Medical and surgical solutions developer Olympus Medical Systems Group has introduced its new PeriView FLEX needle intended for transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) procedures.
The improved flexibility and small outer diameter of the new needle are expected to allow better access to peripheral pulmonary lesions during the TBNA performed for the lung disease diagnosis.
PeriView’s flexibility is attributed to its FLEX-cut technology that features a spiral pattern of laser cuts on the needle, enabling better reach to select target areas without limiting the articulation of the bronchoscope.
The needle can be used with the firm’s Olympus 2mm guide sheath that is said to offer an extension of the bronchoscope’s working channel.
It is developed to address the concerns with existing CT-guided needle aspiration conducted to access lesions in peripheral airways. The CT-guided procedure is reported to be associated with high pneumothorax rate that could cause a prolonged air leak and/or hospitalisation.
Olympus America Endoscopy division group vice-president Kurt Heine said: “This needle introduction represents a first for peripheral bronchoscopy.
“PeriView FLEX is designed for peripheral access and we hope its availability will translate to more early diagnoses.
“We’re proud to be part of a major push to improve the odds of people confronted with a deadly disease.”
The PeriView FLEX TBNA needle expands the firm’s range of Olympus EBUS Solution products developed for real-time lymph node and peripheral lesion sampling.
