CT and MRI-compatible compression harness
The DynaWell L-Spine, a compression harness that axially loads the lumbar spine in the supine position, has no magnetic parts, so can be used with most CT and MRI scanners.
Closely resembling a spinal column when loaded with a patient in an upright position, this compact, lightweight system includes a compression vest attached by straps to a foot-driven compression device. Pressure exerted by the system is not placed directly on a patient’s shoulders, says DynaWell International.
When examining patients in an unloaded, psoas-relaxed position (PRP), narrowing of the spinal canal could remain undetected. However, when examined in a slightly extended position, during axial compression (ACE), pathologic features can become more visible. Use of the spinal-compression device helps detect encroachment of the spinal canal, associated with pathological changes (e.g. stenosis, disc herniation, intraspinal synovial cysts).
Clinical studies have now shown that a more specific and valid diagnosis can be achieved by using a lumbar-spine compression system rather than a traditional non-loaded PRP. Published research results indicate that, by using the compression system, the likelihood of spotting a stenotic situation in the spinal canal increased by 60-70%, compared with detection during the usual unloaded examination. Further clinical studies are taking place at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), Mannheim (Germany) and Rochester (USA).
This article was published on 04/30/2003
Devlin respond to growing demand in Europe for infection control products, offering their “CleanKey” infection control keyboard in a variety of European languages. …
Knowing that good hygiene practice is critical to the prevention of cross contamination, New Style Healthcare services are introducing a range of unique hospital furniture to the …
To fight hospital infections and increasingly resistant bacteria Normeditec has developed Toul Mobile Laminar Airflow …
bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics (IVD), offers the most comprehensive diagnostic solution on the market to help hospitals and healthcare …