A Medical Device Daily

Accumetrics (San Diego) reported the signing of a new exclusive distribution agreement for its VerifyNow System in Spain, Portugal and Chile with Grifols (Barcelona, Spain). This distribution agreement will continue to expand Accumetrics' reach in both scope and geography, and add to the growing numbers of countries where physicians have access to the VerifyNow System.

The VerifyNow System assesses response to life-saving antiplatelet therapies, such as aspirin, Plavix, Effient and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Patients respond to antiplatelet medications differently and these tests help physicians ensure their patients are receiving the optimal treatment.

"We're extremely excited to see distribution of our VerifyNow System reach Spain, Portugal and Chile. We have chosen Grifols as our exclusive partner based on their demonstrated market development expertise as well as their existing customer base," said Timothy Still, president/CEO of Accumetrics. "This partnership continues to emphasize our focus on expanding our global distribution channels, and supports our vision to provide physicians access to critical information for managing their cardiovascular patients on antiplatelet therapies."

"This system perfectly complements Grifols' Hemostasis line of products and aligns with our marketing and sales strategy," said Ramón Riera, VP of Grifols.

Sectra, Curato in 6-year partnership agreement

Sectra (Linköping, Sweden) the market leader in Scandinavia for managing radiology images and patient information systems (RIS/PACS), and Norwegian company Curato, the Nordic region's largest supplier of radiology examinations, have signed a six-year partnership agreement for Sectra's products and services. The order value amounts to about SEK 100 million ($13.83 million).

Sectra will assume total responsibility for the operation of Curato's IT systems and supply Sectra RIS/PACS to all 12 of Curato's radiology clinics. The installation of Sectra's total solution will enhance the efficiency of the radiology workflow and increase access to images and patient information. Curato and Sectra will also conduct joint research projects aimed at further improving image diagnostics and thereby enhancing quality for the patient.

"Increasingly, customers are seeking a supplier that assumes total responsibility for the installation and operation of all IT systems at their clinics," said Torbjörn Kronander, president of Sectra Imtec. "This agreement confirms our ability to serve as a complete supplier of large-scale and complex IT solutions for the healthcare sector and we are proud to have gained the trust for this assignment from such a competent customer as Curato."

"The agreement with Sectra will improve our competitiveness in procuring radiology services," said Hans Olav Almaas, president of Curato. "Using Sectra's systems will make the distribution of radiology images and diagnoses rapid, secure and efficient and enable us to provide even better service to our clients."

Acticoat Flex dressings launched in Europe

Nucryst Pharmaceuticals (Princeton, New Jersey), a developer and manufacturer of medical products that fight infection, and the Advanced Wound Management division of Smith & Nephew (S&N; London) reported the European launch of Acticoat Flex3 and Acticoat Flex7.

The Flex range is the newest addition to the Acticoat portfolio of dressings with Nucryst's proprietary Silcryst nanocrystalline silver coatings. Acticoat Flex is an antimicrobial barrier dressing designed to conform to body contours and allow for flexible movement for injuries that require sustained antimicrobial activity.

"The enhanced conformability of Flex will now be available to European clinicians to simplifying the dressing of wounds on difficult-to-protect articulating regions such as knee or elbow joints while also providing advanced antimicrobial protection," said David Holtz, interim president/CEO and CFO of Nucryst.

The CE mark for Acticoat Flex was received by S&N last week following the July 510(k) clearance in the U.S. and market approval in Canada late last year.

Likvor gets CE mark for Celda

Likvor (Stockholm, Sweden) has been granted CE marking for its instrument for better and safer identification and diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The instrument, Celda, was developed to assess the dynamics – pressure, flow and resistance – of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The company said that Celda facilities greater understanding and enhanced diagnosis of NPH, a condition that is often mistaken for dementia. CE marking opens up the European market for the product.

According to the company, Celda is the first commercially approved instrument for assessing the flow of CSF fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It increases the possibility for patients who suffer from NPH to receive a correct diagnosis and therefore the appropriate treatment in the form of a shunt implant that diverts and regulates CSF pressure and flow. An accurate diagnosis means large gains for the patient and family, but also for society as a whole.

"CE marking is an important milestone for us at Likvor. Now we can offer the healthcare industry an instrument that will give them the opportunity to better help this patient group," says Likvor's CEO Kjell öberg. "Today many people receive the wrong diagnosis and therefore also the wrong treatment. Correct diagnosis and treatment of NPH means that patients can make a complete recovery."

Hidden disease of old age

Studies have shown that up to 10% of dementia patients may actually be suffering from NPH. In Sweden it is estimated that more than 7,000 Swedes suffer from the disease – most of them unnecessarily. In the U.S., the corresponding figure is well over 375,000. NPH is a condition that is relatively easily treated by the insertion of a shunt, which helps the patient to regulate CSF flow and pressure. Patients receiving the correct diagnosis can resume a normal life after treatment.