Germany-based Draeger will unveil its new jaundice meter JM-105, which allows transcutaneous bilirubin screening in very premature babies or those with low birth weights - from as young as 24 weeks gestational age, in the UK.
The new non-invasive device can store up to 100 measurement results and transmit them via a docking station to the clinic's patient data management system.
Configuration setting of the device can be adjusted so it is possible to take a single measurement or up to five measurements for an average value.
The medical device avoids the need of painful blood drawing with possible long-term consequences in the young patients.
Drager Neonatal Care sales and marketing manager Luke Bourdillon noted until now jaundice screening in babies born at 24 weeks has been carried out by physically taking blood.
"In order to screen for new born jaundice, nurses draw blood from the heel and then complete total serum bilirubin (TSB) testing.
"While this is a routine procedure, there are studies that suggest drawing blood in the early stages of development can have a negative impact during childhood - particularly if the baby is premature when blood is taken.
"The JM-105 allows for non-invasive testing and means the number of painful examinations on these tiny patients can be reduced, helping to support their development.
"As well as the obvious patient benefits, the JM-105 offers great benefits to caregivers. Patient data and user information can be captured via barcode scanner or manually inputted. It is then electronically transferred to ensure patient record accuracy and without the need to wait for blood tests or possible hospital readmission."
Draeger will unveil the jaundice meter JM-105 at the Annual Conference for the Royal College of Midwives in the UK.
Image: Draeger unveils jaundice meter JM-105 for infants. Photo: courtesy of Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA.
