CardioPhotonics LLC

Article preview from Start Up - May, 2010

CardioPhotonics' HeartLight monitors fluid volumes in real time and is normalized to patients during surgery. The company believes that the ability to accurately assess the patient's condition and consequently avoid the over- or underadministration of fluids will reduce post-surgical complications that can prolong hospital stay and increase health care costs.

CardioPhotonics LLC

Article preview from Start Up - May, 2010

Serial entrepreneur Tom Wood has had a fruitful relationship with Yale University since 2003, having licensed technology from the esteemed institution for three start-ups: Applied Spine Technologies Inc. (motion preservation of the spine), Advanced Orthopedic Technologies Inc. (cartilage transplant system), and now CardioPhotonics LLC, whose HeartLight monitor provides the ability to measure patient fluid volumes in real time and is normalized to any intubated patient during surgery. "Ultimately, our goal is to provide the same services for spontaneously breathing patients, which would encompass the rest of the hospital, trauma, and military markets," says Wood, the company's CEO. The number of mechanically ventilated patients in a hospital operating room (OR) setting is millions of patients annually, representing a market opportunity in excess of $1 billion per year.

Currently, fluid volumes or blood loss are assessed by estimating how much blood and other fluid is suctioned out of the patient and into a suction canister, or which is absorbed in sponges, drapes, or the like, which can be seen visually. Thus, administration of fluids during surgery largely is a matter of educated guesswork. "Obviously, there is room for error when estimates are involved, and there is always the possibility of internal loss of fluid or blood that is not within sight," Wood says. "Other than a very invasive pulmonary artery catheter, which is rarely used, no one else does what we do."

Proper fluid administration has been shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce time spent in the hospital. "Poor fluid administration can lead to very serious problems," Wood says. "Giving a patient too much fluid can cause pulmonary edema and swelling, or in a worst case, heart failure. Providing too little fluid can result in renal failure, ischemia, and stroke. Often, the view is that providing too much fluid is safer than too little fluid, so there can be a tendency to overload the patient with fluids."

CardioPhotonics was founded in 2009, based on technology resulting from the research of two professors of anesthesiology at Yale: Kirk Shelley and David Silverman. Wood first met the two professors back in 2003. "They had already been researching noninvasive methods for optimizing patient fluid balance for over 10 years, primarily using the standard pulse oximeter signal, called the plethysmogram. The doctors realized that they could extract additional information from this ubiquitous signal. Their invention enables precise, independent monitoring of subtle changes in arterial blood flow and venous blood flow." Shelley and Silverman discovered and demonstrated that subtle venous signal changes were more accurate, faster, and more reliable than arterial blood signal changes for determining fluid requirements for patients. Engineer Mike Theran understood the physiology of the research by the Yale physicians and translated it into a functioning device.

Purchase this article online or get it FREE when you subscribe to Start Up


Companies mentioned in this article:

CardioPhotonics LLC

Masimo Corp.

NAHC Inc.

Advanced Orthopedic Technologies

Yale University

Elsevier Business Intelligence announces the publication of a new Special Report "Bigger, Tougher,Faster"- Preparing for the New FDA. When the inspector comes calling ... will you be ready?

This 16-page report originally published in "The Silver Sheet". Learn more... 
About Start Up

No publication reviews leading edge companies and technology better than START-UP. Each issue of START-UP profiles the most important new product companies, identifies the hottest technology areas, reviews funds flowing into private companies and investment trends, and reports on university tech transfer licensing. Industries covered: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical equipment & devices, and in vitro diagnostics.

Plus:
To find out about more about more about Elsevier Business Intelligence's medical device publications and databases, multi-user access and/or advertising with Medical Devices Today, please contact Kristy Kennedy at (480) 985 9512