The next generation CE-marked Proxima bedside blood gas analyser (BGA) incorporates a new design and an extended analyte panel. Parameters now added to the new system include glucose and calculated parameters, such as P/F ratio and temperature corrected gases. The ability to monitor blood gases and measure blood glucose frequently and easily, directly by the patient, can enable earlier interventions and closer patient management, which is vital in fast changing critical situations. As a patient-dedicated system, Proxima is always connected to the patient via their arterial line and ready to go instantly. Since results are also delivered without the caregiver leaving the patient’s bedside, this significantly reduces time to result compared to conventional benchtop analysers. Its novel design means the system can travel with the patient on their pathway through the hospital. This is possible since the Proxima sensor contains an array of proven biosensor technology on a silicon chip, each a miniaturized version of the electrochemical sensors used in a traditional blood gas analyser. In addition to the sensor, the next generation Proxima system includes a medical grade tablet monitor with an intuitive touchscreen user interface. All results are reported to the monitor and seamlessly transferred directly into laboratory information systems and electronic patient records. This is a key requirement for the successful implementation of point-of-care (POC) testing.
As an ex-vivo analyser operating as a closed system, blood is drawn directly from the patient and over the Proxima sensor. Following analysis, all blood is returned to the patient, meaning that there is no blood loss and risk of iatrogenic anemia is reduced. Furthermore, infection risk to staff and patients is minimized as the arterial line remains closed throughout sampling. The design of Proxima also reduces pre-analytical errors due to the delivery of a high integrity blood sample direct to the sensor for immediate analysis with no mixing or anti-coagulant required. The addition of glucose to the new Proxima’s analyte panel is significant as glucose measurements play a key part in the care of critically ill patients. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Keeping patients in normal glycemic range is difficult with current systems. The ability to regularly monitor arterial blood glucose using Proxima will support closer clinical management for improved glycemic control.
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Mega Electronics has launched an updated version of their ‘all-in-one’ ECG sensor lineup, the Faros ECG sensors. The update includes heavily reduced power consumption and a totally new Li-ion battery, with up to 7 days of ECG recording time without recharging and up to 30 days of ECG recording capacity. The Finland-based company has designed the sensors in a way which supports multiple applications: apart from being capable of recording Holter ECG, the sensors can also be used as cardiac event monitors or mobile cardiac telemetry devices with specific mobile phone apps. The newest feature is a completely new cardiac rehab solution, which is a real-time, wireless ECG group monitoring system for 1-16 patients with easy-to-read reporting.

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Dolphin FIS is a unique, patented technology that re-distributes pressure to prevent tissue damage by emulating the effects of a body ‘floating’ in a fluid medium. All Dolphin FIS surfaces provide an environment that promotes tissue perfusion and prevents injury related to compromised blood flow. Dolphin FIS has been proven clinically effective at speeding the healing of advanced stage or multiple pressure ulcers, flaps, skin grafts, burns and other wound conditions and is available for beds and seat cushions, providing protection for high risk patients throughout their hospital stay or at home.
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Based on the key requirements expressed by all its main customer groups in radiology, Siemens Healthineers has developed an entirely new platform for computed tomography. It responds to the needs of diverse users and in doing so improves their competitive position. The Somatom go. platform with the Somatom go.Now and Somatom go.Up scanners offers automated and standardized workflows and also gives radiology providers the option of using a highly costefficient single-room concept for the first time. Based on the Somatom go. platform the company offers two scanner variants: the 32-slice Somatom go.Now is particularly suited to radiology providers who want to establish a new CT department. Somatom go.Up is equipped with a wider detector providing up to 64 slices. Among other benefits, it offers faster scanning, which is especially important for lung imaging – e.g., to screen for cancer. This model is therefore suited to radiologists who want to expand an existing portfolio. The Somatom go. platform can be controlled via a tablet, which paves the way for an entirely new, mobile workflow. The standardized work steps are designed so that users can run the scan with just a few inputs. Automated postprocessing makes it even easier to operate the scanners. This means that even staff with a lower level of training can carry out the examinations, for instance in emergencies during a night shift . The standardization also gives radiologists additional assurance with regard to the diagnostic quality of the images. Since the scanners can be controlled via a tablet, radiographers can stay with patients while preparing the scan, which makes the examination experience more pleasant for patients, especially for children. The scanners can be controlled on the move while all computer hardware that was up to now located in the control room has been integrated into the gantry of the scanner. This way, the institutions can benefit from a flexible room concept, a feature that was simply not possible with previous systems. Instead of requiring two or three rooms for the scanner, the control unit, and possibly additional technology, Somatom go. scanners can – if desired – be installed in a single room with a minimum size requirement. With this setup, a shielded niche is enough to protect the radiology staff . This room concept drastically reduces the installation costs and thus makes the Somatom go. platform especially attractive for deployment in emerging markets. A brand new detector based on the already proven Stellar technology and spectral tin filters, which were previously only available on the company’s high-end scanners, allow users to perform lung imaging at extremely low radiation doses. When it comes to vascular imaging, High Power 80 – another feature from the premium segment – keeps tube voltages extremely low, which helps to reduce dose and minimize iodine contrast.
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Rigel has extended its range of test instrumentation for biomedical equipment with the introduction of a specialist ventilator tester. The Rigel VenTest 800 gas flow analyser is ideal for both benchtop and field service testing of all commonly available ventilators to verify that the ongoing accuracy and reliability of the equipment remains within the required performance standards. Precise sensor technology enables the VenTest 800 to accurately measure flow, pressure, temperature, and O2 concentrations bi-directionally and is compatible with 13 gas standards and 7 gas types. The three model range includes a standard VenTest 800 analyser for use with all standard ventilators, including adult, neonatal, pediatric and high frequency equipment, as well as anesthesia machines and spirometers. In addition, specially adapted models for the testing of vacuum measurements (VenTest 810) and low flow pressures (VenTest 820) are also available. The VenTest 800 incorporates a simple, intuitive user interface and graphics display for ease of operation during testing and calibration settings. As well as an internal memory, at the push of a button, all measured values can be transferred to PC records by USB, RS-232 and optional Ethernet interfaces. Once saved, optional software is available that provides a wide range of graphical analysis capabilities, including real time flow/pressure curves, functional zoom and certification documentation.
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