nir-vana innovation network

An Austrian SME offers a breakthrough IT solution for blood unit monitoring. The main advantage of the solution is the amount of blood units which need to be thrown away due to interruptions e.g. in the cold chain can be reduced drastically. As the willingness to donate blood is decreasing in society, the continuous and real-time monitoring of blood units saves not only money but, more importantly, lives. Currently blood units which are requested but not used during a surgery have to be discarded because the core temperature of the blood bag is not measured.

The innovative 3-component-system of an Austrian SME is designed as follows:

Firstly every blood bag is equipped with an easy applicable, wireless and ISO 17025 calibrated temperature logger with RFID chip. Secondly, a handheld reading device scans the blood bags, collects data and allows for automated evaluation of generated temperature data (see attached picture 4). The handheld reading device doesn’t require an active internet connection and any customer requested data can be integrated. Last but not least, the online platform and software offers interpretation support of generated data and allows for back-calculation on core temperature of stored blood units in real-time. On the one hand the software guarantees core temperature stability due to its consistant monitoring, on the other hand it enables logistic data management for hospital internal and external transportation between different blood banks, blood depots and/or labs. The software is also able to offer provide a direct link to the patients’ ID for increased safety and quality management standards. Any additional client-related configuration and parameter can be individually added (shaking, acceleration etc.). The software is either available as an add on cloud based solution or integrable into KIS and LIS systems via HL7 interface.

The system has been sucessfully implemented in two university hospitals and a laboratory group in Austria. It has been working smoothly for over a year now.

Advantages & innovations

The innovative 3-component-system offers a considerable cost reduction for hospitals, labs, blood depots, wards etc. In addition, a remarkable reduction of rejected blood units due to the fact that the location and temperature is monitored and documented in real-time. It allows for fast decision making via the included handheld device even without internet connection. Generated data can be checked at any given time and place via the web interface. The temperature logger with an RFID chip attached to the blood unit provides real-time data. The patients’ ID is linked directly to the blood unit and therefore provides increased patient safety. This additional link adds another safety barrier and supports the bedside test. So far the 3-component-system is the only product on the market which can measure temperature in both directions. The product was invented by a professor who is conducting research on magnetism at the University of Vienna. This Austrian company was founded as a spin-off and focuses 100% on the health sector.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The future business partner should be a sales team which is established in the health sector and which is also able to provide technical customer support on IT solutions and to place a bid in local tenders.