Neohelp was developed with the National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark to address a worldwide issue in newborn health
Ecouen, France, November 17, 2015 – Vygon, the specialist single-use medical device group, today announces the commercial launch of Neohelp, a medical device to prevent hypothermia in newborns. The product was developed in partnership with two health care professionals from the National University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Denmark. The closable plastic pouch can be adjusted to fit the newborn infant and offers protection from anything that may cause the newborn’s body temperature to drop.
The first few minutes after birth are crucial; without proper protection, life-threatening hypothermia may develop. A baby’s body temperature can drop by at least 2-4°C during the first 10 to 20 minutes of life. For every 1°C fall in temperature, the risk of mortality increases by 28%. Premature babies are even more susceptible to hypothermia; in fact more than 56% of premature babies weighing less than 750g have significant hypothermia upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit[1].
Neohelp is the first device with CE marking developed specifically to prevent hypothermia in newborns. The pouch is made up of a dual-layer of polyethylene with an adjustable hood and center fastening. It is fully transparent to allow for monitoring of the baby’s skin color, movements and well-being. Neohelp is intuitive, easy to use and suitable for every setting where birth may take place – delivery room, operating room, intensive care unit, emergency room, at home or in an ambulance during transportation.
The original idea was conceived, patented and designed by Dr Morten Breindahl, a neonatalogist and head of the Neonatal and Paediatric Transport Service, and Berit Weisenfeld, a neonatal intensive care nurse, both from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, National University Hospital, Denmark.
“The product was developed in response to an unmet medical need for prevention of life-threatening hypothermia in our most vulnerable patients – the sick, newborn and preterm infant,” said Dr Breindahl. “With its double layer of plastic, Neohelp creates a protective microclimate and acts as an effective barrier against heat loss. At the same time, Neohelp is designed to improve observation, stabilization, handling and resuscitation of the infant during the first vital minutes of life without the infant being exposed to a cold environment.”
“Vygon Group is committed to driving innovation by bringing the next generation of medical products to the market. This product launch fits perfectly with our philosophy, as the device was designed by health care professionals,” said Stéphane Regnault, chairman of the Vygon management board. “We are pleased to support the National University Hospital in Denmark in the development and launch of Neohelp. It is a simple, effective and low-risk method of combating hypothermia in newborns that complements existing preventive measures.”
Neohelp comes in three sizes and is now available in packs of ten from Vygon distributors and subsidiaries.
About hypothermia in newborns
Hypothermia affects newborn babies worldwide. It is present in all climates and can occur regardless of the weight and gestational age of the newborn. Hypothermia is one of the main risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the newborn population.
Thermal balance is essential for cardiorespiratory development in newborn babies. At birth, multiple factors may cause the infant’s body temperature to fall: the evaporation of amniotic fluid, drafts or simply contact with a cold surface. The urgent imperative to warm up therefore consumes all the available energy resources of the newborn in just a few moments, sometimes with serious long-term consequences, particularly in premature babies.
About Vygon
Vygon designs, manufactures and markets high-tech single-use medical devices for health care professionals in hospital and for private and independent practitioners.
Vygon is a world leader within this industry, offering a wide range of products in a number of clinical specialties:
neonatology, adult and pediatric critical care, anesthesia, oncology, emergency, surgery and home care.
With expertise right along the value chain, from product design to the delivery of training for medical personnel, Vygon provides health care professionals with effective and innovative products tailored to their needs and those of their patients, for optimum use and safety.
The company distributes over 200 million products a year in more than 100 countries through its network of 27 subsidiaries and 79 distributors. Vygon products display the CE and/or FDA mark and are manufactured in the group’s eight factories in Europe, the USA and Colombia.
A family company founded in 1962, Vygon is based in Ecouen, in France’s Greater Paris region. It is a mid-sized business employing 1,800 staff worldwide. The turnover in 2014 was €263 million ($285 million), with 81% of this derived from Vygon’s international business.
www.vygon.com
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