October 10, 2000, Orlando, FL. MedTrade, the largest exposition of home medical equipment that drew over 1200 vendors and an audience of 24,700, featured many new products for the homecare setting. As usual, VentWorld visited throughout the exhibit hall to report on innovative new products and enhancements to well-known ventilator and respiratory care equipment. The companies you will find in this report are:
On to the show!
(Note: clicking on the thumbnail images will retrieve larger pictures)
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Ferraris Medical Inc. displayed their line of innovative asthma-management products, including the In-Check Dial® Inspiratory Training Device, a unique low-range flow meter that helps patients quickly learn to achieve optimal flow rates during inspiratory maneuvers, simulating the resistance of the most popular inhalers (adaptable for adult or pediatric use); and their Pocket Chamber™ and Pocket Spacer™, affordable,conveniently-small devices that fit virtually any MDI's mouthpiece. For more information, contact Ferraris by phone at (800) 205-7187 or on the internet at www.ferrarismedicalusa.com.
Pictured: Bruce Contestable, Product Manager.
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Fisher
& Paykel showcased their new HC500 Humidification System, specifically
made for home use by the vent user who needs humidification. The HC500 features
Fisher & Paykel's Heated Wall Breathing Tube, which the company states virtually
eliminates rainout and is easy to clean and maintain.
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Hudson RCI displayed their Model 5800 Oxygen Monitor and Model 5801 Oxygen Analyzer (with and without an Internal Sensor). The monitor and analyzers feature a "low sensor" and "replace sensor" indicator, warning you in advance of sensor expiration.
Pictured: Marc Burk, Senior Product Manager, and
Dave Kilpatrick, Alternate Site Territory Sales Manager
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Invacare Corporation demonstrated their light-weight Polaris™ CPAP Devices, enhanced for ease of use and quieter operation; and the SleepNet IQ™ Nasal Mask, featuring leak-proof soft gel, with a pliable metal ring that can be conformed quickly to the contours of the user's face. Invacare (USA: 1 800 333 6900; Canada: 1 800 668 5324; www.invacare.com) is an exclusive distributor for the nasal mask (SleepNet Corporation: 1 800 742 3646; www.sleep-net.com).
Pictured: Mitchell Barton, Director of Product
Management.
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Newport Medical Instruments presented their new HT50 emergency room, sub-acute, transport * and home-care ventilator, for the adult and pediatric patient. (*call for availability of transport version HT50-T.) The HT50 provides "small size, big value," featuring compressor-less gas delivery, a 10-hour internal battery, and an optional integrated humidifier. The HT50 delivers pressure or volume control, pressure support, and back-up ventilation, plus PEEP/CPAP. Monitoring includes peak, mean, base airway pressure, tidal volume, frequency and inspiratory minute volume. Safety features include comprehensive alarms (including Apnea), a protective front panel cover door and Panel Lock feature. Contact Newport at (800) 451-3111, or visit them on the web at www.newportnmi.com for more info.
Pictured: Janus Angus, MarCom Manager.
Mallinckrodt, Inc.displayed the KnightStar 330 (Puritan-Bennett), a new bilevel device that weighs 2.5 lbs. The Knightstar 330 is pending 510(k) approval.
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Pictured: Paul Palik, National Accounts Manager, and Ken Thom, Director of Sales.
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Pulmonetic Systems, Inc., introduced a new graphics monitor for their popular LTV series ventilators, though the monitor has not received 510(k) clearance yet. The monitor displays pressure, volume, and flow waveforms, loops, and trends. Gary Troilo, Marketing Director for Pulmonetic Systems, also announced that the LTV 1000 will soon be equipped with an inspiratory and expiratory hold feature that allows for calculations of static compliance and auto-PEEP.
Pictured: Gary Troilo, Marketing Director.
ResMed showcased their AutoSet T CPAP device and VPAP II line of bilevel devices. The AutoSet T features ResMed's AutoSet algorithm, which, the company states, has been reported to increase compliance and reduce mean pressures compared with fixed pressure CPAP, thereby reducing pressure-related side effects. The VPAP II includes ResMed's IPAP Max feature that remedies patient-machine synchrony problems.
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Respironics introduced their new BiPAP Synchrony Ventilatory Support System™, which was released into the US market last week, coinciding with the opening of the MedTrade show. The device can be purchased as a BiPAP Synchrony S version, and, following patient qualification as dictated by coverage guidelines, then upgraded via software to become an S/T device. The Synchrony expands the features of Respironics' other BiPAP devices for the home, including a greater pressure capability, pressure control (with the upgrade), and the ability to download compliance information via a modem.
Pictured: Cheryl Needham, Product Manager, Home Ventilation
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Salter Labs featured the Salter AIRE Plus™ Compressor, a compact, lightweight (3.5 lbs), piston-style compressor with a matched nebulizer and nebulizer docking port. The AIRE Plus is designed for a range of settings, from the hospital to the home. For more information, visit www.salterlabs.com or call (661) 854-3166, or (800) 235-4203 (US & Canada).
Pictured: Rod Tabor, Senior Marketing Manager.
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System O2 makes portable, non-pressurized, non-combustible oxygen delivery systems. The devices deliver 99% pure oxygen at 6+ liters per minute for 15+ minutes (per refill). System O2 is approved for physician order, but is not sold over-the-counter. System O2 works by a chemical reaction that liberates oxygen from the combination of water and two types of powders. It is designed to be a quick and ready source of oxygen for life-threatening emergencies. Pharmaceutical Marketing Partners, LLC is the exclusive distributor of System O2 for North America. For more information, see www.systemo2.com, or contact Pharmaceutical Marketing Partners at (847) 252-5380.
Pictured: John Nycz, Vice President of Marketing.
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TAGA's Velocity™ Passover Humidifier is compatible with most major CPAP flow generators, using industry standard air tubes, with no 'optional' shelves required. It yields significant relative-humidity gain at all flow settings, and is easy to fill, transport and clean. The unit will be available for U.S. distribution in January 2001, pending FDA 510(k) approval.
For more information, contact TAGA by phone at 1 440 953 9605, or on the internet at www.tagamed.com.
Pictured: Tim Austin, Vice President forMarketing and Business Development.
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Thermo Respiratory Group, a division of Thermo Electron, was showing off their TBird® Legacy, which is now 30% lighter due to its new thermo-plastic case (the previous models were encased in steel). The Legacy is small enough to fit on the back of a wheelchair.
Pictured: Dan Fleming and Tim Quinn.
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Oxy-View™ Oxygen Therapy Eyewear, distributed by Transtracheal Systems, is a line of stylish eyeglass frames for prescription lenses, with special built in channels in the frames for administration of oxygen at flows up to 5 liters per minute. The frames look great and eliminate the need for uncomfortable and ungainly nasal cannulae. Contact Oxy-View by phone at 1 877 699 8439, or on the internet at www.OxyView.com. Contact Transtracheal Systems at 1 800 527 2667 or www.transtracheal.com.
Pictured: Les Peterson, President and CEO.
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Western Medica displayed their lightweight (22 oz.) OPC
Conserving Regulator that delivers oxygen on demand at the prescribed liter
flow. The regulator is constructed with an aluminum body and brass high-pressure
chamber, and ignition tested to meet current CGA standards. For more information,
visit their website at www.westernmedica.com, or call (800) 783-7890.
Pictured: Paula Dubecky, National Accounts Manager, and Tom Farley.
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