All-in-One Introducer Protects Patients and Clinicians

A novel device combines needle, guidewire, and catheter into one system that enables clinicians to insert a sheath or a catheter into the peripheral vasculature safely and quickly.

The MicroAccess WAND Safety Introducer combines all the components of the older Modified Seldinger Technique (MST) into a unitary device that provides faster, safer, and simpler over-wire vascular access, in a technique aptly named the Accelerated Seldinger Technique (AST). In addition to uniting the elements needed to perform the Seldinger technique into one unitary device, the device is designed to reduce the risk of accidental needlesticks, bleeding, contamination, guidewire embolism, and loss of cannulation. The WAND enables clinicians to insert a 0.9652-mm guidewire-compatible, radiopaque polyurethane sheath into the peripheral vasculature using a 21 gauge thin-walled needle. A novel feature named "Fast-flash" provides early detection of vessel entry. The device is expected to be used primarily in interventional radiology suites and cardiac catheterization labs. The MicroAccess WAND is a product of Access Scientific (ASI, San Diego, CA, USA), and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"The MicroAccess WAND is the first device to enable clinicians to perform the Accelerated Seldinger Technique, which we believe is the ultimate refinement in vascular access technology," said Steve Bierman, M.D., CEO of Access Scientific. "Studies have already demonstrated the WAND's ability to reduce the risk of an air embolism by 50%, while also providing passive needlestick safety."

The Seldinger technique was developed in 1953 to reduce complications associated with the introduction of catheters and other medical devices into blood vessels and hollow organs. The desired vessel or cavity is punctured with a trocar, using ultrasound guidance if necessary. A round-tipped guidewire is then advanced through the lumen of the trocar, and the trocar is withdrawn. A sheath (blunt cannula) is then passed over the guidewire into the cavity or vessel. After passing the sheath, the guidewire is withdrawn; it can then be used to introduce catheters or other devices to perform endoluminal procedures, such as angioplasty. Upon completion of the desired procedure, the sheath is withdrawn. In certain settings, a sealing device may be used to close the hole made by the procedure.

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