Ground-Breaking Capnography Mask Showcased at Leading US Paediatric Show
Topic : Type : Press Release
A ground-breaking capnography mask designed to monitor the level of end tidal CO2 in exhaled breath while delivering oxygen during post-operative recovery – featuring a calming vanilla scent for increased patient comfort – will be showcased at the Pediatric Anesthesiology Foundation’s 58th Clinical Conference in California on the 10 to 12th January 2020.
The Capnomask™ was pioneered by UK manufacturer Mediplus and is currently being evaluated at a number of centres in the USA. Developed with clinicians and anaesthesia experts, it provides a complete, dedicated solution for capnography – a non-invasive method for accurate monitoring of the level of CO2 in exhaled breath to properly assess a patient’s breathing.
A 2011 study1 showed that, in extubated patients, continuous assessment of respiration with the Capnomask™ is more accurate than thoracic impedance pneumography even when supplemental oxygen is delivered at a high flow rate.
The Capnomask™ provides a wide range of benefits for patients and clinicians, providing fast and accurate detection of potentially life-threatening conditions such as hypoventilation or airway obstruction. Respiratory monitoring is standard after anaesthesia and surgery; abnormal respiratory rate and volume is a sensitive indicator of respiratory problems, even in patients receiving supplemental oxygen.
The American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) states that continuous capnography should be used in all anaesthetised patients. The Capnomask™ dual connector is optimally positioned to achieve this. It accommodates for both mouth breathing and nasal breathing, enhancing the correct measurement of CO2 sample captured, minimizing leakage and enhancing patient safety.
More uniquely, the mask is specially designed for patient comfort, using soft material impregnated with a vanilla scent, which is widely used in medicinal aromatherapy for its calming effect. This final touch provides an innovative aid for reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting – a common complication following surgery and certain forms of anaesthesia.
This is one of the key features that makes the mask especially suited to children recovering from surgery, helping to reduce the risk of displacement by enhancing patient comfort, which in turn helps to speed up recovery.
James Urie, Sales & Marketing Director at Mediplus commented: “Children may already be anxious and frightened depending on the nature of their hospital stay, therefore anything put over their face can heighten this. The calming vanilla scent of our capnography mask helps to alleviate nausea and can prevent vomiting compared to the plastic/clinical smell of traditional masks. This greatly helps the clinician with patient concordance with respiratory monitoring because the mask is better tolerated.
“Additionally, the mask is a fully integrated set, complete with all the necessary parts – until now many departments had to buy components separately and assemble the equipment themselves, which proves more expensive, is not QC tested or reliable and takes time to put together and maintain.
“We look forward to showcasing how the unique features of Capnomask™ make it especially suited to the challenging demands of paediatric anaesthesiology.”
The award-winning UK manufacturer is being supported with their US Strategy by the ABHI – a UK based trade association – and are part of ABHI US Accelerator programme in partnership with Dell Medical School.
Over the last five years, ABHI’s missions to the US have helped UK companies develop and strengthen partnerships across the country with a variety of organisations including academic, investor communities and professional service providers. Outcomes from the missions have included clinical trials, research collaborations, new partnerships and sales.
Paul Benton, Managing Director, International, added: “The UK is leading the way in healthcare innovation, and Mediplus are a great testament to this. During our last HealthTech mission to Texas, Capnomask™ received amazing feedback from US clinicians, with three hospitals requesting to evaluate it over coming weeks. It’s a great example of how US hospitals are keen to adopt innovative UK technologies.”
REF1: Gaucher, A., et al. (2012) Accuracy of respiratory rate monitoring by capnometry using the Capnomask™ in extubated patients receiving supplemental oxygen after surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia 108 (2): 316–20