The mesh filter does not collect all particles; anything smaller than 3mm (inside diameter
of restricted tubing) will pass through the filter and into the suction canister.

Although the filter may look full during the procedure it is most likely not. It may give
the illusion of being full since the particles in the filter will be pushed outward due to the
flow of fluid, however the center of the filter will be hollow. If the Surgeon has concerns
of clogging, have him test the suction on the shaver. If there is suction, the filter is not
full. In the unlikely event the filter does fill up, the OR staff should remove the used
StableVac product and attach a new one.

Yes! Surgeons who use an infusion pump are used to seeing whirlwinds of fluid and
bubbles on their monitors. Because StableVac uses gravity inflow, the flow of fluid is
constant providing a stable and clear view for the Surgeon.

StableVac can be used with an Irrigation pump OR Gravity infusion. StableVac regulates the suction outflow rate from the shaver to create improved intraoperative clarity. By controlling suction outflow, StableVac maintains joint distention during suction, which reduces fluid pulsing and soft tissue extravasation in patients.

Our flow studies have shown that our Dual Irrigation Set and StableVac Suction Tubing
can provide intra-articular pressures up to 100mm/Hg.

With a gravity procedure, joint pressure is determined by the height of the saline bag.
Our flow studies have determined exact joint pressures at specific bag heights. We have
these bag heights and associated pressures printed on our product packaging.

Yes, many Surgeons have used StableVac as a specimen capsule for lab biopsies.

StableVac can be used in almost all Arthroscopy procedures. It has been found
especially useful in hip and small joint arthroscopy procedures such as ankles, wrist, and
elbows where the risk of extravasation caused by high pump pressures is very high.
StableVac allows constant inflow and outflow with excellent distention, without the risk
of fluid extravasation due to infusion surge.

No, the vacuum is unaffected by the restricted tubing line. Only the outflow of the fluid
is lessened when StableVac is connected.

Standard suction tubing will cause the joint to collapse and visualization to cease when the shaver is used. This problem is caused by a negative pressure level in the joint. Standard inflow with gravity provides 1,200cc of fluid per minute into the joint, which will provide sufficient distention for the joint. The problem occurs when the shaver is used. Suction canisters provide outflow rates around 2,000 cc of fluid per minute. Since the rate of flow out of the joint is greater than the rate of flow entering the joint, the joint collapses and visualization is compromised.

StableVac solves this problem by reducing the amount of fluid leaving the joint via the suction canister. Rather than 2,000cc per minute, StableVac reduces this outflow rate to 800cc per minute. This creates a system with 1,200cc of fluid per minute into the joint, 800cc of fluid per minute out of the joint, and 400cc of fluid inside the joint to provide superior distention, pressure and visualization.

By controlling the outflow of fluid from the joint, there is no need to increase the rate of fluid entering the joint and therefore no need for an infusion pump. The elimination of an infusion pump creates many benefits for the patient, surgeon and surgical staff including; reduced risk of extravasation caused by infusion surges, few bags of fluid used during the procedure, less fluid on the floor, no pump setup hassles or maintenance, and a less turbulent operative field of view.

If normal suction tubing is connected to the shaver during a gravity inflow procedure, once the shaver is turned on the outflow of fluid is so large that distention, pressure and visualization in the joint are compromised. One way to combat this is to manipulate the valve on the shaver hand piece to restrict this fluid outflow.

Pumps have been created to combat this exact problem. Rather than restricting the flow out of the joint, infusion pumps force more fluid into the joint to counter the massive amounts of fluid escaping. Dual Infusion/Aspiration pumps have also been created to control the inflow and outflow of fluid in the joint. StableVac works very much like a dual pump by controlling the amount of fluid entering the joint and restricting the amount of fluid leaving the joint through the shaver handpiece. StableVac restricts this fluid out of the joint automatically, so here is no need to constantly manipulate the shaver hand piece valve or force large amounts of fluid in and out of the joint. Because the flow of fluid out of the joint is reduced, the amount of fluid inflow needed to distend the joint is also reduced.

StableVac can produce intra-articular pressures up to 100 mm/Hg depending on the
height of the saline bag and outflow connection.