Thursday, January 08, 2015
Royal Philips announced that it received 510(k) clearance from the U.S.A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Avalon CL Fetal Monitoring solution (Avalon CL). The solution provides consistent monitoring of the mother and child, without the burden of managing cables, allowing mothers more freedom of movement during labor. The product joins Philips' existing portfolio of mobility solutions designed for advanced monitoring and connected care across the health continuum, from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, recovery and home care.
"Conventional fetal monitoring solutions present limitations for physicians and patients alike," said Mike Mancuso, CEO of Philips Healthcare's Patient Care and Monitoring Solutions. "This latest cableless technology enhances clinician confidence and allows women more flexibility and freedom of movement during labor, which can be very beneficial to the woman and child."
Allowing movement during labor
Multiple research studies have shown that mothers who have freedom of movement during labor may have significantly shorter labor lengths1,2, as well as reduced need for pain relief or labor induction drugs3. Research also reveals less frequent abnormal heart rate patterns for women in an upright position, as well as less pain and backache4 during labor. By eliminating the discomfort of managing cables, Avalon CL allows women to move around and find the most comfortable position during labor, offering them more flexible birthing options, including showers and tubs. The solution continuously measures and transmits fetal heart rate and maternal pulse, uterine activity, and fetal or maternal ECG, allowing consistent monitoring while the mother is on the move.
Enhancing diagnosis accuracy
Misinterpreting the maternal heart rates as fetal during the second stage of labor is a significant concern for clinicians. Avalon CL includes patented Smart Pulse technology designed to automatically detect heart rate coincidence between the maternal pulse and the fetal heart rates, even for twins and triplets. This helps reduce the possibility of mistaking one heartbeat for another, supporting timelier intervention.
Source : http://www.prnewswire.com
