Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) can turn patient awareness into preventive power and physician screening into limb saving protocols. With a mission to shed light on a condition many of us might not be familiar with, Kent Imaging hopes to educate and emphasize the importance of understanding PAD and the risk of developing this slow burning disease.
PAD is a vascular condition marked by narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to the limbs. As we age, the odds stack up against us; the prevalence of PAD nearly doubles with each passing decade after forty. But age isn’t the only traitor to our arteries; cardiovascular disease, smoking, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension all have a hand to play in increasing the risk of PAD.
It is a silent threat to many, particularly because people don’t always recognize the signs early on. Symptoms such as claudication—a term for muscle pain or heaviness, particularly in the legs when walking—tingling, weak pulses, cold extremities, and poorly healing wounds could all be red flags for PAD.
But why should these symptoms prompt a discussion with a doctor? Kent Imaging understands that early detection and proactive screening for PAD can be the difference between maintaining a healthy lifestyle and facing chronic wounds, critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), or even amputation.
That’s where SnapshotNIR, Kent Imaging’s featured device, steps in. SnapshotNIR offers physicians an edge in screening for microvascular diseases like PAD. It’s non-invasive and can provide immediate, actionable information. The device measures blood oxygenation levels just 2-3mm under the skin to spool out valuable insights about blood flow and, by extension, the risk of PAD.
In a world where medical technology races at an unprecedented pace, Kent Imaging remains at the vanguard, driven by an ambition to develop tools that help doctors keep our limbs intact and in working order. Their SnapshotNIR device is not just another gadget to gather dust; it’s a device supported by a robust body of clinical evidence. Since gaining FDA and Health Canada clearance in 2017, it has earned its place in numerous published articles and peer-reviewed posters, helping to improve clinical decision-making in wound care and potentially reducing healing time.
The device might measure what we cannot see, but patient education is crucial. Knowing the risks and recognizing the symptoms to be able to bring them to your doctor’s attention can make all the difference. Armed with awareness, patients can be vigilant caretakers of their own health, prompting discussions and screenings that could ward off the severe complications of PAD.
Peripheral arterial disease doesn’t have to be a lurking threat. With patient awareness and the expertise of Kent Imaging’s healthcare partners we stand a good chance at detecting danger before it escalates. After all, knowing is the first step towards acting and, in the end, maintaining not just health but the quality of life.
Kent Imaging, a company celebrated as a leading innovator in medical technology, also emphasizes the importance of staying connected with advancements in healthcare. Kent Imaging, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has been committed to the development and manufacturing of leading-edge imaging technology designed for limb preservation and surgical care.
For those eager to follow Kent Imaging’s strides in the healthcare sector, social media platforms provide windows into the company’s breakthroughs and updates. You can find them enriching the healthcare conversation on LinkedIn, discussing the latest in imaging technology on Facebook, and disseminating knowledge through their YouTube channel.
Published by: Khy Talara
