Healthcare Industry News: remote monitoring
News Release - August 30, 2007
Medtronic Announces European Launch of Wireless System Allowing Prompt Remote Monitoring and Management of Disease Progression in Patients with Heart Devices
Medtronic CareLink Network Heart Monitoring Technology Has Potential to Improve Care for Millions of Patients with Heart Failure or Arrhythmias Across EuropeVIENNA, Austria & MINNEAPOLIS--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Medtronic, Inc., (NYSE:MDT ) announced today that it has obtained CE Mark approval and is launching the automatic version of the Medtronic CareLink® Network with Conexus(TM) Wireless Telemetry in the European Union.
The Medtronic CareLink Network with wireless telemetry can be programmed to automatically transmit patient and device data on potentially deadly disease progression from an implanted heart device directly to physicians. This has the potential to improve care for millions of patients with heart failure or arrhythmias by allowing prompt monitoring and management of disease progression, which may help prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD).
Compatible devices include cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillators (CRT-D) for patients with heart failure and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for patients with arrhythmias. The Medtronic CareLink Network is also the first and only approved system to allow remote monitoring and alerting of fluid buildup in the thoracic cavity (a precursor of heart failure) via a proprietary feature called OptiVol® Fluid Status Monitoring, potentially preventing heart failure hospitalisations.
According to Dr. John Morgan, Professor of Cardiology, Southampton University, Southampton, England, "This wireless technology is a major step forward in the management of chronic heart disease. For the first time, it allows us unprecedented, immediate access to patient data."
Approximately 14 million people in Europe currently suffer from heart failure(1), and a half-million patients die from SCD in Europe each year(2). "The prompt alert of major disease progression allows any necessary review of patient therapy and prompt intervention if needed - in many cases there is a good chance we can avoid emergency admissions of patients with heart failure to hospitals. Using this technology we can better manage patients in the primary care setting and potentially reduce their dependence on hospitals," commented Dr. Morgan.
The Medtronic CareLink Network with Conexus Wireless Telemetry enables hands-free transmissions that take place automatically if the patient's device detects a problem, such as an arrhythmia or fluid overload. The new technology offers patients peace of mind knowing physicians will be automatically made aware if certain cardiac problems occur, even in cases where the patient does not feel symptoms. Additionally, it is the only product available that can promptly provide physicians with data comparable to an in-office visit, offering patients more choice and flexibility. The system allows automatic data transmission without interference by cell phones or other electrical equipment via the global standard Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) radio frequency band.
According to Peter Steinmann, Medtronic's vice president of the Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management business in Western Europe, "We are delighted that this truly groundbreaking combination of medicine and technology has received CE Mark approval. The Medtronic CareLink Network has already brought increased peace of mind and convenience to 150,000 patients with heart failure or arrhythmias worldwide. The addition of wireless technology has the potential to further improve the care of millions of patients, and potentially reduce the number of sudden cardiac deaths across Europe."
Notes to editors
About the Medtronic CareLink Network
The Medtronic CareLink Network is now approved for use with the Concerto® cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D), and the Virtuoso® single- and dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). These devices include the Medtronic-exclusive feature OptiVol Fluid Status Monitoring, which measures fluid build-up in the chest, a symptom of heart failure progression. More than 1,700 clinics and more than 150,000 patients worldwide currently benefit from use of the Medtronic CareLink Network.
The Medtronic CareLink Network with wireless technology is being presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC), Vienna, 1-5 September 2007. Demonstrations of the new wireless heart monitoring system are available throughout the congress at the Medtronic booth.
About the Wireless Technology
The Medtronic CareLink Network with wireless technology sends device and patient data to physicians via the Internet. Data are reliably transmitted via Medtronic's exclusive Conexus Wireless Telemetry, operating on the Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) radio frequency band, without interference from cell phones or other electrical equipment.
The physician is alerted via text or email that a transmission of new data from their patients has been initiated - this text or email is called a CareAlert(TM). Once a CareAlert has been received, physicians can review the new patient data and provide care by adjusting device or drug therapy as necessary.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc., (www.medtronic.com) headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
(1) SHAPE Survey Results to the General Public, Annual Congress of the European Society of Cardiology in Vienna, September 2003, http://www.heartfailure-europe.com/index1.php?item=153 (last accessed August 21, 2007)
(2) Priori S et al. Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death, European Society of Cardiology, Summary of recommendations. Europace (2006) 4, 3-18.
Source: Medtronic
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