Vittamed out of Carlisle, MA received European CE Mark approval for its non-invasive intracranial pressure meter and non-invasive cerebrovascular autoregulation monitor. The Vittamed 205 intracranial pressure monitor works by applying pressure to the tissue surrounding the eye using a special pressure cuff. A Doppler ultrasound transducer placed over the eye measures blood flow through the intracranial and extracranial parts of the ophthalmic artery. The blood flow through the extracranial segment changes as the pressure is applied to the eye, while the intracranial segment responds to the intracranial pressure. Applying pressure to the eye until the blood flow matches in the two segments of the ophthalmic artery results in equal pressure in both parts and a readout is produced by the system. This technique does not require calibration for each patient and the company claims there’s little to no discomfort during the procedure.
The Vittamed 505 is a non-invasive monitor of cerebrovascular autoregulation, the method by which the arteries in the brain narrow and widen in response to breathing and blood pressure. The device works by sending ultrasound beams through the head and detecting how the signal is attenuated as it exits on the opposite end. It offers continuous monitoring of the brain and can be performed as needed, since this is a non-invasive procedure. The company touts that in a study of 13 patients the device has provided “no statistically significant difference” compared to data gathered from invasive ICP and arterial probes.
Product pages: Non-invasive ICP meter…; Non-invasive cerebrovascular autoregulation monitor…