16 Apr Our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection were interviewed by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation).
A medical equipment manufacturer in Takamatsu City has developed a device that can be attached to a pregnant woman’s belly to check the fetus’ heartbeat and other data from a distance, and it is attracting attention for its ability to reduce the risk of infection with a new type of coronavirus among pregnant women through remote medical treatment.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/takamatsu/20200415/8030006512.html
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200416/k10012390751000.html
The device, developed for medical institutions by a medical equipment manufacturer in Takamatsu City, consists of two devices that measure the heartbeat of a fetus and the labor pains of a pregnant woman, respectively.
The devices, each weighing around 150 grams, are attached to the pregnant woman’s belly and transmit data in real time, allowing the doctor to check the condition of the pregnant woman and her baby from a distance.
In response to the spread of the new coronavirus, Hokkaido University Hospital has introduced an “online medical examination” system that allows pregnant women to receive medical examinations at home, using this equipment, and has begun efforts to reduce the risk of infection.
Manufacturers received more than three times as many inquiries last month as last year, and have begun lending to medical institutions in a hurry to introduce the system.
Hironobu Kono, a board member of Melody International, a medical device manufacturer, said, “Pregnant women with weakened immunity are said to be at a high risk of becoming seriously ill, so I think the introduction of the device will be effective. I hope it will help to control infection in the hospital.
