By: Chris Bignell, CEO
July is national Sarcoma Awareness Month. Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer which can develop in almost any part of the body, inside or outside. Scientists have found that there is a link between Sarcoma and a type of blood clot is called Deep Vein Thrombosis. Deep Vein Thrombosis causes life threatening blood clots, this terrifying side effect is preventable.
Improving existing healthcare
Patients in hospital are often most at risk of developing blood clots due to a lack of mobility to stimulate blood flow causing clots to form. To prevent thrombosis in hospital, patients will be prescribed intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) – an air-filled sleeve that cuffs around the legs and compresses to promote blood flow.
However, IPC is not suitable for all patients, including those with skin problems or who have recently undergone surgery. This leaves many patients without any protective measure to prevent them from developing thrombosis in hospital.
Enter the geko™ device…
The geko™ device is a small, wearable medical device that uses electrical pulses to promote blood flow in the legs. It sends painless shocks down the legs once every second to keep blood flowing, preventing clots from forming. Unlike IPC – which is chunky and restricts mobility – patients wearing the geko™ device can walk, move, and even sleep comfortably with the device switched on.
It is currently used in various NHS hospitals to help patients – like those recovering from a stroke – from developing life-threatening blood clots.
Tech that makes a difference
Beyond the incredible impact the geko™ device is having on patients, medical devices like these are also helping to save healthcare systems time, resources, and money. For instance, the geko™ device can save the NHS approximately £200 per patient using it for blood clot prevention.
Given the immense pressure the NHS is facing from tackling the waiting list of surgery and managing the health of our growing ageing population, the health system needs innovation to make care more efficient and cost-effective.
Giving MedTech a media presence
Life-saving technology deserves a voice that increase its adoption in hospitals around the world. That is why we led the geko™ device and its manufacturer, Sky Medical Technology, towards a partnership with Thrombosis UK last year. So far, this has contributed to increased clinical interest helping further adoption of the device in UK hospitals.
Working with an organisation that is actively saving lives while saving healthcare systems money makes our role in driving the PR a fulfilling and rewarding one.