MEDICA 2010: A New Technology Update

Medtech overload. It’s a condition that’s easily acquired at a show as large as MEDICA. This year’s installment of the annual event in Dusseldorf, Germany, has attracted thousands of visitors from more than 60 countries, touring approximately 380,000 square feet. It’s a lot to take in.

Of course, many of the more than 4,000 exhibitors are eager to discuss new technology or capabilities being unveiled or featured during the show. German Chancellor Angela Merkel toured MEDICA 2010, on opening day of the world’s largest annual medical trade fair here this afternoon. Her presence underlines the medical technology industry’s continuing strength and its importance not only to Germany, but markets worldwide.

Some of the new technology announcements worth noting included (coverage of other new technology will follow):

Philips Healthcare announced a new alliance for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—or COPD—that is expected to result in better treatment access for patients, company officials said. The company also displayed technology for operating rooms, healing lighting, patient monitoring and cardiac ultrasound.

“Our new partnership in the area of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, demonstrates Philips’ commitment to providing clinicians with a complete range of solutions which will enhance access to treatment for patients worldwide,” said Kevin Haydon, executive vice president of Philips Healthcare, International Markets.

Philips formed a partnership with the Global Initiative for Chronic Lung Disease (GOLD)), which works with healthcare professionals and public health officials around the world to raise awareness of COPD as a public health problem and to decrease morbidity and mortality from COPD through the implementation and evaluation of effective programs for diagnosis and management.

More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD, and many more people may have the disease and not even know it, according to the National Institutes of Health.

As part of this focus on COPD, Philips recently unveiled the new UltraFill home oxygen filling system in the United States. The device allows respiratory patients a simpler way to manage their home oxygen system. The UltraFill home oxygen filling system will be available soon in Europe, officials said.

In addition to its COPD announcement, Philips—in partnership with Maquet, headquartered in Rastatt, Germany—showcased the latest version of its Hybrid Operating Room (O.R.) Suite. Displayed were the Allura Xper FD O.R. Table, which integrates the Philips Allura Xper angiographic X-ray system with the Maquet’s Hybrid O.R. solution including hybrid table. Virtual reality procedures in the O.R. suite were performed live from the show.
Philips’ IntelliVue MX800 patient monitoring system also was on display. The device is designed to provide immediate access to comprehensive patient information directly on a monitor at the patient’s bedside. In addition to displaying and recording traditional data such as patient vital signs, the IntelliVue MX800 offers direct access to patient information from almost any system on a hospital’s IT infrastructure. The MX800 also enables applications to run natively on the embedded informatics platform while keeping the real time patient monitoring separate and protected. This allows clinicians to view patient data from sources such as electronic medical records, imaging studies and other clinical applications, helping to save caregivers’ time and aid in clinical decision making at the point of care, Philips execs noted.

Two ultrasound systems also were featured—the iU22 xMATRIX ultrasound system and the iE33 xMATRIX cardiac ultrasound system.The iU22’s ergonomically designed X6-1 PureWave xMATRIX array transducer, according to the company, offers ultra-thin slice imaging, resulting in crisp, high-resolution images. A new Live xPlane feature allows clinicians to create two full-resolution images simultaneously, capturing twice as much clinical information in the same amount of time without moving or turning the transducer, even when obtaining orthogonal views. Clinical trials have shown that xPlane speeds workflow, improves perception of anatomy, and has the potential to minimize the frequent repetitive stress injuries experienced in the field of sonography, officials said.

The iE33 xMATRIX cardiac ultrasound system features a new ergonomic solution for more efficient adult echocardiograms, the X5-1 transducer, according to Philips. The system enables expanded cardiac-related diagnostic capabilities through new features such as outstanding 2-D and 3-D image quality using a single transducer, near instantaneous acquisition of 3-D volumes, new 3-D workflow tools and a visualized color Doppler flow pattern during 3-D exams. With the X5-1 and iRotate, officials said, clinicians can more easily obtain challenging 2-D views and the system also offers a 3-D stress echo solution that can be incorporated with conventional 2-D stress echo. After acquiring a volume, clinicians can use the system’s iSlice software to obtain short axis views of the heart’s apex, obtaining additional clinical information not routinely provided by ultrasound.

Patient monitoring solutions and their expanding market have been a hot topic at this year’s show. Technology from a variety of vendors were on display, with a range of new technology possibilities discussed—from bedside monitors to implantables that transmit patient data directly to a physician’s office.

Along the new monitoring technology featured was from Welch Allyn, based in Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. The company launched a new bedside monitoring systems for markets outside the United States and Canada. Officials from the company called it the firm’s first “comprehensive” bedside monitoring system.

It is designed to enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient safety. The 1500 Patient Monitor can be used in multiple environments throughout the hospital, including the emergency and cardiology departments, step-down units and for procedures such as endoscopy. The system uses a 15-inch color LCD display with a 170-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angle that allows clinicians to see patient data clearly from anywhere in the hospital room. The company also wanted to create a device that was space-saving. The monitor is only three-inches deep.

“The 1500 Patient Monitor gives us more depth in our range of quality monitoring products,” said Grant Gibson, international category director, Patient Monitoring at Welch Allyn. He said customers have “pleased” with the firm’s transport and wireless monitoring solutions, but there was a need for a bedside monitoring system as a key component to the company’s flexible monitoring solutions.

In addition to its compact size, the system also includes a 12-lead ECG capability with the option to add diagnostic interpretations, Mortara arrhythmia and ST segment analysis on the device, Nellcor SpO2, and Oridion Microstream capnography technology. Also included are temperature, heart and pulse rate, respiration (including apnea monitoring), two invasive blood pressure lines, and a noninvasive blood pressure line compatible with the company’s cuff technology. An option that includes that Masimo RainbowTM SET SpO2 will be available in early 2011.

The monitor includes large font numerics and graphics on an antiglare screen for greater visibility in any lighting conditions. Indicators on the front panel are color-coded for improved patient safety and nine direct-access keys located on the front panel for timesavings and ease of use, the company noted. Labels containing symbols instead of words offer quick recognition of functions for reduced errors and improved patient safety, and up to six waveforms offer optional visibility of complete patient data. Twenty-four hour trending with a one-minute sampling rate offers precise data analysis, and an integrated 80 mm thermal printer allows the convenience of data capture at the device.

“The initial reaction to the 1500 Patient Monitor launch at MEDICA has been very positive. They are delighted to see Welch Allyn offer a flexible solution that is optimal for a wide range of environments hospital-wide,” said Gibson. “Customers have long known Welch Allyn for the time-tested and reliable features of our Propaq monitoring devices. Today, they are going to remember us for enhancing clinical decision making and improving patient safety at the bedside with the Welch Allyn 1500 Patient Monitor.”

The system is expected to be released in the United States and Canada in early 2011, pending 510(k) market clearance, according to the firm.

On the supplier side, Lyon, France-based Bluestar Silicones introduced its new Silbione line of silicone products. Designed specifically for the global healthcare market, Silbione specialty silicones offer material solutions to medical devices producers, along with technical support and biocompatibility testing support.

For medical devices, the company offered a range of silicones including liquid silicone rubber (LSR), high-consistency rubber (HCR), room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) elastomers, adhesives, gels and specialty fluids. Applications include a variety of end-use possibilities from use in sleep apnea masks and orthotics and prosthetics to skin care and wound management.

With annual sales of close to a billion dollars Bluestar Silicones provides silicone products in the areas of release coatings, specialty elastomers, healthcare, specialty fluids, emulsions and resins.