 | This little item is officially called an Ultrasound Cable Brace, but I like to introduce it as my Snazzy-Blue-Velcro-Thingy. I first began using this nifty gadget when I was an ultrasound student and it has become my little buddy over the years, seeing me through the thick and thin of ultrasound cases and not once letting me down! |
All about the cable brace
The Snazzy-Blue-Velcro-Thingy... um.. Cable Brace is meant to hold the weight of the transducer cable higher up on your arm to prevent "cable-related wrist strain and torsion" (I used an official statement there to show you how seriously great it is).
When I use it I hardly feel the weight of the cable. But when scanning without it I constantly feel the pull of the transducer cable on my wrist. Not pleasant and once you know how it feels to have a light free wrist, you curse the days you forget to bring your blue buddy to work!
When I use it I hardly feel the weight of the cable. But when scanning without it I constantly feel the pull of the transducer cable on my wrist. Not pleasant and once you know how it feels to have a light free wrist, you curse the days you forget to bring your blue buddy to work!
HOW IT WORKS
It's terrifically easy to use. Just slip it over your hand and cinch it snugly to your arm using the adjustable velcro band.
I've seen people wear it on their forearm, but I prefer it up higher, just past my elbow on my upper arm. Keep it all most all day and once you're ready to start a scan, you slip the transducer cord into the exterior Velcro flap (the non-adjustable side) and secure it there with a bit of slack.
Now your upper arm is supporting the majority of the weight of the cord, keeping your hand and wrist free.
I've seen people wear it on their forearm, but I prefer it up higher, just past my elbow on my upper arm. Keep it all most all day and once you're ready to start a scan, you slip the transducer cord into the exterior Velcro flap (the non-adjustable side) and secure it there with a bit of slack.
Now your upper arm is supporting the majority of the weight of the cord, keeping your hand and wrist free.
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
I've used a cable brace for over three years now, every day, every scan (except for EVs) and I recommend it to everyone for two big reasons.
1. It keeps the weight of the transducer cord off the wrist and hand which helps prevent injuries and pain. (My wrist never hurts, I can't say this enough times!)
2. It keeps the cord out of the jell! No more goopy wet cords to manage! (Actually, this is so awesome it might need to be the number 1 reason.)
And actually it's also a great conversation starter. Just try and go a day without talking about it. It's hard, you'll see.
1. It keeps the weight of the transducer cord off the wrist and hand which helps prevent injuries and pain. (My wrist never hurts, I can't say this enough times!)
2. It keeps the cord out of the jell! No more goopy wet cords to manage! (Actually, this is so awesome it might need to be the number 1 reason.)
And actually it's also a great conversation starter. Just try and go a day without talking about it. It's hard, you'll see.
How to try one for yourself
If you're interested in buying a cable brace they are available in the USA through www.soundergonomics.com and in Canada through www.coneinstruments.com (visit their pricing page and give them a call at their 1-800 number for shipping to Canada).
So far it’s been difficult to find a one click easy ordering option for Cable Braces in Canada, but I am working with some companies and will update this post when I know more. I originally got my Snazzy-blue-velcro-thingy at an Ultrasound Conference in the US.
Just so you know, I only recommend products that I have tried and believe strongly are a worthy item to promote. This blue buddy just makes life easier. It also makes a great addition to an ultrasound department, so why not purchase an extra one for general use? Then any interested tech can try it out and see how it works for them.
Happy pain-free scanning!
So far it’s been difficult to find a one click easy ordering option for Cable Braces in Canada, but I am working with some companies and will update this post when I know more. I originally got my Snazzy-blue-velcro-thingy at an Ultrasound Conference in the US.
Just so you know, I only recommend products that I have tried and believe strongly are a worthy item to promote. This blue buddy just makes life easier. It also makes a great addition to an ultrasound department, so why not purchase an extra one for general use? Then any interested tech can try it out and see how it works for them.
Happy pain-free scanning!