• Oxygen Conserver to be Marketed
CHAD Therapeutics Inc, Chatsworth, Calif, which develops, produces, and markets respiratory care devices for home health care and hospital use, has received clearance to market its new LOTUS™ electronic oxygen conserver. LOTUS offers several enhancements to the company’s OXYMATIC 400 series platform. The lightweight device will be offered with or without a breath-sensing alarm and will incorporate additional liter-flow settings and an audible and visual low-battery alarm. It is powered by two AA batteries, which have a life of up to 4 months with normal usage. Also available is an optional battery charger.


• AARC Gains Corporate Partners
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) recently added three companies to its Corporate Partner Program: Maquet Inc, Bridgewater, NJ; INO Therapeutics, Clinton, NJ; and VIASYS Healthcare Inc, Irving, Tex. Maquet Critical Care provides mechanical ventilator medical technology, ventilation knowledge, and product services for critical care and subacute care providers. INO Therapeutics is a global pharmaceutical company that develops treatments in the areas of heart and lung function. VIASYS is a market leader in respiratory care, neurology, vascular medicine, critical care, and the medical and surgical product areas.

AARC says its Corporate Partner Program is composed of “best-in-class organizations interested in supporting the goals and work of the association.”


• Product Performance Review
Michigan Instruments Inc, Grand Rapids, Mich, recently hosted a product performance review for a local home health care organization. The organization was evaluating two competing transport ventilator products and utilized Michigan Instrument’s Training and Test Lung Systems and PneuView® software to form an impartial basis for their puchase decision.

The Michigan products are able to precisely simulate a wide variety of lung conditions in a controlled setting, and the competing parties were able to show off their systms without having to contend with the vagaries of demonstrating with human subjects, according to Maureen Oostendorp, Michigan Marketing Manager.


Testing Equipment Leads Survey
The results of a survey conducted by Dominic Irvine Research, Nashville, showed that VIASYS Healthcare Inc, manufacturer of SensorMedics® and Jaeger pulmonary function testing equipment, was rated number1 in system performance and customer satisfaction.

More than 900 laboratories in the United States participated in the survey focusing on pulmonary function testing. The survey was completed through interactive guided phone interviews with research professionals. The interview format, reports Dominic Irvine, allows for the most accurate data with a high level of integrity.

Other data revealed through the survey demonstrated that the most frequently performed procedures are spirometry—including pre- and post-bronchodilator therapy assessments—and lung volume, and diffusion capacity measurements. Most of the tests are outpatient procedures with more than 40% of participating facilities operating near maximum capacity. Many participating facilities are looking to the future with plans to interface their laboratories’ pulmonary equipment to the hospital information system within the next 2 years.

The Dominic Irvine Research survey was funded by VIASYS.


ResMed Reports Record Earnings
Recently announcing its quarterly earnings, ResMed Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of medical equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disordered breathing, reported record revenue income results. Revenue for the quarter soared to $87.7 million, a 20% increase over the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003.

“These strong financial results for the September quarter of fiscal 2005 reflect ResMed’s continuing sales and profit growth,” Peter C. Farrell, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, says. “Operating cash flow increased by 32% to $16.6 million, compared to $12.6 million in the September quarter last year. Domestic sales increased by an extremely robust 32% over the September 2004 quarter to $45.6 million, reflecting continued healthy domestic demand for sleep-disordered breathing products.”

ResMed plans to build on past success by introducing new products, increasing efforts to educate physicians and the public about sleep-disordered breathing, and strengthening its presence in international markets, Farrell says.


Respironics Inc Awarded for Excellence
Respironics Inc recently received two distinguished awards for its excellence as a leader in the community and health care industry. On Oct 22, 2004, the Pittsburgh Business Times and the Society of Financial Service Professionals presented the company with The American Business Ethics Award for its firm commitment to ethical business practices in everyday operations, management philosophies, and responses to challenges. Respironics Inc. also received the TECH 50 Life Science Award, which honors Pennsylvania’s 50 fastest-growing, most innovated technology and support companies. The company captured the Life Science Award in a category of nine other finalists. The prize was given by The Pittsburgh Technology Council on Oct 14, 2004 in Pittsburgh.