Cynosure announced August 15 that it struck a deal with Porter Instrument to distribute Porter’s nitrous oxide and oxygen system, Nitronox, in the U.S. and Canada.
Patients self-administer nitrous oxide and oxygen from the Nitronox device during hair or tattoo removal, body contouring or skin rejuvenation procedures to lessen their discomfort and anxiety.
Nitronox devices’ non-invasive delivery system has a track record in labor and delivery and outpatient medical settings, according to the press release announcing the deal. Nitronox delivers 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen to patients on an as-needed basis. Patients using the Nitronox can choose between a mask or mouthpiece.
Patients ideally should use the device for potential pain management during short, minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures. These include botulinum toxin injections, dermal filler injections, non-invasive body contouring, laser liposuction and microneedling, according to Cynosure.com.
The pain management approach has been used in childbirth, for dental procedures, as part of emergency department care and more, according to Cynosure.
Drugs.com warns that patients should not use Nitronox if they’re taking or recently took methotrexate or vitamin B12.
In a review of nitrous oxide use in dermatology published May 2018 in Dermatologic Surgery, researchers found eight studies on the use of the nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture. Authors of those studies found reported reductions in pain when nitrous oxide was used during aesthetic procedures involving lasers and a host of other dermatologic procedures.
“Nitrous oxide has many potential applications in dermatology; however, further evidence from randomized controlled trials is needed,” they conclude.
