A Medical Device Daily

Verathon (Bothell, Washington) reported an alliance with Parker Medical (Denver) to distribute the GlideRite endotracheal tube with Parker Flex-Tip technology, which is designed to reduce the risk of damage to the patient’s airway anatomy during intubation.

GlideRite Tracheal Tubes and the GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GVL) system are designed to work together to help minimize patient airway trauma and facilitate fast and easy intubation, even in difficult airways, the company said.

Insertion of conventional endotracheal tubes may be associated with trauma to the vocal cords and adjacent structures in the throat, the company said. Clinical studies indicate that as many as 86% of patients show evidence of laryngeal trauma following endotracheal intubation.

Jeffrey Parker, chairman/CEO of Parker, said, “We welcome Verathon’s recognition of the unique advantages of our tubes and the opportunity to utilize their full potential by combining them with an extraordinary video laryngoscope such as the GlideScope. The union of these two technologies will benefit medical professionals responsible for intubation and their patients.”

In other agreements news:

• Biolase Technology (Irvine, California), maker of lasers and related products focused on technologies for applications and procedures in dentistry and medicine, reported that it has recently signed an agreement with the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (New York) to integrate Waterlase dentistry into its course curriculum.

The agreement is “another important milestone” in the Biolase strategy to work closely with leading dental schools to expand the application of Waterlase dentistry through teaching and research programs, the company said.

“Clinical dentistry is constantly improving, due in large part to advances in technology,” noted Ira Lamster, dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (New York). “It is essential for students in training to be familiar with the latest clinical advances.”