July 2, 1999

Terumo Sureshield Surflo New Intravenous Cannula with Innovative Safety Shield

Tokyo-based Terumo Corporation has announced the June 29 release of new Sureshield SURFLO, an intravenous cannula with an attached safety device for safer disposal of used needles.

A cannula is a catheter that is left in the vein for infusion purposes for 24 hours or longer. A cannula consists of a plastic catheter and a metal needle for insertion in the vein. After cannulation, the metal needle is removed, leaving the plastic catheter in the vein.

Accidents in which health practitioners mistakenly jab themselves when disposing of used needles have recently become a major cause for concern. Terumo, a top intravenous cannula manufacturer, has received numerous requests for a safety mechanism, particularly for the management of patients with infectious diseases. Sureshield SURFLO is an innovative new product that allows for safe and sure disposal of needles without any extra handling, using a technique almost identical to that used with traditional cannulas.

The recommended retail price has been set at 16,000 yen (box of 50, excluding consumption tax). The sales objective for the first year is one million units.

Product features

1. Simple procedure prevents accidental needle jabs
   An attached safety device alleviates concern about the used needle becoming detached from its holder. As no difficult procedures are required, there is no extra workload on health practitioners.
2. Cannula stays securely in the vein
   Because veins can be fine and difficult to pierce, particularly in infants and the elderly, a design has been adopted that allows for visual confirmation of the needle entering the vein. This reduces patient discomfort caused by repeated reinsertion of the cannula.
3. Vinyl chloride packaging eliminated
   Vinyl chloride packaging has been eliminated in favor of paper and polyethylene film.

In the future, Terumo will continue efforts not only to prevent needle jabs among health practitioners, but also to develop safety equipment to facilitate better care for patients everywhere.

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