• Cardiac Science, (Bothell, Washington) and US Lacrosse (USL; Baltimore), the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse reported that they have formed analliance to increase the likelihood of surviving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during a lacrosse game. The alliance will focus on increasing the awareness and availability of Powerheart automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to US Lacrosse members and affiliated programs. AEDs are an effective response to commotio cordis, a rare but potentially catastrophic phenomenon that can cause SCA in athletes. Commotio cordis occurs when a person receives a blunt blow to the area of the chest directly over the heart during a precise moment of the heart's cycle, causing SCA. Cardiac Science will provide AEDs at preferred prices to members of US Lacrosse. The company has also equipped the USL headquarters in Baltimore with an AED and is providing related training and program management services. Cardiac Science develops advanced cardiac monitoring and defibrillation products.
  • Cardiocom Multi-Disease Management (Minneapolis), a manufacturer of remote patient monitoring equipment and disease management software, has entered into a relationship with Heritage Provider Network (HPN, a management service organization extending over Central and Southern California service areas. They will combine HPN's Medical Group/IPA networks with Cardiocom's telemonitoring technology company to improve the care of HPN patients. Cardiocom's Telescale and Commander equipment are placed in the homes of HPN Network patients. Cardiocom's software allows nurses at remote locations to monitor daily vital signs and health status of patients. Cardiocom and HPN have partnered to study best clinical practices resulting from this home based program, as well as the life benefits that result. Data will be tracked from a minimum of 350 patients with a diagnosis of heart failure. Cardiocom telehealth devices track congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, COPD, severe asthma, and ESRD. GlucoCom, a division of Cardiocom offering blood glucose monitoring products, was added to the product line in 2006.
  • MedCath (Charlotte, North Carolina) reported that its MedCath Partners Division has entered into a new strategic relationship with St. Francis HealthCare (Wilmington, Delaware). MedCath is participating in the venture to manage the catherization laboratories of St. Francis Healthcare Services. The majority of the venture is owned by St. Francis Healthcare Services, and the balance is owned by local physicians and MedCath Partners. The venture commenced operations on July 30. "This venture will allow us to update our cardiac catheterization laboratories and continue to implement our program for increasing the level and quality of services available to our patients," said Clarence "Ted" LaLiberty, president/CEO of St. Francis Healthcare Services. "It will assist us in fulfilling our charitable mission as well as our goal of enhancing our level of care in order to make our facility more attractive to patients who might otherwise leave the state to obtain cardiac services." MedCath will make a capital investment of $540,000 in the venture and the other members will make pro rata capital contributions. MedCath said it expects the venture will add 2 cents EPS annually.
  • Premier Purchasing Partners (Charlotte, North Carolina) reported a new group buy opportunity for non-invasive cardiology equipment with GE Medical Technologies Information Systems (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin). This savings opportunity, available during the ordering period of Aug. 13 through Nov. 2, 2007, offers additional savings to acute care and continuum-of-care members of the Premier healthcare alliance. Premier's Group Buy program offers members coordinated, limited-time, volume-driven purchasing opportunities that feature savings beyond regular contract pricing. It also may include special rates for related services. Savings vary, but are often 5%-15% lower than standard contract discounts.
  • Scivanta Medical (Spring Lake, New Jersey) has entered into a development agreement with Sparton Medical Systems, (DeLeon Springs, Florida) a business group of Sparton Electronics Florida, (also, DeLeon) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sparton (Jackson, Mississippi). Sparton will provide Scivanta engineering and development support for the hardware component of the Hickey Cardiac Monitoring System (HCMS). The services to be provided by Sparton include: (1) planning and development of design control documents, (2) concept development, including mechanical, electrical and software design, (3) completion of a detailed design and an engineering model, (4) assembly of proto-type models and preliminary design verification testing, (5) the production of "pilot" devices using formal drawings and validated processes, and (6) design verification testing on the "pilot" units. It is estimated that up to $1.65 million could be billed by Sparton for services and materials provided under the development agreement. Scivanta has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to the Hickey Cardiac Monitoring System, a minimally invasive esophageal catheter that it said provides distinct economic and patient benefits compared with existing heart monitoring devices.