BP Assist: Digital Control to Prevent Low Blood Pressure Complications During Surgery

"Directed Systems is developing BP Assist, a digital product that will reduce the complications of low blood pressure during surgery in the operating room (OR).

Low blood pressure during major surgery is common and results in post-operative complications, which are bad for patient outcomes and very costly to the hospital. It is estimated that they cost the NHS £1b per year.

BP Assist is a product to support anaesthetists. It connects to the existing bedside monitors and drug and fluid infusion systems. Under the direction of the clinician, BP Assist is able to detect impending low blood pressure, and prevent this happening by automatically infusing blood pressure drugs. Once proven in the OR, this technology will be applicable to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), where a doctor is not always present by the bedside.

BP Assist is a highly innovative concept that will take anaesthetic care into the 21st century, applying state of the art digital technology to automate key tasks, yet under close clinician supervision. It has the potential to substantially improve outcomes for many patients, reduce hospital costs, improve efficiency and release funds for other use in the NHS and other healthcare systems.

The business opportunity is global, which will allow us to create a major player in the international medical technology market, employing talented staff in the UK and in other countries."