GN Otometrics announced that its ICS Impulse, the first video head impulse testing system (vHIT), has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for sale in the United States.
ICS Impulse is designed to assess and document the vestibular function in both ears in less than 10
minutes, from patient entry to reporting.The technology is the result of almost 20 years of research, conducted in conjunction with Michael Halmagyi, MD, and Ian Curthoys, PhD, who are credited with having described the head impulse test in 1988.
ICS Impulse generates objective measurement of both head and eye movement using a fast and precise system to assess the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The high-frequency stimuli used in vHIT are similar to those used in daily life, as when crossing a street, sitting in a restaurant, or turning quickly toward a sound. ICS Impulse also features LARP/RALP functionality, which tests the anterior and posterior canals, enabling the assessment of all six semicircular canals, in a clinical setting.
Additionally, patient comfort may be improved by the ICS Impulse goggles, which are lightweight and allow for smaller amplitude head impulses of 15 to 20 degrees, which Otometrics says will create a more pleasant testing experience for the patient. Additionally, ICS Impulse enables the testing of children, bed-ridden patients, or any patient for whom caloric testing is not an option.
Otometrics has launched two dedicated Web sites to provide users with support. At www.icsimpulse.com, users will find information and resources to learn more about ICS Impulse and vHIT. It features a library of educational materials including training videos, white papers, and articles by experts, which include instruction on how to conduct head impulse testing. There is also a blog where ICS Impulse users can communicate with the people behind the product, as well as other balance experts.
At www.headimpulse.com, ICS Impulse users can explore both the science and practical application of head impulse testing. The online research library features research material, including videos of Dr Halmagyi’s classroom lectures and examples of vHIT test results.
Otometrics will be displaying the ICS Impulse at several upcoming trade shows, conferences, and meetings, including the Association of Research in Otolaryngology Mid-winter Meeting in February; the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in March; the American Academy of Audiology AudiologyNOW! Conference in April; and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting in September.
SOURCE: GN Otometrics North America
