Overview

DPNCheck is a fast, accurate, and quantitative test to evaluate peripheral neuropathies. DPNCheck is designed for use at the point of care to detect and stage peripheral neuropathies. The device measures nerve conduction velocity and response amplitude of the sural nerve in the lower leg. These parameters are sensitive and specific biomarkers for peripheral neuropathy.

Point-of-care test of sural nerve conduction

Standard biomarker for peripheral neuropathy
Sensitive and specific
Quantitative assessment of nerve function
Identifies pre-clinical peripheral neuropathy

Easy operation

30-60 seconds per test
Easily implemented in the clinic or home setting by medical assistants or other staff
Reports standard, readily understood nerve conduction parameters
Embedded quality control to ensure integrity of results

DPNCheck device showing ankle stimulation and sensory recording site along the sural nerve

DPNCheck stimulates the sural nerve at the ankle and records the resulting response on the calf.

Clinical Challenges of Peripheral Neuropathy

Detection & Diagnosis

Traditional screening tools often miss peripheral neuropathy³ and do not provide quantitative results or severity staging
Peripheral neuropathy often has no clear signs or symptoms²
Up to 50% of diabetic peripheral neuropathies may be asymptomatic²

Prevalence

The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in the general population is 10% and in patients over 65 it increases up to 30%¹
Over 50% of patients with diabetes will develop neuropathy²
The rate of diagnosed neuropathy is often much lower than the prevalence rate resulting in unidentified risk

Complications

Sensory loss leads to unrecognized skin trauma
Peripheral sensory neuropathy is a compounding factor in fall risk in the elderly⁴
Decreased quality of life
Increased hospitalization rates⁵

10%

Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in general population¹

30%

Prevalence in patients over 65 years old¹

50%+

Patients with diabetes will develop neuropathy²

Benefits

Benefits of Nerve Conduction Studies

The gold standard diagnostic test for neuropathy
Early neuropathy detection, definitive diagnosis
Quantitative and objective
Assess severity of neuropathy

DPNCheck simple testing process showing the device and testing procedure

DPNCheck Advantages

DPNCheck brings the benefits of nerve conduction studies to the point of care:

Early detection of peripheral neuropathy, even in the absence of symptoms and signs
Help confirm or rule-out peripheral neuropathy and quantify severity
Monitor changes in peripheral neuropathy over time and in response to treatment
Early diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy presents opportunities to intervene and reduce costs
Identify those patients with neuropathy that are at highest risk for neuropathy related complications such as foot ulcers, neuropathic pain, and falls

Explore Clinical Benefits View Sural Nerve Conduction FAQs

Performing A Test

Performing a test with the DPNCheck is straightforward and takes only about a minute. The testing process is easy to learn and it is typically performed by staff.

Simple DPNCheck Procedure

Step 1: A healthcare professional cleaning the patient's ankle area with an alcohol wipe before the DPNCheck test.

Step 1: Clean the skin

Step 2: Placing the DPNCheck biosensor onto the handheld device.

Step 2: Place biosensor

Step 3: Applying conductive gel to the DPNCheck probes.

Step 3: Apply gel

Step 4: Selecting the limb to be tested (left or right) on the DPNCheck device's screen.

Step 4: Select a limb

Step 5: Positioning the DPNCheck device on the patient's ankle to start the nerve conduction test.

Step 5: Position & Start Test

Step 6: Get results

Test Results

The DPNCheck device reports 2 values:

Amplitude
Conduction Velocity

Clinical interpretation is straightforward with clearly defined normal limits (>4 microvolts & >40 meters per second). An interpretation guide is supplied with the device. Get detailed guidance on understanding your test results.

Optional PC software is available that provides the following:

Hard copy or PDF report with waveforms and results
Automatic comparison to normal limits
Data archiving
HL7 & XML data output for EMR integration

DPNCheck device showing test results display with amplitude and conduction velocity measurements

View Sample Report

Care Management

DPNCheck results can guide both medical and preventative management strategies for patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Medical Management

Metabolic modifications (blood glucose, nutritional deficiencies)
Identification and elimination of toxins
Pain management

Preventative Management

Routine foot care
Podiatry referrals
Fall prevention programs

Validation

The accuracy, reliability and utility of DPNCheck has been established with over 30 studies published in peer-reviewed journals. DPNCheck demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for detecting peripheral neuropathy.

DPNCheck Detects Peripheral Neuropathy with High Sensitivity and Specificity

Study	Type 2	Type 1	No Diabetes	Total	Diagnosis	Sensitivity	Specificity
Binns-Hall et al. 2018	231	5	0	236	Clinical	0.84	0.68
Papanas et al. 2019	0	53	0	53	Clinical	0.96	0.93
Chatzikosma et al. 2016	114	0	46	160	Clinical	0.91	0.86
Hirayasu et al. 2018	92	0	0	92	Clinical	0.85	0.86
Lee et al. 2014	28	16	0	44	NCS	0.95	0.71
Kural et al. 2018	168	0	0	168	NCS	0.82	0.85
Scarr et al. 2018	0	68	71	139	NCS	0.86	0.79
Total	633	142	117	892		0.88*	0.82*

*Summary sensitivity and specificity determined by bivariate meta-analysis.
Note: Specificity when referenced against healthy controls is 95%.

Clinical Publications

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References

Mold JW, Vesely SK, Keyl BA, Schenk JB, Roberts M. The prevalence, predictors, and consequences of peripheral sensory neuropathy in older patients. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2004;17(5):309-318.
Pop-Busui R, Boulton AJ, Feldman EL, et al. Diabetic neuropathy: a position statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2017;40(1):136-154.
Perkins BA, Olaleye D, Zinman B, Bril V. Simple screening tests for peripheral neuropathy in the diabetes clinic. Diabetes Care. 2001;24(2):250-256.
Richardson JK, Hurvitz EA. Peripheral neuropathy: a true risk factor for falls. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995;50(4):M211-M215.
Romanelli RJ, Shah SN, Ikeda L, et al. Patient characteristics and healthcare utilization of a chronic pain population within an integrated healthcare system. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23(2):e50-e56.