A Medical Device Daily

BSD Medical (Salt Lake City) reported the installation of the advanced BSD-2000/3D Hyperthermia System at the Department of Radiation Oncology of Kantonsspital Aarau (KSA; Aarau, Switzerland), The BSD-2000/3D at KSA will be used to deliver targeted hyperthermia to deep pelvic and abdominal tumors, using focused phased array RF energy, in order to enhance treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The purchase of the BSD-2000/3D adds sophisticated technology to KSA's hyperthermia cancer therapy program. KSA had already joined BSD's family of customers with the purchase of a BSD-500 superficial hyperthermia system.

The Department of Radiation Oncology of KSA delivers more than 20,000 radiation therapy sessions per year and is one of the most important radiation treatment centers in Switzerland. The Department of Radiation Oncology of KSA is a member of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), which is a dynamic, multidisciplinary group of physicians and researchers from over 300 leading medical facilities in the U.S., Canada and international countries.

The Department of Radiation Oncology of KSA is also affiliated with MD Anderson Tumor Center (Houston) and cooperates with MD Anderson on clinical studies and tutorials.

In the future, the BSD-2000/3D at KSA will be used also in conjunction with proton therapy delivered at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI; Zurich, Switzerland), Center for Proton Radiation Therapy, Villigen, Switzerland. The Department of Radiation Oncology of Kantonsspital Aarau cooperates closely with the Paul Scherrer Institute and the government of the Kanton Aarau has supported PSI with a grant of $20 million.

Ortivus to streamline core operations

Ortivus (Danderyd, Sweden) reported that it is now implementing its strategy to streamline its core operations into a clear focus on advanced mobile and clinical decision support for modern medical care. Consequently its North American subsidiaries, which provide administrative systems primarily for ambulance services, have been sold to TriTech Software Systems (San Diego).

In line with its established strategy to concentrate activities to its core operations i.e. the development and sale of products and services for mobile clinical decision support for medical care, Ortivus has now sold its U.S. subsidiaries.

These companies have, unlike other parts of Ortivus, focused on the sale of management systems for police, fire and ambulance services.

The buyer of the Ortivus North American subsidiaries is the U.S.-based TriTech Software Systems which acquired 100% of the shares in Ortivus U.S. and Ortivus Inc. Canada. The purchase price is $11.5 million (about SEK 83 million). This transaction will initially provide Ortivus with a cash flow boost of about SEK 38 million, after allocating SEK 10 million to escrow accounts for a period of 18 months, and repaying loans to the amount of SEK 29 million. Ortivus has thus become debt free.

The acquisition agreement was signed and is conditional on the approval of the company extraordinary general meeting. The transaction will be implemented during 1Q10.

Ortivus offers unique solutions by combining expertise in wireless, IT and medical technology with clinical knowledge. Ortivus solutions secure that the patient get accurate medical treatment and expertise instantly throughout the care process.

OSLO unveils sleep apnea therapy platform

OSLO ResMed (Stolckholm, Sweden), a developer and distributor of sleep and respiratory medical equipment, reported releasing its sleep apnea therapy platform called the S9 Series in Europe. The S9 Series combines a sleek design with superior functionality and more comfort. Combined climate control and humidification delivers unsurpassed comfort to the patient by controlling both the temperature and humidity that the patient breathes. The S9 Series is expected to help more sleep apnea patients adhere to the treatment, but also help sleep professionals make more informed decisions.

The most effective treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. In this non-invasive treatment, air is pressurized by a small device and delivered to the airway of the patient through a mask that fits on/over the nose, or nose and mouth. The pressurized air keeps the upper airway open and helps the person to get a restful night without interruptions caused by apneas.

A new study published in Science Translational Medicine, shows that it is very hard to catch up on lost sleep, and that the fatigue that follows interrupted sleep presents safety risks in traffic and at the workplace. A person with untreated sleep apnea does not have the opportunity to catch up on lost sleep since the condition is a daily occurrence.