Havel’s EchoStim Named Best Available Echogenic Needle in Recent Study
Aug 10, 2009
Peripheral Nerve Block Needle Tip Localisation Under Ultrasound
The study compared the echogenicity of five insulated peripheral nerve block needles, including the EchoStim® Echogenic Needle, needles from several well-known competitiors, and a handmade experimental needle not available for commercial use. The blind assessment of the five different needles in human fresh cadaveric tissue determined which needle had the best tip visibility under ultrasound.
Of the available needles in the study, the Havel’s® EchoStim® Echogenic CCR marks appeared brightest under ultrasound at Moderate (35 – 45) and Steep (55 – 65) insertion angles. Typically steep insertion angles cause most needles to disappear under ultrasound, as shown in the study by the 0% result for 2 of the 5 needles. The steep insertion angle results for the EchoStim® were at least 6 times higher than the next highest commercially available needle. The Moderate insertion angle results did show improved percentages for the other needles, but Havel’s® EchoStim® needle was still the best available needle as its percentage was nearly double that of the closest competitor. The next best needle was the handmade experimental needle that is not commercially available.
The Havel’s® EchoStim® Echogenic needle is manufactured in Japan by Hakko® Medical. Havel’s® Incorporated is proud to be the exclusive North American distributor of Hakko® Medical needle devices. Hakko® needles are the benchmark for quality throughout the world with a safety record second to none.
I am afraid your information is incorrect. The top performing needle IS commercially available as the Pajunk Sonoplex. You should therefore correct your quote.
Kind regards
A/Professor Graham Hocking
“We are aware that our CCR marks have been copied by Pajunk for use on the Sonoplex needle, and that it is being advertised in the U.S. However we were told it is not yet in stock and therefore not commercially available. Once we can identify someone who has actually bought it, we will certainly update our quote. Thank you.”
The Pajunk is now available. I have compared Pajunk to Havel in agar gel and meat and the Pajunk is much more echogenic at steep angles than the Havel. Also, the Pajunk has its echogenic markers arranged in 2 groups of 1 cm each. This helps in indentificaiton of the needle tip.
At Havel’s we focus on the tip. Our 3 Reflectors are located near the tip to confirm its location under ultrasound. The Pajunk needle is bright, but it’s also expensive. The EchoStim however costs the same or less than a regular insulated needle. We could add more reflectors as Pajunk has, but we feel that’s overkill and not necessary. Also, since Pajunk’s reflectors go 20mm up the shaft, you may think you are looking at the tip when it might actually be out of plane.