The Russell PneumoFix® is a sterile 12-gauge × 11 cm (4.33") chest decompression device purpose-designed for the management of tension pneumothorax, simple pneumothorax, and pleural effusion. Developed by practicing clinicians with a Veress-tipped needle to minimize lung injury risk, a low-pressure one-way valve, X-ray detectable catheter with centimeter depth markings, and kink-resistant material — it provides a definitive-grade decompression option for prehospital and hospital providers. SKU MEDTAC0456.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Prometheus Medical (distributed via Safeguard Medical) |
| SKU (MED-TAC) | MEDTAC0456 |
| Product Codes | PDF102 (12 Ga.) | PDF112 (12 Ga., Bound Tree) |
| Needle Gauge | 12 Ga. |
| Catheter Length | 11 cm (4.33 in.) |
| Needle Tip Design | Veress tip — spring-loaded blunt retractable inner stylet to minimize lung injury on entry |
| One-Way Valve | Low-pressure valve allowing air and fluid out; prevents air re-entry |
| Depth Markings | Centimeter graduation for precise depth recording |
| Radiographic Visibility | X-ray detectable catheter for accurate hospital localization |
| Catheter Material | Kink-resistant material selected to maintain patency in the intercostal space |
| Packaged Dimensions | 28 cm × 8.5 cm (packed) |
| Sterility | Sterile, single-use |
| Indications | Tension pneumothorax, simple pneumothorax, pleural effusion (by trained providers) |
Product Overview
The Russell PneumoFix® was designed from first principles by practicing clinicians who identified specific limitations in improvised needle decompression using standard IV cannulas. Unlike conventional 14-gauge IV catheters repurposed for chest decompression — which were never engineered for this purpose and lack reliable length, valving, or insertion feedback — the PneumoFix® is a purpose-built decompression device engineered around the clinical requirements of pleural decompression in prehospital and emergency settings.
At 12-gauge and 11 cm (4.33 inches), the PneumoFix® exceeds the CoTCCC-recommended minimum of 3.25 inches by 1.08 inches — ensuring adequate chest wall traversal in the highest chest-wall-thickness patients encountered in clinical practice. The larger 12-gauge lumen provides rapid pressure relief, while the 11 cm length is designed to reach the pleural cavity in the vast majority of the adult population, including patients with elevated BMI, heavy muscle development, or subcutaneous emphysema that would cause shorter catheters to fail.
The Russell PneumoFix®'s Veress-tipped needle is a standout safety feature. In conventional needle decompression devices, once the sharp needle tip penetrates the parietal pleura, the lung itself can be injured if the device advances further or if the patient moves. The Veress tip incorporates a spring-loaded blunt inner stylet that automatically advances to protect the lung tissue immediately upon pleural entry — providing an additional safety margin particularly relevant in challenging insertion scenarios. This design allows insertion without requiring a scalpel or preliminary skin incision.
Engineering Features
- 12-gauge catheter: Larger lumen than the 14-gauge standard, enabling faster venting of air in tension pneumothorax; appropriate for rapid pressure relief in high-tension cases
- 11 cm (4.33") length: Exceeds CoTCCC minimum; designed to reach the pleural cavity in the vast majority of adult patients including high-BMI individuals
- Veress-tipped needle: Spring-loaded blunt inner stylet auto-advances upon pleural entry, protecting lung parenchyma from needle tip injury — enables insertion without a scalpel or incision
- Low-pressure one-way valve: Allows air and fluid out of the pleural space while preventing atmospheric air from re-entering — effectively maintains tension relief throughout catheter dwell time
- Centimeter depth markings: Visible graduation facilitates insertion depth monitoring and is recordable for hospital handoff documentation
- X-ray detectable catheter: Radiopaque material allows radiographic localization at the receiving facility for accurate assessment and documentation
- Kink-resistant catheter: Material selected to minimize the risk of catheter kinking in the intercostal space, maintaining a patent air channel during extended dwell
Broader Indications: Beyond Tension Pneumothorax
While tension pneumothorax management is the primary TCCC indication, the PneumoFix® is designed for three pleural conditions: tension pneumothorax (emergency, life-threatening), simple pneumothorax (non-tension but requiring decompression), and pleural effusion (fluid removal). This expanded clinical utility makes the PneumoFix® particularly valuable in extended field care (EFC) or prolonged casualty care (PCC) scenarios where a single provider may need to manage a range of thoracic conditions over extended periods before evacuation to a higher echelon.
Compare with the NAR ARS® (14 Ga. and 10 Ga.) and SPEAR® needle decompression devices. Pair with the Capnospot Pneumothorax Decompression Indicator for objective CO₂ confirmation of placement. Browse the complete Chest & Thoracic Supplies collection.
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
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