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Based on its recent analysis of the remote patient monitoring market, Frost & Sullivan presents Noninvasive Medical Technologies Inc. (NMT) with the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Healthcare Innovation in recognition of its superior innovation and vision in patient monitoring, as embodied in a line of unique monitoring solutions.
For the most part, patient monitoring is a mature market space that requires innovation in monitoring techniques in order to achieve growth. While remote monitoring is at the forefront of these new technologies, early efforts clearly indicated that simply installing a system that is largely designed for hospital use inside the home is not effective. New innovative techniques designed specifically around the dynamics of the North American remote monitoring market are needed for remote monitoring to become more universally adopted. Focusing on simple, easy-to-use, and also affordable devices is vital to producing a successful remote monitoring platform in the U.S.
“NMT’s product portfolio focuses on developing new parameters and types of monitoring, and is at the cutting edge of the patient monitoring market,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Zachary Bujnoch. “Besides existing monitoring solutions for remote use, the company has developed several completely new types of monitoring, designed specifically for general remote use, and in the process has changed the perception of remote monitoring.”
For instance, the ZOE fluid status monitor, a lightweight, simple to use monitoring solution, offers a different option for home monitored patients by measuring thoracic base impedance. More impedance to an electrical current means less fluid, and vice versa, providing for an objective measurement parameter of fluid levels in the body. This monitoring parameter really begins to show its value in the case of heart failure and other critical events related to hemodynamic status. It has been shown that a change in this Z-naught or base resistance is an early predictor in a re-hospitalization event.
Approved by the FDA for various conditions including heart failure, fluid management problems, and coronary artery disease (CAD) related events, the ZOE monitoring device is available on the market. Apart from this established function, the device is currently being integrated into a wireless fluid status management system that has been submitted for FDA approval. The system would primarily be used to prevent dehydration and has a broad market potential ranging from emergency response to sports medicine to military applications.
Another innovative product being developed by NMT is the NcIQ casualty management system. This first-response system is completely non-invasive, with the monitoring devices applied outside the shirt. The NcIQ sensor is a small device that relies on similar impedance technology, but instead reflects electric signals against moving anatomical structures in the chest, which is then integrated into NMT’s patented IQ algorithm. From the resulting information parameters such as cardiac output, heart rate and respiration can be measured and trended. To apply the monitoring system the user simply turns it on, waits for the device to vibrate when it finds a good signal on the chest, and then adheres it to the chest. Along with the sensor, the system consists of a complete belt ensemble and data management system.
“While this system is pending FDA approval, it has potential applications in many different kinds of emergency response,” continues Bujnoch. “The use of complete non-contact monitoring is a perfect example of innovation, and in many ways is the future of patient monitoring especially in remote settings.”
For its ability to understand and recognize market needs and then develop innovative technology solutions in the emerging remote monitoring space, Frost & Sullivan is proud to present NMT with the 2008 North American Healthcare Innovation Award in remote patient monitoring.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has introduced truly innovative products, practices, or ideas to the specified industry or segment. The award recognizes innovative contribution(s) to healthcare that paves the way for a new level of care in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease, leading to better outcomes and quality-of-life for patients. In addition, the recipient’s innovative efforts may also lead to improvements in the tools that clinicians, diagnosticians, researchers, and healthcare administrators have at their disposal to improve quality and efficiency in provision of healthcare services. In the development of its innovative contributions to healthcare, this company would have drawn from a substantial body of expertise in the clinical and scientific communities, leading to products, practices, or research and development initiatives that respond directly to the needs and insights expressed by thought leaders in the respective clinical specialties and/or industry segments.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
About Noninvasive Medical Technologies Inc.
Noninvasive Medical Technologies, Inc. (nmtinc.org) is the only cardioplethsmograph manufacturer that incorporates their patented three-dimensional signal averaging into their technology. NMTs team of engineers, clinicians, and administrators are world leaders in the field of bioimpedance application. The company’s commitment to advance the standard for noninvasive patient monitoring across the care continuum has resulted in creating noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring products for collecting essential assessment data in many situations where this information hasn’t been readily available. When time, expense, logistics, and the reduction of patient stress from an invasive procedure are needed, NMT’s range of products has been critical to gathering life-saving medical data.
Contact:
Laura Dolajak
P: 888-466-8552
E: ldolajak[.]nmtinc.org.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership™ empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents.
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jake.wengroff[.]frost.com 
