Philips acquires Xhale Assurance. This US company has developed a pulse oximeter that is placed on the nostril. This enables reliable measurements to be made in conditions where fingertips do not provide a useful signal.
Traditional oximeters are applied to a patient's fingertips. However, Xhale Assurance states that this location is not optimal for measuring blood oxygen levels; "Due to the distance from the heart, finger-based oximeters can result in slower detection of changes in oxygen levels, which can delay critical decision-making," the company reports.
Measuring on the nostril
The company has therefore developed the Assurance Nasal Alar SpO2 Sensor. This oximeter is applied to a patient's nostril. The nostril contains both external and internal carotid arteries, the latter of which supply blood to the brain. This makes the nostrils an ideal location to monitor heart rate and blood oxygen levels, according to the manufacturer. The oximeter is intended for single use
Because the nostril provides a stronger signal, the Assurance Nasal Alar SpO2 Sensor can accurately measure blood oxygen levels even when blood circulation is reduced. This allows the disposable sensor to provide usable readings in conditions where traditional fingertip oximeters no longer provide usable readings.
More accessible
In addition, the manufacturer points out that a patient's hands are often covered during operations, making access to the oximeter difficult for anaesthetists. With its placement on the nostril, the Assurance Nasal Alar SpO2 Sensor is easier to access, simplifying the anaesthetist's work. It also reduces the risk of the sensors shifting or coming loose due to patient movement, for example, reports the company.
With the acquisition of Xhale Assurance, Philips aims to expand its portfolio of oxygen saturation monitoring solutions. "Xhale Assurance's nasal wing sensor offers exceptional clinical capabilities and strengthens our patient monitoring offering with an innovative pulse oximeter technology," said Felix Baader, head of Monitoring & Analytics at Philips. "The sensor technology also offers opportunities to develop measurements of other physiological parameters. I am very pleased this gives us more opportunities to enhance patient safety, support clinical workflow, improve efficiency of healthcare providers and help our customers implement value-based care."
Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Philips (pictured)
Source: Xhale Assurance
