COSMED is glad to introduce the new Spiropalm 6MWT, with lots of interesting new features.

The Six-Minute Walk Test
The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a very simple diagnostic test that can be performed in clinic, hospital or physician offices.
What makes the 6MWT so simple is that it only requires a 100-ft hallway.  No specialized training or advanced equipment such as treadmills or ergometers are needed.  The objective of the test is to see how much distance one can cover over a period of six minutes.  The patient walks at his own intensity, which assess a submaximal capacity.  A major difference in the Six-Minute Walk Test in comparison to the Cardiopulmonary Stress Test is that the patient is allowed to stop and rest during the test. It must be noted that the Six-Minute Walk Test does not determine peak VO2 uptake, provide a differential diagnosis of dyspnea, or evaluate the mechanism or cause of exercise limitation.

Spiropalm 6MWT
The versatility of the Spiropalm 6MWT allows a new way of measuring and reporting results for the Six-Minute Walk Test. No more clipboards, stopwatches, lap counter or non-integrated pulse oximeters. The Spiropalm 6MWT provides the customer with a complete testing package with an integrated pulse oximeter, along with the ability to measure ventilation during the test.  With the integration of the pulse oximeter the technicians will be able to monitor SpO2 during the Six-Minute Walk Test, but also provide a complete O2 saturation report for oxygen prescription.  Measuring ventilation is important clinical information as the technicians will be able to assess ventilation limitation due to hyperinflation and airtrapping in patient with pulmonary disease.COSMED presented at ERS2009 in Vienna (Austria) the new medical device Spiroplam 6MWT. Designed by COSMED, Spiropalm 6MWT incorporates the latest design for portable spirometer with a unique tool for the standardized “Six-Minute Walk Test“ (6MWT). The equipment monitors ventilation, oxygen saturation and heart rate during walking, providing value-added clinical information of functional capacity during routine follow-up.

Spiropalm 6MWT configuration comprises the following components:

- Hand-held unit with user-friendly navigation tool and black&white display for real-time monitoring of test performance;
- Turbine flowmeter, held by a silicone face mask with head cap for measurement of ventilatory parameters;
- Integrated pulse oximeter (Nonin®) for oxygen saturation (SpO2) and HR monitoring.

Spiropalm 6MWT fully complies with all requirements from the “ATS/ERS Guidelines for the Six-Minute Walk Test” (2002).

About COSMED

COSMED is a world leading manufacturer of Cardio Pulmonary Diagnostic Equipment. We make a wide range of accurate, reliable and affordable devices and services for the assessment of human health, fitness and performance. Founded in 1980 and based in Rome, Italy, COSMED now distributes its products both directly and internationally through a specialist distributor network covering over 90 countries.