The Best of Ergoweb 2010
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January 13, 2011
The market for ergonomically designed technology is heating up. In this example, a safe patient handling equipment startup company, Technimotion™, was purchased by KCI, a global medical technology company, even before their first product hit the market. They describe their products as "innovative and ergonomic patient handling systems for acute and post-acute patient care." Below is an excerpt from their press release:
KCI to Expand Product Portfolio Through Acquisition of TechniMotion™ Patient Handling Technologies
Released : 10th January 2011
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and intellectual property of TechniMotion Medical, an Austin, Texas-based company that designs and develops innovative and ergonomic patient handling systems for acute and post-acute patient care.
SAN ANTONIO—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI) today announced the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and intellectual property of TechniMotion Medical, an Austin, Texas-based company that designs and develops innovative and ergonomic patient handling systems for acute and post-acute patient care.
Among other innovations, TechniMotion™ products include patient lifts that enable out-of-bed transfers, seated transfers, and basic sit-to-stand maneuvers in a more comfortable and natural position, and a reclining bedside chair that allows bed transfers to be performed over the patient’s mattress.
The products, which promote safe patient handling, will be marketed through KCI’s Therapeutic Support Systems (TSS) division. TSS provides a portfolio of beds, mattress replacement systems, and other products for wound care, bariatric care and critical care settings.
"The novel systems from TechniMotion are a natural fit to our suite of products that are focused on providing a continuum of care and improved patient outcomes," said Steve Seidel, Global President, Therapeutic Support Systems. "Unlike other patient lifts for instance, TechniMotion’s lift provides greater patient comfort and can be handled by just one caregiver, potentially reducing the risk of injury and bringing real efficiencies to the hospital and home care setting."
The medical lift market is approximately $220 million annually in the United States, with significant future growth opportunity.
The initial launch of the products is expected this summer.
