Finger Sensor Warns of Impending Respiratory Distress

Photoplethysmogram (pleth) technology allows clinicians to monitor SpO2, pulse rate, and respiration rate through a single integrated finger sensor.

The Nellcor Respiration Rate System is a continuous, noninvasive patient-monitoring platform that enables clinicians to review respiratory trend data over the course of treatment. The easy to use system is highly accurate—reporting respiration rates of ± 1 breath per minute when compared to respiration rate derived from a capnography-based reference—which may enable earlier intervention in the case of respiratory compromise. In addition to the adult respiratory sensor, the system also includes Nellcor Respiration Rate 2.0 software and the Nellcor bedside respiratory patient monitoring system (PM1000N).

The Nellcor Respiration Rate software, when used with SpO2 monitoring, saturation pattern detection (SPD), and a SatSeconds alert feature, provides a real-time pleth graph of a patient’s oxygenation and respiration, including trending data. The real-time data can be displayed on the PM1000N as well as delivered to remote monitoring systems, enabling clinicians to minimize risk of respiratory compromise. The Nellcor Respiration Rate System is a product of Covidien (Dublin, Ireland), and has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

“This single integrated sensor technology is a significant development in the patient monitoring industry,” said Matt Anderson, vice president and general manager of patient monitoring at Covidien. “It supports Covidien’s goal of being on the forefront of cutting-edge medical technology to enable clinicians to provide better patient care.”

“The methods we currently have available to monitor respiration rate are not always accurate, despite the fact that it is a critical vital sign,” said Graham Douglas, MD, of the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (United Kingdom). “The respiration rate system from Covidien gives us a better picture of a patient’s overall respiratory status, does not change the workflow of our clinical staff, and allows us to better provide effective treatment through a finger sensor that is familiar to clinicians and comfortable for patients.”

The respiration rate software uses pulse oximetry technology, sensors, and workflows to derive respiration rate based on alterations in breathing patterns that cause changes to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and autonomic nervous systems, resulting in observable modulations in the pleth waveform pattern.

Related Links:
Covidien
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Video: Nellcor Respiration Rate Technology