Medical Device Link.

Originally Published MX July/August 2003

MDEA WINNERS

A grand New York City ceremony celebrates this year's achievements in medical technology.

Presentation of the 2003 Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) took place in June at a ceremony during the Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2003 Conference and Exposition, in New York City. The 23 winning products in this year's competition were selected from scores of entries by a panel of eight expert jurors.

The MDEA booth at the Medical Design & Manufacturing East 2003 Exposition. (click to enlarge)

Awards were presented in nine categories: critical-care and emergency medicine products; 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 typically reflect clear achievements in several areas, such as increased patient comfort, new treatments for previously insolvable problems, greater point-of-care access, lower costs, and easier use. Judges also consider the business benefit of the product to its manufacturer and the benefits of the product for the overall delivery of healthcare.

The MDEA program is presented by Canon Communications llc, with publication sponsorship provided by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. Corporate sponsorship for the 2003 MDEA competition was provided by industry mainstays Battelle (Columbus, OH), Avail (Fort Worth, TX), DuPont Medical Packaging (Wilmington, DE), and The Medtech Group Inc. (Plainfield, NJ).

By category, gold () and silver () award-winning products and submitting companies are highlighted in alphabetical order as follows.

Critical-care and emergency medicine products

Angel single-patient-use telemetry system manufactured by Medical Data Electronics Inc. (Arleta, CA). The Angel telemetry unit is a low-cost, single-patient-use radio transmitter for ambulatory patients. It is designed to provide continuous monitoring of the ECG vital signs of adult and pediatric patients in the hospital environment. The entry was submitted by Medical Data Electronics Inc.

HeartStart home defibrillator manufactured by Philips Medical Systems—Heartstream (Seattle, WA). The HeartStart home defibrillator is the first of a new generation of defibrillators designed specifically for the home. It features a simplified interface and employs technology that senses operator behavior and adapts voice instructions to user actions. The entry was submitted by Schwartz Communications (Waltham, MA).

Rugged Stair-Pro lightweight emergency transportation device manufactured by Stryker EMS (Kalamazoo, MI). The Stair-Pro is an emergency patient-transport device used to extricate individuals from enclosed or confined locations where a conventional cot would be unable to operate, including stairways. It is designed to cause less strain to users. The entry was submitted by Stryker EMS.

Finished packaging

EasyTab hearing aid battery delivery system manufactured by Duracell (Bethel, CT). The EasyTab is a hearing aid battery featuring a long, custom-shaped tab that enables consumers, including those with diminished dexterity, to easily remove the battery from its packaging and insert it into even the smallest hearing aid. The entry was submitted by Product Ventures Ltd. (Fairfield, CT).

General hospital devices and therapeutic products

Four members of the 2003 MDEA jury panel join MD&DI senior editor Gregg Nighswonger (second from right) onstage at the MDEA ceremony. From left: Michael Wiklund of the American Institutes for Research (Concord, MA); Stephen Wilcox of Design Science Consulting Inc. (Philadelphia, PA); Eliot Lazar of elCON Medical (Buffalo, NY); and Krista Coleman of Enhanced Mobility Technologies (Golden Valley, MN). (click to enlarge)

Introcan Safety intravenous catheter manufactured by B. Braun OEM/Industrial Div., B. Braun Medical Inc. (Bethlehem, PA). The Introcan Safety catheter is a passive IV catheter that requires no user activation of the safety mechanism. It requires no change in user technique to activate the safety mechanism, and is designed to make conservative use of materials. The entry was submitted by B. Braun OEM/Industrial Div., B. Braun Medical Inc.

Joey disposable umbilical cord clamp and cutter manufactured by Maternus (San Antonio, TX). The Joey clamp and cutter is a single-use obstetric device that simultaneously clamps and cuts the umbilical cord following birth, while shielding users from blood spray. It is optimized for single-handed use, and is color coded for multiple births. The entry was submitted by Maternus.

SmartSite Plus needle-free valve with positive displacement manufactured by Alaris Medical Systems Inc. (San Diego, CA). The SmartSite Plus needle-free valve with positive displacement is designed to reduce the incidence of clotting in indwelling catheters and enhance the safety of clinicians and patients by providing passive needle-free access to intravenous systems. The entry was submitted by Alaris Medical Systems Inc.

Implant and tissue-replacement products

Ascension metacarpalphalangeal joint implant manufactured by Ascension Orthopedics Inc. (Austin, TX). The Ascension MCP is intended as a total replacement for the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the hand. Its design replicates natural structures and reproduces joint kinematics and biomechanics, thereby restoring functions such as pinching and grasping. The entry was submitted by Ascension Orthopedics Inc.

ContourMed Advantage external breast prosthesis manufactured by ContourMed Inc. (Little Rock, AR). The ContourMed Advantage is a custom lightweight external breast prosthesis with a magnetic attachment for added wearer confidence. Laser scanning and computer-aided modeling are used to ensure accurate replication and a comfortable fit. The entry was submitted by ContourMed Inc.

In vitro diagnostics

Accu-Chek Inform blood glucose meter manufactured by Roche Diagnostics (Indianapolis, IN). The Accu-Chek Inform is a professional-use blood glucose meter that has been designed for multiple patient testing in hospitals. The device is based on a personal data assistant platform, from which test results can be downloaded. The entry was submitted by Kinneir Dufort (Bristol, UK).

OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 antibody test manufactured by OraSure Technologies Inc. (Bethlehem, PA). The OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 antibody test is a single-use, qualitative immunoassay to detect antibodies to HIV-1 in a finger-stick whole-blood specimen. FDA has granted this test waived status under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. The entry was submitted by OraSure Technologies Inc.

Over-the-counter and self-care products

PiKo-1 handheld lung-function monitor manufactured by Pulmonary Data Services Inc. (Louisville, CO). The PiKo-1 is a small handheld device for home monitoring of lung-function parameters, including forced expiratory volume, and is designed to predict an oncoming asthma attack before it becomes symptomatic. The entry was submitted by Pulmonary Data Services Inc.

Symphony breast pump manufactured by Medela Inc. (McHenry, IL). The Symphony breast pump combines the results of the latest human lactation research with microprocessor technology. It features a two-phase pumping program with stimulation and expression cycles to promote the milk-ejection reflex and maximize milk flow. The entry was submitted by Medela Inc.

Radiological and electromechanical devices

iLook personal imaging tool manufactured by SonoSite Inc. (Bothell, WA). The iLook is an all-digital ultrasound imaging tool that weighs only 3 lb. Its light weight and small size enable physicians and technicians to easily carry ultrasound capabilities into a variety of clinical settings. The entry was submitted by SonoSite Inc.

With Gregg Nighswonger of MD&DI, Rance Winkler of Proxima Therapeutics, gold award winner for the MammoSite radiation therapy system.

MammoSite radiation therapy system manufactured by Proxima Therapeutics Inc. (Alpharetta, GA). The MammoSite is a single-use catheter and balloon assembly that delivers radiation from within the tumor-resected cavity after breast conservation therapy. It is designed to shorten total treatment time by up to 85%. The entry was submitted by Proxima Therapeutics Inc.

Sonos 7500 Live 3-D ultrasound system manufactured by Philips Medical Systems (Andover, MA). The Sonos 7500 is a fully functional premium ultrasound system that provides real-time 3-D cardiac imaging. The entry was submitted by Philips Medical Systems.

Rehabilitation and assistive-technology products

Posing with MD&DI editor John Bethune (left) and 2003 MDEA jury chair Krista Coleman (right) are developers of the silver award-winning Cozmo insulin pump (from left): Bill Evans of Bridge Design; Rhall Pope and Jay Johnson of Deltec Inc.; and Matt Presta of Bridge Design. (click to enlarge)

Cozmo insulin pump and My Treatment Assistant PC communications manufactured by Deltec Inc. (St. Paul, MN). The Cozmo insulin pump is a full-featured, flexible, and easy-to-use device for administering insulin to individuals with diabetes. It features a user-friendly interface and consumer-product design, making it less intimidating for users. The entry was submitted by Deltec Inc.

Taylor Spatial Frame and spatialframe.com orthopedic fixator system manufactured by Smith & Nephew Inc., Orthopaedic Div. (Memphis, TN). The Taylor Spatial Frame system is an orthopedic device that encompasses an external fixator frame for aligning bone fragments, and Web-based software for developing a patient's corrective plan and directing daily adjustments to the frame. The entry was submitted by Smith & Nephew Inc., Orthopaedic Div.

UroCycler bladder management system manufactured by UroSolutions Inc. (Orlando, FL). The key component of a unique bladder-management system, the UroCycler is a passive, low-pressure magnetic valve that enables the bladder to fill and void in a physiologically consistent manner, preventing backflow and reducing potential for infection. The entry was submitted by UroSolutions Inc.

Surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies

Recipients of a silver MDEA for the A-2000 bispectral index consciousness monitor (from left), John Shambroom of Aspect Medical and David Chastain of Design Continuum.

A-2000 bispectral index (BIS) consciousness monitor manufactured by Aspect Medical Systems (Newton, MA). The A-2000 BIS monitor is a compact, portable unit that translates information from an electroencephalogram to measure a patient's depth of consciousness, thereby reducing overmedication and related side effects. The entry was submitted by Design Continuum (West Newton, MA).

CORx integrated oxygenation system manufactured by CardioVention (Santa Clara, CA). The CORx system is a compact disposable driven by a unique hardware platform that integrates automated air removal, blood pumping, and oxygenation functions of the heart and lungs, enabling less-invasive and minimal-hemodilution cardiac surgery. The entry was submitted by CardioVention.

Intralase FS ophthalmological laser manufactured by Intralase (Irvine, CA). The Intralase FS system is an ergonomically designed femtosecond ophthalmological laser for making the corneal flap required in refractive keratotomy procedures, providing surgeons a safe and precise all-laser alternative to mechanical microkeratomes. The entry was submitted by Patton Design (Irvine, CA).

Zeus robotic endoscopic surgical workstation manufactured by Computer Motion (Goleta, CA). The Zeus system is a robotic computer-enhanced endoscopic surgical workstation for minimally invasive microsurgery procedures, such as endoscopic coronary artery bypass. It enhances surgical precision and is suitable for telesurgery procedures. The entry was submitted by Patton Design (Irvine, CA).

For more information on these products or the MDEA program (including entry information for the 2004 MDEA competition), visit the Web site at www.MDEAwards.com.

Photos by OSCAR AND ASSOCIATES

Copyright ©2003 MX