ivWatch has introduced new medical device Model 400 in the US, which can be used in the monitoring of intravenous (IV) therapy.
The new device has been designed to continuously monitor a patient’s IV for the early detection of infiltrations, when medication or fluid leaks outside the vein into the surrounding tissue.
Peripheral IVs (PIVs) are the common invasive medical procedures carried out with over 150 million IV catheters placed in the US annually.
Model 400 features a non-invasive sensor, which uses visible and near-infrared light to detect changes in the optical properties of the tissue. The sensor is conjugated with a highly intuitive and pole-mounted patient monitor.
The device will advise clinicians if conditions suggest an infiltration, enabling them to address the issue early to help reduce patient harm.
ivWatch CEO Gary Warren said: "Since it’s difficult to predict when an accident will occur, people wear their seatbelt for the duration of their travel.
"Similarly, since it’s difficult to predict when an infiltration will occur, and we know it occurs too frequently, the ivWatch Model 400 represents a seat belt for patients with an IV."
Image: ivWatch’s new medical device Model 400. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsFoto/ivWatch, LLC.