SensorMed Spinal Needle©

SensorMed is excited to announce the development of its first guidance device offering, the SensorMed Spinal Needle©, set for market entry in Q4 of 2010. This instrument will have specific applications for spinal procedures such as epidurals and spinal anesthesia pain blocks. The device uses SensorMed's patented radio frequency impedance measurement to accurately guide needle placement during these delicate procedures. Using a combination of audio and visual cues, this guidance device will alert the anesthesia administrator as to the exact location of the delivery needle's tip as it progresses through a patient's anatomy. Our instrument is designed to attach to standard needles, and can be used in conjunction with current needle placement procedures. The use of this instrument will aid in the accuracy and efficiency of anesthetia delivery, and will decrease the high percentages of failure and complication that currently exist. Clinical trials for the SensorMed Spinal Needle© will be complete by the end of 2009. The remaining FDA regulatory actions and market entry preparation will last through the majority of 2010.

SensorMed Verres Guide (SVG)©

Also in development is the SensorMed Verres Guide©, or SVG. Like the SensorMed Spinal Needle©, the SVG will use SensorMed's patented RF Impedance Measurement to act as a guide during minimally invasive abdominal laparoscopic procedures. Today, over 50% of all complications during these minimally invasive procedures occur in the initial phases of equipment entry into the body. The reason is simple- there is nothing to help guide the surgeon as he or she attempts to place initial entry equipment into the operating site. In response to this need, SensorMed is developing a prototype version of the SVG. Again using audio / visual cues, the  SVG will assist physicians in accurate first time placement of Verres needles into the correct abdominal location (called the peritoneal cavity). The SVG is designed to attach to standard Verres needles, alerting the administrator in real time as to the exact location of the Verres needle's tip as it progresses through a patient's various abdominal layers. Use of this device will drastically reduce the number of injuries and complications associated with these procedures, saving hospitals time and money and increasing the standard of care for physicians and patients. Prototyping of this device is set to be completed by the end of 2009, with subsequent clinical trials, FDA and regulatory actions following into 2010.
  

Other Products:
SensorMed is in the process of patenting and developing other devices for use in minimally invasive surgical suites. Stay tuned for announcements concerning these products and their market entry timeline.