VENTURA, Calif., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles River Laboratories Preclinical Services Montreal, in partnership with VivoMetrics(R), today announced results of the first preclinical research studies using the LifeShirt(R) System, a non-invasive, ambulatory monitoring technology developed by VivoMetrics. After employing a version of the LifeShirt suitable for animals, it was determined that the technology is equivalent and in some cases superior to traditional research methods that often involve invasive surgery with implanted monitoring devices. With non-invasive procedures being less costly and increasingly beneficial to the welfare of animals involved in preclinical studies, both companies are hopeful that the results will have a widespread effect on the current state of the preclinical research community.
While traditional measurement methods require extended pre-study acclimation of animal subjects using restraint or other methods to restrict movement, sometimes providing variable results, the LifeShirt provides for data collection from conscious and unrestrained animals. In addition, integrated cardiac and respiratory data collection in a single study has the potential to reduce the number of animals involved in testing.
In their research, Charles River Laboratories conducted two separate studies with dogs and non-human primates as subjects, in which data collected from the VivoMetrics LifeShirt was compared with that obtained by means of traditional preclinical methods. In the first study, researchers monitored the heart rate and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of the animals, where the LifeShirt’s results were measured against those of an implanted telemetry device; the LifeShirt was found to be comparable in accuracy, without many of the risk factors of traditional methods. In the second study, researchers investigated respiratory data from dogs and non-human primates, comparing the use of the LifeShirt to a traditional mask and pneumotach system. In this case, the LifeShirt was highly successful in detecting real-time respiratory changes in the animals, including those from inhalation administration, which would not have been possible using traditional equipment.
“The LifeShirt is an immensely valuable new tool that allows for the collection and analysis of some data types that could not be determined previously by researchers,” said Steve Mason, Principal Scientist at Charles River Laboratories Montreal. “The results of our studies demonstrate the accuracy of the LifeShirt against traditional methods and how it provides the added benefits of being able to collect continuous, long-term data from animals in a non-invasive and ambulatory manner.”
“VivoMetrics is extremely pleased with the validation of our LifeShirt System and the contribution it will make to animal welfare,” stated Paul Kennedy, President and CEO of VivoMetrics. “We strive to improve healthcare and believe that engaging in this critical research will further enable companies like Charles River Laboratories to bring life enhancing solutions to the market.”
Additional information about VivoMetrics and the LifeShirt System can be found at http://www.vivometrics.com/.
About Charles River Laboratories
Charles River Laboratories, based in Wilmington, Massachusetts US, is a global provider of solutions that advance the drug discovery and development process. Our leading-edge products and services are designed to enable our clients to bring drugs to market faster and more efficiently. Backed by our rigorous, best-in-class procedures and our proven data collection, analysis and reporting capabilities, our products and services are organized into three categories spanning every step of the drug development pipeline: Research Models and Services, Preclinical Services, and Clinical Services. Charles River’s customer base includes all of the major pharmaceutical companies and many biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading hospitals and academic institutions. Charles River’s 8,000 employees serve clients in more than 50 countries. For more information on Charles River, visit our website at www.criver.com.
About the LifeShirt System
The LifeShirt System is the first non-invasive, ambulatory monitoring system that continuously collects, records and analyzes a broad range of cardiopulmonary parameters. Users wear a lightweight, machine washable garment with embedded sensors that collect pulmonary, cardiac, posture and activity signals. Data collected by integrated peripheral devices measure blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, EEG/EOG, periodic leg movement, temperature, end tidal CO2 and cough. An electronic diary captures subjective user input and all physiologic and subject data are correlated over time. The LifeShirt System has received FDA clearance and EMEA approval (CE Mark).
About VivoMetrics
VivoMetrics, founded in 1999, develops and markets an ambulatory monitoring devices and provides services for the collection, analysis and reporting of subject-specific physiologic data. Pharmaceutical companies use VivoMetrics’ technologies to improve the speed and economics of clinical research. The company’s offerings also enable academic researchers to discover new clinical signatures of disease, and U.S. Government agencies to protect the lives of military and civilian first responders.
Contact: Elizabeth Gravatte Director of Marketing VivoMetrics Inc. 805.275.5834 egravatte@vivometrics.com Paulina Piekarski Connors Communications for VivoMetrics 212.798.1407 paulina@connors.com
VivoMetrics Inc.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Gravatte, Director of Marketing of VivoMetrics Inc.,+1-805-275-5834, egravatte@vivometrics.com; or Paulina Piekarski forVivoMetrics, +1-212-798-1407, paulina@connors.com
