March 1, 2023

UltraGuideCTR and UltraGuideTFR Systems

What Is Sonex Health?

Sonex Health is a healthcare company that works to develop innovative interventions to safely and effectively treat orthopedic conditions. More specifically, their team specializes in creating technologies for minimally invasive hand and wrist procedures to improve and expand available treatments. Founded by expert physicians and business leaders, Sonex Health works to make safe, cutting-edge healthcare solutions accessible to millions of patients.

At the forefront of this mission are their UltraGuideCTR and UltraGuideTFR systems. These systems allow physicians to precisely and efficiently perform minimally invasive carpal tunnel and trigger finger release procedures while patients are awake in their offices. This new ultrasound-guided intervention provides patients easier access to effective treatment with reduced recovery time, particularly for clients experiencing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a small pathway in the wrist that is created by the arrangement of the wrist bones with a connecting ligament running across the top of the space. This pathway allows tendons, ligaments, and nerves to pass from the arm to the hand. That tunnel space can become constricted when inflammation or injury occurs in the tissues within and surrounding the tunnel. This narrowing then compresses, squeezes, or pinches the other tissues that are passing through, which may cause further irritation.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused specifically by the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel. Beginning in the shoulder, the median nerve runs down through the arm, forearm, and hand to control the sensation and movement of your thumb and first three fingers. When this nerve is compressed, it can cause irritation or inflammation of the nerve and the areas it stimulates. As a result, people with CTS commonly report experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation
• Pain or “shooting” sensations of pain/discomfort
• Weakness or change in functioning

These symptoms can occur anywhere along the median nerve path, including the forearm, wrist, hand, and thumb through the ring finger.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often thought of as an overuse injury from repetitive motions or positioning of the hand and wrist. However, several other prior medical factors contribute to and can increase the risk of developing CTS, including:

• Hereditary factors
• Effects of pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Amyloidosis
• Alcoholism
• Previous hand, wrist, or forearm injuries
• Tumors, cysts, or other growths in the hand or wrist

To diagnose CTS, your doctor may perform a physical examination in their office, including the Phalen’s and Tenel’s tests, to confirm median nerve involvement. Sometimes, further imaging (X-ray) or nerve conduction studies (electromyography) may be recommended to understand the nature and severity of the condition.

When treating CTS, your physician may first suggest nonsurgical options, including steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, splinting, and hand and wrist exercises. However, doctors may move to consider carpal tunnel release (CTR) interventions if nonsurgical approaches fail to manage or alleviate symptoms. It is important to ask your doctor about any CTS symptoms you may be experiencing and all available treatment options to best meet your needs.

If you want to know whether Sonex is right for your symptoms, a surgeon trained in the technique can tell you. Chat with us to find a Sonex-trained hand surgeon near you.

What Is the UltraGuideCTR?

Over 80% of patients who are recommended for carpal tunnel release surgery avoid or delay this procedure due to concerns about the surgery, recovery time, and financial cost. To fill this gap in care, Sonex Health developed the UltraGuideCTR system. The UtraGuideCTR is a simple, safe, and precise medical instrument for conducting minimally invasive carpal tunnel release procedures. This tool is used with ultrasound guidance to effectively release the transverse carpal ligament while safely navigating and protecting the intricate surrounding wrist anatomy.

The UltraGuideCTR has four key features that contribute to its finesse and efficacy. First, its sleek tapered tip allows for precise access to the carpal tunnel region via a small incision. Next, its Stealth MicroGuard® balloons expand to isolate the targeted transection site while protecting the surrounding tissues and structures. As an additional safeguard, the balloons must be expanded before the TCL Blade® can be deployed from its secured position. Once the blade is deployed, it is used to bisect the transverse carpal ligament.

After the procedure is complete, the blade retracts, the balloons deflate, and the UltraGuideCTR is carefully withdrawn. The small incision is then closed, typically using adhesives, bandages, or sutures. Ultrasound guidance is used throughout the procedure to confirm the location of anatomical structures, available pathways, and successful release of the transverse carpal ligament.

What Are the Benefits of the UltraGuideCTR?

Each aspect of the UltraGuideCTR tool and procedure process was thoughtfully designed to maximize efficiency, increase accessibility, and reduce recovery time. As mentioned above, the procedure is minimally invasive, requiring only a small incision. This means it can be conveniently performed in your physician’s procedure room or office with only local anesthesia required.

The recovery process is also less demanding than traditional CTS surgeries. UltraGuideCTR patients report returning to work and their preferred activities within 3 to 6 days and requiring only NSAIDs or acetaminophen to manage pain. Generally, postoperative therapy is not required, and patients are encouraged to move their hands and wrist immediately after the procedure to accelerate recovery.

In all, this minimally invasive carpal tunnel release intervention is a more efficient procedure for physicians to perform while maintaining safety, preserving outcomes, and reducing recovery demands for patients.

What Is Trigger Finger?

Trigger Finger (TF) is a condition where the joints of your thumb or fingers (e.g., digits) become difficult to move or even fixed in a bent position. This position resembles that of someone trying to squeeze a trigger-like device, hence the name, Trigger Finger. But how does this condition occur?

Muscles in your hand work to bend or extend each digit. Those muscles attach to your thumb and finger joints via ligaments which are then surrounded by a tendon sheath. This sheath helps to guide and support the ligaments as they glide over your digit joints while they bend and straighten. When the sheath or enclosed tissues become inflamed or swollen, the space becomes restricted, which limits the soft tissues’ glide. This can cause the ligaments to “catch” or become stuck, leading to Trigger Finger.

Like CTS, Trigger Finger can result from inflammation due to overuse or chronic poor positioning of the hands and fingers related to work or lifestyle demands. However, some health conditions can also lead to or increase your risk of developing TF, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Gout
• Diabetes
• Amyloidosis
• Thyroid disease
• Cysts or other growths in the joint space

Patients who experience Trigger Finger may report mechanical problems or other symptoms of the thumb or finger joints, including:

• Popping, catching, or locking in a bent position
• Difficulty or inability to straighten the thumb or finger
• Weakness or decreased mobility
• Pain with or without visible swelling of the joint

Trigger Finger can often be diagnosed with a visual and functional examination from your doctor. Sometimes, your physician may request imaging to determine if the joint or soft tissues are damaged. Once diagnosed, your doctor may first recommend nonsurgical treatments to manage your symptoms, including steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, hand exercises, or splinting. But when nonsurgical options fail to adequately alleviate symptoms, trigger finger release (TFR) procedures may be discussed as a treatment option.

What Is the UltraGuideTFR?

The UltraGuideTFR system is Sonex Health's solution to providing minimally invasive Trigger Finger release procedures. This technology is beautifully designed to navigate and protect the intricate anatomy of the hand, digits, and associated soft tissues to correct Trigger Finger.

It features a tapered end with an intentional curvature that allows the device to easily enter the small incision and to accurately access the intervention space (i.e., between the tendon and A1 pulley ligament of the thumb or finger). Once the UltraGuideTFR is positioned, the protective blade handle is released to advance the blade as needed. The blade is then rotated and retracted to transect the A1 pulley ligament before returning to its inactive position. The UltraGuideTFR is then carefully withdrawn, and the incision is closed using adhesives, bandages, or sutures.

Ultrasound guidance is used throughout the procedure to confirm anatomical structures, pathways, and successful release of the Trigger Finger ligament.

What Are the Benefits of the UltraGuideTFR?

The UtraGuideTFR’s cutting-edge design and process allow for efficient, effective, and minimally invasive treatment of Trigger Finger symptoms. The benefits of the procedure include more convenient treatment and recovery processes for patients. The UltraGuideTFR can be used in an office or procedure room setting with no more than local anesthesia and a small incision.

Patients who choose UltraGuideTFR intervention return to their usual activities faster than those who undergo traditional trigger finger release surgery and typically only require NSAIDs or acetaminophen for pain management. Overall, the UltraGuideTFR allows for more convenient treatment and recovery without sacrificing results.

How Long Is Recovery from Real-Time Ultrasound Guidance?

Recovery from real-time ultrasound guidance for CTR or TFR is much faster than traditional surgical interventions for these conditions. With little to no post-procedure movement restrictions and pain, most patients report returning to their normal daily activities within 3 to 6 days.

There are many options when treating CTS and TF. If you are having difficulty managing your symptoms or are unsure about your surgical options, ask your physician if UltraGuideCTS and UltraguideTFR could be a fit for your health and lifestyle needs.