Sepsis detection wristband from Kimal plc

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness caused when the body is overcome by infection from
pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. Sepsis has no easy detection method, but is
usually diagnosed from multiple indicators. The mortality rate from sepsis in Europe is 36%.
In the UK, it is estimated that sepsis causes 36,800 deaths each year.
Time to treatment initiation is critical for sepsis survival. Mortality associated with severe
sepsis is high: 30-50%. When shock is present, mortality is even higher: 50-60%. Investigators
have found that for patients with septic shock, the rate of mortality increases by 7.6% for each
hour that effective antimicrobials are delayed. One study of an early goal-directed treatment
regimen for severe sepsis enabled a 16% absolute reduction in mortality.
A recent study in Brazil determined that the occurrence rate of severe sepsis in the emergency
department (ED) was 6.4% of all patients. In North American EDs, suspected severe sepsis
accounts for ~500,000-750,000 visits annually, with 66-70% of patients with sepsis admitted
via the ED. To enable better management of patients in EDs with signs of sepsis, Kimal Plc
(KP) propose a £205,972 proof of concept project to develop a wristband & bedside display
device capable of non-invasive monitoring of biomarkers associated with sepsis (Serum
lactate, Venous oxygen saturation, Temperature).
The wristband will enable clinicians to monitor sepsis biomarkers in real-time, & provide
historical tracking data to observe any decline in parameters; this will enable clinicians to
modify their treatment decisions/behaviours by alerting them to worsening symptoms,
allowing earlier intervention to take place. With better monitoring using the wristband &
concomitant behavioural changes, it is envisaged that a reduction in morbidity & mortality
will be attainable. Patients with cryptic shock (global hypoxia but normotensive) will benefit
greatly from continual lactate measurement.