Sept. 02, 2009

Dräger's non-invasive medical technology sets market benchmarks

Lübeck – Dräger has been developing Technology for Life for 120 years. Right from the beginning, the success of the Lübeck-based company has been determined by innovations: inventions such as the Pulmotor for time-controlled positive-negative ventilation, or the Evita series for patient-adapted ventilation, have allowed Dräger to set milestones. Dräger is now bundling its competence in the field of non-invasive medical technology on the Internet page www.draeger.com/non-invasive. Here, the company offers comprehensive background information, case studies and innovations for the use of non-invasive procedures.

In addition, Dräger now also presents its extensive portfolio of innovative devices for non-invasive diagnostics and therapy, including all its accessories. These include solutions for ventilation, monitoring and screening, which accompany the patient throughout his/her entire stay in hospital: from emergency medicine through the anaesthetic area and intensive care medicine to neonatology. Where medically acceptable, the use of non-invasive procedures can improve patient well-being3,8 and prevent complications during treatment9. This can support a faster healing process with fewer problems, reduce occupancy periods5,8,9, and thus have a positive influence on the cost-effectiveness of clinics3,11,14.

Patients can breathe a sigh of relief

BurAlmost all Dräger ventilation instruments come with the option of non-invasive ventilation. This method can reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections6, is significantly more comfortable for patients than invasive ventilation3,6,8, and also helps to cut costs at the same time3,11,14. With its multi-functional ventilation instruments from the Evita series and Savina, Dräger offers all modes of ventilation for non-invasive and conventional invasive ventilation1,2,4,7,13. This gives doctors access to even more therapeutic options for the entire ventilation process. In addition, non-invasive ventilation also benefits the personal well-being of the patient, as there is no need for intubation. Instead, ventilation takes place through masks or nasal prongs (patient interfaces). With NovaStar, Dräger offers a full-face mask for ventilation purposes, which has a flexible body allowing it to be adjusted to fit the patient's face. The NovaStar silicone-gel cushion is very comfortable for the patient, especially when long-term ventilation is required.

Always have an eye on the data

Dräger's modern non-invasive monitoring solutions allow the continuous monitoring of vital parameters, such as the arterial blood pressure. This method provides results more quickly10 than the invasive arterial measurement and can also be used by nursing staff. In addition, the Infinity CNAP SmartPod also integrates continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in Dräger monitoring systems.

Immediately identify what cannot be seen

Non-invasive screening procedures can quickly and cheaply confirm or rule out suspicions, thus making expensive laboratory blood tests unnecessary12. For example, the non-invasive measurement of the transcutaneous bilirubin value (TcB) among infants, using the Dräger Jaundice Meter JM-103, represents a gentle and accurate12 alternative to the conventional jaundice measurement procedure. This can reduce the necessity for painful blood withdrawal by up to 40 percent12. Dräger also offers non-invasive instruments in the field of alcohol and drug testing. These can quickly provide information, for example, on whether a patient has consumed substances before arriving in the emergency department and, if this is the case, what substances have been consumed.

References

1Bott, J. et al; A randomized study of nasal intermittend positive pressure ventilation in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive airways disease, Lancet, Vol. 341, 1993

2Brochard, L. et al; Reversal of actue exacerbations of chronic lung disease by inspiratory assistance with a face mask, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 323, 1990

3Bülow HH, Thorsager B, Hoejberg JM. Experiences from introducing non-invasive ventilation in the intensive care unit: a 2-year prospective consecutive cohort study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2007; 51: 165-170

4Elliot, M.W. et al; Non-invasive mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure, British Medicine Journal, Vol. 300, 1990.

5Ferrer et al. Non-invasive Ventilation during Persistent Weaning Failure. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2003; Vol. 168, No. 1: 70–76.

6Kuhlen R. „NIV erfordert ein anderes Patienten-Management“. Drägerheft 2008: 15.

7Meduri, G.U. et al; Noninvasive face mask mechanical ventilation in patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, CHEST, Vol. 100, 1991

8Nava S. „Offen sein für nicht-invasive Beatmung“. C.A.R.E. 2006; 1

9Ram FSF, Picot J, Lightowler J, Wedzicha JA. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 3.

10Sackl-Pietsch, Elisabeth CNAP™ (Continuous non-invasive arterial pressure) shows high accuracy in comparison to invasive intra-arterial blood pressure measurement. CNSystems/Dräger-Whitepaper 2008

11Schönhofer, B.: Nicht-invasive Beatmung - Grundlagen und moderne Praxis, UNI-MED, Bremen, 2006

12Suwimol Sanpavat MD, Issarang Nuchprayoon, MD, PhD: J Med Assoc Thai Vol. 90 No. 9 2007 „Transcutaneous Bilirubin in the Pre-Term Infants“

13Tobin, Martin J.: Principles and Practise of Mechanical ventilation, Mc Graw Hill, 1994

14Warren 2003: Warren DK et al. Crit Care Med 2003