New Medical Device For Neurodegenerative Disease Set For Launch
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News
A new medical device that can be used to aid the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s is set for a worldwide commercialisation drive, Medtech News reports. Two groups, Shanghai Accurature Diagnostics and ClearSky, have entered into an agreement to develop and promote the PD-Monitor, with a focus on Asian markets.
Professor Stephen Smith, founder of ClearSky, said: “As a company focused on research and development (R&D), we’re delighted to enter into a commercial agreement with Shanghai Accurature Diagnostics to tackle a huge market such as China.”
He added: “At the same time the arrangement enables us to focus on continuous product development work, from user interface improvement of our existing products to covering exciting new territories, such as dementia.”
Parkinson’s can be a difficult disease to diagnose by clinical assessment, and the PD-Monitor allows for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of the condition. It consists of a device fitted to the finger or thumb, which contains sensors that can transmit reading to a portable computer. The data is then analysed by specialist software.
Jackie Ho, CEO and founder of Shanghai Accurature Diagnostics, added: “Accurature has the vision to become the leader in China for the provision of novel diagnostic tools and services for healthcare professionals, helping them to make better decisions when it comes to medication for their patients.”
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition which affects about 145,000 people in the UK alone. In larger countries with aging populations such as China, it is thought that up to half the world’s cases will develop there by 2030.
At the simplest level, it’s caused by a lack of dopamine, which allows the brain to co-ordinate movement. The body is unable to produce it, because the necessary nerve cells have died. The condition develops gradually, and early signs may be missed. There are a range of symptoms, and each person can be affected in different ways.
According to the charity Parkinson’s UK, the current tests available include:
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scanning
- dopamine transporter chemical scan, known as a Dat Spect Scan, DaTSCAN or FP-CIT scan
- metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan of your heart
- lumbar puncture – a simple procedure to test the spinal fluid that surrounds the brain
- electrical recording (EMG) of the urethral or anal sphincter – to check the health of the muscles and the nerves that control them
- special recordings of your pulse and blood pressure, known as autonomic function tests (AFTs)
The main symptoms of Parkinson’s include tremor, most often in the hands, legs, or voice. They can happen when the patient is relaxed, or moving around. Rigidity of the muscles is another main sign of the condition, which may be apparent in stiffness, cramps, difficulty turning over in bed, or trouble writing or fastening buttons.
Although as yet there is no cure, there are a range of drug treatments and therapies which can ease the symptoms and delay the progress of the disease.
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