| AEM® Technology
Technology choices are important criteria
for healthcare professionals in their responsibility to advance
patient safety initiatives and reduce medical errors. Encision
Inc. has developed and launched an innovative surgical technology,
called active
electrode monitoring, that has coincided with the expanding
public interest in preventing medical errors. AEM® is
emerging as a standard of care in minimally invasive surgery
across the country with more than 400 hospital customers converting
to AEM technology and the number is growing every year.
Encision’s patented AEM surgical instruments are changing
the marketplace for electrosurgical devices and laparoscopic
instruments by providing a solution to a well-documented patient
safety risk during minimally invasive surgery. AEM
instruments, which provide surgeons with the desired tissue effects, are the
only instruments that incorporate a "shielded and monitored" design
to prevent the risk of stray
energy burn injury from insulation
failure and capacitive
coupling. The AEM product line includes all of the standard shapes,
sizes and functionality as conventional instruments, but with patented "shielding
and monitoring" technology integrated into the design. Broader utilization
of Encision’s AEM technology can result in improved surgical outcomes
and advanced patient safety, at a comparable cost and with no change in surgeon
techniques.
Recognition
Encision’s AEM technology is recommended
by sources from all groups involved with laparoscopic
surgery. Surgeons, nurses, biomedical engineers, malpractice
insurance carriers, medicolegal professionals, and electrosurgical
device manufacturers advocate the use of AEM instruments
to advance patient safety in surgery. Endorsements for
AEM technology from these groups is increasing as awareness
of stray energy burns grows and people realize that AEM
technology is the only solution.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Association of periOperative Registered
Nurses (AORN) cited Encision’s electrosurgical technology
in numerous sections in the 2004 AORN Standards, Recommended
Practices and Guidelines.
- Data was presented at the Society of American
Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) 2004 meeting
on the incidence of insulation failure of conventional endoscopic
surgical instruments and AEM was recognized as a "promising
technology" to address the issue.
- Encision was recognized as a leader by
Frost & Sullivan in 2003 for developing technologically
superior surgical instruments.
- Baylor Medical Center, a prominent university
medical center in Texas, has converted to Encision’s
AEM laparoscopic instruments in their continuing efforts
to optimize patient safety.
- In reaction to a patient death after
laparoscopic surgery using conventional electrosurgical
instruments, the Australian New South Wales government
health department has advocated the use of AEM instruments
to their regional offices and medical facilities.
- OHIC Insurance Company, a 30-state hospital
liability insurance carrier, "strongly recommends" use
of active electrode monitoring technology in its 2004 risk
management publication to all client hospitals.
Technology Precedents – An
Emerging Standard of Care
Encision believes that gaining broad
independent endorsements in the surgical community is a
demonstrated and successful method for a new surgical technology
to advance in the marketplace. AEM® is following a
similar path as previous technical revolutions in surgery.
Throughout the history of electrosurgery, companies that
have developed significant technological breakthroughs
in patient safety have seen their technologies become widely
used.
Time Period |
Problem |
Solution |
Results |
1970s |
All electrosurgical
units had a “grounded” design.
Alternate paths for the
current were possible,
causing
patient burns.
|
“Isolated” Electrosurgery
|
Patient safety is improved.
New
Standard of Care. |
1980s |
All electrosurgical
patient return electrodes were not “monitored.”
Patient burns at return electrode site
were possible.
|
REM – Return
Electrode Monitoring* |
Patient safety is improved.
New Standard of Care. |
1990s & 2000s |
Introduction of Minimally Invasive
Surgery (MIS).
MIS instruments are susceptible to causing stray electrosurgical
burns to unintended, unseen tissue. |
AEM Laparoscopic
Instruments – Shielded
and monitored instruments and the active electrode
monitoring system |
Patient safety is improved.
Emerging Standard
of Care |
* “REM” is
a registered trademark of TYCO Healthcare.
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