Healthcare Industry News: ZOLL Medical
News Release - November 10, 2006
ZOLL Launches First and Only ''Code-Ready'' Defibrillator for Hospitals: R Series
New Standard-Setting Defibrillator Unveiled at the 2006 AHA Scientific Sessions in ChicagoCHELMSFORD, Mass.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ: ZOLL ), a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, today announced the R Series(TM) defibrillator for hospitals. The Company believes that the R Series sets a new standard for simplicity and operational readiness, which will help improve in-hospital resuscitation efforts. The R Series debuts in ZOLL's booth (#1589) at the 2006 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Chicago, from November 12 through November 15, 2006.
"Hospital clinicians know that the worst time to find out a defibrillator isn't working is during a cardiac arrest event," said Richard A. Packer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL. "The R Series is the first and only 'Code-Ready' defibrillator. It raises the bar on what clinicians will expect from their defibrillators."
Mr. Packer continued, "We define 'Code-Ready' as a device that is simple and always ready to use. The R Series offers a OneStep system that simplifies and speeds up deployment of pacing and defibrillation therapy. It also offers smart tools that can help clinicians improve CPR performance. Finally, the R Series offers comprehensive, automated readiness checks designed to maximize the readiness of the R Series to help clinicians when they need it most."
Mr. Packer concluded, "We believe that the launch of the R Series positions us well for significant growth, similar to our launch of the M Series during the late 1990s. The M Series is now the standard of care in many hospitals. We expect that the R Series, when it ships later this year, will allow us to drive growth and expand our share of the hospital market as it becomes the preferred defibrillator for clinicians looking to improve resuscitation outcomes."
R Series: OneStep(TM) Simplicity
The R Series offers several firsts in the area of simplifying operation. It includes a OneStep System that provides a single cable for pacing, monitoring, and defibrillation. It also includes one electrode set through which clinicians can monitor, pace, defibrillate, and get real-time feedback on chest compressions, also known as Real CPR Help(TM).
R Series Smart Tools Help Users Improve CPR Performance
More than half of in-hospital codes involve non-shockable rhythms.* In such cases, the only treatment for such rhythms is high-quality CPR, with minimal interruptions. The R Series offers See-Thru CPR(TM) functionality that helps clinicians minimize interruptions in CPR performance. While viewing the ECG on a monitor/defibrillator, artifact (i.e., "noise") from chest compressions make it difficult to discern the presence of an organized heart rhythm unless compressions are halted. See-Thru CPR filters out this artifact so clinicians can view an underlying rhythm without stopping chest compressions.
In addition to See-Thru CPR, the R Series offers a visual aid known as the CPR Index(TM) that allows clinicians to see how well they are performing the rate and depth of chest compressions in real time. This Index, along with audible prompts (i.e., "Push Harder" and "Good Compressions"), helps clinicians improve CPR performance by integrating rate and depth into a single indicator on an easy-to-read display. With this feedback, clinicians know how well they are performing compressions and can quickly adjust their compressions to improve blood flow.
Additionally, all CPR performance data and the entire resuscitation record, including the ECG, can be downloaded into ZOLL CodeNet® and reviewed for quality assurance and training purposes. CodeNet is the first system to help document, review, and manage a complete set of data for in-hospital resuscitation events, including both code event data and defibrillator data, on one synchronized timeline.
A New Standard of Comprehensive Self-testing and Readiness Checks
The R Series extends testing beyond shock delivery and checks more than 40 measures of readiness, including the presence of the correct cables and electrodes, the type of electrode, and other important electronics. The R Series can also verify the condition and expiration date of the electrode set. All of this testing occurs without disconnecting electrodes or paddles, or requiring additional equipment to test shock delivery. The system provides a printed or electronic log to alert hospital personnel of any concerns in advance of a code. A simple green checkmark indicates that the R Series is fully ready for use.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation is committed to developing technologies that help advance the practice of resuscitation. With products for pacing, defibrillation, circulation (with ZOLL's See-Thru CPR(TM) and Real CPR Help(TM) technologies), ventilation, and fluid resuscitation, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS professionals, and lay rescuers resuscitate sudden cardiac arrest or trauma victims. ZOLL also designs and markets software that automates the documentation and management of both clinical and non-clinical information.
ZOLL markets and sells its products in more than 140 countries. The Company has direct operations, distributor networks, and business partners throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, and Australia. For more information, visit www.zoll.com or call +1 (978) 421-9655.
Certain statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, ZOLL's ability to compete in the resuscitation business; acceptance of its recently launched products; changes in regulations affecting the healthcare industry; global economic conditions; and those other factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in ZOLL's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which was filed with the SEC on August 11, 2006.
©2006 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. 269 Mill Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4105. Code-Ready, CPR Index, OneStep, R Series, and See-Thru CPR are trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation. CodeNet, M Series, and ZOLL are registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation. All product names are the property of their respective owners.
*Clinical data available upon request.
Source: ZOLL Medical
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