MedSource NIK needle decompression indicator kit, Capnospot CO2 indicator with 10G x 3.25 inch decompression needle, MS-87110
NIK kit sealed metalized pouch with Capnospot and 10G x 3.25 inch decompression needle, MedSource MS-87110
Capnospot turned yellow on a 10 gauge 3.25 inch decompression catheter, CO2 confirms needle decompression, NIK MS-87110
Capnospot yellow color change during needle decompression at the lateral chest wall, MedSource NIK kit MS-87110
Needle thoracostomy confirmation, Capnospot indicator attached to a 3.25 inch decompression needle in the NIK kit
MedSource NIK needle decompression indicator kit, Capnospot CO2 indicator with 10G x 3.25 inch decompression needle, MS-87110
NIK kit sealed metalized pouch with Capnospot and 10G x 3.25 inch decompression needle, MedSource MS-87110
Capnospot turned yellow on a 10 gauge 3.25 inch decompression catheter, CO2 confirms needle decompression, NIK MS-87110
Capnospot yellow color change during needle decompression at the lateral chest wall, MedSource NIK kit MS-87110
Needle thoracostomy confirmation, Capnospot indicator attached to a 3.25 inch decompression needle in the NIK kit

NIK - Needle Decompression Indicator Kit

SKU: MS-87110-EA

Med Source Labs

The MedSource NIK Needle Decompression Indicator Kit (item MS-87110) pairs a 10 gauge x 3.25 inch (82 mm) MedSource Decompression Needle with the Capnospot Pneumothorax Decompression Indicator from Pneumeric, joined by a standard luer lock.12 Capnospot detects carbon dioxide (CO2) from the pleural space and turns from blue to yellow within 10 seconds, so a medic can see, not just hear, that a needle thoracostomy reached a tension pneumothorax.3 One pouch, one needle, one indicator, ready for EMS, flight, tactical and emergency department use. We are an Authorized MedSource Labs Distributor (USA).

Caution: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Product Highlights:

  • Visual confirmation of decompression: the Capnospot indicator paper is blue before decompression and turns yellow when it detects CO2 from the pleural space23
  • Works where you cannot hear: the color change replaces the subjective "rush of air" in noisy scenes, aircraft and low light24
  • Monitors catheter patency: reattached to the catheter after needle removal, the indicator shows if the catheter stays open or needs attention35
  • Built-in diaphragm inside the Capnospot helps keep air from flowing back into the chest3
  • 3.25 inch (82 mm) catheter length, long enough for typical chest wall thickness; 8 cm catheters outperformed 5 cm in clinical study678
  • 10 gauge needle for larger flow; in a swine model 10 gauge rescued more tension-induced PEA than 14 gauge (87% vs 48%)9
  • MedSource needle build: hard shell case for needlestick protection and sterility, twist-open cap, triple-facet back-cut bevel, rigid PTFE catheter, color-coded hub and contoured grip16
  • Compact field pack: 7 x 3 inch metalized pouch with a clear front, 26 g (0.9 oz) combined weight2

Applications:

Ground EMS and fireParamedic needle thoracostomy for suspected tension pneumothorax, with an objective check on scene and during transport.
Air medical and critical care transportA visual indicator that works under rotor noise and helmet hearing protection.
Tactical and military medicineFits TCCC tension pneumothorax care with a 10 gauge, 3.25 inch needle-catheter in one pouch.
Emergency department and trauma bayConfirms decompression and catheter patency while the team prepares a finger or tube thoracostomy.

Clinical and Operational Use:

Needle thoracostomy fails often. A meta-analysis of chest wall thickness put predicted failure at 38% at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, 31% at the midaxillary line and 13% at the anterior axillary line.8 In combat casualties, 54% of 2nd intercostal space attempts never reached the pleura, and 29% to 36% failure rates are reported elsewhere.10 Listening for a gush of air is unreliable in the field.4

In a Mayo Clinic swine study, colorimetric capnography identified successful decompression in 100% (15/15) and the absence of tension pneumothorax in 100% (10/10). Operators using standard clinical signs identified it in 60% (9/15). Area under the curve was 1.0 vs 0.65 (p = .002).11 In a pilot case series of 5 blunt trauma patients and 7 devices, the color change matched clinical improvement, and prehospital providers used it with minimal training.10

How the NIK is used (summary of the Capnospot instructions; it does not replace them):35

  1. Check the Capnospot before use. A little green-yellow color in the paper is normal. Do not use it if most of the paper is yellow or the pouch is open or damaged.
  2. Attach the Capnospot to the needle hub through the luer lock before decompressing.
  3. Insert at the chosen site at 90 deg to the chest wall, over the top of the rib, and hold about 10 seconds while watching for color change.
  4. Blue to yellow means CO2 was detected. Advance the catheter, remove the needle and reattach the Capnospot to the catheter promptly to monitor patency.
  5. No color change: keep it connected, reassess and repeat per protocol. If the indicator later shows blue, the guide describes aspirating with a 10 mL syringe.
  6. Leave the catheter in place until definitive care. Dispose of the device as solid biohazard waste.

Follow your agency protocol, medical direction and the manufacturer instructions for use. Capnospot has not been tested in open pneumothorax and is used together with clinical assessment.3

Compatibility:

  • Luer lock connection. Capnospot has a male luer distal end (ISO 80369 compliant) and a female luer proximal end, and fits the MedSource needle hub and catheter.23
  • Other decompression needles. Pneumeric designs Capnospot to fit commercially available decompression needles with a standard luer fitting.4
  • Other sizes. MedSource also makes the NIK with a 12 gauge (MS-87112) or 14 gauge (MS-87114) x 3.25 inch needle, and 14 gauge x 2 inch (MS-871142) and x 1.5 inch (MS-841143) versions.1
  • Needle only. For a decompression needle without the indicator, see the MedSource Decompression Needle 10G x 3.25 inch.
  • Open chest wounds. Pair with a vented chest seal such as the HALO Chest Seal Combo Pack or SAM Chest Seal Combo Pack.

Specifications:

Manufacturer MedSource Labs, Chanhassen, MN (kit); Capnospot by Pneumeric, Inc., Rochester, MN112
Manufacturer part number (MPN) MS-87110
SKU MS-87110-EA
Kit contents 1 MedSource Decompression Needle, 10G x 3.25 in, and 1 Capnospot indicator2
Needle 10 gauge x 3.25 in (82 mm), triple-facet back-cut bevel, rigid PTFE catheter, color-coded hub6
Needle sterilization EO sterilized2
Capnospot Polycarbonate tube with CO2 indicator paper, internal diaphragm, male and female luer; supplied non-sterile3
Indicator response Blue to yellow within 10 seconds when CO2 is detected3
Capnospot weight 10 g (0.35 oz)2
Package 7 x 3 in metalized pouch with clear front2
Combined weight 26 g (0.9 oz)
Capnospot storage 10 to 140 F (-12 to 60 C)3
Use Single use. Do not reuse or resterilize.
Materials Not made with natural rubber latex or DEHP2
Compliance BAA compliant (per MedSource)2
FDA (Capnospot) 510(k) K223625, Class I, product code GAA, 21 CFR 878.4800, prescription use12
Unit of sale 1 kit

Related products:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the MedSource NIK kit?
The NIK (Needle Decompression Indicator Kit, MS-87110) is a MedSource 10 gauge x 3.25 inch decompression needle packed with a Pneumeric Capnospot CO2 indicator in one pouch. The Capnospot connects to the needle by luer lock and changes color to confirm decompression.12
What is Capnospot?
Capnospot is the Pneumothorax Decompression Indicator made by Pneumeric, Inc. It is a small polycarbonate tube with CO2-sensitive paper that attaches to a decompression needle or catheter and turns from blue to yellow when it detects CO2 from the pleural space.34
How does Capnospot work?
Air trapped in a tension pneumothorax contains CO2. When the needle enters the pleural space, that gas reaches the indicator paper and turns it from blue to yellow, usually within 10 seconds. An internal diaphragm limits backflow.3
Who makes Capnospot? Is it the Pneumeric Capnospot?
Yes. Capnospot is made by Pneumeric, Inc. of Rochester, MN, and is cleared by FDA under 510(k) K223625 as a Class I prescription device.412
What does it cost? What is the Capnospot price?
The current price for the NIK kit, which includes one Capnospot and one 10 gauge decompression needle, is shown on this page. We quote volume and agency pricing on request.
What is needle decompression?
Needle decompression, or needle thoracostomy, is an emergency procedure that places a large-bore needle and catheter through the chest wall into the pleural space to release air that is compressing the lung, heart and great vessels in a tension pneumothorax.811
When do you use needle decompression? What are the reasons for it?
It is used for a suspected tension pneumothorax: chest trauma or a known pneumothorax with worsening breathing, low oxygen saturation, falling blood pressure or traumatic arrest. Capnospot is contraindicated when decompression is otherwise contraindicated or the patient is uncooperative. Follow your agency protocol, medical direction and the manufacturer instructions for use.3
Where do you do needle decompression?
The two common sites are the 2nd intercostal space at the midclavicular line and the 4th or 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line.5 Chest wall is thinner laterally: mean thickness was 42.8 mm at the 2nd ICS MCL, 39.9 mm at the midaxillary line and 34.3 mm at the anterior axillary line, with the lowest predicted failure at the anterior axillary line.8
What is the needle decompression procedure with the NIK?
Attach the Capnospot, insert at 90 deg over the top of the rib, hold about 10 seconds and watch for yellow. Then advance the catheter, remove the needle and reattach the Capnospot to the catheter to monitor patency. Full steps are under Clinical and Operational Use above.35
What needle decompression catheter size and gauge should I use?
Many protocols, including TCCC, use a 14 or 10 gauge, 3.25 inch needle-catheter. In a swine model, 10 gauge relieved tension-induced PEA in 87% vs 48% for 14 gauge (p = .006).9 In a 2025 cadaver study, success was 91.1% for both, but the 10 gauge decompressed faster (22.0 vs 39.8 seconds).13
10 vs 14 gauge decompression needle: which is better?
Studies favor 10 gauge for speed and flow: faster decompression in cadavers and better rescue of tension PEA in swine.913 Follow the gauge your protocol specifies. This kit uses 10 gauge; MedSource also lists 12 and 14 gauge NIK versions.1
What length should a needle decompression catheter be?
Use at least 8 cm. In 91 needle thoracostomies, 8 cm catheters were effective 83% of the time vs 41% for 5 cm (p = .01).7 The NIK catheter is 3.25 inches (82 mm).6
Can you do needle decompression with an IV catheter?
Standard IV catheters are usually too short and too soft for the chest wall, which averages 34 to 43 mm thick depending on site.8 A purpose-built 3.25 inch decompression needle with a rigid PTFE catheter is designed to reach the pleura and resist kinking.67
What does a yellow or blue Capnospot mean?
Blue means no CO2 has been detected. Yellow means CO2 from the pleural space reached the indicator, which confirms decompression. If it is blue again on the catheter later, reassess; the guide describes aspirating with a 10 mL syringe to check patency.35
What if the Capnospot does not change color?
Leave it connected, reassess the patient and needle placement, and repeat per protocol. No change can mean the needle did not reach the pleura or no tension pneumothorax is present; in swine, it identified the absence of tension pneumothorax 10 out of 10 times.311
Is there clinical evidence for colorimetric capnography in needle decompression?
Yes. A swine study in Chest (2017) and a pilot case series in human blunt trauma (2022) are summarized above under Clinical and Operational Use.1011
Is the NIK sterile?
The needle is EO sterilized inside its hard shell case. The Capnospot ships non-sterile in a foil pouch with desiccant. Both are single use.23
How should the NIK be stored?
Keep the Capnospot in its sealed pouch at 10 to 140 F (-12 to 60 C) and check the use-by date on the label. Do not use it if the pouch is opened or damaged.3
Can Capnospot be used for an open pneumothorax?
No. Pneumeric has not tested Capnospot in open pneumothorax. Seal open chest wounds with a vented chest seal such as the HALO Chest Seal Combo Pack.3
Does the NIK require a prescription?
Yes. Capnospot is cleared for prescription use, and the kit is sold to licensed providers and agencies under medical direction.12
Who sells the MedSource NIK kit?
We are an Authorized MedSource Labs Distributor (USA). Add the NIK kit to your cart on this page, or contact us for agency and bulk orders.
References
  1. MedSource Labs. Needle Decompression Indicator Kit (NIK) product page and item numbers. medsourcelabs.com
  2. MedSource Labs. NIK Needle Decompression Indicator Kit spec sheet, MS-87110-12-14 Rev 2. medsourcelabs.com
  3. Pneumeric, Inc. Capnospot Pneumothorax Decompression Indicator Instructions for Use, GFS-NTC-0002-00 Rev 03, 18 Apr 2023. pneumeric-medical.com
  4. Pneumeric, Inc. Capnospot Pneumothorax Decompression Indicator, manufacturer overview. pneumeric-medical.com
  5. Pneumeric, Inc. Capnospot procedural and training materials. pneumeric-medical.com
  6. MedSource Labs. Decompression Needle product page: features, specifications and item numbers MS-87010, MS-87012, MS-87014. medsourcelabs.com
  7. Aho JM, Thiels CA, El Khatib MM, et al. Needle thoracostomy: clinical effectiveness is improved using a longer angiocatheter. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016;80(2):272-277. doi.org
  8. Laan DV, Vu TD, Thiels CA, et al. Chest wall thickness and decompression failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing anatomic locations in needle thoracostomy. Injury. 2016;47(4):797-804. doi.org
  9. Norris MD, et al. Comparison of 10- versus 14-gauge angiocatheter for treatment of tension pneumothorax and tension-induced pulseless electrical activity in a swine model. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020;89(2S):S132-S136. doi.org
  10. Musa J, Zielinski MD, Hernandez MC, et al. Tension pneumothorax decompression with colorimetric capnography: pilot case series. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2022;70(1):59-63. doi.org
  11. Naik ND, Hernandez MC, Anderson JR, et al. Needle decompression of tension pneumothorax with colorimetric capnography. Chest. 2017;152(5):1015-1020. doi.org
  12. US FDA. 510(k) K223625, Capnospot, Pneumeric, Inc. Class I, product code GAA, 21 CFR 878.4800, prescription use. www.accessdata.fda.gov
  13. Long, Achay, Hudson, et al. 10-Gauge versus 14-Gauge Fenestrated Needle/Catheter Units for Decompression of Tension Pneumothorax in Cadaveric Model. J Spec Oper Med. 2025;25:20. doi.org

Specifications from MedSource Labs and Pneumeric, Inc. documentation. We are an Authorized MedSource Labs Distributor (USA).

Item # Image Price Quantity

NIK - Needle Decompression Indicator Kit

MS-87110-EA

 MedSource NIK needle decompression indicator kit, Capnospot CO2 indicator with 10G x 3.25 inch decompression needle, MS-87110

$30.00

ea
Item # Image Description Quantity

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