TyTek PneumoDart

H&H Medical along with TyTek Medical have developed the PneumoDart, a significant improvement in needle decompression techniques. This patented design consists of a hollow, closed-end stylet with a spring-loaded safety tip that houses a 14 gauge interior diameter catheter which measures 8.6cm in length. After two years of research, this innovative device is now available.

The needle housing comes color indicator showing when the safety tip retracts, the PneumoDart is designed to stay in place. The cap is also a luer connector to allow for the rapid removal of air using a manual suction device (e.g. syringe) or the clearing of fluids from the needle (not recommended for use with a hemothorax).

The TyTek PneumoDart was designed to overcome the shortfalls of the flexible catheter. The catheter was never designed for this purpose and as an IV catheter, it is designed to become soft and pliable in the body. This fact makes it only a very temporary solution for tension pneumothorax, one which will fail shortly after insertion as we have seen many times on the battlefield requiring multiple needles with an increase in misplacement and damage to the tissues.

Placement verification of the flexible catheter in the chest could not truly be delineated as there is no indicator other than the potential audible rush of air. On the ground, in the air, or in combat this is very difficult to appreciate. Even when one is successful, there is no indicator to show placement and to ensure proper depth to maintain for continuous venting of the pneumothorax.

Once this needle penetrates, the cannula will deploy and the blue indicator will click in the down position to show the operator that they are in the pleural cavity. Now the needle can be secured in place at the proper depth for transport. The needle will not collapse as is the case in the flexible catheter and there is no need to remove the needle until the patient is received in a higher level of care and definitive treatment is delivered.