SAM IO™ Now Available Through NHS Supply Chain: Expanding Access to Rapid Intraosseous Vascular Access

For healthcare professionals working in emergency medicine, critical care, anaesthesia, and pre-hospital environments, rapid vascular access can be the difference between life and death. When intravenous (IV) access proves difficult or impossible, intraosseous (IO) access provides a fast, reliable alternative for the administration of life-saving fluids and medications.

DS Medical is pleased to announce that the SAM IO™ Intraosseous Access System is now available through NHS Supply Chain, making this innovative device easier than ever for NHS organisations to procure.

What is the SAM IO™?

The SAM IO™ Intraosseous Access System is a manually operated device designed to establish rapid intraosseous access in emergency and urgent clinical situations where traditional IV access cannot be achieved quickly. It is indicated for both adult and paediatric patients, with access sites including the proximal humerus, proximal tibia, distal tibia, and distal femur (paediatric use).

Unlike battery-powered alternatives, the SAM IO™ uses a simple manual trigger mechanism that rotates the needle into the medullary space with controlled placement, providing clinicians with excellent tactile feedback throughout the procedure.

Designed for Simplicity and Reliability

The SAM IO™ system has been engineered with frontline clinicians in mind. Its intuitive design incorporates industry-standard colour coding and depth indicators, making it easy for users already familiar with IO devices to transition confidently.

Key Features Include:

• Battery-free manual operation, eliminating concerns around battery maintenance or failure.
• Lightweight reusable driver weighing just 2.5 oz (71 g).
• Three needle sizes (15 mm, 25 mm and 45 mm) to accommodate a wide range of patient anatomies.
• Tactile feedback during insertion to help confirm entry into the medullary space.
• Reusable driver with validated cleaning protocols, helping reduce long-term procedural costs.

Why Manual Matters

In high-pressure emergency environments, simplicity is often an advantage.

Because SAM IO™ is manually powered, it removes the dependency on batteries or electrical components while still delivering controlled, reproducible needle placement. The ergonomic trigger design allows clinicians to maintain control throughout insertion while minimising excessive force, relying instead on controlled rotational movement to penetrate cortical bone.

The result is a system that is:

• Always ready for use
• Durable enough for demanding environments
• Lightweight and portable
• Simple to maintain

Supporting NHS Clinical Teams

The addition of SAM IO™ to the NHS Supply Chain catalogue provides NHS trusts with a straightforward procurement route for an innovative vascular access solution.

Availability through NHS Supply Chain means:

• Simplified purchasing processes
• Easier product standardisation across departments
• Improved accessibility for emergency departments, theatres, critical care units and ambulance services
• Confidence in sourcing through established NHS procurement pathways

Complete Intraosseous Access Solution

The SAM IO™ system includes everything clinicians need to establish IO access efficiently, including:

• Reusable Driver - FNN85010
• Needle Sets
• 15mm (Pink) - FNN85009
• 25mm (Blue) - FNN85008
• 45mm (Yellow) - FNN85007
• Needle Sets come with:
  • Extension Tubing
  • NeedleVISE® sharps containment block
• Stabiliser - FNN85006
• Needle Adaptor - FNN85005 - Works with most other IO needles

Available from DS Medical

As the UK supplier of the SAM IO™ Intraosseous Access System, DS Medical is committed to supporting NHS organisations with product expertise, demonstrations, education and clinical support.

With its intuitive design, reusable driver, battery-free operation and broad patient compatibility, SAM IO™ represents a practical solution for rapid vascular access when every second counts.

Find Out More

If your department is reviewing its emergency vascular access equipment or would like to arrange a product demonstration, the DS Medical team would be delighted to help.

SAM IO™ is now available via NHS Supply Chain.

Contact DS Medical to discuss product availability, training opportunities and how SAM IO™ can support your emergency care pathway.