MEDICAL DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Accolades in 2007
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The Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) competition recognises the achievements of medical device manufacturers, their suppliers and the many people behind the scenes, who are responsible for the groundbreaking innovations that are changing the face of health care. The winning entries excel in the areas of product innovation, design and engineering achievement, end-user benefit, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and health care delivery. Just a selection of the winning products of 2007 are described here. Readers are urged to go to the web site to review all the winning designs, which are leading to improved health care.
Impella 2.5 circulatory support system. Manufactured and submitted by Abiomed Inc. (Danvers, Massachusetts, USA), this is the world’s smallest ventricular assist device. It provides increased circulatory support during catheterisation laboratory procedures such as high risk angioplasty.
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Impella 2.5 circulatory support system. Abiomed Inc.
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Episure AutoDetect epidural syringe. Manufactured and submitted by Indigo Orb Inc. (Irvine, California, USA), this is a spring-loaded, loss-of-resistance, 10 cc syringe used during epidural anaesthetic procedures. The device is intended for use with an epidural needle to verify placement of the needle tip in the epidural space. Supplier and design credit: Hi Tech Group Inc. (Anaheim, California, USA); Apex Engineering (Torrance, California, USA).
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Episure AutoDetect epidural syringe. Indigo Orb Inc.
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Exoderm Odorshield wound dressing. Manufactured and submitted by Avery Dennison Medical (Turnhout, Belgium), this is an odour-absorbing hydrocolloid dressing that absorbs exudate from lightly to moderately draining wounds. It provides a protective, occlusive barrier that facilitates autolytic debridement, granulation and epithelisation.
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Exoderm Odorshield wound dressing. Avery Dennison
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SureSkin central catheter and IV dressing. Manufactured and submitted by Euromed Inc. (Northvale, New Jersey, USA), this is a transparent caregiver-inspired hydrocolloid central catheter or IV dressing with a one-step application. It adheres securely yet gently to provide a waterproof barrier against contaminants and a conformable fit in challenging locations.
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SureSkin central catheter
and IV dressing. Euromed Inc.
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OrthoGlide medial knee implant. Manufactured and submitted by Advanced Bio Surfaces (Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA), this is a cobalt-chrome medial knee compartment implant that reduces pain in osteoarthritic patients by providing a low-friction articulating surface. It can be implanted through minimally invasive outpatient surgery with no bone cutting. Supplier and design credit: Doncasters Medical Technologies (Oregon City, Oregon, USA).
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OrthoGlide medial knee implant. Advanced Bio Surfaces
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StimLoc deep-brain lead immobiliser. Manufactured and submitted by Image Guided Neurologics (Melbourne, Florida, USA), this is a permanent implant employed to immobilise electrical leads used for deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia.
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StimLoc deep-brain
lead immobiliser
Image Guided Neurologics
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Supplier and design credit: Vertex Technology LLC (Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA), Medtronic Neurological, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA), Reflex Medical Molding (White Bear Lake, Minnesota, USA).
The MDEA competition
This, the tenth annual MDEA competition, is sponsored by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry and organised by Canon Communications LLC. The winners will be honoured with gold or silver award status at a presentation ceremony being held during the Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2007 Conference and Exposition, New York, New York, USA, from 12–14 June 2007.
