FLA Orthopedics Offers New Walking Braces

       FLA Orthopedics, Inc. offers StepLite® Easy Strider™ Walker Braces, excellent for use in treating ankle sprains, ankle or foot strains, lower-extremity soft tissue injuries, stress and stable fractures of the foot or ankle, and post-Achilles tendon repairs.
       The braces are lightweight and low profile, featuring criss-cross ankle straps that increase foot stabilization and a breathable foam liner to keep skin cool and dry.
For more information, visit http://www.flaorthopedics.com.

Primus Medical Introduces New Resident Alarm Fastener

       Primus Medical introduces the Prime Snap™ Resident Alarm Fastener. The Prime Snap maintains patient safety by making it more difficult for residents to unhook pull-string monitors, thus replacing metal clips and safety pins. By helping to prevent falls, the product can limit exposure to lawsuits. The flat device is made of flexible, durable plastic and is specifically designed to work with all pull-string monitors.
       To request a free sample, call 877-638-2776.

Apollo Offers Bathing System with Noninstitutional Look

       Apollo Corp. now offers a bathing system with a noninstitutional look for long-term care and assisted living facilities. Decorative panels are offered in a wide selection of colored and textured surfaces to compliment the décor of the facility’s bathing room. Residents will enjoy the warm, home-like feeling created by the spa environment.
       Apollo’s bathing system also has a new, easy-to-close door that facilitates caregiver ease of operation. This tub is available in a whirlpool or air spa model. The Apollo bathing system is available with Remedy®, the automatic germicidal ultraviolet water purifier. Unlike chemical disinfectants that kill only organisms on the tub’s surface, Remedy attacks microorganisms that are washed into the water during a bath. By activating the whirlpool, the bath water is automatically and continuously recirculated through the Remedy’s ultraviolet chambers. This reduces bacteria levels by as much as 99 percent. By reducing the exposure level to the microorganisms, infections are reduced—fostering a healthier resident population.
       For more information, contact Apollo at 800-247-5490.

Therapeutic Bedding Introduces Fall-Prevention Mattress Design

       Therapeutic Bedding Company introduces a patent-pending mattress design to assist in fall and decubitus prevention, the Egress EZ™. This product has an “imbedded bedrail”—a firm rail completely encased inside the mattress to assist with egress, ingress, and transfer of residents. The rigid rail has a large, cupped handle on the sides of the mattress that can be easily accessed by residents for increased bed mobility.
       The Egress EZ was developed by a geriatrician concerned with bed-associated injury. He saw the need to eliminate bed rails to help prevent entrapment but realized the rail assisted in other aspects of resident care. He wanted a mattress that not only helps prevent residents from falling out of bed but also assists them with getting in and out of bed.
       The product is available in two styles. The first is a raised-edge version for residents at increased risk of falling. The second has a raised handle for when bed mobility and resident repositioning are the primary concerns. Each version includes proven pressure-reduction designs for resident comfort and decubitus prevention.
       Contact Therapeutic Bedding Company at 877-847-5800 for more information on the Egress EZ and distributors in your area.

FDA Clears BlueSky’s Versatile 1 Wound Vacuum System for Marketing

       BlueSky Medical Group Inc. received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for marketing the Versatile 1™ Wound Vacuum System.
       The wound vacuum applies localized negative pressure to the wound bed to promote wound healing. Localized negative pressure has been used for years to heal wounds and was reintroduced in the 1980s with flexible membrane technology by Katherine Jeter, DEd, ET. The Wound Vacuum System concept follows the teachings of Dr. Jeter and Dr. Mark Chariker. The FDA cleared the Chariker-Jeter Vacuum Sealing Kit as part of the Wound Vacuum System approach. The FDA approved marketing of the Wound Vacuum System for patients who would benefit from use of a suction device to promote wound healing.
       The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved the Versatile 1 Pump and the Chariker-Jeter Accessory kits for reimbursement. BlueSky, the number-two company in the negative pressure therapy field, continues to make progress in a number of areas. The approval for these codes means that BlueSky’s dealer base may use the assigned codes for Medicare reimbursement purposes. While the codes may not be the final codes assigned to the products, approval represents a significant step: CMS has realized the value of the products.
       Additionally, Anthem BlueCross, a major insurance carrier in the US, has rewritten its reimbursement policy to include the Versatile 1 Pump as a covered product under its Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Home Environment policy.
       Visit http://www.blueskymedical.com for more information.

Home Free Systems Releases AWARE—Advanced Fall Management Solutions for Long-Term Care Residents

       Home Free Systems unveils AWARE—advanced fall management solutions for long-term care residents. Home Free recognizes the importance long-term care facilities place on resident safety and security. In response, AWARE is a fully integrated and centralized system, specifically designed to secure and protect residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
       The system offers functionality and exceptional fall management capabilities. The system’s paging function indicates resident name and location when activated. AWARE also logs each event occurrence and its various attributes, e.g., event time, staff response times, and resident behavioral patterns. This pooled information is centrally logged and produces risk management reports to track event trends and staff performance to help improve resident care. The system features integrated smart logic that constantly checks battery levels and system devices for optimal performance. Alerts are automatically sent to staff indicating when system pads or batteries need to be replaced.
       AWARE integrates with Home Free’s wandering prevention and nurse call using a single wireless network. Its unique features, centralized command, reporting capabilities, and integrated smart technology offer security and save staff time. Coupled with Home Free’s 24/7 technical assistance, via phone or web, this fall management system offers outstanding value, functionality, and peace of mind. For more information, visit http://www.homefreesys.com.

LiquiCell Pad Relieves Discomfort

       LiquiCell Inc. offers the Liquicell™ pad, an ultra-thin, liquid interface technology specifically designed to relieve the discomfort one experiences over time when the body is in contact with another object. Customized liquid-filled cells are being used in various applications, including wheelchair cushions and overlays, gloves, elbow pads, and ankle booties to help prevent pressure ulcers.
       For more information, visit http://www.liquicell.com.

Innovative Wound Care Technology by Vital Needs International Positioned for Commercialization

       Biomedical development firm Vital Needs International (VNI) announces the release of a new wound care technology designed to close wounds by supporting negative pressure therapy techniques related to plastic and reconstructive surgery.
       Voyager™ is lightweight and about the size of a deck of cards. This new technology has applications for patients that have chronic and traumatic wounds related to diabetes and/or have had procedures related to general and plastic surgery, such as burns, biopsies, and reconstructive surgery. Voyager can be used in hospital, extended care, and home care settings.
       VNI is a medical device and pharmaceutical development firm that specializes in developing innovative medical products that improve medical care for practitioners and patients. VNI owns and licenses medical technologies in various stages of development and commercialization and has received national recognition for excellence in design of its proprietary medical products.
       For more information about VNI and its emerging technologies, please visit the company’s website at http://www.vitalneeds.com.

Medline Introduces EndoFlex® Endotracheal Tube with Adjustable Tip

       Medline introduces an endotracheal tube that enables clinicians to rapidly and safely adjust the tip of the tube into a position suitable for a variety of difficult airway situations. The EndoFlex® endotracheal tube was officially launched by Medline Industries, Inc., a privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare supplies, at the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 23.
       The endotracheal tube serves as an open passage through the upper airway. The purpose of endotracheal intubation is to permit air to pass freely to and from the lungs in order to ventilate the lungs. Endotracheal tubes can be connected to ventilator machines to provide artificial respiration.
       Endotracheal intubation is a procedure by which a plastic tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea. The standard tube tip is not adjustable, which can make it difficult for the practitioner to position in the airway in certain patients.
Medline is the exclusive distributor of EndoFlex in the US. EndoFlex was developed and manufactured by Merlyn Associates, Inc., Tustin, California.
       For more information, visit http://www.medline.com.

RF Technologies Introduces
the Sensatec® Fall Alert System

       RF Technologies, provider of safety and asset protection solutions, announces the release of the Sensatec® Fall Alert System. Through a restraint-free sensor pad, the Sensatec System monitors residents of long-term care facilities that may be at risk of falling from beds or chairs. Sensatec’s discreet monitoring capability gives residents the highest level of dignity, which is important in assisted living facilities.
       The Sensatec Fall Alert Solution monitors residents though a sensor pad placed on a bed or chair. Once the resident is positioned upon the sensor pad, monitoring begins automatically. When weight is removed from the pad, the system notifies a staff member or caregiver that the person at risk is attempting to get out of the bed or chair unassisted. The monitor also provides audible and visual notification of the unit’s current status mode—monitoring, alarmed, or paused. In addition, the unit alerts staff when the battery needs replacement.
       Standard features available with the system include:
• A compact case that makes set up easy and protects the unit from damage
• Bypass button(s) to silence the alarm or pause the monitoring function while repositioning a resident
• A portable unit that can be used for a wheelchair or bed.
Optional features associated with select models include:
• AC power supply that saves battery life
• Auto reset function that will reset itself after alarm activation and when the resident’s weight is reapplied
• Volume and delay controls.
       Sensatec Fall Alert System is a member of the RF Technologies family of scalable safety solutions for assisted living and long-term care facilities.
       For more information, visit http://www.rft.com or call 800-669-9946.

Sunnex Introduces Solo Spot Exam Light Ideal for Medical Exams and Procedures

       Sunnex, a manufacturer of lighting, introduces its Solo Spot Exam Light, which offers powerful and concentrated spot lighting. With up to 4,000 footcandles of illumination, it is ideal for any task requiring intense lighting, including exams and procedures.
       The Solo Spot Exam Light has a unique double-filtered lens with lampshade extension that helps to keep the light cool and emits a 3.25" diameter spot pattern at 15". The flexible gooseneck arm and swivel designed lamp head allow for easy adjustment and maneuverability. The light is available in c-clamp, table, and wall models. It has a 20-watt halogen light source. A 55" high caster wheel model is also available for mobile applications.
       To learn more about the Sunnex Solo Spot Exam Light, call 800-445-7869 or visit Sunnex at http://www.sunnexonline.com.