Massachusetts-based medical devices maker ZOLL Medical ([stock]ZOLL[/stock]) recently began shipping a new version of its AED Plus devices for treating sudden cardiac arrest (“SCA”). This new version is fully compliant with the new American Heart Association (“AHA”) and European Resuscitation Council (“ERC”) guidelines issued in October 2010.
SCA, an abrupt loss of cardiac function, is one of the major causes of unexpected deaths. Early defibrillation raises the chances of survival from just 5% to more than 50%.
The key change in the new AHA and ERC guidelines is the recommendation for chest compressions that are at least 2 inches deep as opposed to between 1.5 and 2 inches required by the earlier guidelines (issued in 2005). Recent studies have shown significant improvement in survival in SCA victims who have received compressions at least 2 inches deep.
The AED Plus provides the “Real CPR Help,” a feedback technology which helps rescuers deliver cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”) with real-time visual and audio feedback, guiding them to achieve the proper depth and rate of chest compressions.
The most significant change in the new version of AED plus is the enhanced real-time visual and audio feedback which allows rescuers provide compressions that are at least 2 inches, which qualify as “Good Compressions.” In a nutshell, the upgraded Real CPR Help technology enables the rescuers to know when chest compressions reach the recommended depth.
ZOLL Medical develops and markets non-invasive resuscitation devices and related software solutions both in the U.S. and overseas markets. It is a leading player in the global market for external defibrillators, which is worth more than $ 1 billion. To boost growth, ZOLL Medical is expanding its footprint in the international markets, which contributed roughly 26% of its consolidated revenues for fiscal 2010.
ZOLL Medical is the innovator of a wide range of product features that have become the standard of care in the external defibrillator industry. It remains committed to expanding its product range to sustain growth in this market. ZOLL Medical competes with Physio-Control, a wholly-owned unit of Medtronic ([stock]PHG[/stock]). We currently have a Neutral recommendation on the stock.
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