Asahi Kasei Completes Acquisition of ZOLL

Asahi Kasei Completes Acquisition of ZOLL  

 Tokyo, Japan/ New York, NY, U.S. – April 27/26, 2012 – Asahi Kasei Corporation (TSE1: 3407, hereinafter: Asahi Kasei), Japan’s leading diversified chemical manufacturer with businesses in the health care, chemicals & fibers, homes & construction materials, and electronics sectors, announced today the successful completion of its acquisition of ZOLL Medical Corporation (hereinafter: ZOLL), a major US manufacturer of medical devices for critical care, on April 26, 2012, US Eastern time.

On March 12, 2012, Asahi Kasei announced a tender offer for shares of ZOLL, through a US subsidiary.  All procedures related to this acquisition were completed on April 26, 2012, US Eastern time, and ZOLL became a wholly owned consolidated subsidiary of Asahi Kasei.

As a result, ZOLL’s stock will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ market, and ZOLL will no longer have reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  ZOLL will continue to be managed by its current management team.

Covidien to acquire Oridion in all-cash transaction

• Covidien announces its intent to acquire Oridion Systems Ltd. in an all-cash transaction of USD 23 per Oridion share, representing total equity value of approximately USD 346 million for Oridion on a fully diluted basis

• Transaction has been unanimously recommended by each of Oridion’s and Covidien's Board of Directors

• Based on an exchange rate of CHF 0.9167 to USD 1.00 on April 4, 2012 the transaction price per Oridion share is equivalent to approximately CHF 21.08 and represents a premium of 91% to the volume-weighted average share price of the last 60 trading days and a premium of 76% to the closing price on April 4, 2012

• Covidien plans to integrate Oridion as a center of excellence in Capnography within its Medical Devices segment

News Release

Masimo Debuts 2012 Radical-7® at World Congress of Anaesthesiologists

Irvine, California – March 26, 2012 – Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI), the inventor of rainbow Pulse CO-Oximetry™, rainbow Acoustic Monitoring™, and Masimo SET® Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, debuted its 2012 Radical-7 monitor at the 15th World Congress of Anaesthesiologistsconference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 25-30, 2012.

Automatic rotational screen for either horizontal or vertical display

Once again raising the technologic bar, the 2012 Radical-7 leverages Masimo's breakthrough noninvasive measurements with breakthrough functionality designed to automate the process of care and enable clinicians to instantly adapt to changing monitoring needs in individual patients and care areas.

The 2012 Radical-7's upgradeable rainbow® SET platform features noninvasive and continuous monitoring of:

• Blood constituents that previously required invasive or complicated procedures, including total hemoglobin (SpHb®), oxygen content (SpOC™), pleth variability index (PVI®), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO®), and methemoglobin (SpMet®)
• Masimo SET measure-through motion and low perfusion pulse oximetry for oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, and perfusion index
• Respiration rate through a novel acoustic sensor (RRa™) clinically shown to be as accurate if not more than capnography for respiration rate, or even through the plethysmograph waveform (RRp™), though less reliable than RRa.

Detachable, battery-operated, wireless handheld or wearable device to facilitate untethered monitoring during transport and ambulation with built-in wi-fi.

The 2012 Radical-7 is rainbow® centric, with its intuitive, gesture-control, touch screen that allows SpHb, SpOC, SpCO, SpMet, and RRa to be viewed as prominently as SpO2 and pulse rate. The 2012 Radical-7 offers exceptionally easy operation and instant adaptability to change displays and settings on the fly. With a quick touch, drag, and drop, clinicians can move any parameter to and from center and bottom of the display, never losing track of any vital signs. The instant-trend feature provides the ability to view one or two parameters at once and with a simple finger gesture, clinicians can move, expand, or collapse parameter trends for real-time analysis. Standard wireless connectivity from integrated 802.11 and Bluetooth® technology in the handheld Radical-7 keeps patients connected even while they are ambulating to enable clinician notification and automate charting and enable meaningful use of electronic health record systems.

The 2012 Radical-7 includes a variety of features designed to simplify the clinician's life. Adaptive Threshold Alarm™, helps clinicians manage nuisance alarms and reduces the time required to set patient-specific alarms by automatically adjusting the audible alarm to the patient's baseline. In Vivo Adjustment™, allows clinicians to adjust the noninvasive measurements to the specific patient and laboratory reference device they use for invasive blood testing. These capabilities received the CE Mark in 2011 and are pending FDA 510(k) clearance.

The Radical-7 offers unprecedented versatility in multiple care areas with its automatic rotational screen for either horizontal or vertical display and three-in-one capability to be used as: 1) a standalone device for bedside monitoring; 2) a detachable, battery-operated wireless device handheld or wearable device to facilitate untethered monitoring during transport and ambulation; and 3) a multiparameter monitoring interface via SatShare®, allowing hospitals to seamlessly implement rainbow® measurement capabilities in the Radical-7 display while automatically sending the Radical-7's Masimo SET pulse oximetry measurements for display on the multiparameter monitor.

Intuitive, gesture-control, touchscreen for exceptionally easy operation and instantly adaptable functionality.

The 2012 Radical-7 continues to provide respiration rate with unprecedented ease and reliability via revolutionary rainbow Acoustic Monitoring™. The Radical-7 now also includes the ability to measure respiration rate from the plethysmograph waveform (RRp™), enabling monitoring of breathing status from a standard Masimo SET pulse oximetry or rainbow® Pulse CO-Oximetry sensor in all patients in whom those sensors are indicated. The RRp measurement received the CE Mark in March 2011 and has been available on the Rad-87® monitor, but this is the first time it is available on the Radical-7 in CE Mark countries. The RRp measurement is determined by the variations in the plethysmograph waveform due to respiration, although the measurement is not possible in all patients or conditions. For patients in whom reliable and continuous respiration rate monitoring is required, Masimo's acoustic respiration rate (RRa) measurement provides accurate and patient-tolerant monitoring of breathing through an acoustic sensor placed on the neck. The Radical-7's RRa measurement also provides an important visual indication of breathing through the displayed acoustic waveform.

The 2012 Radical-7 unleashes the power of rainbow® to help empower clinicians to improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care in multiple ways, such as reducing blood transfusion-related costs and detecting bleeding earlier with SpHb, optimizing fluid management with PVI, and enabling reliable detection of respiratory depression with RRa.

Joe Kiani, Masimo CEO and Chairman of the Board, stated: "We are very proud to introduce the 2012 Radical-7 to the anesthesia community at the World Congress of Anaesthesiologists. In 2000, we 'wowed' the healthcare industry with the original Radical. We believe the industry will once again be 'wowed' by the new clinician-centric Radical-7 and what it can do to improve the process of care and ultimately, patient care."

The 2012 Radical-7 can be seen at the World Congress of Anaesthesiologists at Exhibit 64-65. Masimo also will be hosting a sold-out industry symposium, "Improved Patient Outcomes and Decreased Cost of Care with Masimo rainbow® Technology," on Monday, March 26. In addition, Masimo will be hosting educational seminars in Exhibit 64-65 throughout the meeting.

Diabetes: GE invests in non-invasive continuous glucose monitors

GE Healthcare invests in non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring with C8 Medisensors' light-spectroscopy device.

GE Healthcare invested an undisclosed amount into C8 Medisensors, a developer of non-invasive continuous glucose monitors for diabetic patients.

C8 aims to provide glucose monitoring that is "painless, accurate, continuous, noninvasive, and nonintrusive to your life," according to its website.

The San Jose, Calif.-based company's glucose monitors use light spectroscopy to measure blood glucose levels without the need for frequent finger pricks.

"C8's technology platform presents great promise for patients to avoid the discomfort of traditional invasive glucose monitoring," GE VP and chief technology officer Mike Harsh said in prepared remarks. "This investment aligns with our strategy to fund innovations focused on reducing cost, increasing patient access and improving quality in healthcare."

Diabetes will affect as many as 552 million people worldwide by 2030, or about 1 in 10 adults, according to GE.

IntelliVue MX800 bedside patient monitor

It’s a patient monitor. It’s a clinical informatics workstation. It’s a revolution.

The world’s best-selling patient monitors are evolving with you to take you where you need to go. Fitting seamlessly into the IntelliVue family of solutions, the Philips IntelliVue MX800 is the first patient care solution to incorporate patient monitoring and clinical informatics. Designed to simplify access to the patient information you need to enhance diagnostic confidence throughout the hospital. The MX800 is changing outlooks in the ICU, CCU, NICU, ED, OR, and PACU.

See it all
The IntelliVue MX800 patient monitor features an integrated PC for one intuitive view with clear patient status and relevant clinical information at the bedside. Send and receive patient information across modalities for more informed decisions at the point of care.


IntelliVue MX800 in action

Separate but together The monitor and PC are concurrent and independent. Quickly and easily access information from the hospital intranet or PC applications at the bedside with no compromise to patient vital signs monitoring or clinical alerts. Easy to useFully compatible with the IntelliVue family of patient monitors, and with the same intuitive user interface, the MX800 can blend easily into your existing IT infrastructure, helping you to make the most of time, talent, and resources.

Features a 19” flat panel screen, integrated PC (iPC), and next-generation monitor.

More actionable information at the point of care
Exceptional integration of monitoring and iPC computing capitalizes on next-generation “IT-centric” bedside applications, with a broad range of Clinical Decision Support tools for your team. The MX800 is highly configurable and widely scalable.

Reduces the risk of infection
The IntelliVue MX800 is designed with smooth surfaces and a minimum number of seams, and is easy to clean to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Blood Test Detects Parkinson's Long Before Symptoms

A study led by the School of Health and Medicine at the University of Lancaster in the UK suggests it may be possible to detect Parkinson's disease in the early stages, long before external symptoms emerge, with a simple blood test that looks for a marker called phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. A report on the study appears in the December issue of the FASEB Journal.

Lead investigator Dr David Allsop, told the press:

"A blood test for Parkinson's disease would mean you could find out if a person was in danger of getting the disease, before the symptoms started."

Allsop and colleagues first showed phosphorylated alpha-synuclein is common in people with Parkinson's disease, and then developed a way to detect it in a blood sample.

Allsop said a diagnostic tool that helps detect Parkinson's disease at a very early stage "would help the development of medicines that could protect the brain, which would be better for the quality of life and future health of older people."

For their study, the researchers examined blood samples from a group of 32 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and a group of 30 healthy people of the same age who did not have the disease (the controls). They took four samples from the participants with Parkinson's disease, one every month for four months.

When they analyzed the samples they found:

"The levels of [alpha-synuclein] in plasma varied greatly between individuals, but were remarkably consistent over time within the same individual with PD [Parkinson's disease]."

They measured levels of three different forms of alpha-synuclein, including phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. 

Their analysis showed that participants with Parkinson's disease had sigificantly higher levels of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein compared to the controls. This was not the case for the other forms (oligo-alpha-synuclein, and oligo-phospho-alpha-synuclein), nor for the total of all three.

Based on these findings, Allsop and colleagues then went on to develop a simple test that detects phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in the blood that would allow Parkinson's disease to be diagnosed at the stage where brain damage has started to occur, which is long before external symptoms emerge.

They write:

"Immunoblots of plasma revealed bands (at 21, 24, and 50-60 kDa) corresponding to phosphorylated [alpha-synuclein]. Thus, phosphorylated [alpha-synuclein] can be detected in blood plasma and shows more promise as a diagnostic marker than the nonphosphorylated protein."

Dr Gerald Weissmann is Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal. He said most people think of Parkinson's as the outward symptoms, the involuntary movements, but "many people with Parkinson's also develop neurological problems that may be more difficult to detect right away".

"Having a blood test not only helps doctors rule out other possible causes of the outward symptoms, but it also allows for early detection which can help patients and their caregivers prepare for the possibility of the mental, emotional, and behavioral problems that the disease can cause," he added.

The researchers also noted that:

"Longitudinal studies undertaken over a more extended time period will be required to determine whether [alpha-synuclein] can act as a marker of disease progression."

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD 
Copyright: Medical News Today 

AutoPulse

AutoPulse Non-Invasive Cardiac Support Pump

AutoPulse Non-Invasive Cardiac Support Pump. Consistent Compressions. No Interruptions.

For victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), only one thing is certain - chest compressions will be required. Yet, manual compressions - even when they are done well - only provide 10 - 20% of normal blood flow to the heart and 30 - 40 % to the brain.¹

Non-Invasive Cardiac Support Pump

Now, there's an alternative. The only device of its kind, the ZOLL^®AutoPulse^® is a revolutionary non-invasive cardiac support pumpthat moves more blood, more consistently than is possible with human hands.^2,3,4 Easy to use and battery operated, its load-distributing LifeBand^® squeezes the entire chest. As a result, victims receive more consistent, high-quality compressions than those delivered by simple automated CPR devices, which means improved blood flow.

Minimizes No-Flow Time

AutoPulse also minimizes no-flow time. It allows rescuers to provide compressions while performing other life-saving activities, or while transporting a victim down the stairs or in the back of a moving ambulance.

Improved Blood Flow For Cardiac Arrest Victims

The AutoPulse cardiac support pump delivers improved blood flow without interruptions of fatigue and provides hospital caregivers better access to the patient resulting in the possibility of improved survival for cardiac arrest victims. In fact, the AutoPulse cardiac support pump has been shown to triple survival-to-hospital discharge ⁵.

Ensures Clinical Safety

• Ensures improved blood flow by squeezing the entire chest, not just pushing on a single spot like manual CPR and other mechanical devices
• Is fast, easy and intuitive to start-up and use - it doesn't require manual adjustments because it automatically calculates the size, shape and resistance of each patient's chest
• Functions as an "additional person"
• Ensures clinical safety
• Ensures rescuer safety during transport

References

1. Kern K et al. Bailliere's Clinical Anaesthesiology. 2000;14(3):591-609.
2. Halperin HR et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2004; 44(11):2214-2220.
3. Ikeno F et al. Resuscitation. 2006;68:109-118.
4. Timerman S et al. Resuscitation. 2004;61:273-280.5.
5. Ornator JP et al. American Heart Association Annual Meeting. 2005

Ambu® aScope 2

Ambu® aScope™ 2 is a single-use flexible intubation scope that guides most difficult airway intubations and PDT procedures. The product is sterile and ready to use.

Request a Quote

aScope 2

The single use concept is an ideal solution for the OR or ICU as well as outside core elective areas¹ as it is ready to use whenever needed. After use it can just be discarded as with any other disposables used. In short, the Ambu® aScope™ 2 provides greater convenience for everyone involved.

A reusable screen – Ambu® aScope^TM Monitor – is used for displaying the video signal from the aScope 2.

The aScope 2 adds new possibilities to the field of anaesthesia and takes single patient use to a higher level of sophistication and practicality. 

Key features

• No risk of cross contamination: Single patient use only.
• Ready for use after connection to the Ambu® aScope™ Monitor
• 8 hours of usage
• ClearLens design with optimised image quality.
• Availability: Low start-up investment.
• Cost effective: no cleaning and repair costs.
• A powerful solution for monitoring during Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy
   

¹ A. Norris, P. Wakeling, M. Wiles, R. McCahon, M. Bennett, Costs associated with fibrescope inventory: what role for a disposable scope?, DAS 2010 (Poster)

PDT is not part of indication for use in the USA

October 2011Note: US: Rx Only

ZOLL Propaq MD

Propaq MD

The Smallest, Lightest, Most Advanced Monitor/Defibrillator for Military and Air Medical Operations

The Propaq^® MD is a new ultra-lightweight compact device with highly sophisticated, advanced capabilities that combine the well-accepted and proven features of Propaq monitorswith the clinically superior therapeutic capabilities of ZOLL defibrillation and non-invasive pacing technologies. The Propaq MD is 60 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than other similar monitor/defibrillators. It is two pounds lighter than the current military vital signs monitor, the Propaq 206, even with defibrillation and pacing added.

Airworthy Device With Advanced Monitoring And Defibrillation

The Propaq MD provides an unmatched combination of capabilities that include a large, high-contrast color LCD display capable of viewing up to four waveforms simultaneously, as well as a full 12-lead ECG for on-screen review. It also offers a unique night vision goggle (NVG) mode for military and air medical night time operation. All physiological monitoring parameter values, including heart rate, SpO₂, ETCO₂, respiration, non-invasive blood pressure, two temperatures, and three invasive pressures, are shown in large color-coded numeric formats. The device is capable of monitoring all patients, whether adult, pediatric or neonatal. Alarms are provided for all parameters. The Propaq MD is the only FDA-cleared airworthy defibrillator to provide monitoring of three invasive pressures necessary for treating critical patients during long transports.

Long-Lasting, Rechargeable Battery System

A new battery system and AC power charger provides worldwide land, sea and air operating capability. The system can monitor all physiological parameters, including three invasive pressures and two temperature channels, for over six hours on a single battery charge.

Full Downloadable Data Collection And Trending

In addition to real-time monitoring, the Propaq MD has a full data collection and trending capability. Keys are provided to annotate all ACLS interventions such as intubation, drug administration, and associated ECG and other physiological waveform segments. Full trending data is available on the unit’s display from its integral memory, supporting data collection over 24-hour periods. Trends can include 1,000 time-stamped events and 32 snapshots of treatment. All data can be downloaded to a standard USB flash drive and transferred to electronic medical records using an open architecture XML format. An integrated printer can provide immediate documentation of events and diagnostic ECG traces.

Request more information about the Propaq MD

The Connex® Integrated Wall System

Welch Allyn Connex® Integrated Wall System

Physical assessment and vital signs documentation in one convenient system.

The new Connex Integrated Wall System provides everything vital for improved patient safety, speeding patient flow and saving valuable time and space.

• Eliminates frustrating and time-consuming searches for equipment
• Immediately view patient data, then send it directly to an EMR/HIS/EHR system
• Prevents tools from being lost, stolen or misplaced
• Enhances the visibility of information to your patients, improving communication and compliance
• Eliminates tangled, hanging cords
• Provides accurate data every time, speeding decision-making
• Open architecture design allows for custom configuration and expansion

XPREZZON by SpaceLabs

XPREZZON delivers innovative technology and design, to shape the new age of care for clinicians and patients alike. XPREZZON is:

Trendy

A high-resolution screen displays crisp and visually rich Custom Trends for faster, better informed patient assessment. With a single touch, clinicians can access different trend views based on observation needs, type of procedure, or clinical protocols. Trends can be displayed continuously on the bedside monitor for real-time updates, or can be sized and arranged as preferred.

Enlightened

Highly visible LED alarm lights illuminate, front and back, for increased visual awareness.

Expansive

With Spacelabs Dynamic Network Access™ (DNA) the optional dual display allows a dedicated full screen view of physiologic information, plus a secondary screen for charting and other clinical applications. Workstation performance.

Versatile

Ergonomic and versatile mounting solutions enhance the overall appearance of the care environment. Various solutions for both monitor and cable management ensure a more organized and efficient workflow at the bedside.

Sensitive

XPREZZON is the first patient monitor sensitive to a patient's need for a good night's rest. It intuitively dims the display in low ambient light.

Anywhere

Spacelabs' innovative ICS XPREZZ™ provides the ultimate freedom and confidence – patient information on your mobile device – anywhere you have mobile access.

Connected

Fully backward compatible, XPREZZON presents a seamless transition between platforms. It also features a highly intuitive touch screen user interface, universal to all Spacelabs patient monitors, to simplify learning and promote the continuity of workflow.

Masimo Pronto-7

Pronto-7 — with rainbow 4D^™ Technology — for noninvasive and quick spot checking of hemoglobin (SpHb^®), SpO₂, pulse rate, and perfusion index

A New Solution for Spot Checking

For the first time ever, technology in the Masimo Pronto-7 offers noninvasive and quick spot checking of hemoglobin (SpHb), SpO₂, pulse rate, and perfusion index, which may provide the following benefits:

CLINICIAN

• > Facilitates timely assessment

STAFF

• > Easy to use — reduces training time and improves efficiency
• > Requires no lab consumables or waste disposal

PATIENT

• > Enables immediate face-to-face counseling with clinician

It's As Easy As 1-2-3

Place sensor on finger

Press test button

Obtain results
Automatically saved — option to print,
e-mail, or manually record

SpHb Accuracy

In 3,519 comparisons of SpHb and invasive hemoglobin (tHb) measurements from a laboratory reference device, SpHb accuracy was as follows:¹

• > -0.06 g/dL bias
• > 0.82 g/dL at one standard deviation
• > Below 12 g/dL, 100% of SpHb readings were <2 g/dL of the laboratory tHb value
• > At or above 12 g/dL, 99% of SpHb readings were <2 g/dL of the laboratory tHb value

• ¹ Masimo FDA 510(k) Clearance Submission Data (Technical Bulletin, Accuracy of Noninvasive Spot-Checking of Total Hemoglobin with the Masimo Pronto-7).