Medical Device Link.

Originally Published MX July/August 2004

MDEA WINNERS

Presentation of gold and silver awards honors the best and the brightest in today's medical technology community.

Winning products in the 2004 Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) competition were celebrated at a ceremony held in June at the Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2004 Conference and Exposition in New York City.

The 28 winning products in this year's competition were selected from scores of entries by a panel of 11 expert jurors. Now entering its eighth year, the annual MDEA competition is the premier awards program for the medical technology community, recognizing contributions and advances in the design of medical products.

Top: Jae-Hwang Kim, MD, of Zassi Medical Evolutions Inc. (Fernandina Beach, FL) holds the gold award for the company's Zassi bowel management system. Bottom: MD&DI senior editor Sherrie Conroy (left) stands with 2004 MDEA jury chair Dale Bevington and MDEA juror Tor Alden. (click to enlarge)

Gold and silver awards were presented in 10 categories, including critical-care and emergency medicine products; dental instruments, equipment, and supplies; finished packaging; general hospital devices and therapeutic products; implant and tissue-replacement products; in vitro diagnostics; over-the-counter and self-care products; radiological and electromechanical devices; rehabilitation and assistive-technology products; and surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.

Judging criteria for the competition are intense. MDEA-winning products excel in the areas of product innovation, design and engineering excellence, end-user and patient benefits, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and healthcare delivery.

The MDEA program is presented by Canon Communications llc, with publication sponsorship provided by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. Corporate sponsorship for the 2004 MDEA competition was provided by Avail Medical Products (Fort Worth, TX), DuPont Medical Packaging (Wilmington, DE), The Medtech Group Inc. (Plainfield, NJ), Putnam Plastics Corp. (Dayville, CT), and NuSil Silicone Technology (Carpinteria, CA).

By category, 2004 gold () and silver () award-winning products and submitting companies are as follows.

Critical-Care and Emergency Medicine Products

From left: Barry Groman, president of Groman Inc. (Margate, FL), and Robert Bacon, president of The R&D Group Inc. (Coconut Creek, FL), sit with Shaul Apelker, director of manufacturing for Groman. Apelker holds the silver award for Groman's PrepMaster disposable air abrasion instrument. (click to enlarge)

Audicor cardiograph expansion system, manufactured by Inovise Medical Inc. (Newberg, OR). The Audicor cardiograph expansion system provides primary-care and emergency medicine physicans with automated detection and reporting of heart sounds and ECG information, aiding in timely diagnosis of congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and left ventricular hypertrophy.

LifePort kidney transporter, manufactured by Organ Recovery System (Des Plaines, IL). The LifePort kidney transporter perfuses kidneys with cold physiologic solution to improve organ condition during transport to transplant recipients. The entry was submitted by IDEO (Palo Alto, CA).

Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies

BiteStrip disposable bruxism test, manufactured by SLP Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel). The BiteStrip is a disposable electronic home test for sleep bruxism. It monitors the electromyogram signals of jaw muscles during sleep, counting episodes of clenching and grinding in real time. Results are presented on the test's built-in permanent display.

PrepMaster disposable air abrasion instrument, manufactured by Groman Inc. (Margate, FL). The PrepMaster is a disposable air abrasion instrument that enables dentists to perform all classes of cavity preparation and therapeutic surface etching, yet has a low unit price that makes disposability feasible.

Finished Packaging

Dermabond topical adhesive ProPen XL, manufactured by Closure Medical Corp. (Raleigh, NC). The ProPen XL applicator system is a disposable, sterile, single-use medical device delivery system for Dermabond topical skin adhesive designed for precision application of liquid adhesive technology replacing sutures and staples in surgical procedures.

General Hospital Devices and Therapeutic Products

Implant and Tissue-Replacement Products

From left: 2004 MDEA jury chair Dale Bevington stands with Sue Hart, director of development for Inovise Medical Inc. (Newberg, OR), and MD&DI editor John Bethune. Hart holds Inovise's silver award for its Audiocor cardiograph expansion system. (click to enlarge)

Algo 3i newborn hearing screener, manufactured by Natus Medical Inc. (San Carlos, CA). The Algo 3i newborn hearing screener is a portable, handheld device used to screen the hearing of infants between the ages of 34 weeks corrected gestational age and six months.

Avalon CTS cordless fetal transducer system, manufactured by Philips Medizin Systeme GmbH (Boeblingen, Germany). The Avalon CTS cordless fetal transducer system provides for continuous, cordless patient monitoring in the antepartum period and during labor and delivery.

Syndeo patient-controlled analgesia syringe pump, manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corp. (Round Lake, IL). The Syndeo patient-controlled analgesia syringe pump is designed for the safe and precise delivery of analgesic, sedative, and anesthetic solutions in hospital or alternative medical environments.

Aquadex System 100 fluid removal system, manufactured by CHF Solutions Inc. (Brooklyn Park, MN). The System 100 simply, safely, and precisely removes up to 4 L of fluid over 8 hours from patients with fluid overload. It consists of a microprocesser-controlled console, disposable extracorporeal blood circuit, and venous access catheters.

Zassi bowel management system, manufactured by Zassi Medical Evolutions Inc. (Fernandina Beach, FL). The Zassi bowel management system is a catheter and collection bag system designed to safely and reliably divert and contain potentially harmful fecal waste produced by bedridden or immobilized patients.

bion microstimulator, manufactured by Advanced Bionics Corp. (Valencia, CA). The bion microstimulator is a miniature, self-contained, rechargeable implantable neurostimulator intended to treat a wide variety of diseases through direct electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves and muscles.

In Vitro Diagnostics

CellTracks AutoPrep system, manufactured by Immunicon Corp. (Huntingdon Valley, PA). The CellTracks AutoPrep system is used with immunomagnetic reagents that capture target cells, and labeling reagents that differentiate them. The first application is based on isolation and characterization of rare circulating tumor cells.

Paradigm Link blood glucose meter, developed jointly by BD Medical, Diabetes Care (Franklin Lakes, NJ), Medtronic MiniMed (Northridge, CA), and Nova Biomedical (Waltham, MA), and manufactured for BD Medical, Diabetes Care and Medtronic MiniMed by Nova Biomedical. The Paradigm Link blood glucose meter is the world's first untethered wireless glucose meter that provides bidirectional communication between a glucose meter and insulin pump.

ThinPrep imaging system, manufactured by Cytyc Corp. (Boxborough, MA). The ThinPrep imaging system is a fully integrated, interactive computer system that assists cytotechnologists and cytopathologists in the primary screening and diagnosis of ThinPrep Pap test slides. The entry was submitted by Battelle Healthcare Products (Columbus, OH).

VersaTrek automated microbial detection system, manufactured by Trek Diagnostic Systems Inc. (Cleveland). The VersaTrek automated microbial detection system is a clinical laboratory instrument that combines blood culture, sterile body fluid culturing, mycobacterial detection, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility testing in a single platform. The entry was submitted by Plexus Technology Group (Neenah, WI).

Over-the-Counter and Self-Care Products

HealthWear weight loss system, developed and manufactured by BodyMedia Inc. (Pittsburgh) and marketed by Roche Diagnostics Corp. (Indianapolis). HealthWear is a weight loss system consisting of a small wearable monitor, Internet application, and advanced algorithms for a personalized self-care calorie balance system.

Vicks underarm thermometer, manufactured by Kaz Inc. (New York City). The Vicks underarm thermometer accurately and comfortably takes the axillary temperature of children aged 2 to 7 years. It is especially suited for children too old for rectal measurements, yet too young to hold an oral thermometer. The entry was submitted by Smart Design (New York City).

Radiological and Electromechanical Devices

From left: Kenneth Powell, director of business development for Becton Dickinson & Co. (Franklin Lakes, NJ), speaks with Miray Pereira of DuPont Medical Packaging (Wilmington, DE), a corporate sponsor of the 2004 MDEA competition. (click to enlarge)

Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter and CryoConsole, manufactured by CryoCath Technologies Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada). The Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter and CryoConsole system achieves cryotherapeutic temperatures as low as –75° C, providing electrophysiologists with a precise, minimally invasive solution for treating cardiac arrythmias. The entry was submitted by Morelli Designers (Montreal, QC, Canada).

CT Exprés advanced contrast-media delivery system, manufactured by Swiss Medical Care, SA (Lausanne, Switzerland). The CT Exprés is an advanced contrast-media delivery system for computed tomography, providing multidosing and programmable saline flush for applications in both the public and private imaging markets.

Partner Rhythm Assistant, manufactured by Guidant Corp. (Indianapolis). The Partner Rhythm Assistant is a handheld device for patient control of atrial defibrillation therapy used in conjunction with Guidant's Vitality AVT implanted defibrillator. The entry was submitted by Worrell Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN).

Secca fecal incontinence treatment system, manufactured by Curon Medical Inc. (Fremont, CA). The Secca fecal incontinence treatment system comprises a radiofrequency-generating control module and a disposable handpiece for delivering therapy. It is used to perform a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to decrease fecal incontinence.

Rehabilitation and Assistive-Technology Products

Hand Mentor rehabilitation system, manufactured by Kinetic Muscles Inc. (Tempe, AZ). The Hand Mentor aids in the restoration of hand function of people who have experienced a stroke or other neurological injury.

Omega T-Ring CAD tool, manufactured by Ohio Willow Wood (Mount Sterling, OH). The Omega T-Ring is a CAD tool meant for use by a prosthetic or orthotic practitioner in the fabrication of custom-fitted lower-limb prosthetic sockets, replacing the use of plaster for capturing the shape of a patient's residual limb.

Storm Series TDX5 power wheelchair, manufactured by Invacare Inc. (Elyria, OH). The TDX5 is a configurable power wheelchair that provides independent mobility for pediatric to geriatric individuals with disabilities.The chair includes five technologies: center-wheel drive, SureStep, stability lock, TrueTrack, and MK5 electronics.

Radiological and Electromechanical Devices

J. Randall Keene (left), president and CEO of Avail Medical Products (Ft. Worth, TX), receives sponsor recognition trophy from William F. Cobert, president and CEO of Canon Communications llc. (click to enlarge)

Surgical Equipment, Instruments, and Supplies

Diego powered dissector, manufactured by Gyrus ENT LLC (Bartlett, TN). Diego is a powered tissue dissector for ear, nose, and throat surgery with the patient under general anesthetic. It incorporates an electrically powered handpiece and single-use, disposable cutting blades and burrs. The entry was submitted by IDEO (Palo Alto, CA).

Endoscopic Full-Thickness Plicator, manufactured by NDO Surgical (Mansfield, MA). The Endoscopic Full-Thickness Plicator is designed to grasp, retract, fold, and fixate tissue near a weakened lower esophageal sphincter as a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The entry was submitted by Item New Product Development (Providence, RI).

Indigo Optima laser system, manufactured by Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc. (Cincinnati). The Indigo Optima laser system consists of a diode laser and unique diffusing fiber optics to provide office-based, minimally invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia using a thermotherapy process known as interstitial laser coagulation.

microTargeting Platform System, manufactured by FHC Inc. (Bowdoinham, ME). The microTargeting Platform System is a software-driven planning system that enables neurosurgeons to rapidly and accurately design and fabricate a customized mounting interface and navigational tool for a particular patient and stereotactic procedure.

For more information on these products or the MDEA program (including entry information for the 2005 MDEA competition), visit the Web site at www.MDEAwards.com.

Photos by Oscar Einzig Photography

Copyright ©2004 MX