New ICU moves away from soda-lime technology use to remove CO2

A new intensive care unit (ICU) was recently launched by the veterinary and medical technology company, Bionet America. The unit, the Super Air Smart ICU, offers features not found in traditional ICUs, including efficient oxygen and CO₂ management, ionization-based air purification, and improved control of air heating and cooling along with monitoring of humidity levels, according to Bionet America.¹ The product is available in the United States and will be showcased at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) on January 25-29, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

“The Super Air Smart ICU marks a new category of products offered by Bionet. Temperature control, oxygen and CO₂ management, and air purification are essentially important aspects of critical care, so our Smart ICU is designed to address some of the limitations of other units, without losing the performance, value, and reliability for which Bionet is known,” Jacqueline Lopez, director of sales, Animal Health Division, said in a company release.¹ “It’s one more way that we aim to help veterinarians provide the best care possible.”

Super Air Smart ICU. (Photo courtesy of Bionet America)

Soda-lime technology is the traditional method in many veterinary ICUs to remove CO₂, but it results in higher costs and more work for veterinary practices, according to a news release.¹ “The Super Air Smart ICU is designed to remove CO₂ without relying on the use of soda-lime while maintaining proper oxygen levels effectively, for better performance and less maintenance for veterinary staff,” wrote Bionet America in the release.

The unit also features:

• Environmental control through air heating and cooling to ensure optimal conditions for the patient
• Continuous air purification with safe ionization technology that is patient-friendly
• Improved oxygenation capabilities, reaching 40% oxygen levels in less than 10 minutes
• User-friendly design with preset menus and parameters for users with varying levels of experience
• Multipurpose flexibility with removable walls featuring removable walls to create larger or smaller compartments for animals of varying sizes, along with stackable configurations to optimize space in veterinary facilities

Also being exhibited, and launched for the first time at this year’s VMX, is a soft chew muscle health supplement that targets mRNA expression in skeletal muscle.² Created by Virbac and Emmyon, the soft chews were designed to help treat muscle atrophy with the use of ursolic acid, which helps provide muscle support.²

The supplement is aimed at improving muscle function and strength in aging, active, or recovering dogs. It also provides veterinarians with a new treatment option, giving pet owners the opportunity for more active years with their dogs.²

References

1. Bionet America, Inc. Launches Super Air Smart ICU. News release. Bionet America, Inc. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/17/3011597/0/en/Bionet-America-Inc-Launches-Super-Air-Smart-ICU.html
2. Coppock Crossley K. New canine supplement is designed to improve muscle health. dvm360. January 21, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-canine-supplement-is-designed-to-improve-muscle-health