Plowshare Technologies :: Products

Clinical Research Support System Pocket (CReSS Pocket)
Portable Topography Measurement Solution

Check out the latest product updates in the CReSS Pocket Support Area

Would you like to measure puff topography outside the laboratory? CReSS Pocket is the first commercially-available device to move the study of puffing behavior from the lab to the smoker's natural environment. » Smoking Topography Features.

Assess Naturalistic Behavior .. Outside the Lab

Based on our widely-used lab based Clinical Research Support System (CReSS Lab), CReSS Pocket is a self-contained battery operated device that measures ambulatory smoking behavior. With time and date tags assigned at cigarette insertion/removal, a new highly-quantitative view of behavior becomes available.

Onboard memory is used to store all measures for up to four weeks without requiring interaction with study staff.

Any Windows® PC, loaded with the CReSShost application software, can be used to quickly initialize and retrieve recorded data from the portable device. Access to onboard measures is protected by an automatic authentication process that maintains full confidentiality and data integrity.

For the first time, CReSS Pocket provides the scientist with unobtrusive access to important behavioral data obtained in the smoker's natural environment over the course of days or weeks.

Measured Characteristics

• Puff Volume [0..150 ml]
• Puff Duration [0..20 sec, recorded in ms]
• Inter-Puff Interval [0..1200 sec, recorded in ms]
• Peak Flow during Puff [0..150 ml/sec]
• Time of Peak Flow [0..20 sec, recorded in ms]
• Mean Flow during Puff [0..150 ml/sec]
• Puffs per Cigarette [0..40 puffs]
• Time to First Puff [0..1200 sec, recorded in ms]
• Time to Removal [0..1200 sec, recorded in ms]
• Date and Time [mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss]

Physical Dimensions

• Device Width = 2.54 inches (body)
• Device Length = 2.16 inches (body)
• Device Height = 1.16 inches (body)
• Mouthpiece Length = 2.78 inches
• Mouthpiece Protrusion from Body = 0.62 inches
• Weight = 3.1 ounces (with battery)
• Battery = CR123A 3VDC lithium cell
• AC Adapter = 3VDC 1A output (120VAC/240VAC)

Certifications

• AS/NZS 3820:1998 (Safety)
• AS/NZS 2064:1997 (EMC)
• UL61010A-1 (Safety)
• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 1010.1-92 (Safety)
• EN61010-1 (Safety)
• FCC, Part 15, Subpart B (EMC)
• EN61326-1:1997 (EMC)
• EN55011:1998 (EMC)
• VCCI V-1/93.11, V-2/97.04, V-3/97.04, V-4/97 (EMC)
• VCCI R-1216, C-1278, Class B ITE (EMC)

Availability and Pricing

• CReSS Pocket is available now
• Contact us for CReSS Pocket pricing

Product Links

» Join the CReSS Pocket News Mailing List
» CReSS Pocket Product Brochure [PDF 40KB]
» Get the latest Adobe® PDF reader

Note: Specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. Please contact us for the latest product information.

Development of CReSS Pocket was supported, in part, by NIH grant 1R43DA13882.

Note: This product is protected by one or more patents including US Patents #6,814,083 and #7,164,993.

Features - Smoking Topography

Smoking topography refers to the measures that assess puffing behavior. Building on the capabilities of our lab-based measurement solution, CReSS Pocket moves topography measurement to the smoker's natural environment. The device detects cigarette insertion and removal and automatically measures all puff measures. CReSS Pocket has the capacity to record measurement data for up to four weeks without requiring interaction with study staff. [cressmicro photo]

Highlights

• Very simple to use for the smoker and researcher alike
• There is no "on/off" switch - it automatically detects the cigarette
• User-controlled real-time "false puff" elimination
• Access to the device is controlled by built-in authentication
• Audible signals for cigarette-in/cigarette-out

Potential Applications

• Field studies of smoking behavior
• Studies with adolescent smokers
• Large-scale multi-participant/multinational studies
• Quantifying level of dependence
• Evaluating potential reduced exposure products

Features - CReSShost Software

CReSShost is a software application for the Windows platform that allows you to initialize a device prior to use with a research participant, check the current settings and status of a device, download stored measures, and clear the device for use with a new participant. Use of the CReSS Pocket device requires at least one copy of this software. A single installation of CReSShost can be used with an unlimited number of CReSS Pocket devices.

Features

Working with your CReSS Pocket devices is easy with CReSShost. The links below provide screen shots for some of the common tasks within the CReSShost software:

• Synchronizing the date and time

• Performing test puffs to verify proper functioning

• Configuring Study Information on the device

• Checking the device stats

• Downloading measures

• Changing the configuration settings

• Using the List Manager

Platform Requirements [data-power cable]

The minimum PC requirements for the CReSShost software are listed below:

• Windows® 95/98/Me/2000/XP
• 64MB RAM
• 10MB Hard Disk Space
• 1024 x 768 Video Resolution
• CDROM Drive
• Open RS232 Serial Port (9-pin)

Accessories Included

The following accessories are included with your order:

• Data/power cable (shown at right)
• Syringe/tubing for Test Puffs
• Spare o-rings for mouthpiece
• Spare mouthpiece screws