WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX), a leading global provider of medical technologies for critical care and surgery, has a rich history of innovation focused on solving unmet clinical needs. Recent product introductions under the LMA® brand from Teleflex focus on giving the physician enhanced control of the airway throughout the use of anesthetic. Teleflex is scheduled to showcase this innovative technology at the upcoming ANESTHESIOLOGY®2016, the annual organization meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA).

“Teleflex is proud of our heritage as an innovator in the field of anesthesia,” said Justin McMurray, President of the Teleflex Anesthesia & Emergency Medicine Division. “Our LMA brand helped set the standard of care for airway management and we are excited to continue this tradition with the introduction of new technology and quality education that empower clinicians to achieve airway control.”

Cuff Pressure Control:

Numerous scientific papers have highlighted the need to monitor and control cuff pressures in laryngeal masks to reduce the risks of patient trauma and airway leakage.1-3 Despite this evidence, manometry is not routinely used to determine cuff pressure during placement of a laryngeal mask or to monitor changes in cuff pressure during a procedure.1,3,4 Instead, clinicians often judge this by the 'feel' of the distension of the pilot valve.

The continuous control of intracuff pressure through in-line (or integrated) cuff pressure monitoring has been clinically shown to reduce the risk of patient trauma or leaks.4,5 Cuff Pilot™ Technology from Teleflex constantly monitors the pressure in the cuff to detect changes resulting from fluctuations in temperature, nitrous oxide levels and movements within the airway. This provides clinicians with at-a-glance feedback, highlighting changes that could affect patient safety. The pressure levels are color-coded to indicate whether the cuff is at optimal pressure (green), under-inflated (yellow) or over-inflated (red). Teleflex has made Cuff Pilot™ Technology a standard feature on several single-use LMA® Airway products, including the LMA® Protector™ Airway, LMA® Unique™ (Silicone Cuff) Airway and the LMA® Gastro™ Airway.

Advanced Airway Control:

Establishing adequate controlled ventilation and avoiding air leaks during anesthesia is of utmost concern to clinicians.6Failed ventilation can sabotage the anesthetic, impact patient safety with consequent hypoventilation, increase risk of gastric inflation and may add cost and complexity to procedures.6

The LMA® Protector™ Airway from Teleflex combines the latest innovations in LMA® Airway design to help clinicians achieve advanced airway control. The elongated silicone cuff is designed to support seal pressures of >30 cm H20, enabling broad clinical usage, while the distal tip facilitates a secure seal with the upper esophageal sphincter to isolate the respiratory tract from the digestive tract and help reduce the risk of aspiration of gastric contents. This second-generation laryngeal mask has an integrated drain tube that supports diagnostic testing to verify mask positioning, and is equipped with Cuff Pilot™ Technology, providing continuous cuff pressure monitoring throughout the procedure.

The LMA® Protector™ Airway features a silicone airway tube with a dynamic fixed curve, designed to enable rapid insertion and a secure fit. In addition, it supports direct intubation under vision for effective airway replacement. In the unlikely event of regurgitation, the LMA® Protector™ Airway is equipped with a proprietary dual gastric drainage channel and pharyngeal chamber designed specifically to channel high-volume, high-pressure gastric contents away from the airway.

Potential uses for the LMA® Protector™ Airway include:

• More difficult cases where an endotracheal tube may otherwise be used, such as for patients with controlled Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Cases for which Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) may be required

Airway Control during Endoscopic Procedures

The use of moderate to deep sedation during endoscopy is a common practice around the world. Respiratory depression from sedative drugs and airway obstruction requiring intervention are known risks associated with endoscopic procedures, with studies demonstrating that hypoxemia can occur in 11–50% of cases.7-9 In the United States there are more than 6.9 million upper endoscopies performed per year.10 Today, many of these are undertaken without an airway management device in place.

The new LMA® GastroTM Airway with Cuff Pilot™ Technology is the only laryngeal mask specifically designed to help clinicians gain control of a patient’s airway while facilitating direct endoscopic access via the integrated endoscope channel. Indicated for airway management in adult patients undergoing endoscopic procedures, the LMA® Gastro™ Airway maintains a patent airway and allows clinicians to monitor end tidal CO2, advancing patient safety during endoscopic procedures. It also has an integral bite block to reduce the potential for damage to the endoscope due to biting, helping to avoid costly repairs.

Teleflex Academy

During the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2016 annual meeting in Chicago, Teleflex will offer in-booth education powered by ‘Teleflex Academy’. Training will focus on a range of aspects of airway control, inspiring confidence, enhancing skills and empowering clinicians to advance anesthesia practice.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people’s lives. We apply purpose driven innovation – a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs – to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit teleflex.com.