European launch of the Proxima miniature in-line blood gas analyser

Published: 12-Mar-2015

Patient-dedicated system supports rapid and frequent bedside blood gas measurements at critical times

Sphere Medical has launched its ground-breaking in-line patient-dedicated arterial blood gas analyser.

The new Proxima miniaturised system uniquely delivers true point-of-care testing (POCT) by enabling critical care staff to obtain frequent laboratory-accurate blood gas measurements without leaving the patient’s bedside. This facilitates effective and timely clinical decisions for pro-active critical care.

The CE-marked Proxima revolutionises conventional POCT as it is attached directly to the patient through their arterial line. The miniature Proxima Sensor, containing a range of biological sensors, sits in series in the arterial line with the blood pressure transducer. For the first time, blood gas results can be delivered, like blood pressure results, within the patient’s bed space.

Rapid return of data and swift response to changing blood gases is as essential in patient care as the continual measurement of blood pressure

Simple to use, the Proxima System enables closed blood sampling and is operated via the touchscreen interface of its dedicated bedside monitor. When an arterial blood gas analysis is required, blood is withdrawn from the patient directly into the Proxima Sensor and a panel of analytes is measured. All blood is returned to the patient, promoting blood conservation and reducing the possibility of hospital-acquired anaemia and subsequent transfusions. The disposable sensor can be used for monitoring blood gases and electrolytes over a 72-hour period as many times as required.

Proxima has been fully evaluated and validated in a clinical setting. A recent observational method comparison study at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham confirmed excellent agreement between Proxima and standard benchtop blood gas analysers at the hospital, measuring various arterial blood parameters of intensive care unit patients with a range of clinical conditions, including trauma, head injury, post-surgical recovery and sepsis.

Commenting on the clinical importance of Proxima, Dr Tom Clutton-Brock, senior lecturer in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at 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.”

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