New Retained Surgical Sponge Detection System from RF Surgical Systems

Carlsbad, Calif.-based RF Surgical Systems Inc. (RFS), maker of adjunct detection technology for the prevention of retained surgical sponges, has introduced the RF Assure Detection System X, a technology to detect surgical sponges left inside the body following surgery. According to the company, the product is the first in the adjunct detection technology category to incorporate essential compliance support functions as well as improved scanning coverage that extends beyond general surgery to an application-specific approach by surgical specialty.

Enhancements to the RF Assure Detection System X include a new compliance-driven interface designed to provide “real-time” feedback to guide the operating room (OR) staff through an effective sponge management protocol. The redesigned interface improves accessibility and data visibility during procedures and automatically stores case and scan records for convenient review and compliance.

In addition, RFSis introducing a new scanning component for the RF Assure Detection System X, the ArQ•Sphere. This new handheld, stationary scanning device leverages dual-3-D scan fields to address the positioning challenges specific to extremity, head, neck, spine and other specialty procedures. The ArQ•Sphere offers motion-free scanning with overlapping scan fields, creating an optimal detection zone for orthopedic and specialty procedures.

“The premium digital patient safety platform of the RF Assure Detection System X represents our next generation in market-leading detection technology and innovation from RF Surgical,” said John Buhler, CEO of RFS. “The integration of a workflow-complementary interface with surgical specialty scanning capabilities significantly advances our efforts to eliminate the risks associated with retained surgical sponges for improved OR patient safety.”

RF Assure uses a low-energy radio frequency signal specifically designed for the detection of misplaced surgical sponges through blood, dense tissue, and bone. Additional patient-centric benefits realized by the use of adjunct detection technology include reduction in incremental time under anesthesia and the use of X-rays associated with rectifying sponge miscounts. In addition to the ArQ•Sphere, the system consists of the Conformplus II Antenna Array Body Scanner, a one-touch scanning technology to detect retained sponges in the torso; and the Blair-Port Wand X, a handheld, motion-based scanning device for the detection of missing sponges in the surrounding OR environment.