Medgadget » Anesthesiology

Analogic Releases New BK Medical Ultrasounds

Gene Ostrovsky — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:39:19 +0000

Analogic has announced the worldwide launch of three new ultrasound systems from its subsidiary BK Medical, the Pro Focus UltraView 800, the Flex Focus 800, and the Flex Focus 500.

All three models sport the company’s “Quantum Technology” that provides high resolution visualization of the tissues.

Continuous Near-Infrared Regional Cerebral Perfusion Monitoring Shows Promise in Stroke Patients

Jan Sinnige — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:47:02 +0000

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida have shown that cerebral optically-based near infra-red spectroscopic oximetry applied to patients who have suffered a stroke can help monitor regional cerebral perfusion in real time, and thus “may serve as a useful, noninvasive, bedside intensive care unit monitoring tool to assess brain oxygenation in a direct manner.” The study looked at the device called Fore-Sight from Casmed of Branford, CT, that measures blood oxygen, similar to a finger clip pulse oximeter. The Mayo study results have been published in Journal of Neurosurgery this month.

Regional cerebral blood flow monitoring devices such as Fore-Sight are already in wide deployment in cardiac surgery, where they are thought to prevent brain ischemia in patients undergoing major surgeries on bypass (valve replacements, aortic arch surgeries, etc.).

Cardinal Health Releases Smart-Seal Surgical Mask

Gene Ostrovsky — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:11:23 +0000

Cardinal Health has made available its Smart-Seal surgical mask that improves both its fit and reduces interior fogging while providing a high level of filtration and resistance to liquids.

From the announcement:

HealthStream and Laerdal Unveil New Clinical Simulator Management Tools

Gene Ostrovsky — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:11:16 +0000

HealthStream and Laerdal Medical launched a couple new products for managing and studying clinical simulations.

SimView allows for recording of simulation video, audio, data logs, and how the virtual patient responds to therapy. SimManager is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application that helps manage simulation routines from scheduling, to progress tracking, to delivering reports while tracking room and equipment availability.

Ivera Medical’s Curos Port Protector Gets Expanded FDA Clearance

Gene Ostrovsky — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:58:59 +0000

Ivera Medical Corporation out of San Diego, CA received a new FDA 510(k) clearance for its Curos disinfecting port protector, after the company confirmed a shorter disinfection time and an increase in how long the device can be used.

According to the company, independent tests have shown that the cap disinfects IV access ports in three minutes, keeping them clean for seven days when not accessed.

Philips Unveils Compact Xper Flex Cardio Physiomonitoring

Gene Ostrovsky — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:26:47 +0000

Yesterday Philips announced its new Xper Flex Cardio Physiomonitoring system for intraoperative hemodynamic analysis.

The device provides clinicians with Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measurements, as well as ECG, respiration, and other vitals. It features both 12 and 16-lead ECG analysis, giving more options when working in the EP, cath labs, and during more invasive procedures.

Masimo’s Prick-Free Pronto-7 for Painless Hemoglobin Spot Checking

Gene Ostrovsky — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:12:59 +0000

Masimo received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Pronto-7 device that allows for quick and noninvasive bedside checking of total hemoglobin (SpHb), SpO2, pulse rate, and perfusion index. This is a unique tool that makes finger pricking and direct blood sampling unnecessary when watching patients’ hemoglobin levels, either in OR or in critical care settings.

The Pronto-7 already received the European CE mark back in 2010, but conducted a recall when the sensor was found to work poorly in low temperature. The issue was addressed and the device was reintroduced in August of last year.

Company Claims Optical Blood Pressure Monitor Breakthrough

Gene Ostrovsky — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:20:54 +0000

Tarilian Laser Technologies, a Hertfordshire, UK firm claims it has developed the “greatest technological advance in blood pressure measurement for 130 years” Unlike direct pressure measurement that every other BP meter does, the company’s Sapphire device uses an optical sensor to continuously measure blood pressure at the wrist. Keeping the Sapphire stationary will provide beat-to-beat readings and Tarilian says the device can effectively be used to detect white coat hypertension (raised blood pressure due to patient being in a clinical setting).

The company believes this technology can be translated for non-contact measurement of intraocular pressure, fetal heart monitoring, and for blood pressure monitoring using small mobile devices at different spots on the body.

Proxima Generation 2 Arterial Blood Analyser Gets EU Clearance

Gene Ostrovsky — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:12:59 +0000

Sphere Medical based in Cambridge, UK received the European CE Mark of approval for its Proxima Generation 2 disposable arterial blood analyser. The device is intended for continuous monitoring of glucose, blood gas & electrolytes in patients in the OR and ICU and a recent clinical study has shown that the Proxima Generation 2 provides an equivalent performance when compared to lab and point-of-care blood gas analysers of arterial blood.

Because measurements are made on a continuous basis and all the blood is immediately returned to the patient, the device lets clinicians keep a steady eye on patients without having to take regular readings and run samples to the lab.

Difficult IV Access? EZ Vein to the Rescue!

Gene Ostrovsky — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:42:30 +0000

According to The Oklahoman, the FDA approved the EZ Vein, a new device developed by an Oklahoma doctor for easing the placement of intravenous catheters in challenging patients. Much like with a blood pressure cuff, the device is inflated using a hand pump and vasculature within the window opening is more readily seen.

Dr. Robert Perry, a resident at Oklahoma University Medical Center, is the tinkerer that developed the device in his home workshop and managed to score one of the fastest FDA approvals ever: 17 days from submission.