Existing techniques for predicting premature birth are
inadequate or invasive - with risks and discomfort. TU/e researcher Chiara
Rabotti developed a new measuring method, based on a rather simple electrode
plaster that is attached to the abdomen. In the future every pregnant woman can
thereby calmly await the moment, Rabotti expects.Premature birth is the main cause of baby mortality and
permanent handicaps. Unfortunately premature birth is still difficult to
predict, due to inadequate techniques. The only reliable method existing is
based on the insertion of a catheter, which presents discomfort for the woman
as well as a risk to the fetus. Existing measurement methods on the outside of
the body have so far yielded inaccurate prognoses.
Measuring pulses
PhD candidate Chiara Rabotti (1977) therefore developed a technique that
monitors the basis of childbirth; the uterine contractions. All muscles are
triggered by electric pulses. This means that you can measure the activity of
the uterine muscles by measuring those pulses, which can also be detected
outside the abdomen. The Italian researcher used existing measuring instruments
for this, although these had not been applied earlier to measure uterine
activity. Her research focused on the question whether and how she can use the
measurement data to give a reliable picture of the uterine activity. Among
other things she developed a mathematical model to translate the electric
signals into images and graphs. In the end she managed to produce good results
with an electrode plaster of merely three by three centimeters that were at
least as good as the results obtained before with the invasive method mentioned
above. She conducted her research inter alia at the Máxima Medical Center in
Veldhoven. For further information, please click here.
TecHnology supplied by TMSI
Both the advanced amplifier technology and the 64 channel disposable grid were supplied by TMSI. For further information on these items, please contact us.
February 10, 2010
TMSI systems in National Geographic Magazine
TMSI systems are prominently visible in the January 2010 issue of National Geographic Magazine. The feature article entitled "Merging Man and Machine- the Bionic Age" shows an amputee who was fitted with a motorized prosthetic arm at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). She is able to control this arm with the remaining motor neurons in her brain. In order to map these neurons, TMSI's Refa 136 and special micro electrodes on the surface of the remaining stump were used. TMSI devices are often used in this challenging application because of their high quality signals in combination with insensitivity to outside interference and lack of movement artifacts. For the complete article, please click here.
In the first release, SynFi is able to handle two identical devices (i.e. two Refa 136 at 2 kHz, two Refa 72 at 4 kHz, two Porti 32 in identical configuration, etc.) In a future release, SynFi will offer additional support for two non-identical TMSi front ends (i.e. one Refa and one Porti, or a Porti with unipolair inputs and a Porti with aux inputs, etc), as long as they are operating with the same sampling rate.
TMSI technology was recently shown in an ABC news program. Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center are using the device to try and develop an early warning algorithm for epilepsy. Says Prof. Dr. Van Drongelen: ''this device is very well suited for our purpose because of it's very high signal quality and its immunity to movement and other artifacts. The combination of the system’s size, weight, and built-in wireless technology makes it an ideal platform to explore novel algorithms for processing biomedical signals recorded during daily activities''.
This portable family of products is sold by TMSI under the name "Mobi" for a wide variety of applications. A special version of the Mobi family is sold exclusively by MindMedia BV under the name ''Nexus 10'' for Biofeedback and related research fields.
March 22, 2007
TMSI obtains FDA 510k clearance in the US for it's Porti defibrillator proof amplifier products
Oldenzaal, March 22, 2007- TMSl announced today that it has received 510k clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to market it's Porti Physiological Signal Amplifier, including for use in the presence of a Defibrillator. TMSI's amplifiers offer unique advantages over more conventional designs in that they are virtually immune to outside interference and movement artifacts. Their extremely high input impedance makes them ideal for measurements where electrode conditions may be poor. They are designed to measure a large variety of parameters, including EEG, EMG, ECG, EOG, EGG, Respiration, pH, Temperature, Oxygen Saturation and others. With their DC capabilities, they are even capable of measuring e.g. very slow potentials, such as EMG from smooth muscle.
All TMSI products are designed and manufactured under a stringent ISO 13485:2003 quality system and are fully CE certified.
We are pleased that customers in the US can now also use our devices in the presence of a defibrillator. Their unique features ensure that the signal returns within range in the shortest possible time, typically within 2 samples if no software filters are applied, commented Leo Hoogendoorn, CEO of TMSI. It makes the devices suitable for settings where the defibrillator is routinely used and where it is of the utmost importance that the data is available to the user immediately after the electrical shock has passed.
TMSI is based in Oldenzaal, the Netherlands. TMSI's referential amplifiers are sold under the product names REFA, QUICKAMP, PORTI, MOBI, NEXUS and CINDI.
June 29, 2006
TMSI obtains Health Canada Approval
Oldenzaal, June 29, 2006- TMSI announced today that it received approval from Health Canada to market its REFA, PORTI and MOBI products in that market. Other than by these names, some of the products are also sold under the names QUICKAMP, NEXUS and CINDI by some of TMSI's OEM partners.
The products are registered under license number 71781.
All TMSI products are designed and manufactured under a stringent ISO 13485:2003 quality system and are fully CE certified..
Obtaining Health Canada approval is another important milestone for us in our quest to offer this unique amplifier technology to customers around the globe, commented Leo Hoogendoorn, CEO. It is our experience that once customers have used the systems, they find it hard to settle for less. We hope that our future customers in Canada will make this same experience.
TMSI is based in Oldenzaal, the Netherlands. It's core competency is extracting small (electro)physiological signals under very adverse circumstances.
June 9, 2006
TMSI signs new distribution and partnership agreement in Japan.
On June 9, 2006, TMSI signed an agreement with KISSEI-COMTEC Co.Ltd. for the distribution of all its regular products in Japan. Kissei Comtec Co., Ltd. was established in 1985 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. They have done unique business by integrating various know-how of the medical industry and the information service industry. They have further developed computer systems for various industries such as manufacturing, service, distribution, medical care, and education and have been authorized as a Systems Integrator by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Japan. The medical products are sold in Japan and important other international markets. Kissei Comtec employs approximately 250 people and is headquartered in Matsumoto City, Nagano prefecture, with an important branch office in Tokyo and an overseas subsidiary in Beijing, China.
Comments Mr. Kawata, Director of Medical System, Kissei-Comtec: We, the medical system department of Kissei Comtec, have been providing bio-signal analysis solutions. I'm very glad that we have a strong partnership with TMS International which has the state of art product and technology, and strengthen our solution power of bio-signal analysis with combination of our software and TMSI amplifiers over the world market.
Comments Leo Hoogendoorn, CEO of TMSI: It is a very important step for us to sign a partnership agreement with a prominent company like Kissei Comtec. Not only do we expect much better access for our products to the important Japanese market. We are also excited about possible other synergies, for example through the excellent software packages that Kissei Comtec has developed in such fields as Motion Analysis, Advanced EEG, etc.
Kissei Comtec Headquarters in Matsumoto City, Japan
May 31, 2006:
TMSI obtains FDA 510k clearance in the US
Oldenzaal, May 31, 2006- TMSl announced today that it has received 510k clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to market it's entire family of Referential Amplifier products in the United States. TMSI™s amplifiers offer unique advantages over more conventional designs in that they are virtually immune to outside interference and movement artifacts. Their extremely high input impedance makes them ideal for measurements where electrode conditions may be poor. They are further designed to measure a large variety of parameters, including EEG, EMG, ECG, EOG, EGG, Respiration, pH, Temperature, Oxygen Saturation and others. With their DC capabilities, they are even capable of measuring e.g. very slow potentials, such as EMG from smooth muscle.
All TMSI products are designed and manufactured under a stringent ISO 13485:2003 quality system and are fully CE certified.
We are pleased that potential customers in the US now also have full access to our unique amplifier technology, commented Leo Hoogendoorn, CEO of TMSI. I trust they will join their colleagues in other parts of the world in appreciating the capabilities of our amplifiers in bringing out the best signals under even the most adverse of circumstances. Obtaining 510k has been important for us in assuring our customers that these amplifiers are not only unique, but offer this performance in full safety and effectiveness to their patients.
TMSI is based in Oldenzaal, the Netherlands. TMSI's referential amplifiers are sold under the product names REFA, QUICKAMP, PORTI, MOBI, NEXUS and CINDI.
March 22, 2006:
TMSI launches its new web page
On March 22, 2006, TMSI launched a new web page in order to try and inform its customers and other stakeholders even better about its activities and offerings. The new web page includes more comprehensive product and other information, as well as support for multiple languages. At the date of inauguration, these languages will be English and Dutch, but you may expect others to follow in the future.
January 10, 2006:
TMSI moves to a new location
On January 10, 2006, we have moved to our new location "De Valkenaer" in Oldenzaal. Besides offering more space and very pleasant work conditions for our employees, this new location offers TMSI the possibility for further expansion in the years to come. We are excited to be able to serve our growing list of customers and partners even better from Oldenzaal. Oldenzaal is located just a few miles north of Enschede and not far from TMSI's previous location.
May 27, 2004:
TMSI equipment in the PRESS
The pregnant Tamara Huuskes carried a box with her for a few months. Wires and stickers registered all sorts of information from her and her unborn child, like their hart beat, blood pressure and her contraction activities. This information was sent trough a wireless phone connection directly to her gynaecologist.
This mobile box is one of the inventions of Twente Medical Systems Internations (TMS) from Enschede, the Netherlands.
This article was published in "de Gelderlander" on May 26, 2004
July 19, 2003:
Hospital Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) is using TMS International products for home monitoring of pregnant patients
The patient is equipped with a small ambulatory device (MOBI), which collects medical information like foetal heartbeat, and contraction. Patients can stay out of the hospital longer as a GPRS network directly transmits this information to the hospital. Based on the medical information on his computer, the gynaecologist is able to react instantaneously if needed.
During the next six months, the Mobi 4 will be tested on approximately fifty women, who are pregnant without any complications. After this test period also at-risk patients will be monitored.
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