Roche’s new digital diagnostics solution will simplify the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of patients with respiratory compromise during the Covid-19 pandemic
Roche introduces v-TAC blood gas digital system. (Credit: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.)
Roche has secured the CE mark approval for its Roche v-TAC, a new digital diagnostic solution designed to obtain results for arterial blood gas values from patients with respiratory or metabolic abnormalities.
The company’s new digital diagnostic tool works by creating a simpler, less invasive venous puncture through the use of a digital algorithm.
Roche Diagnostics CEO Thomas Schinecker said: “In an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Roche v-TAC could also help healthcare professionals to assess disease severity faster in patients and closely monitor potential deterioration in patients with respiratory compromise.
“Digital tools based on clinical algorithms like Roche v-TAC can help improve and simplify delivery of care in emergency situations faster and where it is most needed.”
Roche’s new blood gas solution can be used with cobas b 123 POC and cobas b 221 systems
Roche acquired the v-TAC technology through the purchased of Obi Medical Aps, a Denmark –based company focused on the development of disruptive blood gas testing technology.
Blood gas analysis is used in hospital point of care (POC) settings, including emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating rooms, where quick and accurate results are needed.
The testing provides fast and accurate measurements of whole blood for pH, pCO2, pO2, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Glucose, Lactate, Haematocrit, Total bilirubin and CO-Oximetry.
In addition, the analysis also provides information about a patient’s pulmonary function and acid‐base status, both of which are essential to make a diagnosis, provide treatment and monitor progress.
Usually, blood gas test requires the collection of an arterial blood sample, which can be a pain for the patient, due to the deeper position of arteries in the tissue and thicker walls to be punctured.
Roche claimed that its v-TAC digital solution will enable staff without specific training to draw arterial blood samples, to withdraw a venous blood sample and digitally convert the values into arterial blood gas values.
In addition, the new solution can be fully integrated for use with Roche’s cobas b 123 POC and cobas b 221 systems using the Roche cobas infinity POC solution.