Royal Philips has received 510(k) approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Expression MR400, a new technology that monitors patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs).
The new solution offers ICU-comparable and bedside monitoring in the MR suite for all patients, including those with serious medical conditions or who require anesthesia.
Philips patient care and monitoring solutions CEO Carla Kriwet said: "When a patient is under anesthesia, it’s incredibly important to keep a close eye on their condition so that clinicians can intervene early to prevent any complications.
"Clinicians often compare monitoring anesthetized patients in the MR suite to piloting a plane in the fog with limited instrumentation."
The firm has developed the new solution to create image artifacts or other interference from the electromagnetic fields when used according to the labeling, helping patients to receive the level of clinical care and monitoring they need.
It can monitor the same vital signs that are tracked in the operating room, as well as the intensive care unit, including heart rate, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, body and surface temperatures and blood pressure.
In addition, the new solution provides advanced ECG monitoring.
The MR400 uses intelligent alarms to warn clinicians of severe patient changes such as desaturation, apnea and extreme bradycardia/tachycardia, similar to traditional patient monitors.
Through using wireless technology, it also connects with the Electronic Healthcare Record and shares information with IntelliBridge Enterprise to send and receive patient information across the hospital.