Safety & Flexibility: Alcon Intrepid Polymer I/A Tips

Released by Alcon in late 2009, the Alcon Intrepid Polymer I/A tip has brought a sense of increased safety and flexibility into cataract procedures.  Although, not as soft as the Alcon silicone I/A tip, this polycarbonate material still provides the same safety in allowing to polish the capsule and maintaining the integrity of the capsular bag.

In addition to not only providing safety through its design, it is also a “true” single use device that is disposed of after each case thusly reducing potential factors (such as residual, cortical material)  that could attribute to TASS.  The tips come in three configurations, a straight, 20 degree soft curve, and the 35 degree bent tip.  Each of the tip configurations has a .3mm aspiration port and the flange design to allow for proper placement of the sleeve. All of the tips are fully compatible with the threaded Ultraflow handpieces and with all MicroSmooth sleeves.  The Intrepid Polymer I/A tips are unique and quality products to add to any cataract surgeons procedures.

Ohio’s Licking Memorial Adds 2 GI Capsule Technologies

Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, Ohio, has added two capsule diagnostic tools to investigate gastrointestinal problems, according to a report in the Newark Advocate.

The first is PillCam capsule endoscopy, which uses a tiny camera and light to take pictures of the small intestine. The capsule sends images to a transmitter worn around the patient’s waist, according to the report.

The second is he Bravo pH Monitoring System, a capsule with a monitor that measures acidity levels in the esophagus and is often used in patients experience acid reflux, according to the report. The capsule is attached to the patient’s esophagus during a brief surgical procedure and monitors pH levels, sending data to a transmitter similar to that in capsule endoscopy.

Read the Advocate’s report on the new GI capsule technologies.

Risk Calculators Increasingly Used to Determine Appropriateness for Surgery

A tool to calculate surgery risks for a particular patient is being used in heart surgery and will eventually be adopted to other surgical specialties, but access is still limited to mainly larger hospitals, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The American College of Surgeons, which developed the heart surgery tool, recently introduced a similar tool for surgery of the colon and pancreas and plans to eventually cover 20 different types of surgery.

Surgeons enter the patient’s risk variables and receive a customized report outlining the risk of death and specific complications. The colorectal risk calculator, for example, is based on 15 variables, including age, body mass index, the extent of disease and how much of the colon must be removed.

Calculations are based on data from more than one million patient records gathered by National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, which works with hospitals to reduce surgical errors and complications.

The college adapted the tool from a Veterans Administration program that reduced deaths from surgery at VA hospitals by 27 percent and complications by 45 percent.

However, access to the college’s risk calculator is limited to about 250 mostly large hospitals that are in its National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, which charges $35,000 a year to participating institutions.

Read Wall Street Journal’s report on the surgical risk calculator.

IOL Master 500

What is the fastest and easy way to find the right IOL?  Simply speaking, the IOL Master 500.  The all in one biometer created by Carl Zeiss Meditec (headquartered in Jena, Germany) is the world’s first non contact measuring device that offers the precision measurements surgeons require to give their patients the quality outcomes they deserve.  In 2006, the IOL Master was recognized by ASCRS as a leader in precision biometry.  A 2005 survey conducted by ASCRS showed that 47 percent of cataract surgeons in the United States were using the IOL Master for measuring axial length.  Since 06’, Carl Zeiss Meditec has continued to dominate the area of biometry and the IOL Master 500 is the latest technology leading them into the future.

Using the Zeiss principles of precision, simplicity and outcomes, the IOL Master 500 is again a complete comprehensive workstation designed to aid in the efficiency of a busy clinical atmosphere.  Equipped with a new Twin Technology mode, the IOL Master 500 will allow for multiple axial lengths and keratometry readings to automatically be captured.  The IOL Master 500 has also been integrated to handle any of the aspheric, multi-focal, or toric measurements and their necessary calculations as well.  IOL calculations are simply done and the reports are easily transmitted to the surgeons desired electronic storage locations or can be printed for paper copies.  Equipped with FORUM, Zeiss data management solution, the IOL Master 500 can provide diagnostic data wherever it is needed.  It also integrates with the CALLISTO eye, and electronic medical records as well.

The IOL Master 500 is fundamentally the “Gold Standard” for IOL calculations.  Carl Zeiss Medical has revolutionized the field of ophthalmic biometry and created a diagnostic tool that benefits all of the surgeons that choose to take advantage of this technology.  As IOLs evolve, the IOL Master will continue to provide the quality and reliable data that surgeons expect.  For further detailed online information, please visit www.meditec.zeiss.com/iolmaster and www.iolmaster-online.zeiss.com

Bausch & Lomb Introduces New IOL

Bausch & Lomb has introduced Crystalens AO, an aberration free accommodating intraocular lens with aspheric optics, according to a Bausch & Lomb news release.

The Crystalens AO has prolate aspheric surfaces and is designed to be free of spherical aberration and is intended to improve retinal image quality without compromising depth of field, according to the release.

Crystalens is the only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens. Unlike a standard cataract replacement lens, Crystalens is designed to not only eliminate a patient’s cataract but to improve the patient’s range of vision.

Although aspheric optics traditionally reduce field of vision because they have negative spherical aberration, the Crystalens AO does not reduce field of vision because it provides zero spherical aberration, according to the release.

The Crystalens AO is comprised of proprietary biosil silicone and has a thin and uninterrupted barrier edge. It will be inserted using the CI-28 injector in a controlled manner through an un-enlarged phaco incision.

Read Bausch & Lomb’s release on Crystalens AO.

Ophthalmic Laser Improves Accuracy of Cornea Tissue Dissection

Ophthalmic surgeons from the U.S. Air Force are the first in the Defense Department to employ a state-of-the-art laser that will shorten recovery times for corneal transplantation, according to a report by the U.S. Air Force. 

Members of the ophthalmology department assigned the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, are using a femtosecond laser to dissect human cornea tissue for cornea transplants or refractive surgery. The ophthalmic surgical team performed the first three corneal transplants using this technology three months ago, according to the report. 

The laser produces a one-billionth of a second, intense pulse that gives ophthalmologists an extremely accurate way of cutting the cornea tissue. Ophthalmologists can also program the laser to cut specific shapes or patterns on the tissue, which is useful for designing interfaces between donor and host tissue, according to the report. 

Read the U.S. Air Force’s report on the femtosecond laser.

Access MediQuip Releases ‘Partners in Focus’ Provider Portal

Access MediQuip, a leading provider of outsourced implantable medical device management solutions to the healthcare industry, has released a new version of its ‘Partners in Focus’ online portal, which will be available to its 1,800 provider customers in January, according to an Access MediQuip news release.

The online portal is a management tool which allows providers to electronically track the status of referrals, authorizations and device orders. The portal features streamlined design and offers new features for improved case management and electronic reporting, according to the release.

This portal also offers real time data retrieval, search options, filtering and data exporting capability.

“To meet the growing needs of our customers, we must continuously deliver innovative solutions to help them operate more efficiently,” Eric Pezzi, Access MediQuip’s executive vice president of operations, said in the release. “We designed ‘Partners in Focus’ to support our provider customers with robust, easy-to-use tools which provide clear reporting and tracking capabilities that complement our implantable device management services. These services benefit payers by providing increased control over costs and allow their physicians and members expanded access to implantable device technology.”

Learn more about Access MediQuip.

Covidien Signs Definitive Agreement to Sell U.S. Radiopharmacies to Triad Isotopes

Covidien, a global provider of healthcare products, has announced a definitive agreement to sell its radiopharmacies in the United States to Triad Isotopes, based in Orlando, Fla., according to a Covidien news release.

Triad operates a network of 26 nuclear radiopharmacies and six cyclotron facilities in the southeast United States, according to the release. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The decision to divest the network of 37 Mallinckrodt radiopharmacies was made following a thorough review and evaluation of a number of strategic alternatives, according to the release.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, as well as receipt by Triad of necessary state and federal licenses and Triad’s ability to secure financing for the transaction, with closing expected during the second calendar quarter of 2010, according to the release.

Read the release on Covidien’s sale of radiopharmacies to Triad Isotopes.

 

Get a Grip: An Overview of Trends in the World of Medical Gloves.

As the increasing concern over infection control continues to dominate discussion among healthcare professionals; many facilities find themselves looking for answers through stringent policy changes dealing with cleaning and sterilization of instrumentation.  A major component of infection control that is often overlooked is the type of gloves that are being used.   Healthcare facilities need to take the time to examine their glove inventory and determine what types of gloves addresses their particular needs and concerns.

When evaluating gloves, one of the most important factors to consider is barrier protection.  It is essential to have a glove that provides excellent barrier protection against blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases.  An inferior quality glove exposes both healthcare workers and the patients they care for to unnecessary risk of infection.  Natural rubber latex gloves have been shown to have the most effective barrier protection, however due to the increased awareness of latex sensitivity/allergies there are a number of other alternatives (such as synthetics and those with a low level of latex proteins) on the market that address those healthcare workers and patients that may have adverse reactions to latex.

According to data reported by the American Latex Allergy Association, somewhere between 3%-22% of healthcare workers are sensitive to natural rubber latex.  Healthcare workers increase their likelihood for latex sensitivity due to the fact that they are more prone to be exposed routinely to latex proteins in their work environment.  A concerning factor in latex sensitivity/allergy to not only healthcare workers but to patients as well is the use of powdered gloves.  The powder allows for the latex to become airborne and inhaled as well.  Latex sensitivity can result in mild skin irritation to as something as serious as anaphylaxis.

Manufacturers have introduced synthetic materials such as nitrile, neoprene, and polyisoprene into the medical glove marketplace that try to mimic the fit, tactile feel, and protection of the traditional latex glove.  Other manufacturers offer low protein latex alternatives as well.  It is estimated that by the year 2015 the global surgical glove market could exceed $1.38 billion in sales, and is also estimated the powder free alternatives will make up a significant portion of those sales.

Other factors that are important when deciding on a glove are tensile strength, durability, comfort, and ease of donning.   Strength of material must be able to stretch and conform to the hands appropriately.  They must have the durability that corresponds to the tasks the staff or surgeon will be completing, be comfortable to wear, and easy to put on as well.

Gloves are a fundamental component in controlling the spread of pathogens, critical in providing the necessary personal protective equipment for facility staff and surgeons, and key to patient safety.  It is important for any healthcare facility to “get a grip” on the glove needs of their staff, surgeons and patients.

Olympus Introduces the VisiGlide, a Single Use Guidewire Specifically Designed for Endoscopic Treatment in Biliary Pancreatic Duct

Olympus has introduced VisiGlide, a new single use guidewire developed with advanced technology from Terumo Corporation to facilitate ERCP procedures performed by gastroenterologists, according to an Olympus news release.

Designed for use in endoscopic treatment of the bile and pancreatic ducts, the new 0.025 inch VisiGlide provides the same level of support and stiffness as a traditional 0.035 inch guidewire. Its enhanced design includes a super-elastic alloy and hydrophilic coatings to facilitate passage through strictures, an abnormal narrowing of a body passage, and make selective insertion into the bile and pancreatic ducts easier, according to the release.

By integrating Terumo’s advanced materials processing technology with Olympus’ endoscope and device combination technology, VisiGlide is expected to provide improved guidewire insertability and maneuverability in the bile and pancreatic ducts — sites that are traditionally difficult to reach endoscopically. The core wire of VisiGlide is made of a super-elastic alloy with a thin fluorine coating on its shaft and enables the guidewire to pass smoothly through strictures while facilitating the exchange of ERCP devices, according to the release.

VisiGlide also provides visible markings to indicate various distances from the distal end in order to facilitate placement and confirmation of the guidewire’s position in the endoscopic field of view during endoscopic treatment and when exchanging devices.

Read the Olympus release on VisiGlide.

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