Breath Hydrogen (H2) Monitoring
Helping Detect Gastro-intestinal Disorders
The Gastro+ is a portable hand-held breath hydrogen monitor that has been developed to aid in the detection of gastro-intestinal disorders such as carbohydrate intolerances and malabsorption, intestinal bacterial overgrowth and for determining intestinal transit time.
Hydrogen is generated in the intestinal lumen by bacterial action on carbohydrates in the large or small intestine. This resultant hydrogen diffuses into the blood stream and thence to the alveoli after which it can be detected in expiratory air. Instant and accurate measurement of hydrogen in parts per million (ppm) in expiratory air with the Gastro+ is a simple and affordable alternative to offline testing or invasive procedures such as biopsies.
A colour touch-screen with graphics driven user interface, built-in maintenance reminders and incorporated anti-bacterial filter and one-way valve ensure that the Gastro+ is user and patient friendly as well as safe and reliable.
Features
- Low cost with instant results
- Range of sampling systems for adult and paediatric testing
- Auto-zero and adjustable breath-hold countdown
- Maximum reading held on display
- Store up to 100 test results within the monitor and view as table or graph
- Colour touch-screen
- Built-in maintenance reminders
- Easy to use and calibrate by non-technical personnel
Calibration
The Gastro+ requires a calibration check at least once every three months with Bedfont's 100ppm H2 in air calibration gas. A reminder that calibration is due will be displayed on the instrument’s start-up screen every 12 weeks. No specialist technical knowledge or skills are required, making it easy to calibrate with our Calibration Kit. We can also supply replacement calibration gas in lightweight disposable cylinders.
A range of annual service packages are also available from Bedfont in the UK. Ask your local distributor for information for your area.
Consumables and Accessories
Cardboard mouthpieces are connected to the Gastro+ via a D-piece. A one-way valve prevents air being drawn back form the monitor. This system further reduces the risks of cross infection and protects the instrument from contamination. The breath then passes through an infection control filter, proven to remove and trap >99.9% of airborne bacteria1. This system further reduces the risks of cross infection and protects the instrument from contamination. Bedfont recommend that D-pieces are changed once every month or if visibly soiled – a prompt will be displayed on the instrument every 28 days. Face masks can also be supplied for testing paediatric patients, connected to the monitor via a Y-piece.
Bedfont also supply an instrument cleansing wipe specifically developed for cleaning the surface of the monitors. Each wipe contains 1% Cetrimide, a powerful antimicrobial detergent. The wipes can also be used by patients to clean their hands before handling the instruments in areas without hand washing facilities. Alcohol, or cleaning agents containing alcohol, should never be used as they may adversely affect the sensor within the instrument.
1 1Health Protection Agency (HPA), Porton Down, Report No.43/06, pp.10-11.
For more information on any of our products, please contact us via our enquiry form or use the distributor page to search for your nearest provider of Bedfont products.