The geko™ device – providing increased blood flow for better patient outcomes

Population ageing, lengthening life spans, and the rising prevalence of obesity and other chronic conditions are increasing the demand for vascular health solutions. Globally more than 20 million people annually suffer from strokes, post-surgical swelling, and non-healing wounds that are not being adequately treated by current therapies and are at further risk of medical complications – and poor circulation can be related to many of the diseases and conditions these patients suffer1.

Our mission is to provide clinicians with an innovative solution that addresses poor circulation and delivers safe recovery and accelerated healing. We have developed and commercialized a bioelectronic nerve stimulation technology, clinically proven to increase blood circulation2. The award-winning geko™ device, uses the body’s own internal compression system (specific nerves and muscles) to provide a significant increase in blood circulation on-demand, in the hospital or at home.

External compression, multi-layer bandages, and drugs are currently the standard of care for increasing blood circulation but do not work for all conditions. Existing intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPC) and stockings have poor compliance, multi-layer bandaging can be difficult to apply and drugs can cause an unpredictable bleed risk3,4. The geko™ device overcomes these challenges and is uniquely positioned to address significant unmet need when drug and current compression devices are impractical or contraindicated5,6.

The size of a wrist-watch and worn at the knee, the battery-powered geko™ device gently stimulates the common peroneal nerve with painless electrical pulses, activating the calf and foot muscle pumps, increasing blood flow in the deep veins of the calf at a rate equal to 60%2 of walking, without a patient having to move.

The device provides safer and faster recovery by reducing post-surgical complications and accelerated healing. It does this by (1) eliminating post-operative swelling e.g. after knee, hip, or foot & ankle surgery7 (2) reducing the risk of deadly blood clots e.g. in stroke patients5, (3) accelerating the healing of wounds8 e.g. in people with poor blood circulation.

The clinical effectiveness of the geko™ device has been demonstrated through randomised controlled trials and real-world studies. These studies have helped us to achieve regulatory approval in many countries, including the US (510k clearances), Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with the result that key opinion leaders are now actively using and recommending the geko™ device, moving geko™ from early adoption to repeat use in key references centres in 14 target countries, with a focus in three analogous medical pathways:

Orthopaedic – studies show the geko™ device reduces swelling and pain post-operatively7 and accelerates readiness for surgery when surgery is prevented by excessive pre-operative swelling6.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) – complications caused by VTE are significant in patients suffering acute stroke. The geko™ device provides preventive circulation therapy to all at-risk hospital patients9.
Wound care – the geko™ device delivers markedly increased blood flow to heal complex wounds10.

Dr Indira Natarajan webinar – geko VTE prevention acute stroke - Video