CAUTION - Investigational Device. Limited by Federal (or United States) Law to Investigational Use
13-10006, Rev C Released 3/29/13 Page 6 of 36
Introducer
The Introducer consists of a “tear-away” plastic Sheath placed over a stainless
steel Trocar as shown in Figure 1. The introducer size is 5 French (.070 inches
in diameter) by 11 cm in length. The sterile disposable Introducer provides an
access to the targeted muscle compartment to facilitate the placement of the
Pressure Monitoring and Fluid Collection (PMFC) Catheters. First, the sharp-
tipped Trocar and Sheath are inserted through the skin and into the targeted
muscle compartment. Once properly positioned, the Trocar is removed leaving
the hollow tear-away Sheath in place. The catheters can then be placed through
the hollow Sheath and into the muscle compartment. Once the catheters are
placed, the Sheath is designed to easily tear-away for removal.
Trocar
Tear-Away Sheath
Trocar Hub
Sheath Hub
Figure 1: Twin Star Introducer
The Introducer’s Trocar and tear-away Sheath design and materials are the
same as those used for standard cardiovascular or percutaneous access
devices. The tear-away Sheath is constructed of thin walled polyethylene tubing.
The Trocar is composed of stainless steel needle with a three-facet sharp tip
point.
Pressure Monitoring and Fluid Collection (PMFC)
Catheter
The PMFC Catheter is designed to monitor muscle compartment pressure as
well as remove interstitial fluid. The indwelling PMFC Catheter is provided as a
sterile disposable. The Catheter consists of a catheter body, a porous
membrane, a pressure sensor, a vacuum connector and pressure sensor
connectors, a catheter connection manifold, and a fluid sample chamber with
collection port as shown in Figure 2. The only section of the catheter that is
inserted into the patient is the distal 10 cm, which contains the pressure sensor,
porous membrane, and catheter body. The maximum diameter if the inserted
section of the catheter is .065 inches. The insertion depth will range from 5-10
centimeters, depending on which muscle compartment is being monitored.