Innovation of a method to maintain focus of an Oesophageal Doppler probe - continuation of Project 104939

"Deltex is pleased to announce that it has gained Innovate UK funding through a successful bid to the Analysis for innovators round 4: mini projects phase 2 competition. This Innovate UK funding brings with it the opportunity to collaborate with world-class UK agencies to seek solutions to improve existing technologies. Deltex Medical is pleased to be partnering with the National Physics Laboratory (NPL) in a project to enhance the design of its haemodynamic monitoring probes.

Deltex is the world leader in Doppler ultrasound for haemodynamic monitoring. Use of the company's TrueVue Doppler, is proven to reduce post-operative complications and is recommended by NICE. The system also saves hospitals the costs of treating complications that would otherwise result in increased lengths of stay.

The minimally invasive TrueVue Doppler technology uses an ultrasound probe inserted into the patient's oesophagus (food pipe). The oesophagus lies close to the aorta in the patient's chest and so blood flow velocity can be measured much like a police speed camera checks a car's speed. In this case the moving objects are blood cells.

The TrueVue system measures blood flow velocity and the timing of each heartbeat. TrueVue then calculates a range of parameters useful to clinicians in managing patient care to minimise or even prevent post-operative complications. Clinician's achieve focus of the probe by feel, navigating using their knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy and the ultrasound signal they view on the TrueVue monitor. They rotate and manipulate the depth of the probe to find the optimum aortic blood flow signal.

Deltex will use the grant monies to collaborate with NPL in a study to develop ultrasound lenses to optimise the product's beam width and power output. The advantages of a wider beam are two-fold; firstly finding the aortic blood flow is quicker; and secondly any movement of the patient or equipment has less potential to move the beam out of focus. The result will be that users will be more confident with the device leading to increased use of a technology proven by NICE to reduce post-operative complications, hospital stay (-3 days) and healthcare costs (£1,100 per patient).

The project will benefit clinicians and patients by leading to ease of use improvements. Deltex expects that the outcome will increase the range of uses of a medical device with already proven efficacy."