A Medical Device Daily

Despite budget restraints, the European healthcare segment offers "exciting growth potential for information and communication technologies (ICT) service providers and equipment vendors," according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan (London/New York).

The European Union e-Health initiatives rolled out in 2000 have positively affected the uptake of Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) in the healthcare segment, and will be pushed by the ability to provide reliable network security and enhanced connectivity is expected to further underline the appeal of IP VPN, according to the report.

"The European healthcare industry represents 10% of the total IP VPN services market's growth potential at the moment," said Lucy Liu, research analyst with F&S. "This is evident from the rapid uptake of IP VPN services in the last six months which hiked the market growth rate to 40%, due to the increased demand in the healthcare ICT industry."

She said that the accession of eastern European countries to the EU is likely to boost demand levels even further, with IP VPN uptake set to impact areas such as patient data, security, telemedicine and hospital administration.

Recent health regulations reflecting the inherent sensitivity of health information have highlighted the need for increased privacy and security for patient records while, at the same time, digitization of patient data requires data sharing and secure networking. IP VPNs provide secure remote access for doctors to access patient's records in a protected and cost-effective way thus becoming the ideal telecommunication service. Thus, IP VPNs with integrated firewalls are fast becoming the mainstay of network security.

The move towards a fully integrated, single sign-on system has now made network security easier for IT administrators to set up and for hospital staff to use, thus driving demand for IP VPNs by the healthcare segment.

An IP-based VPN allows interoperability of different vendors' products, which gives customers increased flexibility and choice for network vendors and products. Next-generation broadband networks sponsored by governments provide great opportunities for telemedicine and telehealth services because areas in which a broadband network is already in place will have the added benefit of faster deployment.

"The European IP VPN services market is highly competitive at the moment," said Liu. "Service providers face many big challenges, which have forced them to align service strategies accordingly. The effective approaches include deploying the push and pull strategies, building up strong business cases to demonstrate ROI and following a vertical approach."

Vasamed's AcQtrac CE-marked

Vasamed (Minneapolis), a developer of non-invasive, hemodynamic assessment technology, reported receiving the CE mark for its new AcQtrac System, which provides real-time measurements of hemodynamic parameters that allow physicians to manage a range of cardiovascular patients.

"Overall, heart disease is estimated to cost Europe EUR 169 billion annually," said Paulita LaPlante, president and CEO of Vasamed. "The AcQtrac System's rapid, non-invasive cardiovascular assessment can be a cost-effective alternative for a market focused on earlier diagnosis and treatment as part of their overall health policy objectives."

FDA-cleared earlier this year, the AcQtrac relies on a graphical waveform that represents the mechanical function of the cardiovascular system and provides information to quickly assess conditions such as congestive heart failure or to monitor treatment outcomes such as those provided by drug therapy.

Vasamed also makes the SensiLase PAD 3000 and Laserdopp PV2000 System for quantitative evaluation of microcirculatory perfusion in patients with chronic foot ulcers, diabetes and other peripheral arterial disease. Laser Doppler technology, coupled with algorithms to measure skin perfusion pressure and pulse volume, assist in evaluating microvascular health.

Current Technology unit launched in UK

Current Technology (CTC; Vancouver, British Columbia) recently reported that its wholly owned subsidiary, Current Technology (UK) Ltd. has begun operations in London, with its board meeting Dec. 28-29.

From that meeting, the company reported that the size of it private equity offering will be increased from 3 million to 3.5 million (about $6 million) to facilitate an application to the FDA for use of the company's ElectroTrichoGenesis system as a medical device for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced hair loss and/or alopecia areata. The company said that if FDA approval is obtained, it and its UK subsidiary will market ElectroTrichoGenesis in the U.S. on a 50/50 joint venture basis.

Herman Kullar was named managing director, CFO and secretary of the UK subsidiary, and Emma French as director of marketing.

CTC has developed two separate and distinct products emanating from the TrichoGenesis platform: ElectroTrichoGenesis and CosmeticTrichoGenesis.

Fast Trak group, CytoGenix in biodefense accord

The Fast Trak BioDefense group of GE Healthcare (St. Giles, UK), a unit of General Electric, has signed a contract with CytoGenix (Houston). The group will collaborate with CytoGenix in obtaining and executing biodefense-related federal contracts in the U.S.

CytoGenix focuses on products and services based on the ssDNA expression technology.