#8 News Log: Keeping Surgical Infections at Bay With a Cocoon of Air

Summary: Nimbic Systems, Inc. has created a new surgical instrument, recently FDA approved, that is claimed to reduce the percentage of pathogens entering an incision during surgery, called Air Barrier System(ABS). This new technology will certainly aid in decreasing post surgical infections and complications such as MRSA, Septicemia, Atelectasis, and Cellulitis. The recent, cutting-edge medical device is composed of a reusable blower unit that feeds filtered air into a disposable nozzle. The nozzle is placed adjacent to the incision allowing a constant flow of purified air onto the incision site, which prevents any microbes in the O.R from entering the incision. ABS is a positive aspect for patients in several ways: it can ultimately protect them from any pathogens and infections that can be obtained and also acts as a money saver as well because a severe staph infection acquired by the patient can send medical bills into the six figures. The first surgery ABS was used on was a hip replacement, in which the wound is left to open air for an extended period of time, making the patient very susceptible to infection. The device had decreased the amount of microbes within the incision site by more than 84 percent. Now, ABS will be tested on patients in need of femoral or spinal surgeries (more invasive surgeries) to analyze the changes that ABS can make to create a safer surgical process for the patient.

My Opinion?: ABS is an amazing surgical instrument; technology has now advanced to the point where surgeries are becoming even safer to undergo. Just ten years ago, certain surgeries were claimed to have high infection risk factors, but now those surgeries can be performed with confidence, knowing that ABS will help decrease the risk of attaining severe bacterial infections. Not only will this device bring comfort and trust to the surgical process but it can also reduce the price of surgeries because during post-op, antibiotics are always bestowed to the patients "just in case" of infection. But pumping unnecessary antibiotics into the body is not exactly the healthiest process and can often even present side effects to the patient or a reaction. Therefore, if ABS reduces the amount of microbes in the incision site by over 84 percent, then post-op antibiotics would not need to be administered as often, depending on how invasive the surgery is. If the patient does not receive antibiotics, then the cost of medical bills will be slightly lower plus the patient will not become symptomatic to the antibiotics, decreasing the duration of recovery time. ABS will certainly make the patient's life, surgical staff's life, and even the patient's family's life significantly more at peace and ease. This device just goes to show what advances are being made within  medicine and what is yet to come that will bring reassurance to patients in the future. 

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-10/keeping-surgical-infections-bay-cocoon-air