Showcase projects
ELS Monitor
What is it?
A device that measures, records and displays blood pressure and temperature specifically designed for use during ELS (Extracorporeal Life Support) treatment.
What does it do?
The ELS Monitor can measure both arterial and venous blood pressure. Blood pressure and blood temperature appear in different colours on easy-to-read displays to differentiate between arterial and venous readouts. The blood pressure displays are larger than the blood temperature displays to further clarify this difference. The ELS Monitor can also save these measurements on a standard memory card for use on most PC’s. The measured signals can also be easily transferred to a PC via Bluetooth. The ELS Monitor also features an internal battery that allows for temporary ambulant measurements.
Why is this useful?
Much is still unknown about ELS treatments, particularly regarding the patient’s physiological response to them. ELS treatments primarily focus on supporting the patient during organ failure by providing external oxygen supplies or maintaining blood circulation. Important parameters for ELS treatment include arterial blood pressure, venous blood pressure, and blood temperature. In order to identify the implications and effects of ELS treatments under various circumstances, it is crucial that these parameters are recorded before, during and after treatment is administered. This information is then used to conduct further scientific research on new and improved ELS treatment methods.
What are the benefits?
Data collection during ELS treatment allows researchers to better understand the effects of the treatment and how these can be improved. ELS is primarily used during ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). Although ELS treatment has contributed to a decreased mortality rate in ARDS patients, this rate remains high at 30%.
Additional details?
The ELS Monitor is unique in that no other commercially available product offers this kind of functionality.
What do we think?
At the moment, two prototypes are being used in the azM ICU to support ELS research. The unique nature of the device has allowed for unique research to be conducted on the as yet unidentified effects of ELS treatment. It is wonderful to be able to make a modest contribution to this research.
Client:
Patrick Weerwind, head of the Extracorporeal Circulation Department at azM and researcher at Maastricht University CTC (Cardiothoracic Surgery).
Commissioner:
CTC, to be primarily used by the ECC at azM.
