PLC Systems of Franklin, MA, plans to initiate clinical studies by 2007 for a new product designed to protect kidney function from the potentially harmful effects of contrast media.
Renal Guard is an automated, real-time fluid measurement and replacement system that is intended to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) by matching a patient's urine output with normal saline in order to keep a patient hydrated during an interventional cardiology or radiology procedure.
PLC plans to initiate a U.S. pilot feasibility study later this year, and clinical trials in 2007. The company has a commercial launch target of late 2008 or early 2009, pending regulatory clearance.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
September 15, 2006
Related Reading
Assessing patient risk will help prevent contrast-induced nephropathy, June 15, 2006
Firm raises eyebrows with push to enforce antikidney-failure patent, June 13, 2006
GE investigates Omniscan cases, June 12, 2006
Part II: Palliative steps prevent contrast-induced nephropathy, September 20, 2005
Part I: Identifying patients at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, September 13, 2005
Copyright © 2006 AuntMinnie.com



















![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=112&q=70&w=112)
