Draeger's updated EvitaXL ventilator

Draeger Medical, of Telford, Pennsylvania, has extended the capabilities of its EvitaXL ventilator with the addition of the SmartCare/PS option. The new option, which has just been approved by the FDA via the 510(k) route, automates the otherwise labour-intensive process of weaning patients from the ventilator by continually adjusting ventilatory support in response to clinical parameters and patients' respiratory profiles. In clinical trials, the PS option cut the time needed to wean patients by 40%, reduced the overall time spent on mechanical ventilation by 33%, and decreased the length of stay in the ICU by 20%. Draeger has also unveiled a new version of its Infinity Omega patient monitor featuring a widescreen touch-sensitive monitor. The system can simultaneously display real-time monitoring and ventilation data and networked data such as lab results or X-ray images. In addition, through the Infinity Network, data can also be displayed at a central monitoring station.