October 4, 2010 — A non-invasive, radiation-free pulmonary imaging system has been launched in the United States. The VRIxp lung imaging system is designed to aid in diagnosis and monitoring in the emergency department (ED).
The VRIxp, from Deep Breeze Ltd., is a pulmonary imaging system that allows emergency room clinicians to see and monitor lung sounds without exposing the patient to radiation or an invasive procedure. The company says it is setting a new standard in assessment of patients presenting with dyspnea in the ED using its vibration response imaging (VRI) technology. The VRI technology is based on one of the oldest known examination methods, lung auscultation with a stethoscope.
The VRIxp system provides new clinical information that can aid in the diagnosis and management of a variety of lung conditions, such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The technology provides an objective measure of regional lung function and is mobile, so it can be used to provide information at the bedside.
The lung imaging system records lung sounds from patented V-array sensors applied to a patient’s back. The system then uses sophisticated algorithms to convert data into images and quantitative regional lung information. Changes in tissue composition and airflow affect the vibration of sounds within the lung, which is reflected in the image and results produced by the VRIxp system.
The procedure takes only minutes in the ED setting and may be performed repeatedly to monitor the effect of treatments. Results can be stored in a system database for future use. The radiation-free technology has been used in more than 3,500 patients worldwide without a single adverse event.
For more information: deepbreeze.com
