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O R T H O P E D I C S
1. Clear images
What do surgeons want in arthroscopy systems? "It's not complicated," says Sandy Berreth, RN, MS, CASC, administrator of the Brainerd
Lakes Surgery Center in Baxter, Minn., a small but busy multi-specialty facility that hosts a high volume of ortho cases. "They want clear,
detailed images that present true-to-life colors when they're performing procedures, and clear pictures to share with patients and their
families afterward."
In the last decade, images generated by arthroscopy systems have
evolved from good (standard definition) to great (high definition). Ms.
Berreth remembers adjusting the green and blue tints on old monitors, trying to capture the best and most accurate picture.
"High definition gives surgeons the clarity and detail they want," she
says. "The images are so true-to-life, you feel like you can reach out and
touch them."
One of her docs, orthopedic surgeon Paul Rud, MD, says color contrast and clarity is slightly more important than color accuracy. During
knee procedures, for example, color contrast lets him identify where
cartilage stops and the meniscus begins.
2. Prime pumps
The irrigation pump's performance is critical in maintaining adequate
flow rate and distention pressure in the joint, says Dr. Rud. Those
issues are perhaps less important during routine knee procedures, but
are a definite must during shoulder scopes. "When you're in the sarcoma bursa, you need to turn up the pump pressure as soon as bleeding
starts in order to clear the field," he explains.
He says maintaining distention pressure isn't as difficult when using a
shaver because the diameter of the suction apparatus tends to be smaller. If you're using a burr and open up the suction, however, the joint can
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