New Device Helps Locate Perfect Spot For Epidural

BOSTON (CBS) - Millions of women undergo epidurals to ease the pain of childbirth but as many know, sometimes getting the needle in the right place can be challenging. But as Dr. Mallika Marshall reports, a hand-held device could make placing that needle a lot easier for the doctor and the patient.

"There's a large failure rate in epidural injections," says Kevin Owen, Co-Founder of Rivanna Medical, "And obviously we worked in an ultrasound research lab, so it was a good idea, and easy for us to try and develop something to solve this problem."

Owen and Co-Founder Will Mauldin came up with the idea in a science lab at the University of Virginia.

Their invention scans the skin for the spot to insert the needle, something that's normally done "blind".

"People think they can do these epidurals without any problem," explains Owen, "Then they remember that they had the 300 pound patient where they really struggled."

Mauldin says within seconds it gives you every angle.

"While there's an ultrasound background image, we automatically detect the spinal anatomy in 2D and in 3D," he explains.

Mauldin and Owen say it reduces error since every person has a different spine. Some people have scoliosis, older people patients can have calcifications and sometimes it's just difficult, for no apparent reason.

The medical community seems to be getting on board.

"[At] the trade shows we're the top technology that's there right now," says Mauldin.

Mauldin and Owen visit hospitals worldwide, and say doctors are asking for it.

"It's been overwhelmingly positive. We find that if we get this into the hands of a physician, they love it and want to buy it," says Owen.

The ultrasound device is not being used widely yet here in the Boston area, but Tufts Medical Center purchased one and says it will be using it soon and Massachusetts General Hospital says they're testing it out on Labor and Delivery.