Nonin Medical Introduces Pediatric Oxygen Monitoring Device to U.S. Market

Nonin Medical Inc. has released the Equanox advance model 8004CB Series neonatal/pediatric sensor. The device is the first of its kind, according to the company—a cerebral/somatic sensor designed to automatically account for pediatric brain-tissue-development variation when measuring oxygen saturation levels. The sensors are used with Nonin’s model 7600 Oximetry system in cerebral or somatic positions on patients weighing less than 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

The Equanox classic sensor, parent to the latest model, has U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance as a trend sensor.

The near infra-red monitoring rays (the kind used in night-vision goggles) of Equanox allow clinicians to react quickly to reverse the effects of ischemia—tissue damage caused by a lack of oxygen.

“Until now, pediatric cerebral/somatic oximetry sensors have essentially been trimmed versions of adult sensors,” said Kevin McGowan, vice president of global sales for Nonin Medical. “Nonin’s 8004CB Sensor is designed specifically for pediatric patients. The sensor features adhesive and non-adhesive versions for delicate skin, a small footprint for space-saving placement, short light-path spacing for pediatric-appropriate tissue-depth readings, and Nonin’s Dynamic Compensation algorithm for calculating accurate, patient-specific values. And because the 8004CB provides a single-sensor solution for all patients less than 40 kilograms, it simplifies protocols and inventory requirements, saving time and money.”

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Anesthesiologist-in-Chief Dean Kurth, M.D., stressed the importance of real time measurement of oxygen levels in pediatric patients. Equanox “provides absolute, real-time accuracy of cerebral oxygenation status without requiring the physician to input patient demographics or stock and choose from multiple sensors,” he said.

“The problem is, light attenuation of pediatric brain tissue changes with age and varies from patient to patient, which can impact traditional cerebral oximetry systems,” Kurth continued. “To compensate for this, some pediatric oximetry systems require physicians to choose from different sensor sizes or enter the patient’s age or weight to obtain accurate rSO2 [regional oxygen saturation] measurements. Nonin’s 8004CB Sensor, with its Dynamic Compensation algorithm, is the first sensor to automatically adjust for pediatric brain myelination changes. So now physicians have a single-sensor solution that provides oxygen saturation readings based on the child’s true physiology.”

In addition to cerebral and somatic monitoring, Equanox features up to four channels displayed on one screen for monitoring oxygen saturation in the brain and somatic sites on the body, including kidney and liver sites. The device also has dual-light emitters and detectors with four wavelength accuracy, which has been shown to more effectively target the cerebral cortex, eliminating surface artifacts that interfere with measurement accuracy. The company claims the device provides an accurate measurement of oxygen saturation in tissue at a specific point in time rather than just providing trends or relativities. The device is portable and operates by battery.

Minneapolis, Minn.-based Nonin Medical manufactures medical monitoring systems and devices. The company operates a service center in Hudiksvall, Sweden.