Medela Healthcare mobile suction devices – a safer alternative to wall vacuum – can help expand critical care capacity and support UK hospitals in the fight against COVID-19.
Used worldwide, the company’s portable medical suction machines are designed to provide crucial suction and fluid removal during respiratory treatment provided with ventilators.
Traditionally, hospitals ensure a patient’s airway is clear by utilising suction that relies on central wall piped vacuum. However, guidance published by the National Health Service advises hospitals against using piped vacuum to support infectious disease units to reduce the risk of virus spread and cross-contamination.
A previous study looking at contamination rates for wall-mounted suction units discovered contamination on over 30% of devices. Hence, portable medical suction machines are recommended for COVID-19 care. Medela offers a range of portable suction pumps which are available with a virus filter capable of reducing cross-contamination from COVID-19 with filtration efficiency of greater than 99.9%.
These compact devices offer flexibility to hospitals while reducing the risk of viral transmission. When used with disposable collection systems, portable suction machines reduce staff exposure to hazardous fluids, while devices equipped with virus filters further reduce risk of cross-contamination and viral exposure to staff.
Standard of care in the ICU requires each patient to be provided with a single suction device, which helps to decrease the risk of lung infections, prolonged hypoxia, and pooling of secretions in the lung.
For more information, visit: https://covid19. medelahealthcare.com/solutions
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Biotronik has introduced a new injectable cardiac monitor (ICM). The BIOMONITOR IIIm is equipped with a unique algorithm that significantly reduces false positive atrial fibrillation (AF) detections due to ectopic beats.
Physicians can lose time reviewing these nonactionable episodes. Research shows that 52% of false positive AF episodes occur due to premature ectopic beats, which can be falsely detected as AF.
According to Biotronik, the new device can achieve a 72% reduction in false positives while maintaining 100% of AF-related sensitivity. It removes single ectopic beats out of the AF detection algorithm, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. This will make physicians’ workload more efficient.
These new features are supported by image quality comparable to those recorded on a gold-standard 12-lead ECG.
BIOMONITOR IIIm is also the industry leader in battery longevity with 5.5 years of continuous service, providing long-term post-ablation or cryptogenic stroke monitoring. It is also backed by the Patient App, which allows patients to include vital symptom data, providing physicians with symptom-rhythm correlation which strengthens diagnostic precision.
For more information, visit: www.biotronik.com/en-de/products/arrhythmiamonitoring/ biomonitorIIIm
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Materials scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have invented a new type of surgical glue that can bond blood vessels and close wounds, even when their surfaces are wet.
Named CaproGlu, it is activated by a low dose of ultraviolet light that cures it in seconds, turning it from a liquid glue into a solid but flexible biorubber – a biocompatible material that can be resorbed by the tissue after a few weeks.
Unlike current bio-adhesives – which need two chemicals to be mixed prior to use – the CaproGlu is a one-pot liquid gel solution that comes ready-to-use.
In a study published in Biomaterials in July they showed in animal experiments that blood vessels can be rejoined with just four stitches and a mesh wrapper dipped in CaproGlu, compared to the usual eight stitches that are required for a reliable and unobstructed join. The authors estimate that this will reduce surgery time by 25 per cent, as surgeons spend less time and effort stitching up blood vessels and tissues.
They also showed that CaproGlu can also be used to deliver local anaesthetics or pain relief medication to tissues in the body, which may be useful both during and post operation.
The adhesion strength of CaproGlu was compared to other commercial bioadhesives on the market and was found to be three to seven times stronger, and is on a par with the shear strength of collagen and muscle tissue found in the human body.
CaproGlu combines two ingredients into a single-component formulation that does not require additives. The first is polycaprolactone – a biodegradable polymer which has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for specific applications used in the human body – and the second: diazirine, a light-sensitive molecule that can form strong bonds when activated.
The research team have filed for a provisional patent for the biorubber glue.
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The new computed tomography (CT) scanner, the Somatom Perspective, is particularly efficient in operation. This scanner is the first to offer eMode functionality. It determines the best correlation between dose, cost efficiency and image quality and adjusts the required scan parameters automatically. The system’s operation can thus be optimised for the individual scan, for example in terms of tube current or scan velocity. This option relieves wear and tear on the CT and increases its life span. Special service offerings and even the design of the scanner help keep down overall operating costs. Suited to cover all clinical fields, including cardiaovascular studies, this CT scanner allows clinics and practices to extend their range of available examinations even where budgets are tight. With this new scanner, Siemens further extends its portfolio for the middle price segment. The scanner will be available from the second quarter of 2012.
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CPI is expanding its CPI RAD VISION product offering, the series of fully integrated static & dynamic digital imaging solutions. Using radiographers as consultants, this imaging solution is uniquely designed to empower the healthcare provider through every step of the radiographic process. An affordable DR solution, it is ideal for any new radiographic system installations or as an upgrade for one of the company’s existing radiographic X-ray generators. It seamlessly integrates Acquisition Work- Station, digital flat panel detector technology and the company’s class-leading X-ray generator technology for enhanced system performance, workflow efficiency, image quality, patient comfort and connectivity. The company provides for CMP200/CMP200 DR and Indico 100 RF generator compatibility. Added features include image stitching, advanced printing, generator-guided APR and detector specific exposure index values.
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