NAR Enhanced ARS for Needle Decompression
Video | What’s Included | Specs | Pictures | Restrictions | Related Info
The North American Rescue ARS Decompression Needle is a device used to relieve tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition caused by the buildup of air or fluid in the pleural cavity. The Enhanced ARS (Air Release System) features an improved needle tip design with a “scalpel” sharp, bi-bevel, tapered needle tip, enhancing control when penetrating tissues of varying types and thicknesses.
Compared to traditional non-fenestrated catheters, the new fenestrated design significantly improves tension relief and prevents distal catheter occlusion. This improvement is achieved through three fenestrations and the catheter tip, creating four paths for air to escape. This innovation significantly reduces the risk of blockages that could impede airflow. The centimeter graduated catheter also promotes safer placement by enabling “thoracic depth control.”
This feature aligns with evidence and anecdotal experiences emphasizing the importance of precise control during needle decompression. Notably, the average depth from the exterior of the targeted rib to the parietal pleura is 0.5 – 1 cm, making centimeter markings crucial in ensuring precise placement just beyond the parietal pleura, helping end-users prevent over-insertion.
OVERVIEW VIDEOS
WHAT’S INCLUDED
One North American Rescue 14 Gauge Enhanced ARS Decompression Needle
SPECS
FEATURES
- Air pockets or blood in the chest cavity is the second leading cause of potentially preventable combat death. This NAR-patented design improves the probability of success when faced with a tension pneumothorax
- Rugged packaging protects the needle from damage during transport and deployment
- Fenestrations show statistically significant improvement in tension relief and prevent distal catheter occlusion when compared to non-fenestrated catheters. In research investigations, fenestrated catheters were almost two times more successful than non-fenestrated catheters.
- Centimeter Markings include contrasting colors for safer placement and “thoracic depth control.”
- The flexible catheter is designed to decrease the incidence of catheter kinking.
- Modified Needle Tip features a bi-bevel, tapered, and “scalpel” sharp tip, improving tissue penetration control and reducing explosive entry into the thoracic cavity.
- Needle Hub has no flash chamber cap, ensuring immediate air release.
- Catheter Hub is color-coded per ISO Standards for easy gauge size identification
TERMINOLOGY
- Tension Pneumothorax: This is a condition where air accumulates in the chest cavity, creating pressure and potentially causing a collapsed lung. The Greek words pneumo & pneuma mean “lungs” or “air”. Therefore a pneumothorax is air in the chest cavity outside the lungs (also called the pleural space). In some cases, the pressure of both the lung and the tension pneumothorax can apply pressure to the heart muscle which could be urgent and deadly.
- Hemothorax: Blood in the thorax. The hema/hemo has roots in both Greek and Latin and means “blood.”
- Thoracostomy: The rescuer decompresses the tension pneumothorax by performing a needle thoracostomy or a needle chest decompression.
- Flashback: This is the first bit of blood that comes out due to blood pressure.
- Intercostal: Between the rib bones.
- Midclavicular Line: An imaginary line from the nipple to the mid-point of the clavicle (collarbone).
Made in the USA.
| Packaged Dimensions | L 5.7 in. x W 0.7 in. x 0.8 in. |
| Needle Size | 14 gauge x 3.25 in. |
| Weight | 0.6 oz |
PICTURES
RESTRICTIONS
North American Rescue products cannot be shipped outside of the US.
