B Braun launches Stimuplex pen

B Braun has announced the launch of the Stimuplex pen for the precutaneous localisation of nerves.

The firm presented this latest addition to its regional anaesthesia product portfolio at the annual meeting of the American Association of Nurse Anaesthetists in Denver.

By focusing a small current from a Stimpulex HNS 11 or 12 nerve stimulator, the pen can identify nerves up to three centimetres in depth to decide the optimal needle entry point and angle prior to injection.

It can be used to localise median, musculocutaneous, femoral, radial and ulnar nerves for axillary, interscalene, femoral, mid-humeral and wrist nerve blocks.

Tim Richards, senior vice-president of US marketing at B Braun, said: “We are able to provide an instrument that will not only be cost-effective but will enhance the efficiency of administering regional anaesthesia while reducing patient discomfort associated with repeated needle manipulation.”

He added that the pen can also act as a training tool for clinicians to improve their peripheral nerve block technique and boost confidence for anaesthesia provision.

In June 2006, B Braun launched an intravenous drug delivery system for the antibiotic cefoxitin, with the Duplex system reported to provide accuracy and sterility, while its barcode system aims to prevent errors and enhance drug inventory management.