Can a simple marking device make epidurals safer and faster?

NCT ID NCT04985279

First seen Aug 07, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026

Summary

This trial evaluates a new device called PAMS that attaches to an ultrasound probe to mark the exact spot for epidural needle insertion and measure the correct angle. The study involves healthy volunteers acting as patients and anesthesia doctors as operators, who will practice on a mannequin and then perform simulated procedures on the volunteers. The goal is to see if PAMS is easier to use and more accurate than the current method of marking with pens, which can be washed off by skin sterilization. Feedback from both doctors and volunteers will help refine the device for future use.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Position and Angle Marking System (PAMS) – a device that attaches to an ultrasound probe to mark the needle insertion point and measure the angle for epidural placement.
What this could lead to
If PAMS works well, it could make epidural placement faster and more accurate, improving pain relief during labor and reducing complications.
What could go wrong
This is an early usability study with a small number of participants, so it may not prove that PAMS is better in real clinical settings. The device may also need design improvements based on feedback.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • KK Women's and Children's Hospital

    Singapore, 128038, Singapore