Sphere Medical introduces new Proxima miniaturised blood gas analyser at AAGBI 2014

Proxima supports rapid and frequent bedside blood gas measurements at critical times

Sphere Medical, innovator in critical care monitoring and diagnostics equipment, will launch its cutting edge in-line patient dedicated arterial blood gas analyser at the AAGBI Annual Congress 2014, Harrogate, 17-19th September. The new Proxima miniaturised blood gas analyser uniquely delivers rapid and frequent results at a patient’s bedside to enable fast response, proactive critical care.

The new Proxima in-line patient dedicated blood gas analyser incorporates Proxima Sensor (in foreground) and dedicated bedside monitor

CE marked and specifically designed for critical care environments, the Proxima System incorporates a dedicated bedside monitor and the Proxima Sensor that is integrated into a patient’s arterial line. This enables blood to be measured directly at the point of care without need to leave the patient or manipulate samples and cartridges which can all add to the workload of front line care staff. Measured to laboratory analyser accuracy, results are rapidly displayed on the bedside monitor and can be electronically transferred for permanent record.

Simple to use, the in-line Proxima System enables closed blood sampling and is operated via the touch screen interface of its bedside monitor. When a blood gas analysis is required, blood is withdrawn from the patient directly into the Proxima Sensor without the need to open the line, take a sample and walk away for analysis. Once analysis is completed, all blood is returned to the patient, thereby ensuring blood conservation and reducing the possibility of hospital acquired anaemia and subsequent transfusions.

A Proxima Sensor is a disposable transducer which can be used for monitoring blood gases and electrolytes over a 72 hour period as many times as required.  The system also carries out all quality control checks that would be undertaken on a traditional blood gas analyser to ensure validity of test results. It also includes a facility to be challenged with liquid controls.

Commenting on the clinical importance of Proxima, Dr. Tom Clutton-Brock, Senior Lecturer Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Birmingham, said:

Rapid return of data and swift response to changing blood gases is as essential in patient care as the continual measurement of blood pressure. Fast feedback and response could have a real impact on efficiently stabilising patients or weaning them from mechanical ventilation.

“Frequent measurement of arterial blood samples is a key component in the effective management of patients in the critical care environment, particularly those that are unstable,” said Dr Wolfgang Rencken, CEO of Sphere Medical. “For this reason we have developed and launched Proxima to keep the care giver by the patient, conserve blood and rapidly return blood gas results to aid early decision making and closer control of therapy for critically ill patients – all of which will ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

Also at the AAGBI 2014 Annual Congress, Sphere Medical will be sponsoring an industry seminar where Dr. Tom Clutton-Brock will be presenting on ‘True Point of Care Testing’. To be held at 10.35am and 13.40pm on Thursday 18th September, the seminar will discuss the challenges of maintaining control of patient physiology in the ITU. In particular he will focus on the frequency of arterial blood sample testing ideally required and associated limitations such as staff time involved, costs and blood conservation. He will also consider how matters might change if these limitations were removed.