Independent Swiss Pilot Study in Colonoscopy Recommends Use respiR8 Continuous Respiratory Rate Counter

UK-based Anaxsys Ltd, a medical device company developing innovative respiratory devices, has announced that an independent Swiss study, Breath Monitoring with a New Respiratory Rate Monitoring Device During Colonoscopy: A Pilot Study’ recommends the use of respiR8 continuous respiratory rate counter in colonoscopy procedures. respiR8, a trademarked brand which monitors respiratory rates in post-operative, trauma and emergency procedure patients, has already received a CE Mark and is available in hospitals in the UK and Europe.  

“Apnoea (no breathing) occurs commonly during endoscopy and operations carried out under sedation and unless the ventilation is monitored continuously can lead to hypoxemia and increase the risk of other medical complications later on, including dementia,” stated Barbara Lead, Commercial Director of Anaxsys. “Dr Anand and Dr Heuss presented their poster at the United European Gastroenterology conference in Berlin in October 2013 and highlighted the need to monitor ventilation using respiR8 which may provide earlier warning of impending respiratory abnormalities which are not detected by pulse oximetry alone.”  

Lead continued: “Using respiR8 healthcare professionals will be able to better monitor patient respiratory rate, which has been highlighted by the medical community as the vital sign which provides the earliest indication of patient deterioration in the post-operative period yet is the least monitored. Recent studies and publications by eminent physicians and patient safety organisations[i] are calling for routine continuous monitoring of respiratory rate in order to improve patient safety and help reduce the incidence of post-operative drug induced respiratory depression, post-operative cognitive impairment (dementia) and cardiac arrests.”  

respiR8 is the world’s first continuous electrochemical respiratory rate counter. The device consists of a novel patented sensor that is pre-fitted into a standard oxygen mask providing a very accurate respiratory counter for doctors, nurses and emergency healthcare professionals. The mask is connected to a small electronic monitor that captures, displays and records the patients’ continuous respiratory rate. respir8 is a reliable method for this crucial monitoring procedure in the awake or sedated patient and has the potential to dramatically improve patient safety and considerably minimize post anaesthetic risks.