Achieve the goal with pinpoint accuracy: Performing local anesthesia guided by ultrasound using the TE7

Local anesthesia enables the provision of pain relief during and after surgery, restricted to a specific region of the body. For precise administration of anesthesia, it is recommended to utilize high-resolution ultrasound technology. For many years, the Iatros Clinic in Munich has depended on Mindray's TE7 to carry out secure and efficient local anesthesia.

Local anesthesia offers several advantages as it reduces the risk of many side effects and complications commonly associated with general anesthesia, including respiratory issues, nausea, and the undesirable postoperative delirium. This implies that vulnerable patient groups, such as children or senior citizens, can also benefit from the advantages of this gentle anesthesia procedure. Ultrasound imaging plays a significant role in the clinical success of local anesthesia. This is because the selection of the ideal puncture site and trajectory for local anesthesia is only possible through the visual guidance offered by ultrasound imaging. Additionally, ultrasound imaging enables real-time monitoring of the distribution of the local anesthetic.

Safety is the top priority

In collaboration with his two specialist colleagues, Dr. Michael Bernd Kaspar and Dr. Christoph Schmitt-Hauser, the experienced anesthesiologist manages both a group practice and the private Iatros Clinic, which comprises two wards and a total of 17 beds. The surgery and clinic are situated within a contemporary multi-story building complex in the heart of Munich. As the initial operating suite was expanded to include a second one in 2015, the acquisition of new equipment technology was also on the agenda.

Dr. del Valle vividly recalls how the initial contact with Mindray was established during this period: "At that time, we were at Medica in Düsseldorf, discussing with various suppliers. At the end of a long day, our journey ultimately took us to the Mindray booth. We were immediately impressed by the level of openness and willingness to assist us that we encountered. All the contacts we engaged with were highly attentive and completely customer-focused, always striving to find a solution. Staying faithful to the motto: We are achieving it!”

Handle with care

Considerable time has elapsed since that period. The Munich-based company has been utilizing the TE7 for many years. In the field of local anesthesia, they primarily employ this portable color Doppler ultrasound machine for orthopedic procedures that are conducted in conjunction with general anesthesia. This entails initially administering local anesthesia at the surgical site to ensure the patient does not feel any pain, followed by the induction of general anesthesia to prevent them from experiencing any sensations during the surgical procedure. Dr. Javier del Valle explains, "This approach is much gentler on our patients as it enables us to administer anesthesia at a shallower depth." "The patient subsequently awakens without pain and typically recovers their well-being more rapidly." Because the effects of local anesthesia persist beyond the surgery, post-procedure pain medication is often unnecessary. This approach effectively supports the mobilization phase and the recovery process.

Enduring quality

What Dr. del Valle finds particularly impressive about the TE7 ultrasound scanner, apart from its exceptional image quality, is its consistent reliability and durability from start to finish: "It's not common for everyone to handle it with such care at work. However, the transducer continues to function well, and the image quality remains as sharp as it was on the first day, which is truly exceptional."

Given that local anesthesia requires precise measurements in millimeters, a high level of image sharpness corresponds to a high level of precision and safety. Particularly in challenging anatomical circumstances, navigating the needle through nerve fibers and blood vessels to reach the target can be a daunting task. Another noteworthy advantage of the TE7 is its incorporation of an additional feature called iNeedle, which allows for the optimal visualization of the needle's precise position within the tissue.

Furthermore, Dr. del Valle mentioned that the operation is entirely intuitive: "The touchpad enables effortless operation with one hand, allowing me to make image adjustments while conducting examinations with the other hand. The design philosophy behind it is akin to that of the iPhone. It feels tactilely pleasing and is self-explanatory. You don't need to spend hours studying an instruction manual to accomplish this. All you need is a bit of curiosity and common sense.”

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Following his medical studies in Munich, Dr. med. Javier del Valle initiated his specialization training in anesthesiology, intensive care, and emergency medicine at the Municipal Hospitals Munich Bogenhausen and Munich Schwabing in 1999. In the year 2010, he transitioned to the Orthopedic Clinic Munich Harlaching as a senior physician. Since 2014, he has held the position of chief physician and managing director at the Iatros Clinic Munich, working alongside colleagues Christoph Schmitt-Hausser, MD, and Michael Kaspar, MD.