See the Difference
About the University of California San Diego Study
 A research project commissioned and paid for by Tulip BioMed, Inc., was conducted by principal investigators at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). [click image for full size]
A double-blind study was conducted comparing the inner surface of disposable Tulip BioMed 2.1mm cannulas with the inner surface of several non-Tulip reusable cannulas (3mm) that were provided to the principal investigators after use and ready for surgery (i.e., cleaned and autoclaved in the customary manner for such cannulas; “autoclaving” is a process that uses steam to sterilize objects). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the interior metal surfaces of the cannulas. The surfaces were scanned at multiple resolutions, ranging from 50 to 20,000 times magnification. In all cases, the interior surface of the disposable cannulas appears, in a relative context, cleaner and smoother compared with the reusable cannulas that were examined.
In addition, an assessment of the materials remaining on the interior metal surfaces of the reusable cannulas was conducted using a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR) scan. To assess this material, the cannulas were washed with 10cc phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) and passed through the interior portion of the cannulas using a 10cc plastic syringe in an effort to substantially mimic the force of a typical injector during surgery. The released fluids were then collected in sterile test tubes, centrifuged and the material at the bottom of the centrifuged tubes was evaluated. All samples showed the presence of nitrogen-hydrogen bonds, suggesting that the material released from the reusable cannulas included organic materials containing amino acids, e.g., a protein-residue. These results suggest that the organic material obtained from the tested reusable cannulas was most likely human tissue.
Please Note: While Tulip BioMed can not state that any residue that may remain on the interior surface of reusable cannulas, despite cleaning and sterilization, are ‘contaminants’, the UCSD results suggest that there may be the potential for the transfer of protein-residue material from one patient to another when reusable cannulas are utilized. Whether or not this could pose a safety or health risk to a patient is not known, and while no such risks may exist, this may be an issue for discussion between a physician and their patient. Tulip BioMed believes that its one-time-use, disposable cannulas avoid these types of issues, and any concerns related to these issues. The view of the Company is that even as Tulip BioMed disposable products gain greater adoption in the areas of liposuction, fat transfer and other closed end cannula procedures, reusable cannulas will continue to be utilized, but with perhaps less frequency on a patient-to-patient basis, and with increased frequency of replacement.
Click here to order products |
