News — February 10th, 2003 - February 16th, 2003
BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORS
A Private Label Line For VSM Med Tech's BpTRU Model 200... is being developed for TRIMLINE Medical Products Corporation (Branchburg NJ) through an expanded manufacturing and distribution agreement that previously focused on the Model 100. The two devices will enable TRIMLINE to sell automated blood pressure monitors for use in clinical trial, hospital, and physician office environments. As a mobile version of the Model 100, battery operation and USB connectivity for data transfer are two features of the Model 200 that will support integration with electronic medical records in acute care environments. This device is also upgradeable to accommodate other functions. A Model 300 device with temperature monitoring capabilities is awaiting marketing clearance. VSM Med Tech's corporate headquarters are located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
HealthGuard International's Blood Pressure Monitor Network... is a new company formed by CardioTech International LLC (Rockville MD), Lifeclinic.com Corporation (Redmond WA), and Vita-Stat Medical Services Inc. (Redmond WA). HealthGuard International Inc. (Rockville MD) results in the formation of the largest network of health and wellness monitors worldwide, according to a company spokesperson. Included in the plans is operation of the Lifeclinic website and efforts to upgrade blood pressure monitors within the existing retail network to enable user uploading of data to personal health management pages.
Medwave's Latest Customers For Vasotrac Products... were announced in back-to-back press releases in early February 2003. Specifically, the Medwave's (Danvers MA) non-invasive blood pressure monitoring technology was purchased by Northeast Health System (Gainesville GA) for cardiac stress testing in the newly opened W.D. Stribling Heart Center. Among the factors supporting selection of the Medwave Vasotrac product were accuracy and comfort of the blood pressure cuff, as well as the capability to accommodate patients of various sizes during high motion activities. The product can interface with larger patient monitoring systems such as those used in cardiac, cardiology, emergency medicine, operating room, and pediatric settings. The W.D. Stribling Heart Center is a state-of-the-art facility, and clinicians evaluated the technology before making the purchasing commitment for Vasotrac. Medwave's blood pressure monitoring technology is already in use in more than 500 clinics and hospitals worldwide.
Additional Vasotrac purchases were made by Gulf Coast Medical Center (Panama City FL) to supplement the bought in Fall 2002 for use during anesthesia. Products sold in February 2002 are intended for bariatric and geriatric patients, some of whom are very small and frail while others are obese. In addition to providing greater comfort, the Vasotrac blood pressure cuff has eliminated bruising that had been caused by conventional technologies.
Omron's New Health Care Business... will incorporate marketing and planning functions in a wholly owned subsidiary known as Omron Institute Of Life Science Co., Ltd. (OLS; Tokyo, Japan). As a specialist manufacturer of medical devices and a health service provider, OLS is expected to begin operations in July 2003. The Omron name is well known in the personal health and fitness industry, demonstrating a 65% global market share for consumer blood pressure monitors. Slower growth in the monitor and thermometer segments is cited as one reason for restructuring Omron's health care business. The Company is also committing to consumer-driven health care by emphasizing personal products for disease management to encourage earlier detection and treatment of conditions that can demonstrate positive outcomes from improved lifestyle choices. The Omron Healthcare Company subsidiary manufacturers and markets body fat meters, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and nebulizers. Sales for the fiscal year ended March 2002 reached $305.0 million.
