In short
Following what seems like a stream of success stories and media coverage for its CardioQ Oesophageal Doppler Monitoring (ODM) technology, medical device company Deltex Medical Group has received another boost, this time from the UK Department of Health as reported here on UK’s Proactive Investor site. The company has announced that the government body’s Innovative Technology Adoption Procurement Programme (ITAPP) has selected intra-operative fluid monitoring as one of three technologies for wider adoption by the NHS in England.
Background
CardioQ avoids invasive cardiovascular monitoring during surgery. It comprises a monitor and a single-patient disposable probe which is placed into the oesophagus through either the mouth or the nose with the tip of the probe positioned so that it is close to the descending aorta. The speed of blood travelling down the aorta is then measured by using a low-frequency ultrasound signal.
Being able to measure blood velocity helps patients by enabling doctors to reduce the complications that arise from hypovolaemia, commonly encountered among almost all patients who undergo surgery, as well as many others in intensive care or arriving in an accident and emergency department.
In December 2011, the chief executive of the NHS had published his intention to instruct the organisation to implement fluid management during surgery using ODM as a priority. Early in 2011, Deltex’s CardioQ-ODM device had been recommended by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for patients undergoing major or high-risk surgery and for certain other surgical patients.
The device has also received endorsement from a number of clinical studies, among them one undertaken in Spain, where CardioQ is undergoing trials, and it was last month selected to take part in a research project in the US. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved marketing and sales of the device in the country. CardioQ is also in use in several Canadian hospitals.
Company comments
Regarding the latest endorsement, Deltex cited the 2012/13 NHS Operating Framework: “The DH Innovative Technology Adoption Procurement Programme (ITAPP) identifies innovative technologies that can be adopted by local organisations. A small number of evidence-based technologies, including the Oesophageal Doppler Monitoring, are suggested for wide adoption by local health economies.”
Deltex chief executive Ewan Phillips said: “Deltex Medical welcomes ITAPP’s decision to push fluid management monitoring nationally: it is one of the first visible steps in the NHS’s implementation plan for ODM. We expect further details, including those relating to financial incentives and penalties to be published in the coming weeks.”
Source: Deltex Medical Group, proactiveinvestors.co.uk
published: March 6, 2012 in: Anaesthesia, Companies, News, Techniques, Technology