MEMPHIS, Tenn. – (June 3, 2013) – Christie Medical Holdings, Inc., today announced the results of a 3,000 data points medical study that demonstrates the ability of VeinViewer, with Christie’s exclusive high definition image and digital full field technology (DF2), to project vein patterns to near perfect accuracy as compared to ultrasound. VeinViewer®, now in its fifth generation of technology, is the company’s non-invasive vein illumination device designed to project vascular imaging on the surface of the skin. Used around the world by hospitals and clinics, VeinViewer and its TrueView accuracy help to improve peripheral vascular access on patients of all ages, body types and skin tones.
“Visually understanding projected vein width is critical in vascular access. It is the first sense used to assess an optimal catheter gauge. More than just anatomically aligned, clinicians must be confident that the projection of the vein width is accurate and that the vein is appropriate for access based on factors such as size, re-fill of the vessel and valve location. To our knowledge, this is the largest and only data set studied on vein width accuracy with near infrared digital projection devices and demonstrates Christie’s leadership in evidence-based technology design delivering much more than just a target, ” stated Dawn Norman, director of regulatory, quality and clinical affairs for Christie.
In 2011 and 2012, Christie Medical Holdings conducted three studies, vetted and approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) Services, an independently owned and operated ethics review organization dedicated to human research participant protection. Held at the Christie Canada office in Kitchener, Ontario, more than 400 healthy volunteers representing 3,000 data points, were tested to determine if VeinViewer projection accurately displayed the width of human vein patterns (1 mm to 10 mm wide), as compared to ultrasound, the gold standard. The results showed VeinViewer’s measurement to be accurate within half a millimeter on average, and for veins most commonly accessed for a peripheral IV (3mm-7mm wide), it projected near perfect vein widths (+/- 0.06mm).
“Magnification of projected vein patterns has been a concern with near infrared technology devices. This large collection of data demonstrating VeinViewer’s projection accuracy is a great example of how Christie has taken the lead to understand the problem and create the best NIR access tool possible. Getting this right is critical to optimal patient care and successful IV access. It is rare for medical device companies to be so responsive to customer suggestions and to collect this amount of data about their own products,” said Dr. Gregory J Schears, pediatric intensivist and anesthesiologist, Rochester, MN.
VeinViewer technology backed by Christie’s long history of technical achievements
VeinViewer technology was developed with aid of the engineering capabilities and resources of parent company Christie Digital Systems, a leading global visual technology firm with more than 80 years of experience in the projection systems industry. VeinViewer is the first and only device on the market to use: harmless near-infrared light, DLP® technologies, exclusive technology such as Active Vascular Imaging Navigation (AVIN™) providing the demanded Pre, During and Post-access (PDP) benefits, TrueView imaging accuracy in projected vein-widths and technologies such as DF2 to illuminate a real-time HD digital image of subcutaneous vasculature and blood patterns directly onto the surface of the skin. Although designed for assistance in IV starts and blood draws, VeinViewer also is proven to be beneficial in the process of spider and varicose vein treatment. TrueView technology is three to 10 times more accurate than the competition and a key benefit to overall vascular access success rates*. Clinical studies have proven the positive effects of the VeinViewer technology showing up to a 100 percent increase in first stick success rates, up to a 100 percent increase in patient satisfaction ratings and 50 percent decrease in unneeded PICC lines.
VeinViewer validated in nine published clinical peer reviews
VeinViewer has undergone nine stringent peer reviews, the first released in 2006 in Dermatologic Surgery and the remaining eight all published within the last two-and-a-half years. Independent, third-party medical peer reviews demonstrate the statistically significant clinical effectiveness of VeinViewer. Peer reviews often also include an evaluation of the potential savings with the use of VeinViewer, demonstrating not only clinical benefits, but positive impact to the bottom line.
“Proven, evidence-based clinical studies, such as this monumental 3,000 data points study, show why VeinViewer is the medical device trusted by thousands of hospitals, clinicians and patients around the world to revolutionize patient care and patient care economics,” said Chris Schnee, general manager and vice president of sales and marketing at Christie. “With the new Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program, under the Affordable Care Act, by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), hospitals’ patient satisfaction rates are critically important. Lower scores may impact CMS payment rates, leaving hospitals, or even patients, to foot more of the bill.”
To learn more about Christie product offerings: VeinViewer Vision, VeinViewer VisionXTND and VeinViewer Flex, please visit www.veinviewer.com.
About Christie Medical Holdings, Inc.
Christie Medical Holdings Inc. is a global company based in Memphis, Tenn., that discovers, develops and commercializes medical technologies. The company’s market-leading product, VeinViewer®, is a mobile vascular imaging system that allows health care providers to clearly see accessible vasculature in real time, directly on the surface of the skin. Christie Medical Holdings Inc. is owned by Christie Digital Systems Inc., a global visual technologies company and a subsidiary of Ushio Inc., Japan (JP:6925). For more information on Christie Digital Systems or Christie Medical Holdings, visit www.christiedigital.com