Medovate, Cambridge, UK, has announced a newly formed partnership with Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas Inc., Wayne, N.J., to promote best practice within regional anesthesia across the United States and the Middle East.
The partnership will highlight the provision of Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia and how the SAFIRA (SAFer Injection for Regional Anesthesia) can be used in conjunction with Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas’ range of ultrasound solutions.
SAFIRA is a Class II medical device set to transform regional anesthesia around the world by making it a one-person procedure. It puts control of the injection in the hands of the anesthesiologist freeing up their assistants to carry out other tasks. The device also helps to improve patient safety by reducing the risk of nerve damage as it prevents injection above 20psi.
The introduction of ultrasound guidance in regional anesthesia was first explored by anesthesiologists in the mid-1990s and since then technology advancements have led to an increase in ultrasound by anesthesiologists.
Ultrasound guidance offers a range of important practical advantages for nerve blockade such as visualization of the anatomy and more informed guidance for the needle pathway avoiding structures that might be damaged by the needle. It also reduces the likelihood of inadvertent needle trauma to unintended structures and ensures the continued visualization of the local anesthetic solution. Together, the two technologies present a best practice solution in delivering regional anesthesia.
“We are excited to be partnering with Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, a world leader in ultrasound technology,” says Chris Rogers, sales and marketing director at Medovate. “The company has a strong focus on creating value through innovation—an ethos that fits with Medovate’s core focus on realising the benefits of clinician-led innovation. We are looking forward to raising awareness of ultrasound guided techniques for regional anesthesia.”
Recent publications, including a joint statement by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management (ASRA) and the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA), have recommended regional anesthesia be considered whenever surgery is planned for a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient. This is because it preserves respiratory function and avoids aerosolization and the potential for transmission of COVID-19 compared to general anesthesia.
“Medovate brings a unique combination of clinical innovation and expertise through its association with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service and we are proud to partner with them to advance regional anesthesia,” says Eric Sumner, executive vice president Ultrasound Sales at Konica Minolta. “Our companies have a shared vision to promote safer solutions that deliver clinical efficiency, simplify use and advance better outcomes for patients.”
Featured image: Medovate SAFIRA (Courtesy: Medovate)
