Vital Needs International's Joey Diagnostic Device Provides Cord Blood Test Results Of Newborn Minutes After Birth

Vital Needs International (VNI) today announced that Joey(TM) Diagnostic, an advanced model of the Joey(TM)Umbilical Safety System (Joey), is ready for commercialization and transfer to a corporate partner. Joey(TM) Diagnostic is a single-handed medical device that cuts and clamps a newborn's umbilical cord and allows for quick identification of blood borne diseases such as HIV. It is designed for analyzing the cord blood within minutes after delivery bedside, at an on-site laboratory or off-site facility.

This is especially important in light of studies released by researchers at Duke University and the Yale School of Medicine cited in The New England Journal of Medicine (vol. 352:586-621) on Thursday, February 10th. The reports recommend that routine HIV screening should be established for all Americans, not unlike preventative cancer programs. Additionally, one study assessed that the earlier the detection of the disease the more cost-effective, appropriate care could be given to patients with HIV and therefore a higher quality of life obtained.

Joey(TM) Diagnostic is designed to work in a similar manner as a home pregnancy test. The baby's blood sample from the umbilical will be analyzed and results obtained within minutes of the safe delivery of an infant. Rapid results help clinicians determine appropriate treatments for the mother and infant and aid in decisions, such as breastfeeding, an often over-looked mode of disease transmission. Cord blood testing allows for data collection from transplacental passage of blood borne pathogens and may reduce mother-to-child transmission when used in conjunction with antiretroviral pharmaceuticals.

The technology was initially designed for underdeveloped countries where laboratory access is limited and HIV rates are high. Dr. Richard Watson, Chief Technology Officer for VNI and Medical Director of Joeyaid, a not for profit program, developed Joey(TM) Diagnostic as a key part of an initiative to protect healthcare workers in Africa. "This test could have an immediate impact on the way we treat the youngest HIV patients globally," said Watson.