Products that are Gentle on the Patient
Nihon Kohden specializes in the human-machine interface between the patient and the device.
From the Company's founding in 1951, increasing the comfort and dignity of the patient has always been one of our primary missions.
Developing sensors and devices to detect new kinds of vital information is one way we achieve this. Another design goal is developing new methods of testing and treatment that are gentle on the patient. "Gentle on the patient" has three elements.
Non-invasive
Nihon Kohden is constantly researching new technologies and devices that can detect vital information with less stress to the patient.
Most famous is noninvasive pulse oximetry which was developed by Nihon Kohden scientist Dr. Takuo Aoyagi. Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in the blood (SpO2) by a clip-on finger probe with an infrared light emitter and detector. The tiny clip-on ear probes found on exercise bikes in fitness clubs are another offshoot of this basic technology.
Reduced burden on the patient
Change in blood pressure can be a critical signal. In the hospital ward, NIBP (non-invasive blood pressure) is automatically and periodically measured with an inflatable rubber arm cuff. Regular and sudden automatic inflations of an arm cuff can be a great disturbance to a patient trying to sleep.
Nihon Kohden's unique PWTT technology may offer a solution. PWTT uses non-invasive ECG and SpO2 to detect blood pressure change and possibly reduce the need for constant measurement. Although this technology is still in its infancy, future PWTT development will focus on increasing accuracy and reliability to a high enough degree that PWTT can replace periodic measurement of NIBP; cuff inflation could be triggered only by an actual change in blood pressure.
Comfort and freedom of movement
Nihon Kohden was an early leader in telemetry ECG monitoring. In telemetry ECG monitoring, a small and lightweight transmitter is attached to electrode leads on the patient's chest. The patient can move around freely. Before telemetry monitoring, electrodes on the patient's chest were connected by cables to a monitor beside the bed.
Telemetry monitoring reduces "spaghetti syndrome" in which the patient is surrounded by many cables. Telemetry monitoring also allows the patient to move freely away from the bed. Moving about helps speed recovery and encourage the patient.
