Archives for March 2008
[Video Rountable] Is The Government Spying On Paranoid Schizophrenics Enough?
Synergetics Closes Plant to Increase Operational Efficiencies
Synergetics USA will close its Philadelphia plant and merge the operations and production of generator products to its O’Fallon, MO plant. The move is part of the company’s overall strategy to continue improving product and component integration in an effort to increase operational efficiencies.
The Philadelphia plant currently has 25 employees; the company expects to record non-recurring, pre-tax severance and related costs associated with this action of approximately $400,000, with the majority of these being cash costs. Ongoing annual cost savings from the closing are expected to be approximately $1.5 million, or $0.05 per share.
Commenting on the move, Gregg Scheller, President and CEO of Synergetics, said,
“We continue to take a two pronged approach in improving our corporate performance and increasing shareholder value. As we focus on revenue generating initiatives and activities, we are also keenly aware that this must be coupled with
CMS Decision Creates Huge New Opportunity for INRatio
The human body has a complex mechanism that causes blood to clot if a wound occurs – a desirable response under normal circumstances. But under certain clinical conditions, known as thrombotic disorders, this same mechanism can cause an unwanted clot or “thrombus” and is potentially life threatening.
Prothrombin Time (PT) is the most common way to express the clotting time of blood. The effectiveness of oral anticoagulants (substances that prevent the clotting of blood) can vary over time – variation in diet, alcohol consumption, illness and the use of other drugs can all affect PT. Oral anticoagulant dosages are adjusted according to PT test results; regular monitoring keeps the patient within the desired therapeutic range.
One of the most popular oral anticoagulants is warfarin, a blood thinner used by a large population of patients for a variety of medical conditions. Warfarin use
Encision Strives to Enlarge Customer Base; Will Investors Get Burned?
Boulder, CO-based Encision offers electrosurgical devices and laparoscopic instruments that incorporate active electrode monitoring or AEM. The technology continuously shields and monitors monopolar laparoscopic instruments during surgery to prevent stray energy burns, but is otherwise comparable to competing monopolar instruments in use and cost.
There is a well documented risk of unintended electrosurgical burn injury during laparoscopic surgery; inadvertent collateral tissue damage often occurs outside of the surgeon’s (limited) field of view.
This week the company launched an improved version of its EnTouch handles for its AEM articulating laparoscopic instruments, with a greater focus on ergonomics. Encision introduced enTouch in 2006. Handle sales were responsible for 10% of revenues in 2007.
The new ES8200 and ES8200L handles feature a stiffer shaft design to accommodate the stresses generated by organ manipulation during advanced and routine laparoscopic procedures. EnTouch model ES8200 is 35cm in length for
Spiration Raises Funds to Support Commercialization in Europe, Clinical Trials in U.S.
Redmond WA-based Spiration, developer of the IBV Valve System (IBV), has raised $18.5 million in a series G round of equity funding led by existing investor Versant Ventures. Spiration has raised $97 million since 1999.
IBV was developed as a treatment alternative for emphysema patients who do not respond to standard treatments or who are not eligible for invasive surgery such as lung volume reduction or lung transplantation. IBV may also be used to resolve prolonged air leaks that may occur following lung surgery.
For the treatment of emphysema, IBV is designed to redirect airflow from diseased portions of the lung to healthier areas. During the minimally invasive procedure, a catheter is passed through a bronchoscope to deploy small umbrella-shaped valves into the airways of the upper lobes of the lungs.
IBV is currently under investigation in the U.S. as a treatment option
[Video Profile] Interview with Craig Davenport, President & CEO of Endocare
Each year over 234,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, “watchful waiting” and cryotherapy. Treatment depends on factors including the patient’s age, the stage of the cancer and the presence of other pre-existing medical conditions.
To date, radical prostatectomy has been the preferred treatment – surgically removing the cancerous tissue carries a high success rate, but is often associated with unwanted side effects such as impotence and incontinence. Radiation therapy, which includes traditional external radiation and interstitial radioactive seed therapies (brachytherapy), is used to treat the early-stage disease. Hormone therapy and chemotherapy are used to slow the growth of cancer and reduce tumor size, but are generally not intended to be curative.
Cryotherapy, a relatively new treatment option, involves controlled freezing of tissue to destroy cancerous cells. Outcomes are comparable
Minrad Parter RxElite Awarded Anesthetic Gas Contract by Premier, Inc.
RxElite announced the signing of a multi-source contract award with Premier, Inc. for the sale of RxElite’s anesthetic gas products, Sevoflurane and Isoflurane.
RxElite was awarded this multi-source contract listing for all classes of trade and the company’s anesthetic gas products are immediately available to all Premier members.
Sevoflurane is the most commonly used anesthetic gas in the U.S. and Isoflurane continues to be widely used in anesthesia practice.
RxElite anesthetic gases are manufactured by Minrad International. RxElite holds the exclusive distribution rights for Minrad produced anesthetic gases for the human market in the U.S.
E-Z-EM to Strengthen Bracco’s Diagnostic Imaging Business; Merger to Close in April
E-Z-EM, a diversified provider of contrast agents for gastrointestinal radiology, will be acquired by Bracco Diagnostics, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., for $241 million in cash. The merger is expected to close sometime in early April.
Under the terms of the agreement, EZ stockholders will receive $21 per share in cash. In October, when the merger was announced, EZ had been trading in the $16 range.
E-Z-EM markets approximately 30 fluoroscopy formulations, 11 varieties of CT contrast media, and radiological medical devices, such as entry biopsy needles and trays and mammography wipes. EZ also offers contract manufacturing services for diagnostic contrast media, sunscreen lotions and creams, cough and cold medicines as well as anti-aging and moisturizer skin care products.
EZ’s products and services, especially its Computed Tomography (CT) business, will dovetail nicely with Bracco’s. Bracco markets a diverse line of nuclear
The Future of Online Health: Interview with Aaron Wall
Aaron Wall is a skilled internet marketer and author of the hugely successful SEO Book. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Wired, BusinessWeek, and many other leading publications. I’ve followed Aaron for several years – he’s always impressed me with his knowledge and insight.
Aaron agreed to answer a few questions related to the future of online health. I hope you find this interview as illustrative as I have.
Cress: Have you ever used search engines to improperly self-diagnose an illness?
I think it’s quite common for people to seek out information that verifies their assumptions.
A few months ago, I hauled a fifty-pound bag of garbage down three flights of stairs – at the end of the trip I felt quite a bit of pain and thought I had a hernia. A quick Google search validating my
PLC to Commence Pivotal Study of RenalGuard
One year ago, PLC Systems enrolled the first patients in its FDA-approved clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety of its RenalGuard System. Yesterday, PLC received conditional approval from the FDA to begin enrollment of a U.S. pivotal trial to study the effectiveness of the System. Things seem to be progressing smoothly for the company, despite falling revenues in its cardiovascular product line ($6 million in 2007 versus $7.15 million in 2006). If the company’s website is any indication, future growth depends on RenalGuard.
RenalGuard is an investigational therapy targeting patients with diminished renal function who may be at risk for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy, most commonly defined as acute renal failure occurring within 48 hours of exposure to radiographic contrast media.
The real-time fluid replacement device is intended for interventional cardiology and radiology patients undergoing imaging procedures using contrast media. Based on existing data, PLC
