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Product
Line
OHK has developed a unique product, HemaClear®, that performs 3 functions:
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blood removal (exsanguination) |
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arterial flow occlusion |
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placement of sterile stockinet |
HemaClear® may be used on the upper or lower extremities.
With current methods, exsanguination is achieved either by elevating the
limb and/or by wrapping the limb with an Esmarch bandage. The arterial
flow is occluded by inflating a pneumatic tourniquet. Some surgeons use
the original Esmarch technique and tightly wrap the bandage to block the
arterial flow.
The Esmarch bandage is then removed and a sterile stockinet is placed over
the disinfected limb.
HemaClear® performs both exsanguination and occlusion, replacing
the Esmarch bandage and the pneumatic tourniquet. Furthermore, the HemaClear® replaces
the surgical stockinet, by providing a sterile field covering.
The HemaClear® is a sterile, single-use, latex-free product. The
HemaClear® provides the 3 in 1 functionality without any concerns
about cross-contamination or latex allergy reactions. The pressure applied
by the HemaClear® is accurately factory calibrated to prevent concern
of over pressurizing the limb.
How it works
HemaClear® consists of a silicone ring wrapped in a stockinet sleeve
and pull straps.
The physician places the ring on the fingers (or toes) and then pulls the
pull straps proximally. The silicone ring rolls up the limb and the stockinet
sleeve unfolds onto the limb.
During the rolling up the limb, the ring exerts pressure and squeezes the
blood away from the limb, thus performing the exsanguinating function quickly
and effectively.
When the elastic ring reaches the occlusion site, the pulling motion is
stopped. The ring exerts pressure on the limb at this position, blocking
arterial blood flow into the limb and thus performing the tourniquet occlusion
function.
During the motion over the limb, the stockinet sleeve unfolds onto the
limb, covering it entirely up to the occlusion level and thus placing the
HemaClear® sterile stockinet over the surgical field.
The entire motion on the limb: from fingers (toes) to the occlusion location,
takes less than 12 seconds. In less than 12 seconds the HemaClear® exsanguinates,
occludes and places a stockinet to fully prepare the surgical field for
bloodless surgery.
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| Using HemaClear |
Traditional Tourniquet Application |
The HemaClear® Advantage
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The HemaClear® performs
the 3 functions in a fast, simple and reliable method.
HemaClear® outperforms the current methods
in speed, reliability and consistency. |
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HemaClear® is a sterile,
single-use product. HemaClear® ensures patient
protection from cross contamination and eliminates
time consuming and costly postoperative clean-up. |
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Being sterile, the HemaClear® may
be placed near the surgical incision without concern,
thereby minimizing the volume of ischemic limb tissue. |
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HemaClear® is a latex
free product. It can be safely used in the operating
room environment without concern for any latex-related
allergies. |
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HemaClear® can be used
in many extreme procedures in which a standard pneumatic
cuff cannot be used such as surgery on obese patients,
and surgery in areas that were not accessible before
for bloodless surgery. |
Exsanguination
The current methods, limb elevation or Esmarch bandage, are time-consuming
(limb elevation: up to 5 minutes, Esmarch wrapping and unwrapping: 2-4
minutes).
The effectiveness of the Esmarch bandage is strongly dependent on the wrapping
tension and technique used by the surgeon. The physician has no feedback
or quantitative indicator on the pressure applied to the patient’s
limb.
In addition, the effectiveness of both methods in removing blood from the
limb is limited. Published reports show the limb elevation method removes
less than half (45%) of the blood from the limb and the Esmarch bandage
technique is 60%. Clinical results with the HemaClear® have consistently
shown excellent exsanguination.
HemaClear® exsanguination advantages are:
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FASTER: the application time is less than
12 seconds |
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CONSISTENT: the pressure is independent of
the application technique |
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BETTER: Higher percentage of blood removal |
Occlusion
The current method of arterial occlusion is based on pneumatic tourniquets.
While tourniquets are the accepted gold standard, they are not a favorite
among physicians. Tourniquets are prone to operational and reliability
problems. There are numerous reports in the literature documenting patient
injury as a result of malfunctioning tourniquets, particularly the application
of excess pressure to the limb. Other problematic areas are:
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Gas tube occlusion or release |
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Inadvertent cuff release |
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Non-calibrated pressure levels |
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Distal tourniquet "migration" towards
the surgical incision when the limb (thigh) is tapered. |
The pneumatic tourniquet cuff is placed on the patient’s limb, outside
the sterile field. In many operations the cuffs are soiled with the patient’s
blood or the disinfectant solution and create problems of cross-contamination
and chemical irritation. Cleaning and/or sterilization of the cuffs is
not always done. If done, it is a time consuming, bothersome and costly
preoperative procedure. HemaClear® need not be cleaned or sterilized.
It is both sterile and disposable.
Since the HemaClear® is a sterile product and it remains in the sterile
field during the operation, the surgeon applies and removes the HemaClear® without
the need for any non-sterile OR technical personnel. The pneumatic tourniquet
is a non-sterile device. A non-sterile nurse or technician is required
for the cuff placement and removal and also for the pressurizing and deflation
of the cuff during the operation. By providing the surgeon with a sterile
product, the HemaClear® gives the surgeon complete control over the
course of the operation without the need for help from non-sterile, rotating
OR staff.
The pneumatic tourniquet requires a compressed air source, gas tubing and
electrical connections. These connections both clutter the operating room
and are a source of potential reliability problems if an OR personnel trips
on the tubing or cables.
HemaClear® occludes the blood flow with pressure applied from the
silicone ring. No use is made of pressurized gas and there is no need to
transport and regulate the gas.
HemaClear® is completely contained on the patient’s limb. There
is no need for tube connections from the patient’s limb to a remote
location or any electrical connections and no cluttering of the OR with
tubes and cables. As such, it can easily be used in a small ambulatory
clinic or Dr's office or in field hospitals.
HemaClear® occlusion advantages:
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STERILE and DISPOSABLE: no cross-contamination |
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SAFE: No inadvertent or accidental pressure
loss or over-pressure. The pressure at the occlusion location is
constant and accurate. The HemaClear® applies pressure on a
narrow tissue area thus minimizing the danger of tissue damage. There
is no need for extra padding as the skin under the tourniquet is
left with no more than a faint mark equivalent to that left by a
sock on a calf. |
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FUSS FREE: No need for calibration, sterilization
or servicing. |
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CLUTTER FREE: No need for power or gas supplies.
Compact and self contained on the patient. |
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LATEX-FREE: no danger of latex sensitivity |
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| With HemaClear – No Tourniquet Burn |
Traditional Application Burn Result |
Sterile Field Stockinet
HemaClear® includes a single-ply stockinet, matching the standard
stockinet in use today. The stockinet unfolds on the patient’s limb
as the HemaClear® moves proximally to the occlusion location. The
stockinet placement is part of the exsanguination process and no extra
time is required for its placement. The stockinet is elastic, stays in
place with a sufficiently tight fit to prevent inadvertent sliding during
the procedure.
In summary, the HemaClear® provides a 3-in-1 functionality for quick,
reliable, sterile and latex-free blood flow management.
Examples of cases where the HemaClear® was a must:
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HemaClear® has recently been used successfully
in a case of a 6 year old child suffering from congenital femoral
deficiency Paley type 1B (short femur + severe hip dysplasia). According
to Dr. Eidelman of Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, in view
of the short and tapered thigh it was impossible to use a conventional
pneumatic tourniquet and the HemaClear® offered an excellent
solution. |
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In a case of a child with an arm fracture
very close to the axilla it was impossible to use a pneumatic tourniquet
due to its width. An HemaClear® was used and rolled up to the
patient's axilla. Thanks to the HemaClear® it was possible
to have a bloodless surgical field. |
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In a case of total knee replacement in an
obese patient, the pneumatic tourniquet cuff was too short and the
surgeons feared they may either have trouble closing it or it may
reopen once inflated. An HemaClear®/XL was placed on the thigh
and the surgeon reported excellent exsanguination. |
For additional information please contact Regulatory@HemaClear.com. |
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