlock® Non-Insulated, and EchoBlock® MSK for Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia and Pain Injections.  Since the symposium focused on the use of ultrasound in regional anesthesia and pain management, Havel’s products were very popular. 

The conference attendees came from countries around the world: New Zealand, Kuwait, China, and Norway, to name a few.  The international flavor provided insight as to how similar issues are handled differently around the world.  The Regional Anesthesia and Chronic Pain Programs helped attendees improve their use of Ultrasound Guidance, so they could return home and put those new skills to work.

Dr. Chan and John Barrett

Dr. Vincent Chan and his staff did an excellent job organizing the conference, including the non-CME related functions.  The Gala Dinner Friday night, for instance, was held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.  The excellent meal was only part of the evening, as the elegant grounds and the ferry rides to and from the island were also high points.

Saturday’s schedule went well and the attendees seemed happy that things were running so smoothly.  They only had good things to say during the reception Saturday evening, where attendees gathered to relax with wine and appetizers.  Sunday’s schedule was shorter and without exhibitors, though I am sure it went smoothly as well.  It will be 2 years before the ISURA conference comes back to Toronto, but I suggest you plan on attending.  See you in 2012.

–John Barrett, VP Sales & Marketing

An article published in the March 2010 issue of Pain Medicine News refers to the importance of echogenicity in needles used in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. The article claims that a study found that “echogenicity is a key, if understudied, aspect of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.” Also in the article is the claim that …” Of the most common needles used in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, three models rank among the best for use in interventional pain procedures…”

The article neglected to mention the most popular needle for visibility under ultrasound on the market for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia: the Havel’s EchoStim Echogenic Needle.

The entire article from Pain Medicine News can be found here.

A response to the article from John Barrett, VP Sales & Marketing for Havel’s Inc. can be found here. You may also click on the PDF below to read his Letter to the Editor of Pain Medicine News.

from Pain Medicine News

Havel’s Inc. recently exhibited at the CRASH Conference, Colorado Review of Anesthesia for SurgiCenter and Hospitals, in Vail, CO.  Havel’s EchoStim® Insulated and EchoBlock® Non-Insulated needles for ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks were a huge hit.  Many attendees requested samples, and all were surprised to hear our premium echogenic insulated needles came without a premium price.  The 300 attendees came for the skiing and for the various workshops including those on Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia, Comprehensive Airway Management, Pediatric Controversies, and others.  The week started with a Welcome Reception Sunday evening, and by Wednesday attendees were ready for the NASTAR Ski race.  When the conference ended Friday, March 5^th, most attendees were making plans to return in 2011.

–John Barrett, VP Sales & Marketing

Havel’s Incorporated exhibited our line of ultrasound needles at the Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio on February 19th through 21st. Currently, Havel’s is the only company with an ultrasound needle line on the market. As first time exhibitors at MARC, Havel’s displayed the EchoStim and EchoBlock products which generated a lot of excitement. 650 attendees got a chance to see the EchoStim and EchoBlock product lines, and we received many sample requests from many of the well-respected institutions represented at the conference. We relished the opportunity and anticipate a great deal of success from our time at the MARC show.