Emergency Medicine Archive

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Environmentally Friendly Syringe Minimizes Packaging to Save Resources


Cambridge Consultants, a product design and development firm, has created a new prefilled syringe that uses fewer resources to manufacture than many current models. Unsurprisingly, the green syringe was named Syreen, but its environmental credentials are only part of the features of the new device.

Instead of glass, Syreen syringes are made with COP (cyclic olefin polymer) plastic, which has enabled Cambridge Consultants to shed the need for secondary packaging altogether, a first in this medical device arena. The makeup of the Syreen allows syringes to clip together, nesting in a pack while the COP design doubles as the outer shell of the packaging itself. The Syreen therefore eliminates the need for wasteful fillers such as cardboard and styrofoam, reducing the packaging weight by 30 percent and volume by 50 percent from today's standard packaging.

To use Syreen, simply unclip the prefilled syringe and put it against the desired area on the skin. After delivery, with a simple snap, the user ejects the needle into the sharps bin and allowing the user to potentially recycle the plastic capsule. Patient and healthcare provider safety is also increased due to two further features of the design. Firstly, the COP plastic syringe features a curved surface over the needle that, while keeping the syringe from rolling and reducing needle-stick accidents, also ensures overall stability and depth control during injection. Secondly, the design insures that, with separated plunger and stopper, it is impossible to take in blood or other contaminants, reducing the risk of cross infection.

Press release: Novel syringe demonstrates cost benefits of sustainable product design...

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Thursday, March 4, 2010

MEDUMAT Easy CPR, an Emergency Ventilator with a Guiding Voice


German manufacturer Weinmann Geräte für Medizin GmbH + Co. KG, colloquially known as Weinmann, has created a portable voice-guided ventilator optimized for EMR and military personnel performing cardiopulmonary resuscitations in the field.

When you are carrying out life-saving measures, MEDUMAT Easy CPR operating in CPR mode supplies you with unmistakable spoken instructions and gives you the right timing of chest compressions with the help of its metronome. The ventilator also lets you manually generate a ventilated breath by activating MEDUtrigger on the mask. With the timing of the ventilated breath under your control, MEDUMAT Easy CPR can be integrated perfectly in the CPR process.

Top features of MEDUMAT Easy CPR:

  • voice prompts and metronome function for support of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

  • spoken instructions help with detection and resolution of problems

  • simple and safe selection of settings for controlled ventilation:
    -- rotary dial for setting of tidal volume and respiratory frequency
    -- switch for setting of ventilation pressure limits (20 mbar/45 mbar)

  • visual and acoustic alarms (LED, alarm signals and voice prompts)

  • illuminated ventilation pressure display is ideal for use in the dark

  • small and light and therefore suitable for use at scene of emergency
  • Product page: MEDUMAT Easy CPR...

    Press release: MEDUMAT Easy CPR, an emergency ventilator with voice response for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, gives First Responders ideal support...

    (hat tip: German Healthcare Export Group)

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    Monday, March 1, 2010

    S-CUT Slices Through Clothes, Belts, Zippers for Quick Access to Patient


    Ivor Kovic, our former editor and an ER doc in Croatia, has been very fond of a new clothes removal tool his ambulance service has been using in the last few months. Ivor says that the S-CUT is faster than any scissors and it can slice just about any normal clothing people wear on a daily basis.

    From the product page:

    S-CUT replaces scissors, knifes and similar tools. Ordinary fabrics as well as leather belts, zippers and heavy outerwear can be easily cut. All you need is a free edge of the clothes where you can start the cut.

    S-CUT is designed for optimal ergonomics and provides an excellent grip. Using scissors in heavy materials will most often require a lot of effort. The S-CUT is used with a pulling action requiring minimal effort.

    The circular cutting blade is recessed in order to protect the patient and user from injury. The cutting blade can be easily replaced without the need for any additional tools.

    Model S-CUT 06-601 also has a slitting function. This extra feature eliminates the need for a free edge
    to start the cut. Simply cut a slit into the material wherever you need it.

    Product page: S-CUT ...

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    Tuesday, February 16, 2010

    GE's Vscan, World's Smallest Portable Ultrasound, Now Available Worldwide


    GE Healthcare is finally releasing the much awaited Vscan pocket sized ultrasound. Many in the industry hope that this device offers a chance for physicians to make a move from stethoscopes to portable imaging devices, bringing advanced visualization to any examination room. The unit weighs one pound and is only 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide and 5.3 inches (13.5 cm) long, offering both standard black and white imaging, as well as colored blood flow doppler. GE is touting Vscan's size and capabilities for cardiologists to transthoracically view myocardium, pericardium, and heart valves, and for primary care physicians, as well as OB, ER, and others, to scan the liver, kidney, aorta and peripheral vessels, babies in the womb, and anything else the transducer can penetrate.

    Features from the product FAQ:

  • An online portal provides Vscan users with training tools for the product and basic clinical
    applications with sections about imaging technique, anatomy and trouble shooting

  • Intuitive user interface that can be controlled using the thumb

  • Intelligent workflow enhancements

  • Battery charger station and battery life of one hour scanning - good for up to 30 patients based on
    average of 2 minutes per scan

  • Voice annotation

  • USB docking station

  • Link to a PC for organization and export of data

  • Gateway software with services tools and remote diagnostics
  • Here's our video from a GE event introducing the Vscan:

    Press release: GE Healthcare Introduces Vscan™ Pocket-sized Visualization Tool for Point-of-care Imaging

    Product page: Vscan ...

    Flashbacks: A Closer Look at GE's Vscan Pocket Ultrasound ; More Details About The New GE Vscan Ultrasound System; GE's New Ultra Small Ultrasound May Become as Ubiquitous as Stethoscope

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    Friday, February 12, 2010

    In Emergency, S-SCORT S3 Delivers Scoop, Suction, Sump


    When emergency strikes and patient's airway fills up with a massive amount of gastric content, the regular Yankauer suction tip just can't handle the job. So to overcome the limitations, veteran firefighter and paramedic Jeff Rehman developed S-SCORT S3, a new oropharyngeal evacuation tool. Marketed by SSCOR, Inc., Sun Valley, CA firm, the device is described as a "rigid yet flexible large bore suction tip with a concave 'scooping' surface which allows for removal of solids and other material that will not travel through a large bore suction tube."


    To learn about the device check out the following video released by SSCOR:

    Product page: S3...

    Product brochure (.pdf)...

    (hat tip: The Denver Post)

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    Thursday, February 4, 2010

    Toshiba's Viamo Ultrasound Now Available in US


    Toshiba won FDA approval to market the Viamo portable ultrasound, a convertible touchscreen device that the company promises provides the same image quality as premium cart systems. The package comes with a wheeled pole that can carry the Viamo and additional transducers for easy exchange.

    From the product page:

    Sharing its core imaging engine and transducer technology with Aplio XG, Viamo offers high-end image quality also in situations where unlimited portability is required.

    Its full range of high-performance imaging functions lets you visualize minute tissue details and vascular structures with precision for a faster, more accurate diagnosis. Advanced imaging functions such as Pulse Subtraction THI come standard with Viamo.

    Viamo’s built-in touch screen allows for seamless workflow and an outstandingly comfortable and intuitive operation of the system. Viamo’s monitor can be rotated to enable free positioning of the screen. When fully turned and folded flat, Viamo can be operated in tablet mode solely via its touch screen. Individual key functions on Viamo’s console and touch screen are user programmable to suit your specific diagnostic requirements or personal preferences.

    A whole range of workflow automation functions is available on Viamo. One-touch QuickScan for instance helps you achieve better imaging results in less time by automatically optimizing your imaging parameters. And Viamo’s innovative SonoSet™ function alows you to carry out examinations conveniently by simply executing freely programmable protocols step by step.

    The battery-powered system is operational within just a few seconds when opened, making it instantaneously available also in critical situations.

    Press release: TOSHIBA RECEIVES FDA CLEARANCE FOR VIAMO ULTRASOUND SYSTEM...

    Product page: Viamo...

    Product brochure...

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    Monday, February 1, 2010

    UniTam for Intraosseous Administration of Tamiasyn


    Here's an interesting new idea for an intraosseous Tamiasyn™ gun from designer Aimee Franco. VitalMedix, a Hudson, Wisconsin pharmaceutical startup has a drug candidate called Tamiasyn™, described as "biopharmaceutical that may potentially save thousands of lives annually by sustaining cellular function and protecting cells during and after hemorrhagic shock," which was initially developed at the University of Minnesota by researchers looking into biochemical pathways that animals use to survive stress (such as in deep-diving whales) and hibernation. Even though much of Tamiasyn technology is under wraps, we know the drug is probably based on biologically active ketones, such as β-hydroxybutyrate, thought to provide an organism with an energy boost at the time of hypoxemic or hypovolemic stress.

    More at Yanko Design...

    (Limited) Tamiasyn info from VitalMedix...

    University of Minnesota: Discovery Could Save Thousands of Lives in Emergency Rooms and on Battlefield...

    Duluth News Tribune: UMD scientists design blood-loss drug...

    UPDATE: Over at FlightWeb forums, user "VMX", who claims to represent VitalMedix, offers more details about the drug...

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    Wednesday, January 20, 2010

    Thermahelm Motorcycle Helmet Cools Head Upon Impact


    A University of Edinburgh PhD student from the United Kingdom has created a motorcycle helmet that uses an endothermic chemical reaction to self-cool upon impact. The company, Termahelm, will soon offer the ability to either buy a helmet directly from them or retrofit your current helmet with the cooling technology.

    The website is misleading on the benefit of this technology in that it points to a multitude of studies investigating systemic hypothermia in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) where the entire patient is cooled for an extended period of time. That's not what the helmet is doing and even if it were, whether or not this actually helps seems to still be an open question (see review). Also, the premise of the idea rests upon two assumptions: one, that prophylactic local hypothermia (icin' the noggin') leads to better severe head trauma outcomes. And two, that applying this therapy immediately, even before an ambulance arrives, has a clinical benefit.

    That being said, it seems like a neat idea and leaves us with the obvious question: Can you activate it while riding on a hot summer day?

    Product page: Thermahelm...

    (hat tip: Gizmodo)

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    Tuesday, January 5, 2010

    ZOLL Emergency Defibrillator With CO Monitoring Gets FDA OK


    The FDA has granted ZOLL Medical regulatory clearance to market the firm's new E Series defib that features Masimo's carbon monoxide detection technology. The ability to diagnose CO poisoning by distinguishing oxyhemoglobin from carboxyhemoglobin, and detecting drop in oxyhemoglobin saturation, is particularly relevant for paramedics when responding to fires where victims and firefighters may have potentially become poisoned.

    Now with integrated Masimo® CO-Oximetry® carbon monoxide measurement, the E Series allows rescuers to easily and accurately diagnose CO poisoning with the simple push of a button. Recognition is the key to immediate on-scene treatment. With early detection, treatment for CO poisoning can begin immediately, which significantly reduces immediate and long-term health risks for both firefighters and the civilians whom they serve.

    ZOLL’s “Street Smart, Street Tough” E Series was designed by EMS professionals to meet the specific demands and extreme conditions that professional rescuers face every day. It features unique See-Thru CPR®, which filters out CPR artifact, allowing rescuers to see organized rhythms without interrupting chest compressions. Like all other ZOLL defibrillators, the E Series also provides Real CPR Help® which improves CPR quality by providing real-time feedback on the rate and depth of chest compressions. The E Series also offers wireless 12-lead transmission for improved STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) management.

    Press release: ZOLL RECEIVES FDA CLEARANCE TO MARKET E SERIES DEFIBRILLATORS WITH CARBON MONOXIDE MONITORING...

    Zoll E Series Defibrillators...

    Flashbacks: Easy Hemoglobin Monitoring Without Butterflies, Needles or Catheters ; Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximetry™; ZOLL R Series Defibrillator with WiFi Given US Green Light; ZOLL R Series Defibrillator for Hospitals

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    Monday, December 21, 2009

    Burnaid for Emergency Cooling of Burn Patients


    Designer Frankie Ngan proposes an innovative new burn cooling pad that could be applied just about anywhere on the body. The Burnaid device would use electrical energy and the Peltier cooling effect to bring the unit quickly down to a temperature around 15°C.

    Features of the design:

  • Temperature controlled cooling
  • Flexible – wrap around different areas of body
  • Autoclavable – for sterilization in high pressure steam at 134 degrees Celsius
  • Thin and lightweight – for greater flexibility and reduce the weight load on the wound
  • Re-usable – can be autoclaved and re-used
  • To comply with AS/ISO10993 and AS/NZS3200 standards

  • Materials used in this product are:

  • Aluminum Polyester Polythylene Foil – to act as insulators for Peltier cooler and artwork is able to be printed on the first layer

  • Polyamide film – a substrate with high thermal and electrical properties, used as a flexible printed circuit board which holds the Peltier cooler, Thingery MEC battery and circuitry

  • Polyethylene Shape retaining plastic – the ability to hold its shape after being flexed, to hold the device after being applied on the wound

  • Random Copolymer Polyproplene – film used in the water gel pack

  • Water Gel – to provide the patient with the cooling effect of water and soft cushioning

  • Xeroform Wound dressing – a non-aherant wound dressing to provide wound protection from physical damage and bacteria.
  • More from Yanko Design...

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    Thursday, December 10, 2009

    BreathQuant Moves Closer to CT-Free Diagnosis of PE

    kline.jpg
    Dr. Jeffrey Kline, research director at Carolinas, has long been known in Emergency Medicine circles for his groundbreaking research in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Throughout this decade, however, he's also been advancing his medical device company, BreathQuant Medical Systems (and, judging by the picture, he's also been hitting the gym).

    There's a new profile of Dr. Kline and his company in the Charlotte Business Journal. The reporter is a little off on her facts (there are plenty of devices that measure CO2 and O2 simultaneously, we've covered some) but, nonetheless, she does well to detail the progress of the company:

    The device, known as BreathScreen PE, is the first to measure levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen simultaneously. Kline says such measurement will enable doctors to better diagnose a pulmonary embolism, which develops when a blood clot blocks an artery leading to the lungs...

    He co-founded device-development business BreathQuant Medical Systems in 2001 with the goal turning the BreathScreen into a viable product.

    "I just thought it was the longest of long shots," Kline says.

    He now hopes to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the BreathScreen within a year and to start selling the device to emergency departments within two years....

    Initial results show the BreathScreen can reduce the need for CT scans by about 10%, Kline says. The device detects blood clots by measuring a decrease in carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels in exhaled breath, he adds.

    He estimates the medical device -- a little larger than a handheld video camera -- will cost between $5,000 and $10,000. It will contain a reusable insert costing roughly $25.

    More on the physiology behind the BreathScreen device, from Dr. Kline's Carolinas faculty page:

    I have investigated the role of using the alveolar deadspace (estimated using capnometry and arterial PaCO2) plus a whole-blood D-dimer to screen for PE. At Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), we use a combination of a decision rule that I derived and the deadspace/D-dimer in what we term the "PE rule out" procedure. We use this procedure approximately three times each day in the ED as part of real practice. To advance my ideas, together with my business partner, Mr. Michael Sinsheimer, I co-founded BreathQuant Medical Systems, a company dedicated to noninvasive diagnosis (see www.breathquant.com). Our company has patented and tested a breath-based device and signal processing algorithm that uses expired CO2 and O2 to estimate alveolar deadspace from PE (US patent issued).

    We should note that even a 10% of reduction in CT scans would save a lot of time in the ED and a lot of radiation for the patient. We'll be following this device's progress with great interest.

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    Wednesday, November 25, 2009

    Hemostatic "Shaving Cream" Wins Award

    Remedium Technologies won first prize in the Most Promising Security Idea category of the Global Security Challenge 2009 for their shaving cream-like foam that can stop bleeding. The foam incorporates chitosan, a natural low-cost hemostatic substance derived from shellfish. It is designed to be sprayed into wounds where it expands and adheres to tissues in order to slow or stop bleeding. The company is also working on a novel chitosan-based wound dressing which uses "nano-hooks" in order to better adhere to bleeding tissues.

    Press release: Remedium Technologies Wins Most Promising Security Idea at Global Security Challenge 2009 with Blood-Clotting Foam

    Chitosan flashbacks: HemCon Receives U.S. Army Award, Preventing Slimy Biofilms, Synthetic/Natural Hybrid Material to Help With Nerve Repair

    (Image: Dramatization, not actual product)

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    Thursday, November 19, 2009

    My Lab One Portable Ultrasound from Esaote Makes Debut

    At the ongoing Medica 2009 in Düsseldorf, Esaote out of Genoa, Italy is releasing a new portable ultrasound system that features a 12 inch touch screen for manipulating settings without having to use buttons. The My Lab One can be worn on a shoulder strap and is designed for mobile applications such as ambulatory anesthesia, EMT, military and sports medicine.

    From the press release:

    The automatic rotation of the image according to the position of the system, an ergonomic probe equipped with controls, a long life battery, all add up to making this ultrasound an extraordinary innovation in the medical system arena.

    MyLab One is a “dedicated” ultrasound, which reflects perfectly today’s need for diagnostic capabilities in many different fields of application: from Radiology to Cardiology, from to Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia, Sports Medicine, etc… or in first-aid, emergency, vascular screening as well as in general practices.

    Press release: Esaote presents “My Lab One” Innovative “wearable” ultrasound scanner ARM HELD

    Product page: Esaote ultrasound...

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    Wednesday, October 21, 2009

    Covidien Announces Global Launch of Mallinckrodt TaperGuard Line of ETTubes


    Anesthesiologists, EMTs and other intubators, rejoice! Covidien has just announced the world wide release of a new line of endotracheal tubes called Mallinckrodt™ TaperGuard™. Designed to "substantially" reduce the risk of microaspirations thanks to its taper-shaped cuff, the tubes come in two models: TaperGuard™ and TaperGuard™ Evac (shown in the picture).

    More details in the press release...

    Product page: TaperGuard...

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    GE's New Ultra Small Ultrasound May Become as Ubiquitous as Stethoscope


    Yesterday at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, GE showed off their new handheld ultrasound device. The Vscan looks like a cross between an iPod and a cell phone, making it possibly the world's smallest ultrasound. Later today we'll be attending GE's healthymagination technology showcase in New York where further details and specs will hopefully become available.

    For critical care clinicians, Vscan can offer an immediate look beyond patient vital signs with the potential to identify critical issues, like fluid around the heart, which could be a sign of congestive heart failure. And for cardiologists, Vscan provides a dependable visual evaluation of how well the heart is pumping at a glance, so they can treat patients more efficiently.

    More from GE...

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    Monday, October 5, 2009

    Tiny Portable Ultrasound from SonoSite Gets US OK

    sonomax.jpg
    SonoSite (Bothell, Washington) just announced that the company received FDA approval to market the firm's tiny NanoMaxx ultrasound system throughout the United States. Weighing in at only 6 pounds (2.7 kilo) and with a battery life of 2 operational hours, the system is truly portable for busy clinics, ambulances, emergency rooms, and elsewhere that ultrasound is needed.

    sono34343.jpg

    The new ultra portable and one button design of the NanoMaxx system makes high quality ultrasound available to a much broader range of clinicians. The system incorporates SonoSite’s advanced proprietary imaging algorithms, including SonoMB™ and SonoAdapt™ to deliver superior image quality in a lightweight, rugged form factor.

    With a touch screen that responds easily to the tap of a finger, and one button optimization, clinicians can readily acquire high resolution images to increase clinical productivity at the point-of-care. A system boot-up time of less than 20 seconds and long battery life further enhance workflow when using the NanoMaxx system.

    At introduction, the NanoMaxx tool is available with a complement of five transducers to support a wide range of examinations and procedures including thoracic assessment for pathology, vascular access, needle aspirations and injections, as well as abdominal, cardiac, nerve, OB/Gyn, musculoskeletal, small parts and vascular scanning.

    For convenience and flexibility, the system can be wall mounted, placed on an exam table with kickstand attached, or used from a highly maneuverable stand. Physicians can easily carry the NanoMaxx tool from room-to-room, to a satellite office, to the operating room or to a field site for immediate use.

    The NanoMaxx system’s highly integrated architecture and ruggedized design, including the industry’s first elastomeric bumper for extra durability, plus magnesium outer shell, allows it to be used in the most demanding and austere environments. Proving its reliability, the NanoMaxx system and its transducers successfully passed SonoSite’s standard three foot durability drop test.

    In addition, to further reduce the risk of infection, the NanoMaxx system’s fluid-resistant user interface makes the system easy to clean and disinfect, helping to address the growing concern over infection control in the medical community.

    Press release: SonoSite Announces FDA Clearance for Its New Nanomaxx Ultrasound Tool

    Product page: NanoMaxx

    Flashback: NanoMaxx Tiny 6 Lb. Ultrasound System Unveiled

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    Thursday, August 6, 2009

    NUVADERM Liquid Bandage For Scratches, Burns, Bruises Gets 510(k)

    Watch out Dermabond! The FDA has given approval to Chesson Labs out of Durham, NC for company's NUVADERM™ liquid bandage. The product, approved for marketing to healthcare professionals and directly to consumers, is either sprayed or brushed on to "to cover intact skin and minor cuts, scrapes, burns or irritations of the skin, to help keep them clean and dry and help protect them from infection." The non-toxic material keeps moisture and dirt from penetrating the applied film layer while allowing oxygen to reach the wound site.

    Some technical details of the NUVADERM:

    NUVADERM is a single component, poly(urea-urethane) liquid emulsion polymer that is composed of large, highly complex molecules that incorporate a broad range and distribution of hard and soft segments. The different segments are tied together with urea and urethane linkages that are formed during synthesis. NUVADERM is applied topically to form a non-toxic, hydrophobic, elastomeric coating that provides a barrier against moisture but that is permeable to oxygen. NUVADERM requires no initiator or catalyst and therefore no mixing steps. It remains liquid until released into the air and therefore is applied by spraying or with an applicator brush.

    Press release: Chesson Labs Liquid Bandage Product NUVADERM® Receives FDA510(k) Market Clearance (.pdf)...

    Product page: NUVADERM...

    Technical Data Sheet (.pdf)...; Anti-Microbial Data (.PDF)...

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    Tuesday, July 21, 2009

    MicroEye Real Time Blood Monitoring System

    The Engineer Online reports on Probe Scientific, a firm out of Bedford, UK, that has developed a continuous blood composition monitoring device that doesn't draw blood from the patient. The MicroEye system connects via most venous catheters and is already approved in Europe.

    From the product page:

    The MicroEye is intended for intravenous use for periods of up to 48 hours and is inserted via an 18G blood catheter. The range of substances that can be monitored using the MicroEye is vast including:

  • Electrolytes (such as potassium, magnesium etc.)

  • Energy metabolites (e.g. glucose, lactate, pyruvate, etc.)

  • Amino acids (glutamate, GABA, etc.)

  • Hormones and neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, serotonin (5-HT) etc.)

  • Inflammatory mediators and growth factors (e.g. cytokines, etc.)

  • Drugs and their metabolites (unbound 'free' fraction and / or total)
  • Product page: MicroEye...

    (hat tip: The Engineer Online)

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    Friday, July 17, 2009

    VasoNova Gets to The Heart of The Matter

    Placement of a peripherally inserted central line so its tip is located at the lower third of the superior vena cava, just prior to the right atrium, is always a guessing game. Nowadays, the only way to confirm position of the line is to do an X-ray of the chest. VasoNova out of Sunnyvale, California wants to change the rules of the game. The company is introducing a device that uses Doppler ultrasound to monitor direction of blood flow and ECG to help position the catheter at the optimal location.

    The VasoNova VPS consists of several components: the VPS Stylet, the VPS Power Injectable PICC catheter and the VPS Console.

    The VPS Stylet contains two sensors at its tip: a Doppler Ultrasound sensor and an intravascular ECG lead. Due to the ingenuity of our R&D group, VasoNova was able to miniaturize the two sensors and construct a highly technical and flexible stylet that can fit into the lumen of the VPS Power Injectable PICC line with comparable dimensions to other market available PICC lines12. Once the VPS stylet is loaded into the VPS catheter and connected to the VPS console per the Instruction for Use, the VPS Stylet is able to detect the patient's physiological data, such as blood flow characteristics and ECG waveform. 4234sds2.jpgFrom the point of insertion, patient data are sent to the VPS console for analysis. Using the highly advanced hardware and complex algorithm, the VPS console analyzes multiple vectors derived from these data and determines the location of the catheter tip while it is advanced through the patient's vasculature. Using the data gathered by the sensors and analysis done by the console, the VasoNova VPS console displays visual indicators. These indicators guide the clinician in real-time as the catheter is advanced through the vasculature:

    The green arrow indicates the catheter tip is moving with the blood flow towards the heart, as appropriate.

    The orange "do-not-enter" sign indicates the catheter is moving against blood flow, such as into the internal jugular vein and away from the heart, or has passed the lower third of the SVC and going into the right atrium.

    The yellow triangle indicates there is not enough information available, which may occur if the catheter tip is against the vessel wall.

    The blue bull's eye indicates the tip has arrived in the lower 1/3 of the SVC or at the caval-atrial junction.

    Product page: VasoNova VPS...

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    More from Emergency Medicine:

    » Pressure Alert for ETTubes (July 16, 2009)

    » NanoMaxx Tiny 6 Lb. Ultrasound System Unveiled (July 7, 2009)

    » LUCAS 2 Automatic Chest Compressor Gets US Green Light (June 29, 2009)

    » Improve Your Ultrasound Skills With New SonoSite iPhone App (June 24, 2009)

    » Voice Activated SonoSite Ultrasound System Keeps Hands Free to Perform Procedures (June 19, 2009)

    » Spiderman Your Way Down During Hospital Fires (June 15, 2009)

    » aScope, a Single Use Intubating Scope from Ambu (June 10, 2009)

    » Homeland Security's Medical Tricorder for Triage, Not Diagnosis (May 27, 2009)

    » AV300 Portable System Helps Find Hidden Veins (May 21, 2009)

    » The Signos, Self Contained Handheld Ultrasound Gains FDA Approval (May 20, 2009)

    » BrainLab's Digital Lightbox Getting an Upgrade (May 13, 2009)

    » LifeBelt CPR Device Wins in Design Contest (May 5, 2009)

    » Mobile Clinical Imaging On a Smart Phone (April 20, 2009)

    » Philips HeartStart MRx ALS Defib Gets Fresh Updates (April 14, 2009)

    » LiquiBand Optima Takes MDEA Award (April 9, 2009)

    » US Paramedics Get New Monitoring Gadget (March 30, 2009)

    » Easy Hemoglobin Monitoring Without Butterflies, Needles or Catheters (March 25, 2009)

    » Spinal Haptic Training Simulator Developed (March 20, 2009)

    » New Biograph TruePoint 16-slice PET-CT from Siemens (March 11, 2009)

    » ECG System in a Glove (March 5, 2009)

    » Revolution Medical's Retractable Safety Syringe Gets FDA OK (February 23, 2009)

    » Touch Based Ultrasound System Gets European OK (February 10, 2009)

    » 3-D Ultrasound to Help Diagnose Stroke Type (February 9, 2009)

    » Wireless Ambulance Data System Hopes to Cut Precious Seconds from Critical Response Time (February 3, 2009)

    » WAND Vascular Introducer Gets FDA OK (December 10, 2008)

    » Zonare Shows Off Proprietary Ultrasound Technology (December 3, 2008)

    » MonsterMedic Stretcher (December 2, 2008)

    » Somatom Definition Flash: All Around Dual Nature CT (November 24, 2008)

    » Yeescope: Single Patient Use One-piece Laryngoscope (November 21, 2008)

    » New Scanning Methods Detect Brain Trauma (November 21, 2008)

    » Monitoring Muscle Tissue for Signs of Circulatory Shock (November 21, 2008)

    » iCEPhone for the Paramedic Inside of You (November 20, 2008)

    » Software Corrects Astronauts' Inner Ear Mistakes (November 14, 2008)

    » How Math May Solve Septicemia (November 12, 2008)

    » Continuous Noninvasive Blood Pressure Monitoring with CNAP Monitor 500 (November 11, 2008)

    » Neonatal Resuscitation and Ventilation Going Ultra Mobile (November 10, 2008)

    » Project to Develop Wearable Battlefield "Hospital" (November 3, 2008)

    » Infrascanner, an Intracranial Hematoma Detector, Goes on Sale in Europe (October 21, 2008)

    » MedEx 1000: ICU in a Suitcase! (October 14, 2008)

    » LIFEPACK 20e, Now With a Bigger Battery (October 8, 2008)

    » Ultrasound Wound Dressings in Development (Again) (October 2, 2008)

    » IVs That Kill...The Bugs (September 30, 2008)

    » A CRIC In The Neck! (September 30, 2008)

    » The Fastest Way To a Man's Heart is Through FAST1 Intraosseous Infusion System (September 29, 2008)

    » Sagent Pharmaceutical's Sequential Syringes (September 29, 2008)

    » CombiCarrier Emergency Backboard/Stretcher Goes On Sale (August 25, 2008)

    » Digital Lightbox Brings Minority Report to The OR (No Precognition Capabilities) (August 19, 2008)

    » LIFEPAK 1000 AED Goes to Space (August 13, 2008)

    » Hamilton Introduces a Happier Looking C2 Ventilator (August 7, 2008)

    » CX50 Portable Ultrasound from Philips Goes On Sale (August 5, 2008)

    » HAMILTON-G5 Ventilator Is a Finalist in 2008 IDEA Awards (July 22, 2008)

    » CombiCarrier II Wins Silver for Good Design (July 18, 2008)

    » In the Works: Tablets With Innovative Handwriting Recognition for EMS (July 16, 2008)

    » Human Powered Ambulance for Third World Villages (July 11, 2008)

    » Noninvasive Continuous Glucometer for the Battlefield (June 24, 2008)

    » CPR pad Assures Correct Compressions (June 20, 2008)

    » DARPA Wants Silly Putty for Serious Situations (June 18, 2008)

    » Full Service Emergency Contact (June 17, 2008)

    » Draeger Carina Ventilator Gets FDA Approval (June 11, 2008)

    » The Third Install in the US of Aquilion ONE CT from Toshiba (May 21, 2008)

    » Demand Is High for Brilliance iCT, a 256-Slice CT from Philips (May 19, 2008)

    » No Spillage VantageCath Gets FDA Approval (May 9, 2008)

    » Study: Kids Love Zingo No Needles Local Anesthesia (May 6, 2008)

    » World's First Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter (April 10, 2008)

    » Philips HD7 (April 9, 2008)

    » DRE Medical Introduces World's Smallest ECG System (April 7, 2008)

    » Portable Vents from Versamed, Now Part of GE Healthcare (March 28, 2008)

    » Pulse!! BreakAway's Educational Game (March 11, 2008)

    » Fabric-based Electrodes for a More Comfortable ECG Experience (February 27, 2008)

    » ShakerScope for Jungle Laryngoscopy (February 19, 2008)

    » DRE Envoy PDM (Patient Data Management) Wireless Monitor System (February 14, 2008)

    » Scientists Developing Robotic Rats for Rescue Missions (February 13, 2008)

    » Impact Guardian: Smart Helment Calls 911 (February 12, 2008)

    » Board Game: Fright Night At The ER (February 6, 2008)

    » Nanovector Trojan Horses (NTH): Drug That May Prevent Radiation Injury (January 29, 2008)

    » z.one ultra System (January 25, 2008)

    » Right This Way, Mr. Johnson, You're Having a Heart Attack (January 7, 2008)

    » VeinViewer Off to Europe (December 13, 2007)

    » Somatom Definition AS: The World's First Adaptive Computed Tomograph (December 6, 2007)

    » New Manual for Emergency Ultrasound (December 3, 2007)

    » Point-of-Care Device for Pathogen Detection (November 29, 2007)

    » Acuson P50 Portable Ultrasound System from Siemens (November 28, 2007)

    » Xario XG Ultrasound from Toshiba (November 27, 2007)

    » Reflectance Pulse Oximetry from SPO Medical (November 19, 2007)

    » Surety™ Needle (November 16, 2007)

    » CardiAid Defibrillator (November 14, 2007)

    » EMS and Meth Labs (November 14, 2007)

    » Agento™ Endotracheal Tube Promises to Prevent ICU Pneumonias (November 9, 2007)

    » CPRGlove™ Making Inroads (November 5, 2007)

    » A Wireless ECG Patch (October 31, 2007)

    » Magnetom Essenza Aims for the Lowe$t Common Denominator (October 24, 2007)

    » The RadLyn Stylet (October 17, 2007)

    » USCOM Non-Invasive Cardiac Output Monitor (October 17, 2007)

    » The Tongue Sucker (October 8, 2007)

    » LUCAS™ Chest Compression System Offers a New CPR Experience (October 8, 2007)

    » M-Turbo™: New Portable Ultrasound from SonoSite (October 2, 2007)

    » NetGuard™: Continuous Wireless EKG from Datascope (October 1, 2007)

    » On the Pitch CT Scanners (September 19, 2007)

    » ThermoSuit, a Hypothermia Water Immersion System, Approved in the EU (September 19, 2007)

    » Position Sensors to Minimize Spinal Cord Injuries (September 17, 2007)

    » Ultrasound That Seals Punctured Lungs (September 14, 2007)

    » New CPR Technique Advocated: An Abdominal Approach (September 7, 2007)

    » HeartStart MRx Monitor/Defibrillator Transmits Wireless Data (September 7, 2007)

    » Siemens Introduces the World's Smallest Ultrasound Device (September 4, 2007)

    » The Caterpillar Stretcher Design (August 24, 2007)

    » Signa HDe 1.5T MR Diagnostic Imaging System (August 22, 2007)

    » Respira!: DIY Spacers for Asthma Attacks (August 22, 2007)

    » Seat Belt as Automatic Heimlich Machine (August 20, 2007)

    » Epilert, a Personal Seizure Alarm (August 17, 2007)

    » Vinegar for Jellyfish Stings (August 17, 2007)

    » LuboCollar Promises an Open Airway (July 26, 2007)

    » Noninvasive Pneumothorax Detector (July 10, 2007)

    » ACUSON P10: An Ultrasound System That Fits in a Pocket (June 25, 2007)

    » 3-D Ultrasound Provides Window on the Brain (June 21, 2007)

    » Arm Your Local Medical Militia with Double Action Dragon Drug Guns (June 14, 2007)

    » The BEAR: Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot™ (June 8, 2007)

    » The endogo® Portable Endoscopic Camera (June 8, 2007)

    » The Mobile Internet: Your Car Could Save a Life (May 29, 2007)

    » Electronic CPR Glove Coming to An Emergency Near You (May 23, 2007)

    » Adrenalina Auto Injector (May 18, 2007)

    » HALO Ambulance Head Gear (May 18, 2007)

    » Plastic Hemoglobin May Help Save Trauma Victims, Soldiers (May 14, 2007)

    » Fold & Go Emergency Cast (April 27, 2007)

    » PRIME™ ECG: Sir, Your Heart is on Fire! (April 25, 2007)

    » Quick, Cheap & Easy Bedside Diagnosis of Brain Injury (April 16, 2007)

    » Another Entry into the Oxygen Bandage Market: Oxyzyme (April 2, 2007)

    » A Japenesse Rescue Robot (April 2, 2007)

    » Tank-like Rescue Vehicles that Cut Through Concrete: Australian for Ambulance (March 23, 2007)

    » Einstein Helps You Pre-Register for the ER (March 23, 2007)

    » CDC Gets On Board with OnStar (March 22, 2007)

    » Do You Know Where Your AED Is At? (March 14, 2007)

    » Tru-MR™ MR Conditional Laryngoscopes (March 13, 2007)

    » BabySim for Infant Emergencies (March 12, 2007)

    » Aw, Crikey: Another Way Into Your Neck (March 5, 2007)

    » The Newest Frontier in Medicine: the Waiting Room Doc (February 20, 2007)

    » Social Networks for Disaster Relief (February 16, 2007)

    » CPR Glove A Potential Lifesaver (February 14, 2007)

    » The TraumaTransfer™ (January 16, 2007)

    » ThermoTube for the Navy (December 18, 2006)

    » Nanobandages Speed Up Healing (December 14, 2006)

    » "Generation NeXt" Ultrasounds (December 11, 2006)

    » HydrAlert Device (December 11, 2006)

    » Clear and Disposable: A New Laryngoscope from Pentax (December 4, 2006)

    » New 'Quiet' Stethoscope Could Save Lives (December 1, 2006)

    » Digital Medical History Business Card Excites Injury-Prone Geeks (November 27, 2006)

    » Vivid e (November 14, 2006)

    » ZOLL R Series Defibrillator for Hospitals (November 13, 2006)

    » Coming to an ER Near You: Naptime (November 8, 2006)

    » EN-TACT™: Emergency Noninvasive Tissue and Compartment Testing (October 26, 2006)

    » Double-Lumen Thal-Quick Chest Tube (October 24, 2006)

    » Emergencies and Cell Phones: Together At Last (October 24, 2006)

    » Sonix CEP System for ER (October 20, 2006)

    » McGrath® Series 5 Portable Video Laryngoscope (October 17, 2006)

    » DentaSafe™ Strip (October 13, 2006)

    » OxyView™ (October 11, 2006)

    » GlideScope® Ranger (October 11, 2006)

    » Stopping Bleeding in Seconds (October 11, 2006)

    » MPH® Hemostatic Technology (October 3, 2006)

    » Medwave's Fusion™ and Primo® (September 22, 2006)

    » System for Wearable Audio Navigation (SWAN) (August 17, 2006)

    » Remote Treatment of Emergency Victims (August 3, 2006)

    » Ultrasonic Tourniquet (with HI-FU Grip) (July 27, 2006)

    » Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation, aka Autonomous Acoustic Hemostasis (July 19, 2006)

    » Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation (June 29, 2006)

    » Synera™: A Bridge to Cannulation (June 21, 2006)

    » Discovery VCT Installed (June 13, 2006)

    » The Battle Against Bleeding (June 9, 2006)

    » Handheld Lasers in the Emergency Department (June 8, 2006)

    » CHIP: Antidote for Disasters (June 5, 2006)

    » LifeStat: Cricothyroidotomy On a KeyChain (June 1, 2006)

    » The Ppups: Plug and Play Ultrasound Probe System (May 25, 2006)

    » SMART Approach to ER Waiting Rooms (May 18, 2006)

    » Giant Medgadget: Mercedes Bus-Based Ambulance (May 18, 2006)

    » VeinViewer Shipped! (May 1, 2006)

    » The CereTom™ Mobile CT Scanner (April 28, 2006)

    » Hand-Held Lab-on-a-Chip to Simplify Blood Tests (April 13, 2006)

    » The Medfusion™ 3500 Syringe Pump (April 10, 2006)

    » The Fidelity 100 ECG System (March 30, 2006)

    » The EZ-IO® Product System Gets Energized (March 28, 2006)

    » AUDICOR Correlated Audioelectric Cardiography (March 17, 2006)

    » The Heli-Basket (March 3, 2006)

    » Boussignac CPAP: No Moving Parts! (February 3, 2006)

    » New for PDA: Emergency Medicine Manual (February 2, 2006)

    » The BioGlue® (January 25, 2006)

    » A Breath of Relief for Miners (January 24, 2006)

    » Handheld "Vein Finder" for Faster, More Accurate IVs (January 18, 2006)

    » When the First Responder Isn't Human (January 12, 2006)

    » The I-Garment (December 5, 2005)

    » Q-CPR™ Measurement and Feedback Talking Tool (December 2, 2005)

    » ResQPOD Circulatory Enhancer® (December 2, 2005)

    » The Terason t3000™ Ultrasound System (December 1, 2005)

    » Ambulances Venture Into New Hot Spots (December 1, 2005)

    » New CPR Guidelines Revealed (November 30, 2005)

    » The SonoSite® MicroMaxx™ (November 29, 2005)

    » The DynaTherm Technology (November 21, 2005)

    » The Slurry Fury (November 15, 2005)

    » OMG, SMS PRXMTY ALRTS (November 10, 2005)

    » Ultrasound for Peasants, Astronauts (November 3, 2005)

    » Metabonomic Analysis Shows Feasibility in Meningitis Diagnosis (October 27, 2005)

    » Described: A New Technique for Obtaining Large-bore IV (October 25, 2005)

    » Mexico City's UNAM University Opened The World's Largest Robotic Training Center (September 27, 2005)

    » CPR-bot: And The Beat Goes On (September 8, 2005)

    » New Twinject Epinephrine Pen (August 31, 2005)

    » WJB Industries Wound Closure Devices (August 29, 2005)

    » CPOD: A Personal "Black Box" (August 10, 2005)

    » Bone Injection Gun™ (August 5, 2005)

    » The Emergency Bandage (July 22, 2005)

    » The Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet (July 18, 2005)

    » LMA CTrach™ (June 24, 2005)

    » Statscan Critical Imaging System (June 13, 2005)

    » Glucon: Blood Sugar Magic (June 2, 2005)

    » HemCon® Receives U.S. Army Award (June 1, 2005)

    » Vein Entry Indicator Device (VEID™) (May 23, 2005)

    » Babysim (May 20, 2005)

    » Sonic Flashlight™: Real Time Tomographic Reflection System (May 19, 2005)

    » Inspector Raman™ (April 22, 2005)

    » The SonoSite® MicroMaxx™ (April 20, 2005)

    » The EKG, Untangled (April 12, 2005)

    » Insorb Resorbable Subcuticular Skin Stapler (April 12, 2005)

    » ClozeX Wound Closure Device (April 12, 2005)

    » Floating Medgadget (April 6, 2005)

    » Army Develops Improved Tourniquet (March 24, 2005)

    » Medi Pack by Karl Storz (March 23, 2005)

    » Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) for PDA's (March 21, 2005)

    » Medevacs On The Move (March 21, 2005)

    » PARI TREK ™ Compact Compressor (March 7, 2005)

    » ETView ETT (March 7, 2005)

    » DIY Ring Cutting (March 3, 2005)

    » UrgentQR stops bleeding quickly (March 2, 2005)

    » Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximetry™ (March 1, 2005)

    » Handcranked fetal heart rate monitor, etc? (March 1, 2005)

    » Nomad ™ hand-held X-ray (February 24, 2005)

    » On Cutting-Edge Trauma Surgery (February 14, 2005)

    » Powerheart external defibrillators (February 14, 2005)

    » The Phraselator (February 7, 2005)

    » Segway EMT (February 7, 2005)

    » SAM Pelvic Sling (February 4, 2005)

    » The quality of a CPR device (February 4, 2005)

    » OxyALERT (February 2, 2005)

    » Dermabond (February 2, 2005)

    » Combat Casualty Care fabrics (February 1, 2005)

    » Anthrax 'Smoke Detector' (January 10, 2005)

    » AutoPulse Resuscitation System (January 4, 2005)

    » Wanted: A Few Good... Programmers (December 27, 2004)

    » Deployable Polarized Light (December 23, 2004)

    » i-Stat (December 21, 2004)

    » VisualDx (December 16, 2004)

    » Titan (December 9, 2004)