Hood Labs - a research and manufacturing laboratory for surgical devices

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Home >> FAQS Q. Are the products manufactured by Hood Laboratories latex free?
A. Hood Laboratories manufactures our products out of a medical grade silicone rubber, which contains no latex rubber. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our Quality Assurance Department.

Q. Can I be reimbursed for my Hood Stoma Stent?
A. Yes, although Hood Laboratories does not handle insurance billing, we can offer you the CPT and Medicare codes to help assist you with your insurance claim. The HCPC (Medicare) code is A4622 (Tracheostomy or Laryngectomy tube) and for Speaking Valves the code is L8501 (Tracheostomy speaking valve). The CPT codes (regular insurance) for the Hood Stoma Stents and Speaking Valve is 31600. If you require additional information please contact our customer service department.

Q. What is the life span of a Hood Stoma Stent?
A. The life span of the stoma stent is (90) ninety days.

Q. Are the Arenberg Inner Ear Shunts MRI compatible?
A. Yes, the Inner Ear Valved Shunt (Product Code EA-1001), Endolymphatic Shunt Tube (Product Code: EA-3000), and our Gibson Inner Ear Shunt (Product Code GS-2000) are all manufactured with radiopaque tubing, which is MRI compatible.

Q. If I am unable to find a size of a product within the catalog, can it still be manufactured?
A. We can manufacture custom sizes of the Hood Stoma Stents, Tracheal T-Tubes, Bronchial Stents with and without posts, Y-Stents with and without Posts, T-Y stents and Salivary By-Pass Tubes. Lengthening or shortening the standard catalog dimensions normally customizes these devices. However, if the patients� needs are unique a mold can be manufactured at an additional cost.

Q. What is the common sterilization procedure for Hood Laboratories products?
A. Each facility is equipped with specific sterilizing methods and should follow their procedures as instructed by the department supervisor. The following sterilization procedures are applicable to Hood's Otorhinolaryngology devices.

STERILIZATION
All Hood products should not be removed from the package until immediately prior to sterilization since the material will attract dust particles to its surface. Products should be washed with a non-detergent and should be thoroughly rinsed before sterilization.

CAUTION: Products are for single patient use only and should not be resterilized.

Pre-Sterilization Instructions:
1. Product package is not intended for sterilization.
2. Remove product from package. Using sterile gloves, clean product with a non-detergent (we recommend Ivory Snow Flakes). Do not use synthetic detergents or oily base soaps.
Rinse using sterile water and pat dry with sterile towel.

Standard Gravity Sterilizer:
1. Follow pre-sterilization instructions, above.
2. 30 minutes at 250�F. (15 P.S.I.)

Prevacuum High Temperature Sterilizer:
1. Follow pre-sterilization instructions, above.
2. Normal cycle (30-35 minutes) at 250�F.917 P.S.I.)

Sterilization Using ETO Gas (Ethylene Oxide):
1. Follow pre-sterilization instructions, above.
2. Place product in sterilization package. This package is then placed in another
sterilization package and sealed.
3. Complete sterilization cycle of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
4. Procedure is followed by a minimum aeration period of 24 hours or
quarantined in ambient air for a period of 2 weeks (14 days).

Emergency Sterilization:
1. Follow pre-sterilization instructions, above.
2. Flash sterilize using steam for 3 minutes at 270�F. (30 P.S.I.)

It is not recommended that Hood devices be resterilized. The product may be stored, in the product box, indefinitely, until surgery is scheduled and it becomes necessary to sterilize the device. Previously sterilized devices may be stored at the discretion of the department supervisor.