OrSense introduces NBM200 system for anemia screening, hemorrhage detection

Sep 27 2010

OrSense Ltd., developer of monitors for non-invasive measurements of various blood parameters, introduced at the Global Forum of Maternal and Infant Health, at Barcelona, Spain, NBM200, a non-invasive hemoglobin (Hb) measurement system for anemia screening and hemorrhage detection. The Company presented results showing that Hb measurements obtained by the NBM200 showed accurate performance compared with invasive point of care (POC) devices.

“The NBM200 has proven its accuracy and ease of use in determining Hb levels non-invasively”

Over one billion people suffer from iron deficiency anemia worldwide. During pregnancy the need for iron increases and exposes the mother to a higher risk of anemia. Anemia is a prime reason for maternal mortality and acts as a predisposition for low neonate birth weight. In addition, severe anemia may aggravate the negative effect of postpartum hemorrhage, and endanger the mother. It is estimated that 40% of maternal deaths are caused directly or indirectly by anemia.

Reducing maternal mortality is one of the key global healthcare objectives. Close to 350,000 women die each year due to lack of proper diagnosis and treatment and several millions are effected. The inability to identify and treat anemia and hemorrhage in the developing world due to lack of infrastructure and personnel is a key limitation in the UN and WHO efforts to reduce maternal mortality.

OrSense has developed and commercialized a non-invasive, portable point of care (POC) monitoring system for measuring spot and continuous hemoglobin and other blood parameters. NBM200 offers, for the first time an accurate, safe, fast, easy to operate and affordable solution that would allow for anemia screening and monitoring. Being non invasive, it eliminates the need for finger prick and biochemistry based blood test, prevents infection risks and eliminates the need for handling bio-hazardous material. The continuous non-invasive hemoglobin functionality can serve for early detection of post partum hemorrhage and improved blood management post delivery. It has the potential of improving maternal health in the developed world by offering online needed information and eliminating safety risks while reducing cost of care. The system was tested on over 8,000 patients and blood donors at 20 sites in the U.S., Europe and South Africa exhibiting comparable accuracy to invasive POC solutions while also demonstrating a strong safety profile, ease of use and substantial cost reduction. It has received CE and CDN approvals and was submitted for FDA 510(k) clearance. The device is based on OrSense's proprietary Occlusion Spectroscopy technology, which uses a non-invasive optical measurement platform combined with a ring-shaped pneumatic probe that fits on the finger.

"The NBM200 has proven its accuracy and ease of use in determining Hb levels non-invasively," said Professor Moshe Hod, Director, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Helen Schneider Hospital for Woman, Rabin Medical Center, Israel "I believe that this device offers a much-needed viable solution for anemia screening and hemorrhage detection not only in hospitals and physician offices, but also in rural and community clinics throughout the world."