Safety Needle for Epidural Anesthesia

Because anesthesia providers cannot see the tip of the epidural needle as it is directed toward the central nervous system of the patient, they must rely on the tactile sensations or "feel” transmitted back through the needle as it is slowly advanced through tissue in the lower back to the epidural space.

The new needle, called Perifix, is designed to protect against accidental needle-stick during the procedure. As the needle is withdrawn from the patient's back, the provider advances a small deployment shroud containing a safety clip toward the tip of the needle. This clip engages over the tip of the epidural needle and locks into place, thereby reducing the risk of a needle-stick injury. The needle was developed by B. Braun (Melsungen, Germany).

"In developing the Perifix Safety Epidural Needle, we faced the challenge of designing a safety epidural needle that would protect against accidental needle-stick injuries without changing the acquired feel the anesthesia provider developed with nonsafety epidural needles,” explained Brad Lane, director, pain control, B. Braun Medical.




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