Research Using the Rheolog(TM) May Lead to New Standards for Blood Transfusion in Sickle Cell Disease Patients.EXTON, Pa. -- Rheologics Inc., a subsidiary of Rheologics Technologies, Inc. (OTC OTC See: Over-the-counter. OTC See over-the-counter market (OTC). :RTGI; "Rheologics", "the Company"), is pleased to announce that its signature product, the Rheolog(TM) was the primary device utilized in a prominent sickle cell disease sickle cell disease or sickle cell anemia, inherited disorder of the blood in which the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin pigment in erythrocytes (red blood cells) is abnormal. (SCD ScD [L.] Scien´tiae Doc´tor (Doctor of Science). SCD 1 Sickle cell disease, see there 2 Subacute combined degeneration, see there 3 Sudden cardiac death, see there ) study published in this month's edition of the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
The hematocrit measures how much space in the blood is occupied by red blood cells. It is useful when evaluating a person for anemia. Purpose Blood is made up of red and white blood cells, and plasma. levels for transfusion, and hence to improved quality of care for patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion blood transfusion, transfer of blood from one person to another, or from one animal to another of the same species. Transfusions are performed to replace a substantial loss of blood and as supportive treatment in certain diseases and blood disorders. with normal red blood cells Red blood cells Cells that carry hemoglobin (the molecule that transports oxygen) and help remove wastes from tissues throughout the body. Mentioned in: Bone Marrow Transplantation red blood cells is commonly used for sickle cell disease patients to alleviate severe anemia or acute chest syndrome acute chest syndrome Hematology A complex seen in Pts with sickle cell anemia–SCA Clinical Fever, tachycardia, chest pain, leukocytosis, and pulmonary infiltrates; it is the most common cause for hospitalization in SCA and is due to vascular occlusion and/or , and also to prevent complications like stroke in children with the disease. However, excessive transfusion of normal red blood cells into sickle cell patients can significantly increase blood viscosity - with serious adverse hemodynamic he·mo·dy·nam·ics n. (used with a sing. verb) The study of the forces involved in the circulation of blood. he consequences - including cerebral hemorrhage cerebral hemorrhage n. Bleeding into the substance of the cerebrum, usually in the internal capsule. Also called encephalorrhagia, hematencephalon. and death, as reported in the medical journal Lancet on May 10, 2003. The study titled, "Rheologic Behavior of Sickle and Normal Red Blood Cell red blood cell: see blood. Mixtures in Sickle Plasma: Implications for Transfusion Therapy," was spearheaded by Drs. Tamas Alexy and Herbert J. Meiselman of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics biophysics, application of various methods and principles of physical science to the study of biological problems. In physiological biophysics physical mechanisms have been used to explain such biological processes as the transmission of nerve impulses, the muscle , Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California The U.S. News & World Report ranked USC 27th among all universities in the United States in its 2008 ranking of "America's Best Colleges", also designating it as one of the "most selective universities" for admitting 8,634 of the almost 34,000 who applied for freshman admission (USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. ). Blood samples were obtained from adult sickle cell disease patients who were followed regularly at the USC Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. The USC researchers utilized Rheologics' advanced clinical blood viscometer viscometer Instrument for measuring the viscosity (resistance to internal flow) of a fluid. In one type, the time taken for a given volume of fluid to flow through an opening is recorded. to examine optimum hematocrit levels (i.e., the proportion of red blood cells in the blood) for sickle cell transfusion therapy. Their findings focused on the hematocrit-to-blood-viscosity ratio, which is a measure of the oxygen transport effectiveness (or oxygen delivery capacity) of blood. For decades, this metric has been used as an index for considering the optimum transfusion level in clinical practice. Using the Rheolog(TM), Alexy, et al., demonstrated that the blood viscosity of transfused blood mixtures (normal red blood cells and sickle cells) dramatically influences the oxygen delivery capacity of the blood. Blood viscosity made the greatest impact at low shear where blood is moving slowly and red blood cells tend to aggregate. The findings suggest that, with further clinical research involving blood viscosity, the definition of optimum transfusion levels for sickle cell disease patients may be improved, resulting in a higher quality of care. The insights resulting from their study were made possible, in part, by the Rheolog(TM), which performs measurements of blood viscosity over a wide range of shear rates such as found in the human body. Dr. Meiselman, one of the lead investigators for the study, stated "The Rheolog's(TM) ability to measure blood viscosity at both the high and low shear rates (i.e., flow rates), and to do it simply and quickly, assisted us substantially throughout our study. We have been working with the Rheolog(TM) for quite some time, are satisfied with its performance, and feel that it is an invaluable tool for our research." According to research published by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc., SCD is a global problem. In Western and Central African countries, approximately 25% of the people have SCD trait and 1-2% of children are born with the homozygous ho·mo·zy·gous adj. Having the same alleles at one or more gene loci on homologous chromosome segments. Homozygous Identical genes controlling a specified inherited trait. form of the disease. In the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people currently have sickle cell disease, with roughly 1,000 babies born each year with the disease. SCD causes lung tissue damage, pain episodes and stroke. The blockage of blood flow caused by sickled cells also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver. About Rheologics Rheologics Technologies, Inc. is committed to the development and commercialization of innovative medical products that significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of human disease and that assist in the development of new drug compounds. The Company is accomplishing its mission by monitoring an overlooked basic physiological parameter -- whole blood viscosity. Rheologics believes that its proprietary innovations will ultimately enable earlier diagnosis of diseases and the development of new cost-effective therapies that conquer today's most difficult medical problems, thereby improving the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. Further information on Rheologics may be found at www.rheologics.com. About the Rheolog(TM) Rheologics has introduced a research device for measuring the biophysical properties of circulating blood. The Rheolog(TM) measures the rheological properties of whole blood in an environment identical to blood flow in the human vascular system. By combining dual-riser tube technology, microprocessors, and proprietary algorithms, Rheologics' innovative scanning-capillary viscometer captures a patient's blood viscosity over the range of shear rates in a cardiac cycle cardiac cycle n. A complete beat of the heart, including systole and diastole and the intervals between, beginning with any event in the heart's action to the moment when that same event is repeated. . The Rheolog(TM) is the first device of its kind that enables clinicians and researchers to obtain a complete and accurate whole blood viscosity profile in real-time at the point-of-care or in the lab. The device's proprietary disposable kit eliminates the need for clean-up, the potential for contamination or operational errors. The current beta-version is being re-packaged for mass commercialization. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the following: the Company's beliefs about the benefits of its technology; the Company's expectations of its technology; the Company's beliefs about the performance capabilities of its technology; the Company's ability to commercially license its technology; the ability of the Company to hire employees sufficient to accelerate engineering and testing; and the Company's beliefs regarding its research and development efforts. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ, including, without limitation, our inability to achieve commercial acceptance of our technology, our inability to compete effectively in the marketplace, our inability to improve or implement effective systems, procedures and controls, the strength of our patent and pending patents and other intellectual property and those of our competitors, our inability to protect our intellectual property, our inability to attract, train and retain key personnel, and such other risks. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release. |
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