Rivanna Medical touted data from 3 trials today showing that its Accuro automatic spinal navigation system boosts the accuracy of epidural and spinal anesthesia placement compared to traditional techniques, even for residents-in-training.

Accuro is a pocket-sized ultrasound system that automatically detects spinal midline, epidural depth and trajectory.

One trial at the University of Virginia Medical Center compared anesthesiology residents’ success placing spinal anesthesia in C-section patients using the Accuro system to conventional methods. Study participants were not experienced in reading ultrasounds and received a 10-minute training with the Accuro device.

For residents with prior spinal anesthesia experience, Accuro improved 1st-attempt needle placement by more than 100% in patients with a high body mass index. For this group of study participants, the average number of needle redirections was almost 50% less than the same sub-group using conventional placement methods in the control arm.

In a 2nd trial, held at the Stanford University Medical Center, Accuro imaging technology identified the location and depth of optimal epidural anesthesia administration with almost equivalent accuracy to traditional ultrasound images.

Researchers also reported that the actual needle depth to the epidural space correlated with the system’s initial evaluations.

Accuro identified the appropriate spinal interspace for needle insertion in 94% of patients and the system’s automated image navigation yielded 87% success in 1st-attempt epidural administration for participating physicians, the Stanford team added.

The 3rd trial was a case history of a pregnant patient with severe scoliosis who received epidural anesthesia using Accuro at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School. Traditionally, spinal anesthesia for severe scoliosis patients involves multiple needle insertions and a greater risk of complications.

Rivanna’s Accuro system identified bony landmarks and the optimal spinal interspaces for anesthesia delivery and the procedure was successfully performed with 1st-time needle placement, according to the company.

“We are extremely encouraged by this growing body of scientific evidence underscoring Accuro’s accuracy and efficacy in providing image guidance for successful spinal and epidural anesthesia placement,” Rivanna chairman & CEO Will Mauldin said in prepared remarks.  “While numerous studies demonstrate the benefits of ultrasound guidance in epidural and related neuraxial anesthesia delivery, widespread use has been hampered by the need for operator experience and the complex, cumbersome nature of the equipment.  Our goal is to provide precise, practical image guidance that supports anesthesiology workflow to enhance patient satisfaction and departmental efficiency, while eliminating the risks of repeated needle placement attempts.”