Originally Published EMDM May/June 2002
SPECIAL REPORT
Over-the-Counter and Self-Care Products
DuraShock Sphygmomanometer
A thin-profile, lightweight, analogue sphygmomanometer snaps directly into the blood pressure cuff and rotates 360° for easy reading on either arm
DuraShock is a gear-free, thin-profile, lightweight, analogue sphygmomanometer that snaps directly into the blood pressure cuff and rotates 360° for easy reading on either arm. A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, a basic frontline vital sign for all medical fields. Healthcare professionals continue to use mechanical analogue pressure gauges in spite of the contemporary electronic solutions, because they can listen directly to the arterial sounds associated with blood pressure while observing the cuff pressure on the gauge. The low cost of DuraShock enables more healthcare providers throughout the global market to take advantage of the low-profile, rotating, lightweight, and shock-resistant sphygmomanometer system. Welch Allyn Inc., Skaneateles Falls, NY, USA.
SleepStrip Disposable Sleep Apnea Screener
A single-use miniature device screens preliminary indications of sleep apnea syndrome
The SleepStrip is a single-use, disposable, miniature sleep respiration screener for preliminary indication of sleep apnea syndrome. The unit is designed as a low-cost, self-use home screener for quickly and cost-effectively testing large high-risk populations such as obese individuals, heavy snorers, smokers, and those with a family history of sleep apnea.
The patient attaches the SleepStrip under his or her nose in the evening before going to sleep and activates it. The device monitors and analyzes respiratory flow patterns in real time throughout the night, and counts instances of apneas (complete cessations of breathing) and occurrences of hypoapneas (significant decreases in respiratory amplitude). In the morning, a built-in permanent display presents the results of the overnight test, indicating the presence and severity level of sleep apnea syndrome.
The device is small, soft, and lightweight, so it does not disturb the sleep of the user. The base material is highly flexible Kapton tape, which will not pull delicate facial skin. The adhesive is thick foam, which conforms well even to wrinkles or a mustache. SLP Inc., Tel Aviv, Israel.
SimpleJect Auto-Injector System
A system enables a patient to easily and comfortably perform self-injections
For many rheumatoid arthritis patients, the physical and psychological limitations of their disease make it difficult, if not impossible, to administer an injection. The SimpleJect Auto-Injector makes it possible for these patients to administer self-injections at home, helping to maintain their independence.
The product is equipped with an oversized and ergonomic soft handle that is easy to hold, a case that automatically removes the needle cap, a needle guard that hides the needle before and during injection, and a syringe housing that sets the proper injection depth so patients deliver the correct amount of medication. After an injection, the device signals whether the patient has performed the injection correctly and then allows for disposal of the syringe into a sharps container without any handling. The entire preparation and injection process takes less than a minute, even for patients with limited or restricted manual dexterity. Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; and Owen Mumford Ltd., Oxford, UK.
Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer
