Frequently asked questions
What is an EBUS TBNA needle?
An EBUS TBNA needle (EBUS-TBNA needle, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration) passes through the working channel of an EBUS bronchoscope and takes a sample from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes under ultrasound. It is single use. The aspirate is sent for cytology.
Is SonoTip ProFlex compatible with Pentax EBUS bronchoscopes?
Yes. The nitinol needle supplied in Türkiye is the Pentax build, order number GUS-42-18-022. Across the SonoTip EBUS range three needles are supplied in a Pentax build: ProFlex (nitinol, GUS-42-18-022), EBUS Pro (stainless steel, GUS-41-18-022) and TopGain TBNB (nitinol, GUB-42-18-022). The Olympus and Fujifilm builds have their own order numbers and are on the EBUS Pro and TopGain pages. Check the scope model against the manufacturer's instructions for use before ordering.
Is SonoTip ProFlex in the same class as branded EBUS TBNA needles such as Olympus ViziShot?
Yes, the device class is the same. Olympus ViziShot is also an EBUS TBNA needle: it passes through the working channel of an EBUS bronchoscope and takes a sample from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes under ultrasound. EBUS needles are also made by other manufacturers, among them Boston Scientific and Cook Medical; the list is not complete and implies no ranking or superiority. SonoTip ProFlex is a single-use 22G (0.7 mm) needle of this class, on a nitinol shaft, with a 1.8 mm sheath outer diameter, a Twist-Lock handle and a VacLok syringe. The brand name belongs to its owner, and ProFlex is not a product of that brand. This page does not compare the two needles in diagnostic yield, performance or price. The choice of needle is the physician's decision.
What is the difference between 19G, 21G and 22G EBUS needles?
A higher gauge number means a thinner needle: 19G is 1.1 mm and 22G is 0.7 mm. This needle is 22G. The ERS/ESGE/ESTS 2026 guideline regards 21G and 22G TBNA needles as standard in lung cancer. The CHEST 2024 guideline suggests 21G or 22G over 19G when malignancy is suspected (conditional recommendation). The choice of needle is the physician's decision.
Is the needle single use and sterile?
Yes. The needle is single use and ethylene oxide sterile. Shelf life is 60 months, and it is latex free and DEHP free.
Are there contraindications?
No contraindication is specific to the needle itself; the contraindications are those of the primary endoscopic procedure through which the target is reached. The intended use is ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of submucosal and extraluminal lesions of the tracheobronchial tree and the gastrointestinal tract.
How much does an EBUS needle cost?
The price depends on the quantity and the delivery terms. We do not publish a list price on this page. Write to us and we will prepare a quote. We quote for hospitals in Türkiye and answer international enquiries.
Is SonoTip ProFlex available in Türkiye, and do you take export enquiries?
Yes. Melekırmak, based in Istanbul, is the Medi-Globe distributor in Türkiye and supplies hospitals nationwide. SonoTip ProFlex is ordered as GUS-42-18-022, the Pentax build. International enquiries are answered as well: availability, documentation and lead times depend on the country, so send the order number, the quantity and the destination country with your request.
What are the specifications of SonoTip ProFlex (gauge, length adjustment, sheath)?
SonoTip ProFlex is a 22G (0.7 mm) nitinol EBUS TBNA needle with a needle length adjustment of 0 to 4 cm and a sheath outer diameter of 1.8 mm. The handle is Twist-Lock, and the pack holds a VacLok aspiration syringe with a 5 to 20 ml filling volume. It is ethylene oxide sterile and single use, with a shelf life of 60 months, and latex free and DEHP free. The order number supplied in Türkiye is GUS-42-18-022. The 0 to 4 cm adjustment belongs to the EBUS needles; the EUS needles of the same family adjust from 0 to 8.5 cm.
