Nearly 1.5 million spine surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, with an estimated 10% of these surgeries requiring dural repair and sealing. Tears in the dura ─ the outermost membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord ─ can result in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leaks after surgery, leading to possible medical complications and extended hospital stays. One recent study found that CSF leaks after spinal surgery are estimated to cost an average of $6,479 in additional expense, mainly due to longer hospital and intensive care unit stays.1

DuraSealâ„¢ spine sealant is the first product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for intra-operative sealing of the dural membrane during spine procedures. The sealant is a 100% synthetic hydrogel that provides excellent tissue adherence, is absorbed by the body and is easy to apply. Stored at room temperature, DuraSeal spine sealant takes only two minutes to prepare and three seconds to set, which enables surgeons to achieve an intra-

operative dural seal quickly.

Covidien’s DuraSeal is an example of how Covidien develops solutions in partnership with surgeons. Covidien observes the challenges that surgeons face in the operating room and works with the medical community to come up with innovative products that may optimize patient outcomes, can improve healthcare economics and are intuitive fo

r surgeons and their teams to use.

For further information, please visit www.durasealspine.com

1. Jallo J. Cost of CSF leaks after spinal surgery in the USA. Abstract #5. 2009 Congress of NeuroSurgeons.

Covidien has introduced the Mallinckrodtâ„¢ TaperGuardâ„¢ and TaperGuardâ„¢ Evac endotracheal tubes.

The TaperGuard line of endotracheal tubes incorporates a unique, taper-shaped cuff made from polyvinylchloride (PVC) that is designed to substantially reduce the risk of microaspiration, the entry of foreign material into the respiratory tract. The TaperGuard line of endotracheal tubes offers a superior cuff seal, compared with conventional endotracheal tubes, to help block secretions from entering the airways. Specifically, the innovative taper-shaped cuff design substantially reduces microaspiration by an average of 90%, versus the conventional barrel-shaped PVC cuff, found on the most widely used endotracheal tube — the Mallinckrodtâ„¢ Hi-Loâ„¢ endotracheal tube.1

The TaperGuard Evac endotracheal tube additionally provides for secretion drainage through an integrated suction lumen. As a result, the TaperGuard Evac endotracheal tube is associated with a reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). 1

The global launch of the TaperGuard line of endotracheal tubes illustrates Covidien’s commitment to developing innovative, proven solutions for commonly occurring healthcare complications, with the goal of decreasing patient mortality, as well as healthcare costs.

Learn more at www.nellcor.com

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