What is the Falcon TOS Diagnosis Machine?
Viasonix Falcon/Pro is a complete vascular physiologic diagnostic machine designed for advanced measurements such as Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), Toe Brachial Index (TBI), Vascular Doppler, Pulse Volume Recording (PVR), Photoplethysmography (PPG), and a variety of vascular specialty diagnostic tests.
One of the more common vascular tests performed with the Falcon vascular equipment is the diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). These tests are usually done in the physiologic testing lab.
Please read below to better understand why the Falcon physiologic machine is considered by so many the best vascular system in the market!
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)?
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome describes a medical condition where pain or weakness is experienced in the upper extremities in response to a specific physical maneuver.
This medical condition can be caused due to compression of nerves or blood vessels, resulting in a temporary block of the passageways, primarily from the neck to the armpit. As a result, this blockage is causing a neurogenic response or cutting off the blood flow supply.
How to Diagnose Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)?
Diagnosis of TOS is standard with most commercial physiologic equipment. The primary purpose of performing the TOS examination is to determine if the TOS is of vascular or neurogenic nature.
Common clinical guidelines provide guidance and instructions on how to perform an accepted TOS diagnosis examination. In general, the TOS protocols call to measure a distal physiological signal typically using a Photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor. The PPG sensor is placed on one of the digits. The examiner then asks the patient to go through a series of well-documented positions to determine if blood flow to the limb is decreased in one of those positions.
Common testing positions during TOS diagnosis include:
- Resting Position
- Adson Position
- Hands 90 Degrees to the Sides
- Hands Up 180 Degrees
- Provocative Elevation
- Costoclavicular Maneuver
- Allen Test
- Hands Up Straight 180 Degrees
- Hands 90 Degrees Front
If blood flow is decreased, then it is determined that the source of the clinical symptoms of TOS is of vascular nature.
How Our Employee Diagnosed Himself and Found he has TOS
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is widely spread in the population. It is estimated that up to 8% have TOS symptoms.
Recently, one of our younger sales and marketing employees demonstrated the Falcon TOS software to a customer and noticed that when he raised both of his hands up (see below the “hands up 180 degrees” position), the PPG signal on the left side decreased significantly compared to the right side.
He also felt weakness in his left arm when his arms were raised. This employee tested himself several more times, and the same phenomena happened every time he tried that position, while all other positions were normal.
Since raising the arms up is not a natural position, it was difficult to find this problem until the tests with the Falcon TOS Diagnosis system were done.
What makes the Falcon TOS Diagnosis Machine Stand Out?
Basically, most physiologic equipment manufacturers provide the very basic support to perform examinations of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, i.e., PPG measurements with or without markers.
The remarkable Falcon vascular system was designed differently. Its focus is on providing the vascular technician with all of the necessary tools to optimize TOS diagnosis.
The unmatched TOS capabilities and performance of the Falcon vascular device are outlined below and make the Falcon physiologic machine by far the best vascular equipment in the market today.
Guided TOS Protocols with Schematic Pictures
The amazing Falcon TOS device is the only system that provides the RVT or vascular examiner with a clear examination protocol that includes a schematic visual representation of the positions that the patient is required to go through, as well as the configured sequence of positions.
This unique design is also helpful for the patient, who sees the position on the Falcon screen that they are required to do.
Inclusion of the Symptomatic TOS Position
During the testing procedure, the extremely user-friendly Falcon TOS protocols and software allow the examiner to include not only the standard testing positions but also the symptomatic position that causes the pain or weakness.
This option is very important for the diagnosis process to ensure that the symptomatic position is not overlooked.
Simultaneous Bilateral PPG Measurements of TOS in Multiple Digits
The state-of-the-art Falcon TOS technology allows up to 5 Photoplethysmography sensors (PPG sensors) simultaneous measurements. These sensors can be applied, for example, to the first and fifth digits in each hand, and another PPG sensor placed on the middle finger in the suspected extremity.
This enhancement allows to optimize the TOS diagnosis and examine the blood flow changes to all parts of the hand. The PPG sensors are color-coded for very easy identification and use.
Simultaneous PVR Measurements of TOS in Multiple Digits or Sites
The amazing Falcon TOS machine is the only physiologic equipment that allows diagnosing TOS not only with PPG sensors but also with PVR pressure cuffs. These color-coded pressure cuffs can be placed on the digits or brachials / arms.
Up to ten PVR cuffs can be placed and measured simultaneously with the Falcon, allowing for complete TOS assessment.
Doppler Measurements for Diagnosis of TOS
The Falcon TOS diagnosis device is also the only physiologic equipment that allows diagnosing TOS with Doppler probes by measuring blood flow during the various positions.
The Falcon vascular equipment supports a range of 3 Doppler probe frequencies: 4 MHz for the larger brachial arteries, 8 MHz for the smaller Radial and Ulnar arteries, and 10 MHz for the tiny digit vessels.
Use an Integrated Camera to Document the Symptomatic Position
Another unbelievable feature that the Falcon TOS device has is the option to use an integrated camera to document various critical aspects of the TOS examination.
During the TOS protocol examination, the RVT or examiner can include a picture of the symptomatic TOS position in the examination protocol and examination report. This option is very important because the symptomatic position is normally different from the set protocol positions, so the need to precisely document that position is critical.
Falcon is the Ideal TOS Examination Machine
All of the above technology and user interface features make the Falcon physiologic system the optimal equipment for examinations of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Numerous other unique and exclusive options and features allow the TOS examiner to optimize the examination reporting, configure different workstation settings, and easily connect to hospital EMR or PACS servers.
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