Medical Technology: Vol 1, Issue 6

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Broadlane & OB10 Team to Reduce Costs, Increase Efficiencies for Healthcare Providers Through e-Invoicing		Merge Healthcare and Insite One Expand License Agreement to Include New Solution
Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA - Broadlane, the leading cost-management company for healthcare providers and supplier of technology-driven supply chain solutions, has partnered with OB10, the market-leading global e-Invoicing network, to offer a comprehensive electronic supply chain solution to its more than 1,000 acute care hospital clients in the United States. Through the Broadlane-OB10 alliance, healthcare providers will be able to eliminate between 60 to 75 percent of the paper invoices they receive from suppliers and replace them with electronic invoice data that is automatically submitted directly into a provider’s accounting system. Automating the majority of invoices that healthcare providers receive has numerous benefits including lowering operational costs, reducing exceptions, realizing prompt pay discounts, eliminating late payment penalties and decreasing paper archiving costs.		Milwaukee, WI - Merge Healthcare announced that InSite One, a leading service provider of medical data archiving, storage, and disaster-recovery solutions, has expanded its contract with Merge to provide a universal viewing solution for their InDex® archiving services. "We are excited about joining forces to bring new InDex® solutions into additional verticals within the healthcare market," says Jim Champagne, President of InSite One, Inc. "We have shown our combined solution to several HIE organizations and enterprise clients, and our first implementation is already underway." "Our continued innovation in imaging software allows us to change the healthcare information distribution paradigm by the intuitive inclusion of images and radiology reports. We are thrilled to work with InSite One, a long-time partner, to bring this innovative solution to the market," said Antonia Wells, President of Merge’s OEM division.
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St. Trudo Hospital Expands Use of AeroScout Healthcare Visibility Solution to Include Tracking of Patients and Wi-Fi Devices		Genzyme Announces Results of Phase 2/3 Trial of Advanced Phosphate Binder
DÜSSELDORF, Germany - AeroScout, the leading provider of Unified Asset Visibility for the healthcare industry, working with Dräger, announced that St. Trudo Hospital in Belgium is extending the use of its AeroScout Healthcare Visibility solution to include tracking the location of patients and Wi-Fi devices. Central among the tracked Wi-Fi units are Dräger’s Infinity® M300 patient-worn vital signs monitors. With today’s announcement, St. Trudo is building on the success of its existing AeroScout implementation to further improve patient safety and staff satisfaction. St. Trudo has been using AeroScout’s Wi-Fi RFID solution to improve the management of critical medical equipment and to wirelessly monitor the temperatures in key areas of the hospital. Recently, St. Trudo leveraged its existing AeroScout Healthcare Visibility solution and its Cisco Unified Wireless Network to add the ability to immediately locate ambulatory patients and Wi-Fi devices.		Genzyme Corporation reported results of a phase 2/3 study of its advanced phosphate binder (APB). The trial met its primary endpoint, which was to show that the APB lowered phosphate levels effectively compared to placebo. However, the APB did not show a significant improvement in phosphate lowering compared to Genzyme’s Renvela® (sevelamer carbonate). Based on these results, the company is not planning to pursue further clinical development of the APB. Genzyme was seeking to develop a product with higher potency that would more effectively bind phosphate, while maintaining all the benefits of Renvela. In the study, Renvela and the APB both effectively lowered patients’ phosphorus levels. Most adverse events associated with both Renvela and the APB were mild in nature, and the most frequently reported events were gastrointestinal disorders. The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 349 adult hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia. It included seven arms: low, medium and high dose APB; low, medium and high dose Renvela, and placebo.
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Medtronic Introduces ‘3D Recon’ Service to Enhance Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms		Roche’s ACTEMRA Inhibits Progression of Joint Destruction in RA Patients by Over 80% Compared to Methotrexate Alone
MINNEAPOLIS - Continuing to drive innovation in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), Medtronic, Inc. announced the introduction of an imaging and visualization service for endovascular specialists who use the company’s market-leading portfolio of stent grafts to treat aortic aneurysms. Aortic aneurysms affect more than one million people in the United States alone and can rupture with fatal consequences if left untreated. Enabled by a global partnership with Vital Images, 3D Recon is a new service from Medtronic that converts two-dimensional computed tomography (CT) axial images to three-dimensional images, offering advanced visualization of the anatomy and aneurysm measurement for device sizing. This technology allows physicians to streamline pre-case planning and patient follow-up. It is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under a 510(k) granted to Vital Images.		Basil, Switzerland - Two-year data from the LITHE study, presented at the American College of Rheumatology, show that, with long-term use, patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with ACTEMRA (tocilizumab, known as RoACTEMRA within the EU) plus methotrexate (MTX) suffered 81% less damage to their joints compared to those treated with MTX, the current standard therapy, alone. For patients, this means that their joint damage is significantly reduced, and that they can therefore continue to enjoy their lives without the evolving disability usually associated with the disease. Furthermore, data from two long-term extension studies also being presented at the meeting demonstrate that the percentage of ACTEMRA patients achieving remission from their disease (DAS28 < 2.6) increased steadily over a 3-year period, from 27% at 24 weeks to 62% at 180 weeks (3.4 years). The unprecedented remission rates seen with ACTEMRA were primarily the result of the profound effect on swollen and tender joints across a range of patient populations.
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Zoll Autopulse Cited for Improved Pre-Hospital Outcomes at AHA Scientific Sessions 2009		Accenx Completes Lab Integration at Cascade Healthcare Community with New Clinical Systems
Chelmsford, MA - ZOLL Medical Corporation announced that the importance of continuous, consistent chest compressions provided by ZOLL’s AutoPulse Non-invasive Cardiac Support Pump in the improvement of short-term outcomes was presented in two separate poster presentations at the American Heart Association’s Resuscitation Science Sessions in Orlando Florida. David Ghilarducci, M.D., and Cesar Aristeiguieta, M.D., Members of the California AutoPulse Registry Steering Committee reported in a poster presentation "The Potential for Enhanced Near-Term Outcomes with Mechanical CPR" that registry data showed patients treated with AutoPulse (A-CPR) had a higher return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) than those receiving manual CPR (M-CPR). The California AutoPulse Quality Assurance Registry was established to undertake data collection related to the rate of emergency department admissions and adverse events associated with CPR provided by the AutoPulse in conjunction with the introduction of the new mechanical CPR device in California.		Chicago - Accenx, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Initiate Systems, Inc., a leader in data management solutions for information sharing and improved data quality, announced its integration of Cascade Healthcare Community’s enterprise clinical information systems is now live. The new system distributes laboratory results to community clinics and regional hospitals, using Accenx Exchange™ - a rapid and cost-effective information exchange platform. Cascade is a prominent regional health system with headquarters in Bend, Oregon. "We chose Accenx to help because from our past experience, we knew the Accenx Exchange solution would provide a quick and cost-effective exchange platform to distribute various laboratory results through our new clinical system," said Bill Winnenberg, CIO of Cascade Healthcare Community. The laboratory information exchange includes the ability to: distribute results to physician offices, clinics and regional hospitals; have a bi-directional interface to PAML reference laboratory; distribute printed reports and labels for PAML reference laboratory; and electronically send reportable results to the Oregon Department of Health.
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Aperio Awarded Patent for Client/Server Image Analysis		Wright Medical Group, Inc. Announces Initial Release of the VALOR Ankle Fusion Nail System
Vista, CA - Aperio Technologies, Inc., a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,602,524 entitled "Image Processing and Analysis Framework." ‘524 patent describes a system and method for processing and analyzing digital slide images comprised of an algorithm server that executes image analysis algorithms on digital (whole) slide images, or on sub-regions of a digital slide image. With this patent, Aperio extends its intellectual property portfolio to image analysis processing using a client/server architecture and distribution of digital pathology information, including support for multiple servers. A client/server architecture is a key aspect of making digital pathology useful in large labs, facilitating a more efficient workflow for busy clinicians and researchers. Image analysis is a cutting-edge capability that uses automated analytical techniques and computer algorithms to extract quantitative information from the digital slide image, facilitating pathological interpretation.		Arlington, TN - Wright Medical Group, Inc., a global orthopaedic medical device company, announced the limited release of the VALOR™ Ankle Fusion Nail. This new product introduction is an important solution for patients requiring fusion of the ankle joint primarily caused by arthritis, skeletal deformity or diabetes. Designed by world-renowned foot and ankle surgeons, the VALOR™ Ankle Fusion Nail system is a comprehensive and advanced solution for fusion of three bones in the foot and ankle: the calcaneus, the talus and the tibia. The VALOR™ Ankle Fusion Nail system consists of multiple implant sizes, lengths and configurations which ensures an accurate fit based on patients’ needs. Each fusion nail implant incorporates an innovative compression device which allows surgeons to control the compression between the bone surfaces. This enhanced compression feature is designed to maximize the likelihood of a solid fusion, thereby alleviating pain.
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MEDSEEK Announces Consumer Portal Go-Lives at Five U.S. Hospitals-Health Systems		Digital X-Ray Systems and Advanced Applications From GE Healthcare Are Driving Workflow and Helping Facilities Change Patient Protocols, Diagnosis and Treatment
Birmingham, AL - MEDSEEK, the leading provider of healthcare enterprise portal connectivity solutions, announced the successful launch of consumer portals by five North American hospitals. MEDSEEK, which in August was once again named one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine, attributes their increasing momentum to the fact that hospitals are no longer competing solely with each other, but are now competing to deliver the service experience consumers expect as a result of their interactions with other, more progressive industries, such as banking and travel. "Today’s healthcare consumers are increasingly sophisticated, informed and assertive," explained Peter Kuhn, CEO of MEDSEEK. The latest research from the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows that eight out of ten Internet users are now searching for health information online. MEDSEEK’s industry-leading healthcare specific content management system and deep eHealth expertise provide an effective platform for extending a hospital’s brand to the communities it serves, as well as an opportunity to differentiate itself among its competition.		Chicago, IL - It’s been just a year since GE Healthcare, a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company, launched two advanced digital radiography X-ray systems, the Discovery® XR650 and the Optima® XR640. Since RSNA 2008, along with delivering high-quality imaging, the digital systems have been working as agents for positive change, allowing radiology departments to improve patient care protocols, including diagnosis and treatment. "Both systems result from GE’s commitment to providing outstanding image quality and to improving workflow," says David Widmann, GE Healthcare’s General Manager for Global Diagnostic X-ray. "The Discovery XR650 and the Optima XR640 address a wide variety of patient procedures by allowing X-ray departments to see more and do more." Widmann credits the game-changing aspects of X-ray to the advanced applications offered on the Discovery XR650. "VolumeRAD™ (digital tomography), Dual Energy Subtraction and Auto Image Paste have changed the ways our customers think about X-ray and how to best use the technology with their patient population," said Widmann.
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Lawson Enterprise Applications Help Healthcare Organizations Move to GS1 Standards		Athens Regional Medical Center’s Expanded Healthcare Partnership with Spacelabs Healthcare Now Includes Main OR, L&D OR, and PACU
St. Paul, MN - Lawson Software announced a series of updates to the Lawson S3 Supply Chain Management suite that will help healthcare organizations adopt GS1 industry standards. The GS1 organization, formerly known as the Uniform Code Council, is the leading global standards organization for the healthcare industry. GS1 standards for healthcare focus on location identification and product identification standards for a wide range of items in a healthcare organization’s supply chain. By applying data standards in the supply chain, healthcare organizations can reduce supply costs, eliminate ordering and procurement errors, improve patient care and safety, and help ensure critical supplies and resources are available at the point of care. A lack of industry-wide product identification standards has hampered the healthcare industry’s ability to improve supply chain efficiency and accuracy. Inconsistent data may lead to a wide range of challenges, from supply outages to needless duplicate supply orders.		Issaquah, WA and Athens, GA - Athens Regional Medical Center has enhanced its dynamic relationship with Spacelabs Healthcare by purchasing additional medical technology for new care areas. Part of Athens Regional Health Services, ARMC is a 315-bed regional referral center, serving a 17-county area in northeast Georgia. In July 2009, ARMC purchased patient monitoring equipment for their Critical Care and Cardiovascular Intensive Care units. Products included Spacelabs’ modular Ultraview™ SL2800-series bedside monitors, which offer complete monitoring and workstation performance in a single package. Internal modules allow the hospital to monitor an array of vital signs, including a complete suite of ECG parameters, non-invasive blood pressure, temperature and oxygen saturation. Vital sign measurements can be configured at each monitor for a specific patient by choosing parameters from the modules. EtCO2 monitoring will be provided by an Ultraview Multigas analyzer. In addition, Ultraview SL3800 central monitors will capture monitored data from hardwired and wireless patient monitors as well as patient-worn telemetry units, and display the data at a central workstation.
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Machine Solutions: Process & Testing Solutions for Catheter and Stent Manufacturers

Machine Solutions Inc.(MSI) was founded with the mission of providing innovative and effective proprietary mechanical solutions to a variety of complex process and device design challenges. MSI has been instrumental in automating or semi-automating several manual processes within catheter manufacturing organizations. The MSI process equipment is quickly becoming the industry standard for stent crimping, balloon catheter pleating & folding, and marker band swaging. The proprietary MSI segmental compression mechanism provides an even, repeatable radial compression. MSI currently holds six issued US Patents and has numerous US and International patents pending. The MSI catheter & stent testing equipment provides unique methods to quantitatively analyze performance features in a repeatable, easy to use manner.

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