FREMONT CA--(Marketwired - December 16, 2016) - Visunex Medical Systems of Fremont California announces its support in the fight against the devastating effects of the Zika virus. Providing the PanoCam LT wireless, wide-field infant fundus imaging system at cost to the Lucille Ellis Simon Foundation, Visunex Medical will also provide on-site personnel for training and support in Brazil for the program's initial charter.
The Foundation purchased the unit as part of a donation to Yale University Research, whose team recently determined how the virus infects the placenta1, and how it causes fetal brain damage2. In late August, the Yale team comprised of five disciplines announced significant headway in efforts to solve the Zika virus puzzle3.
First discovered in 1947, the Zika virus initially led to outbreaks in humans living in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Brazil has been both in the news and on the front line of the effects of this virus, that can be devastating to newborn infants. As of November of this year, the virus had spread through most of the Americas with cases reported in nearly every Central and South American country and territory, as well as the United States4.
In a recently released report in JAMA Pediatrics, CDC researchers describe five types of birth defects that are either unique to Zika, or occur rarely with other infections during pregnancy. Among these are severe microcephaly (decreased brain tissue with a specific pattern of calcium deposits) and damage to the back of the eye with a specific pattern of scarring and increased pigment.
The PanoCam LT wireless portable imaging system is used to screen the eyes of infants and small children to look for this scarring effect of the virus on the retina. In some cases, this may be the only apparent sign of the virus presence. The wireless IRIS (Independent Remote Imaging System), hand-held camera component of the LT system, provides clinician with a 130° field of view of the pediatric retina on its integrated monitor. "The design of the PanoCam IRIS hand-held camera allows the technician to image infants and children nearly anywhere in the world, no matter how remote." stated Paul Kealey, Visunex Medical Systems, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Development. "We are very honored to work with the Lucille Ellis Simon Foundation, and contribute in some way to this important program as part of their contributions to children's health services."
About the PanoCam Digital System
The PanoCam family of wireless wide-field digital imaging systems are the most advanced 130-degree fundus imaging systems available for use on newborn infants and children. The unique wireless technology allows true portability, mobility and flexibility for NICU, PICU or nursery. The PanoCam LT system is the first viable solution for remote imaging and telemedicine, allowing the user to take only the suitcase system, or only the IRIS hand-held camera and image for several hours on a battery charge.
About Visunex Medical
Visunex Medical Systems, Inc., is a medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets integrated optical systems and services to enhance the clinician's ability to diagnose, manage and treat eye disorders. The PanoCam family of wireless, wide-field integrated digital systems, is revolutionizing the standard of ophthalmologic evaluation in infants and children. The wireless imaging technology, combined with the Telemedicine-ready connectivity and HIPPA compliant cloud storage options, are redefining telemedicine screening for newborns and pediatric ophthalmology.
1 http://news.yale.edu/2016/08/18/yale-study-identifies-how-zika-virus-infects-placenta
2 http://news.yale.edu/2016/08/24/yale-team-discovers-how-zika-virus-causes-fetal-brain-damage
3 http://news.yale.edu/2016/08/23/yale-researchers-make-strides-solving-zika-puzzle
4 https://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html
Contact Information:
Paul Kealey
paul.kealey@visunexusa.com
Visunex Medical Systems, Inc
Fremont, CA 94538
USA