Sphere Medical’s Proxima patient-dedicated blood gas analysis system can now be connected into the Conworx family of laboratory information system interfaces and data management solutions. This is a significant development since it ensures the seamless transfer of blood gas and electrolyte test results from Proxima directly into laboratory information systems and electronic patient records – a key requirement for the successful implementation of point of care (POC) testing. With the availability of the new software drivers, users will be able to directly import all diagnostics data from Proxima at the patient’s bedside into Conworx’s POCcelerator, UniPOC middleware data management products. In addition, the new interface will allow direct connectivity into CliniSys laboratory information management systems (LIMS) through the CliniSys PoCT Solutions interface. Both Conworx and CliniSys software solutions are widely used in hospitals internationally, ensuring that data transfer from this novel blood gas analyser can be easily implemented, and its use and performance also readily monitored remotely. Conworx’s middleware solutions provide connectivity, management and integration for more than 150 different POCT device types, as well as all relevant information and patient record systems. The Conworx customer base includes 1800 hospitals in 25 countries. Conworx compatibility allows customers to use one middleware solution for all of their POC connectivity needs and greatly simplifies the implementation of Proxima within the hospital. CliniSys software systems are used in over 2500 laboratories in 35 countries. Moreover, CliniSys products are utilized in 40percent of NHS Trusts in England and Scotland, with a further significant presence in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain. The CE-marked Proxima supports proactive patient care, particularly at critical times, since it enables rapid and frequent blood gas and electrolyte measurements without the clinician leaving the patient. This is possible as the Proxima sensor is a miniaturized version of a blood gas analyser that is integrated directly into the patient’s arterial line, meaning that all blood analysed is returned to the patient. Using a dedicated bedside monitor with touch screen interface, simple, clear routines guide the user through operating the Proxima system. Patient results are then displayed on this monitor, as well as seamlessly transferred for permanent record within information management systems.
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The new versatile and cost-effective Biograph Horizon PET/CT system provides clinicians with the capabilities required to serve a broad range of patients and expand into new service areas. It enables the use of all commercially available PET tracers, giving users the ability to address more indications in the specialist fields of oncology, neurology and cardiology. The Biograph Horizon utilizes 4mm LSO crystals to provide rapid scintillation with a high-light output, providing excellent image quality using the lowest achievable dose to aid clinicians with visualizing small lesions. This in turn ensures a timely diagnosis which contributes to effective care pathways, helping to reduce patient side effects related to ineffective therapies. The system also offers built-in capabilities that automate routine tasks to increase productivity and streamline workflows. The Quanti
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CE marked in September 2016, the Carestream OnSight 3D Extremity System is a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) designed to provide pristine 3D images of extremities at the point of care. It has an easy-open bore and patient access to allow weightbearing studies not possible with traditional CT. In addition, site and install requirements are low to enable a fast and convenient imaging process for timely diagnosis and commencement of treatment. Because of these characteristics it represents a perfect clinical solution for hospital and imaging centres but also for urgent and emergency care facilities. Furthermore, a signifi cant limitation of current CT technology is that current technique forces image acquisition with the subject in a supine relaxed position. The OnSight 3D Extremity System is designed to acquire low-dose weight-bearing 3D images with no compromise in terms of image quality. Preliminary clinical studies in particular on knee and foot and ankle are showing improvement in objective measures in case of instability which should lead to improved clinical and surgical patient care. Additional potential benefits include better quality images with a lower radiation dose than conventional computed tomography that could also lead to increase confidence in the diagnosis. Concerning siting and installation, the unit has a small footprint and it is mobile. It is less expensive than a traditional in-hospital or radiology centre CT scanner, and can be used with existing electrical systems.
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Quo-Test and Quo-Lab from EKF Diagnostics now come with POCT1-A2 connectivity, QC and user ID lockout as standard. It is now possible to record patient ID easily with a barcode scanner, or by using the new keyboard and complete patient records with new demographic information, such as family name and date of birth. The new connectivity upgrade also features QC lockout functions, with three different QC schemes designed to enforce regular testing of QC materials (after a period of time, after a number of tests or at a defined time). Users can now add additional commentary to test results, via the keyboard or by selecting from a pre-defined list. Quo-Test and Quo-Lab exploit the so-called fluorescent quenching properties of a patented reagent to measure HbA1C, matching the performance of existing laboratory-based methods. The total amount of hemoglobin is also quantified by absorption measurement. The combination of these two measurements produces an HbA1C percent result. The system is a fully automated homogenous assay i.e. there are no separation steps and all the critical steps that may influence or affect the quality of the result are controlled. All of this combines to deliver results in about three minutes from a blood sample of under 5 mL.
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The INCU II incubator/radiant warmer analyser enables biomedical technicians to easily test and verify the performance and safety of infant incubators, transport incubators, and radiant warmers. The INCU II is an all-in-one analyser that supports IEC standards to accurately assess the environmental parameters of infant incubators and radiant warmers. Weighing under 1.4 kg, the compact INCU II can simultaneously measure relative humidity, airflow, sound, and six independent temperature points. Its colour-coded probes make it easy to switch between the sensors for testing temperature in an incubator or the five pucks for verifying the environment of a radiant warmer. The large LCD screen of the INCU II displays real-time test results, along with pass/fail indicators. Once an incubator reaches a steady temperature, it takes just 15 minutes to conduct a sequence of tests, which can be customized and stored in the analyser. Test data can then be sent and monitored from a computer, using a USB cable or the INCU II wirelessly. In addition, the INCU II comes with a placement pad that helps technicians learn how to correctly place the temperature sensors and pucks. Along with complying with the latest global industry standards, including IEC 60601-2-19 (incubator), IEC 60601-2-20 (transport incubator), and IEC 60601-2-21 (radiant warmer), the INCU II supports China sound standards (Class II).
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