|
by Maria Lironi
A new medical device created by a UVic spin-off company—which enhances the ability of physicians to measure, monitor and track patients’ pain—has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale in that country.
Palpometer Systems Inc.’s (PSI) sonic palpometer is a small, cordless device that transforms a physician’s finger from its conventional role in gauging tenderness to a precise tool for measuring pain responses to highly specific palpation pressures.
For example, the palpometer could be used when measuring tender joints of people who have arthritis or fibromyalgia or to monitor response to treatments in practice and in clinical trials. It can also be used as a teaching tool by health professionals.
“The sonic component allows for eye contact between the practitioner and the patient, enabling the practitioner to capture the pain response more accurately,” says Dr. Christopher Atkins, president of PSI.
The sonic palpometer was created by UVic electrical and computer engineering professor Dr. Adam Zielinski, mechanical engineering staff member Art Makosinski, and Atkins.
With the help of UVic’s technology transfer office—the Innovation and Development Corporation (IDC)—the trio formed PSI to help market the device. More information is available at www.palpometer.ca
|
