PinMed and the National Marine Mammal Foundation Partner to Adapt PinMed’s Wireless Monitoring Platform for the U.S. Navy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PinMed, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
https://pinmed.net
Info@pinmed.net

Stacy Hoffman, PinMed, Inc.
Email: slh@pinmed.net

February 15, 2022

Contacts:
Kristina Martz
National Marine Mammal Foundation
Email: kristina.martz@nmmf.org

Dana Black McGrath
Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse
Email: dmcgrath@plsg.com

PinMed, a Pittsburgh-based developer of innovative medical-monitoring technologies, has partnered with the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) on a U.S. Navy contract. The goal is to adapt PinMed’s FDA-cleared wireless cardiovascular monitoring platform (PELEX) for continuous tracking of electrocardiogram (ECG) and physical activity in the Navy’s dolphins.

The U.S. Navy uses free-swimming dolphins to protect harbors and Navy assets, detect and mark underwater mines, and locate and attach recovery hardware to underwater objects as part of the fleet’s operational Marine Mammal Systems. Cardiac arrhythmias and other cardiovascular diseases are of increasing clinical concern in aging mammals and require continuous ECG monitoring for accurate diagnosis and management. However, currently available monitors cannot be used in the aquatic environment.

“The future of personalized monitoring is wearability, versatility, and AI-driven analytics,” said Vladimir Shusterman, PinMed’s President and Chief Scientist. “PinMed’s PELEX platform has been designed with that vision, and it has already proven its versatility in the most challenging environments. We are honored to partner with the NMMF, a globally recognized leader in marine mammal science, medicine, and conservation. The ability to monitor ECG and physical activity will be useful not only for dolphins but also for other aquatic animals and human swimmers and divers.”

Figure from Linnehan et al. 2021 PLOS One, which highlights the current technology available for in-water telemetric ECG, as demonstrated with a trained Navy dolphin (left). The collaborative, Navy-funded work with PinMed and NMMF will advance this technology to create a wireless, mobile ECG, allowing veterinarians to monitor diagnostic ECG rhythms in free-swimming dolphins in the ocean. (illustrated by Jacqueline Dillard).

“PinMed’s monitoring platform is unique in its adaptability, wide range of applications, and ability to be used in a variety of settings, including those with extreme electromagnetic interference, such as MRI,” commented Alan West, Executive-in-Residence at the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse. “We are excited to see the growth of this important platform, and we are pleased that PinMed continues the strong tradition of medical-device innovation in Pittsburgh.”

For more information about PinMed and the company’s suite of innovative medical devices and technologies, visit https://pinmed.net or email info@pinmed.net.


PinMed, Inc., is a Pittsburgh-based National Innovation Award-winning medical-device company that develops high-fidelity cardiovascular monitoring and defibrillation solutions to ensure patient safety throughout the continuum of care, including the most challenging environments where conventional systems fail. PinMed’s monitoring platform provides diagnostic 12-lead ECG and long-term ECG monitoring in-home and hospital settings and has recently been adapted for nonobtrusive blood-pressure tracking as well as monitoring in the MRI.

The National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized globally as a leader in marine mammal science, medicine, and conservation. With a mission to improve and protect life for marine mammals, humans, and their shared oceans through science, service, and education, the NMMF’s team of forward-thinking aquatic and wildlife veterinarians, scientists, conservationists, care experts, and analysts is answering critical questions about the health of marine mammals. The NMMF is committed to protecting marine animals and conserving at-risk, threatened, and endangered cetacean species worldwide. In addition to publishing its findings in scientific literature, the NMMF shares its discoveries with children and the community through its Education and Outreach program. More information is available at NMMF.org.

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) is a comprehensive life-sciences economic development organization. It is dedicated to advancing life sciences in western Pennsylvania by building on the region’s strengths in research, clinical care, and life-sciences entrepreneurship. The PLSG serves the community by providing knowledge, connection, and capital to help companies grow, create jobs, and improve the health of all humanity. For more information, please visit www.plsg.com.