Innovation collaboration with impressive results 

Vitalthings has developed the world's first contactless patient monitor that continuously measures respiratory rate. The monitor, named Guardian M10, has passed all clinical tests and is expected to be on the market by the third quarter of 2024.

We need a sensor that measures respiratory rate and pulse contactlessly and continuously. Continuous measurements increase the chances of detecting patient deteriorations more effectively than we can today.

Lars E. Laugsand

Senior Consultant at the Emergency Department
St. Olavs Hospital

We need a sensor that measures respiratory rate and pulse contactlessly and continuously. Continuous measurements increase the chances of detecting patient deteriorations more effectively than we can today.

Lars E. Laugsand

Senior Consultant at the Emergency Department
St. Olavs Hospital

Guardian M10 was created through Autoskår, an innovation collaboration between the healthcare sector and industry, with St. Olavs Hospital as the demand owner, Vitalthings as the main supplier, and DNV Imatis as the subcontractor. The University Hospital of Northern Norway and Malvik Municipality participated as follow-on businesses. The project focused on improving patient safety, streamlining treatment, and optimizing staff resources. Close user involvement has ensured that the product's features, user interface, and IT requirements meet the healthcare sector's needs.

Continuous and contactless monitoring

Guardian M10 monitors respiratory rate contactlessly, eliminating the need for resource-intensive connections with body-close cables and sensors. Contactless monitoring enables increased patient safety for all user groups, including those who are in a confused state of mind, under the influence of substances, or otherwise intolerant of body-close equipment. A wireless sensor on the wrist also enables the patient monitor to continuously measure pulse and oxygen saturation.

– Respiratory rate, pulse, and blood oxygen saturation are the three most important measurements for detecting early deteriorations in patients. The device that Vitalthings has developed will therefore contribute to increased patient safety, says Senior Consultant Lars E. Laugsand from the Emergency Department at St. Olavs Hospital.

Extensive applications

The patient monitor is flexible and can be used in emergency departments, hospital wards, and community settings, which improves resource utilization and patient safety.

– In the long run, Guardian M10 could replace interval-based systems with continuous measurement, says Laugsand.

Positive clinical experiences

– The clinical trials showed that the monitoring of patients was very accurate and without false alarms. This provides a solid foundation for detecting changes in the patient's condition and enables earlier implementation of interventions. The results from these tests are in the process of being published scientifically, and they are promising for future use in clinical practice, says Ole Kristian F. Thu, Chief Medical Officer at Vitalthings.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there will be a deficit of 12.9 million healthcare workers by 2035. It is imperative that we innovate both domestically and globally.

Ole Kristian F. Thu

Chief Medical Officer
Vitalthings

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there will be a deficit of 12.9 million healthcare workers by 2035. It is imperative that we innovate both domestically and globally.

Ole Kristian F. Thu

Chief Medical Officer
Vitalthings

Future perspectives and international opportunities

Vitalthings sees potential for the international launch of Guardian M10, particularly given the global shortage of healthcare personnel. The technology can help optimize resource use and improve patient care worldwide.

Safer and more efficient patient care pathways

Guardian M10 represents a significant advancement in medical technology. International research indicates that continuous monitoring reduces mortality, transfers to intensive care units, and hospital stays.

– With positive clinical results and great user-friendliness, the innovation is ready to contribute to better patient monitoring. We are seeing significant interest in the product we have developed and are pleased that our solution will be able to contribute to safer and more efficient patient care pathways, concludes Thu.