Pain Medicine

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.”

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.

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

Patients aren’t necessarily getting the pain management they need or deserve due to physicians’ fear of prescription drug abuse or lack of information about new types of treatment for pain. Kathryn Hahn, chair of the Oregon Pain Management Commission, says that adequate pain treatment has always been a concern. Patients are encouraged to be more informed and advocate for the care they need.

For more information on this subject, click here.

A recent study of Medicare patients suggests that chronic back pain is being treated with expensive and complex spinal fusion surgeries that can often lead to complications, which makes the endeavor even costlier. 

Read the entire article on the study here.

Read relevant articles and useful information by clicking on the “Publications of Interest” link in the lower right hand corner of the www.havels.com homepage.

For a good look at the pros and cons in the current debate regarding the use of ultrasound in pain medicine, take a look at the January 2010 issue of Pain Medicine News. Read the article “Ultrasound Demonstrations Fuel Debate On Clinical Role in Pain Medicine” by Donald M. Pizzi.

Pizzi speaks to several doctors who are currently using ultrasound in their practice, as well as doctors who are more hesitant to do so. Pizzi presents the reasons why doctors are hesitant and speaks to practitioners who can address the doubts that currently exist.

To read the article, register for free here.

It’s cold and snowing in many parts of the US right now.  Here’s something sunny to think about: The International Spine Intervention Society is hosting its 18th Annual Scientific Meeting in Maui, Hawaii in July, 2010 at the Wailea Resort.  According to ISIS president Way Yin, MD, the ”…plenary sessions will highlight many commonly encountered and controversial clinical scenarios including disease specific interventions for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis.”

For more information, click here.