Covidien & Drager Integrate Knowhow - Analyst Blog

Covidien (COV), a leading global health care products company with a focus on mechanical ventilation and respiratory care devices, recently announced the integration of its new Infinity MCable and Nellcor OxiMax knowhow with the Drager Infinity Acute Care System in European nations. The Infinity MCable with Nellcor OxiMax technology adds two important attributes to the compact Drager monitor, namely Nellcor OxiMax specialty pulse oximetry sensors and Nellcor SatSeconds alarm management expertise.

The unification of advanced pulse oximetry knowhow and doctor-controlled alarm management from Covidien with transportable patient monitoring instruments from Drager, a cutting-edge maker of medical equipment, highlights the commitment of both companies. This resultant new and improved moveable device provides doctors with current technology to ensure patient care as well as a solution for improving efficiency at hospitals.

The Drager Infinity Acute Care System is a networked system that integrates therapy, patient monitoring and information technology.  This system comprises the Infinity M540, a moveable patient monitor that moves with patients as they are shifted around the hospital.

During transportation, the Infinity M540 monitor constantly picks up, shows and stores critical data pertaining to patients. Once the invalid is brought to his/her desired position, it transfers all incidents to the Infinity Medical Cockpit, a part of the Infinity Acute Care System. As the sick person does not have to be disconnected from monitoring machines, the probability of undetected events is cut down, clinical efficiency is increased, and the patient is allowed to rest.

The Infinity MCable and Nellcor OxiMax technology utilize the Nellcor SatSeconds technology in the Infinity M540 monitor, allowing the instrument to produce intelligent alarms based on the severity and duration of a victim's oxygen de-saturation.

Doctors may utilize any of the sensors from Covidien – such as the Max-Fast forehead sensor or the SoftCare sensor – which function solely with Nellcor OxiMax knowhow. Inclusion of the entire range of Nellcor OxiMax pulse oximetry items with the Drager Infinity M540 allows the moveable monitor to be effectively utilized for different categories of patients, ranging from neonatal cases to geriatric ones.

Covidien develops and markets medical solutions for better patient outcome. It boasts of a well-diversified product and technology portfolio. The company remains committed to rolling out new products and technologies, focusing on fast-growing markets, and boosting market share in core segments through investments in sales and marketing infrastructure. Its core medical devices business faces stiff competition from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Becton, Dickinson (BDX) and C.R. Bard (BCR).

The acquisition of ev3, in July 2010, has bolstered Covidien's foothold in the peripheral vascular and neurovascular markets. Moreover, the divestiture of its specialty chemicals and sleep therapy product line has enabled Covidien to rationalize its product portfolio and reallocate resources to faster-growing, higher-margin businesses.

 
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