Abbott Laboratories two weeks ago received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to begin marketing is i-STAT 1 Wireless blood analyzer, according to company statements.
The handheld unit allows clinicians to perform blood tests at the patient's bedside, and to transmit the results wirelessly to physicians or into electronic medical record systems. For example, emergency department clinicians would be able to test and immediately send off blood samples for an emergency consult, company officials explain. One particular improvement, according to reviewers at MedGadget, is that physicians don't have to synch up to the device in order to receive the findings. The company says the analyzer only requires two to three drops of blood to provide lab-quality results.
It's the fourth mobile medical device to receive FDA's 501(k) clearance this year. Others include Ascom's Cardiomax monitor/alarm system, Monica Healthcare's AN24 wireless fetal monitor, and Mobisante's MIM mobile ultrasound device.
For more information:
- see the RTT News article
- view the MedGadget article
- view this Abbott press release
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