Medtronic Launches New Pediatric Monitor That Alerts Clinicians To Potential Airway Obstructions During Ventilation

Rhea-AI Summary

Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) announced the U.S. launch of the SonarMed™ airway monitoring system, the first device to utilize acoustic technology for real-time monitoring of endotracheal tube position and obstruction in neonates. Each year, 415,000 infants require mechanical ventilation, with 75,000 suffering unplanned extubations. The SonarMed system aims to reduce these events, improving patient outcomes and lowering healthcare costs. Clinicians report significant improvements in care efficiency and reduced need for x-rays. The system is FDA-cleared and comprised of a bedside monitor and a single-use sensor.

Positive

• The SonarMed airway monitoring system is FDA-cleared, enhancing credibility.
• The device targets a significant market need, addressing unplanned extubations in neonates.
• Potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital costs by minimizing complications.
• Clinicians report improved care efficiency and reduced x-ray requirements.

Negative

• None.

DUBLIN, May 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), the global leader in medical technology, today announced the U.S. commercial launch of the SonarMed™ airway monitoring system. The first and only device of its kind, the SonarMed airway monitoring system utilizes acoustic technology to check for endotracheal tube (ETT) obstruction and verify position in real-time, giving clinicians vital information required to make more informed, life-saving decisions for their smallest patients.

Globally, 415,000 neonates and infants require invasive mechanical ventilation per year and are intubated for greater than 24 hours. Despite recommendations and reduction efforts, 75,000, or about one in five, of these neonates and infants will experience at least one unplanned extubation (UE). In the NICU, UEs are a significant safety concern for neonates and newborns and are the most common adverse event during mechanical ventilation.¹ These events can lead to increased length of stay and hospital costs.² Adoption of the SonarMed airway monitoring system can help reduce the frequency of these events, which in turn can help improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

"The SonarMed airway monitoring device has revolutionized the way we care for our littlest patients. There is no other device in the world that can tell you where the endotracheal tube is located within the airway continuously in real-time, and whether the tube is obstructed or even partially occluded," said Jamie W. Powers, M.D., MBA, neonatologist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California. "At our hospital, this information has led to a drastic reduction in the number of x-rays performed and marked improvement in the effective suctioning of the airway. It also provides the care team and parents the added reassurance that the breathing tube is where it needs to be while repositioning the patient and during kangaroo care. In our institution it has become the new standard of care for all intubated infants."

The SonarMed airway monitoring system is the first and only FDA-cleared airway monitoring system that provides timely notifications and specific measurements that help enable a coordinated response to address potentially critical events such as ETT movement and migration.

"Clinicians face unique challenges in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) daily, ranging from managing oxygenation within extremely tight ranges, to keeping family members informed and comforted. With our innovative technology, this fragile patient group is continuously monitored with a real-time and accurate device that may help improve a clinician's ability to manage the airway and enhance outcomes for our smallest, most vulnerable critical care patients," said Ariel MacTavish, president of the Respiratory Interventions business, which is part of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic. "Our goal with introducing the SonarMed technology is to help solve a clinical need to reduce the number of unplanned extubations to help these vulnerable patients start their lives in the healthiest way."

SonarMed, which was acquired by Medtronic in December 2020, specializes in developing solutions that increase patient safety while significantly decreasing healthcare costs.

"With Medtronic's extensive market presence, clinical leadership, and market development expertise, coupled with SonarMed's innovative technology, we are confident that together, we can potentially help save the lives of thousands of infants," said Tom Bumgardner, strategic planning program director, Medtronic Respiratory Interventions, and former SonarMed CEO.

For additional information about the SonarMed airway monitoring system, please visit: medtronic.com/sonarmed.

About SonarMed™ Airway Monitoring System
The SonarMed airway monitoring system includes a bedside monitor and single-use sensor. The SonarMed sensor fits any brand of standard endotracheal tube (ETT) in sizes ranging from neonatal to pediatric populations (2.5 mm–6.0mm ID) and attaches noninvasively to the proximal end of the ETT by replacing the 15-mm connector within the ventilator circuit. The SonarMed monitor incorporates an easy-to-read color screen that can display any change in ETT status.

About Medtronic
Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services, and solutions companies – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 90,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals, and patients in more than 150 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

The SonarMed Airway Monitoring System should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and is intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment.

¹ The Adverse Impact of Unplanned Extubation in a Cohort of Critically Ill Neonates. 2019. KK Kambestad, A Huack, S Nair, R Chapman, S Chin, L Langga, E Mounger, E Guerrero, NP Iyer. 10.4187/respcare.06721. Respiratory Care.
² Roddy DJ, Spaeder MC, Pastor W, Stockwell DC, Klugman D. Unplanned Extubations in Children: Impact on Hospital Cost and Length of Stay. Pediatr Crit Care Med . 2015;16(6):572-575. doi:10.1097/PCC.

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Public Relations	Investor Relations
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SOURCE Medtronic plc

FAQ

What is the SonarMed airway monitoring system launched by Medtronic?

The SonarMed airway monitoring system is the first device to use acoustic technology for real-time monitoring of endotracheal tube position and obstruction in neonates.

What market need does the SonarMed airway monitoring system address?

It addresses the issue of unplanned extubations in neonates, which affect approximately 75,000 infants annually.

How does the SonarMed system improve healthcare outcomes?

By providing real-time data on tube position and obstructions, it helps clinicians make timely interventions, potentially reducing complications and hospital costs.

When was the SonarMed airway monitoring system launched?

The U.S. commercial launch of the SonarMed airway monitoring system was announced on May 10, 2021.

What is the stock symbol for Medtronic?

The stock symbol for Medtronic is MDT.