InHealth Technologies
1110 Mark Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013-2918 USA
Phone: (800) 477-5969, (805) 684-9337
Fax: (888) 371-1530, (805) 684-8594

New Katz Extractor® Saves Time and Reduces Trauma
for Foreign Body Removal in Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARPINTERIA, California, July 13, 2001–InHealth Technologies, a recognized leader in the development and marketing of ear, nose and throat (ENT) products, has announced the domestic launch of its new Katz Extractor® oto-rhino foreign body remover. The Katz Extractor® was developed in conjunction with David L. Katz, MD, MPH, Associate Clinical Professor, Yale School of Medicine. The Katz Extractor is designed and intended for use by emergency department (ED) personnel when removing foreign objects from children's nasal passages and external ear canals.

Release of the Katz Extractor is part of InHealth Technologies' ongoing commitment to offer a full range of high-quality ENT products to the healthcare community. The Katz Extractor is a small, light-weight, easy-to-use device that is intended for one-time use. One size fits most patients.

Jobeth Seder Erickson, VP, Business Development, InHealth Business Unit, ENT Products, for InHealth Technologies, believes the Katz Extractor offers ED personnel a better alternative for treating children who need foreign objects removed from their noses and ears, "In an emergency situation, the Katz Extractor is faster and easier to use than more cumbersome devices that require attachments and/or suction." Ms. Seder goes on to say, "The Katz Extractor also eliminates the need to use multiple devices or stock additional supplies."

Common objects placed in children's noses that require emergency removal include beads, beans, peas, candy, popcorn kernels, crayon bits, and assorted small toy pieces. The Katz Extractor works by inserting its soft catheter tip into the nasal passage or external ear canal with its microballoon in the deflated state. The device is advanced until the catheter tip has passed the object. The balloon is then inflated by depressing the syringe plunger until limited resistance is perceived in the canal wall. With the balloon in the inflated state, the catheter is carefully pulled out of the canal dislodging the object in the process.

InHealth Technologies develops and markets specialized medical products distributed throughout the world.

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