BreathDX Launches Ammonia Detection Device at Medica

By Messe Düsseldorf | 11.12.17

The point-of-care AmBeR devices use a custom-designed impedance circuit and airflow module.

BreathDX is launching two new breath ammonia measurement devices to the market at this year’s Medica conference, held Nov. 13-16, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The AmBeR and AmBeR Clinical devices measure highly-accurate ammonia levels in just eight breaths and are the most viable, cost-effective alternative to blood-based tests, according to the company.

Ammonia is an important chemical in the breath that is linked with a range of known and likely conditions from stomach ulcers (eg H. pylori) to metabolic issues and hepatic encephalopathy. In the medical industry, breath ammonia monitoring is rare due to the cost and complexity associated with the detection instruments.

AmBeR and AmBeR Clinical make it easy to test more frequently and can be used in all clinical environments, or in the home for patients who are required to constantly monitor their blood ammonia levels. Clinical evaluations have now commenced in a number of U.K. hospitals to demonstrate that ammonia measurements have the same level of accuracy as standard blood-based tests.

The point-of-care AmBeR devices use a custom-designed impedance circuit and airflow module. The devices incorporate inexpensive disposable printed sensors based on nanotechnology to provide  fast, accurate and quality analyses. The specific patented technology in the devices was developed by Professor Tony Killard during his time at the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University.

The two devices are AmBeR, which can be used in both homes and hospital as a noneedle solution for ammonia testing, and AmBeR Clinical, suitable for R&D or where large volumes of patients and sampling regimes are required. AmBeR Clinical has the same functionality as AmBeR, as well as having greater control and can be customised through an external software interface.

BreathDX currently has devices in clinical evaluations, will shortly install AmBeR systems in patients’ homes and has secured significant investment from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The company also has a worldwide license agreement with Dublin City University (DCU) for access to the innovative AmBeR technology. DCU has earned a strong reputation for enterprise through identifying innovations like AmBeR and recognizing their commercial potential.

“After more than a decade of development and significant research investment, we are delighted to bring AmBeR to market. Medica 2017 offers the perfect platform to launch the devices," said Killard, chief technology officer at BreathDX. "As Europe’s most comprehensive medical trade fair, it draws medical professionals from around the globe and is renowned for focusing on revolutionary ideas in medical care. We’ve already received a very positive response to AmBeR from medics, researchers and industry bodies, who have welcomed its ability to allow patients easy every day testing and help companies perform critical research.”

BreathDX is a U.K.-based company located in the growing bio-medical hub of South West England. The company is exhibiting at Medica in Hall 16, Stand F02-5.