Originally Published MX July/August 2006
MDEA WINNERS
Medtech's best and brightest claim their gold and silver at the presentation of the 2006 Medical Design Excellence Awards.
The latest innovations in medical technology were celebrated in June at the presentation ceremony for the ninth annual Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) competition.
The awards, presented at a ceremony held in conjunction with the Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2006 Conference and Exposition in New York City, recognize the achievements of medical product manufacturers and the many people behind the scenes—engineers, scientists, designers, and clinicians—who are responsible for the devices that are changing the face of healthcare. An independent, multidisciplinary panel of jurors selected 26 products to receive gold and silver awards in the 2006 edition of the MDEA competition.
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| Members of the 2006 jury panel pose for photographers during the recent MDEA presentation ceremony, in New York City: (rear, from left) William A. Hyman, ScD, professor and interim head of the department of biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX); Matthew B. Weinger, MD, professor of anesthesiology, biomedical informatics, and medical education at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN), and a staff physician in the Middle Tennessee VA Healthcare System; Jay R. Goldberg, PhD, director of the healthcare technologies management program at Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee); Yadin B. David, EdD, director of the biomedical engineering and television services deparment at Texas Children's Hospital and president of Biomedical Consultants of Houston; Tor Alden, principal at HS Design (Gladstone, NJ); Jeff L. Butler, principal engineer for Sysmed Enterprises (Richardson, TX); and (front) Denise M. Korniewicz, DNSc, professor and associate dean of research and doctoral programs at the University of Miami School of Nursing (Miami, FL), where she also serves as director of the nursing school's research center. (click to enlarge) |
Products are judged according to a rigorous set of criteria, and winning products typically reflect clear achievements in product innovation, design and engineering excellence, end-user and patient benefits, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and healthcare delivery. The MDEA competition presents awards in the following 10 product categories.
By category, gold (
) and silver (
) award-winning products and their manufacturers for 2006 are as follows.
Critical-Care and Emergency Medicine Products
Rad-57 portable pulse CO-oximeter, manufactured by Masimo Corp. (Irvine, CA). The Rad-57 is the world's first pulse CO-oximeter. Designed for emergency medicine use, the portable unit rapidly, accurately, and noninvasively measures oxygen saturation, heart rate, and the percentage of carboxyhemoglobin in the bloodstream.
Rugged Power-Pro XT ambulance cot, manufactured by Stryker EMS (Portage, MI). The Power-Pro XT ambulance cot is a wheeled transport device with powered lifting capability that eliminates the burden of lifting patients to facilitate transport, handling, and treatment. It is used by emergency response units throughout the world.
Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies
DenLite DP5000 illuminated dental mirror, manufactured by Welch Allyn Inc. (Skaneateles Falls, NY). The DenLite DP5000 is an illuminated dental mirror providing the dental professional with superior cordless intraoral illumination.
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| Representing MDEA corporate sponsors Electrolizing Corporation of Ohio (Cleveland) and Norman Noble Inc. (Highland Heights, OH), Todd Noble, vice president (left), poses with Charles G. McCurdy, CEO of Canon Commnications, organizer of the MDEA program. (click to enlarge) |
Image-Guided Implantology system, manufactured by DenX Advanced Dental Systems Ltd. (Jerusalem, Israel). The Image-Guided Implantology system is a computerized navigational system that assists in the preoperative and intraoperative phases of dental implantation surgery, accurately guiding surgical instruments according to a CT-based presurgical plan.
Finished Packaging
NanoCool controlled-temperature shipping system, manufactured by NanoCool LLC (Albuquerque). The NanoCool shipping system provides controlled-temperature shipping in the 2°-8°C range. Designed especially for temperature-sensitive products, it is suitable for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical shipping applications.
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| Mark Paulsen, healthcare product director at Nusil Silicone Technology (Carpinteria, CA), comes to the stage to receive audience recognition for Nusil's sponsorship of the 2006 MDEA competition. (click to enlarge) |
General Hospital Devices and Therapeutic Products
Cortrak feeding-tube placement system, manufactured by Viasys Healthcare/Medsystems (Wheeling, IL). The Cortrak system uses an electromagnetic sensing device to track feeding tubes during placement procedures. The system consists of three major parts: a monitor, a stylet, and a receiver unit to track the position of the stylet during placement.
CrossJect single-use needle-free injection system, manufactured by CrossJect SA (Paris). The CrossJect needle-free injection system is a single-use, prefilled device designed to perform subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intradermal injections. Its modular design can be customized for various injection routes and volumes from 0.2 to 1 ml.
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| Visitors look over the display of award-winning products at the 2006 Medical Design Excellence Awards presentation ceremony. (click to enlarge) |
IVantage volumetric ambulatory infusion system, manufactured by Delphi Medical Systems (Troy, MI). IVantage is a programmable ambulatory infusion system suited for use in hospitals and alternate-care sites, including patient homes, nursing homes, and outpatient facilities. The system's rotary cassette incorporates an anti-free-flow protection device.
OmniPod insulin management system, manufactured by Insulet Corp. (Bedford, MA). The OmniPod insulin management system delivers insulin at preprogrammed rates to people with diabetes. The system includes a handheld personal diabetes manager that
communicates wirelessly to a three-day wearable insulin delivery device.
Implant and Tissue-Replacement Products
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| Product team members for the silver MDEA-winning Gynecare Prolift pelvic floor repair system by Ethicon (Somerville, NJ), a Johnson & Johnson company, pose with jurors: (back row, from left) MDEA juror Jay Goldberg; Mark Howansky, staff engineer,; Scott Ciarrocca, R&D manager; Paul Macors, managing director, Medi-Line SA (Liège, Belgium); John Gillespie, R&D director; Henri Declous, operations director, Medi-Line; Gene Kammerer, engineering fellow; (front row, from left) Allison London Brown, director, worldwide marketing; Jessica Liberatore, industrial designer; Jacqueline Flatow, engineer; MDEA juror Denise Korniewicz; and Giselle Bonet, product director. (click to enlarge) |
Gynecare Prolift pelvic floor repair system, manufactured by Ethicon Inc. (Somerville, NJ). Gynecare Prolift total, anterior, and posterior pelvic floor repair systems are indicated for tissue reinforcement and long-lasting stabilization of fascial structures of the pelvic floor in vaginal wall prolapse where surgical treatment is intended.
Nucleus Freedom system, manufactured by Cochlear (Lane Cove, New South Wales, Australia). The Nucleus Freedom system restores hearing to people with profound hearing loss. Sounds picked up by a processor behind the ear are transmitted by radio to the implant. The implanted electrodes stimulate the cochlear nerve, and this is perceived as sound.
In Vitro Diagnostics
Afinion AS100 analyzer, manufactured by Axis-Shield PoC AS (Oslo, Norway). The Afinion AS100 analyzer is a benchtop multiassay analyzer for in vitro diagnostic point-of-care testing. Test cartridges are currently available for glycated hemoglobin and C-reactive protein.
CellTracks analyzer II, manufactured by Immunicon Corp. (Huntingdon Valley, PA). The CellTracks analyzer II is a semiautomated fluorescence microscope used to count and characterize fluorescently labeled cells that are immunomagnetically selected and aligned. It is used with the CellTracks AutoPrep system and specific reagent kits.
IDI-MRSA assay, manufactured by BD Diagnostics-GeneOhm (San Diego). The IDI-MRSA assay is a qualitative in vitro diagnostic test for the direct detection of nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using real-time PCR, the assay detects MRSA DNA in less than two hours.
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Over-the-Counter and Self-Care Products
Swing breast pump, manufactured by Medela Inc. (McHenry, IL). Swing is a portable personal-use breast pump for expressing breast milk. Operable with AC or battery power, it employs a two-phase expression technology to produce more milk in less time.
Radiological and Electromechanical Devices
CereTom mobile computed tomography scanner, manufactured by NeuroLogica Corp. (Danvers, MA). The CereTom mobile computed tomography (CT) scanner is a compact, lightweight, mobile, high-speed, battery- and line-powered multislice CT scanner optimized for scanning anatomy that can be imaged in the 25-cm field of view, primarily the head and neck.
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| Product team members for the gold MDEA-winning Cleo 90 infusion set by Smiths Medical MD (St. Paul, MN) pose with jurors: (from left) MDEA juror Jay Goldberg; Bill Evans, president of Bridge Design (San Francisco); Pam Singh, manager for managed care in the diabetes division at Smith's Medical; MDEA juror Matt Weinger; and Duke Schneider, senior sales engineer at Precision Gasket Co. (Minneapolis). (click to enlarge) |
HD lower-leg array coil, manufactured by GE Healthcare, Coils Division (Aurora, OH). The HD lower-leg array coil has been designed to offer minimal or noninvasive, high-quality, high-resolution magnetic resonance angiography of the lower leg with minimal risks and side effects and high diagnostic confidence and patient comfort.
SureFlex laser lithotripsy fibers, manufactured by IQinc (Phoenix). SureFlex laser lithotripsy fibers are small-core optical fibers for holmium lasers, offering unimpeded access to lower pole kidney stones without risk to laser optics or ureteroscopes, while permitting the use of full therapeutic laser power.
Rehabilitation and Assistive-Technology Products
Cleo 90 infusion set, manufactured by Smiths Medical MD Inc. (St. Paul, MN). The Cleo 90 infusion set connects diabetics to their life-supporting insulin pumps. The set includes a cannula inserter that retracts to store the needle and tubing that delivers insulin from the pump, making insertion and use easy and comfortable.
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| Members of the product team for the Inogen One oxygen concentrator system by Inogen (Goleta, CA) pose with a display of their silver MDEA-winning product: (front, from left) Geoffrey F. Deane, Inogen CTO and vice president of engineering; Brenton Taylor, Inogen founder and director of technology; Joe Ouyang, vice president for business development at Totex Manufacturing Inc. (Torrance, CA); and (rear) Chung Ming Li, senior electrical engineer at LaunchPoint Technologies (Goleta, CA). (click to enlarge) |
eFlow electronic nebulizer, manufactured by Pari GmbH (Munich, Germany). A portable electronic nebulizer, eFlow delivers aerosol medications to the lungs in less than 3 minutes. Indications include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus, and systemic therapies.
Impact solar-powered hearing-aid battery recharger, manufactured by Project Impact (Berkeley, CA). The Impact solar-powered hearing-aid battery recharger can operate using either sunlight alone or dc input. Its low cost and portability help overcome financial and environmental constraints to bring modern hearing aids to users in developing nations.
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| Product team member Chung Ming Li, senior electrical engineer at LaunchPoint Technologies (Goleta, CA), shows off the silver MDEA trophy for the Inogen One oxygen concentrator system by Inogen (Goleta, CA). (click to enlarge) |
Inogen One oxygen concentrator system, manufactured by Inogen Inc. (Goleta, CA). The Inogen One oxygen concentrator system fulfills the duties of stationary, portable-ambulatory, and traveling oxygen devices. It can operate from ac, dc, and battery sources,
permitting users to transition easily between power sources as needed.
Surgical Equipment, Instruments, and Supplies
PassPort shielded trocar, manufactured by Patton Surgical (Austin, TX). The PassPort shielded trocar with SmartTip is a laparoscopic access device that allows for controlled abdominal-wall penetration yet blunt entry. It eliminates the risks posed by shielded and bladeless
trocars.
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| Representing the silver MDEA-winning SpineJet Microresector, Kevin P. Staid, CTO and vice president for applications development at HydroCision (Billerica, MA), discusses his company's product with attendees at a reception for winners held after the MDEA presentation ceremony in New York City. (click to enlarge) |
SpineJet MicroResector, manufactured by HydroCision Inc. (Billerica, MA). The SpineJet MicroResector allows minimally invasive surgical access to the spine using high-velocity water to cut and aspirate the herniated disk. Disk decompressions that had required hospitalization can be performed in an outpatient setting.
Straightshot M4 microdebrider, manufactured by Medtronic ENT (Jacksonville, FL). The Straightshot M4 microdebrider is an ergonomically designed surgical handpiece that improves access to the maxillary sinus, frontal sinus, and vocal folds for the removal of polyps, bone, and mucosa during nasal sinus and laryngeal surgery.
360° Fascia Closure Device, manufactured by SuturTek Inc. (North Chelmsford, MA). The 360° Fascia Closure Device is an ergonomic, reusable suturing device that employs single-use disposable suture cartridges to enable surgeons to close surgical wounds.
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