(1888PressRelease)
April 22, 2008 - Needle destruction device uses patented 3000 degree plasma arc to vaporize needles.
Hillsboro, Oregon, USA - Helius Medical Technologies, a newly incorporated manufacturer of medical devices and disposables, announced today that it is launching a series of one-of-a-kind needle destruction devices focused on resolving traditional problems associated with needle handling and disposal. The patented devices are available to home self-care patients administering their own insulin or medication, in-clinic healthcare workers providing patient care, visiting nurses and emergency response organizations. Helius Medical needle disintegrators are FDA PMA Class III-approved, EPA-recommended and ADA-recognized.
Each day around the world, over 50 million needles are disposed of, or about 16 billion annually. Widely reported problems related to handling and disposing used needles include accidental needle stick injuries, blood pathogen transfer & contamination and increased biohazard waste processing costs. Needle stick injuries occur every 45 seconds with each incident having the potential for the transfer of a serious infectious pathogen. The safe disposal of used needles is a growing problem, unresolved by today’s traditional methods such as sharps boxes, adapted containers and common trash that simply shift the risk factors downstream. Consumers and medical professionals need improved engineering solutions designed to reduce or eliminate risk.
According to Helius Medical Technologies’ founder and CTO, Steve Vance, “Helius Medical is committed to delivering revolutionary needle destruction solutions that provide more cost-effective, safer, injury-free and environmentally friendly methods to dispose of used needles. We believe our device resolves many of today’s complex sharps disposal problems and with 416 new injection drugs coming to market over the next 5 years, Helius products will provide high value solutions for future consumers and healthcare professionals, as well.”
Point of Use Needle Destruction Supports a Host of Medical Applications. Wherever a needle and syringe are used to inject insulin or medication either in the home, medical clinic, or while traveling, the need for safe disposal at the point of use arises. Whether administering diabetic insulin, AIDS/HIV serums, hepatitis, arthritis, allergy, flu or pain medications; using needles during dialysis, emergency response, veterinary or dental care; or just drawing samples in medical labs or bioscience research environments, Helius Medical’s disintegrator technology resolves many of the problems inherent with today’s sharps disposal methods and systems. Destroying the needle at the point of use offers tremendous benefits to patients, clinicians, military, EMS and waste disposal workers by reducing post injection sticks and downstream disposal risks, the primary cause of injury and contamination transfer.
How Helius Medical’s Needle Destruction Technology Works. The Helius Medical needle disintegrator is a needle and lancet destruction device that vaporizes standard needle types* at the point of use by employing a patented 3000+ degree Fahrenheit plasma arc. A plasma arc occurs naturally in the environment as a high temperature, high voltage lightning strike. Helius Medical’s plasma-arc technology recreates the same natural forces and principles. A high temperature ionization process is triggered, turning needles into an environmentally inert gas. Plasma arc technology is now being adapted for hazardous waste destruction. Helius Medical has packaged this technology into a small, lightweight (30 oz) and portable needle disintegrator for use by patients or clinicians.
Helius Medical Technologies is aggressively launching its new line of needle disintegrator products in the U.S. and International markets. Interested clinicians, healthcare organizations, professional associations, channel sales partners, international distributors or those seeking OEM opportunities are invited to contact Helius Medical Technologies at: info ( @ ) heliusmedical dot com
About Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.
Helius Medical Technologies is a Hillsboro, Oregon-based manufacturer of needle destruction devices and disposables designed to provide a safer, injury-free and environmentally friendly solution to traditional needle handling and disposal. Helius Medical disintegrators are FDA PMA Class III approved, EPA-recommended, and NIOSH, OSHA and ADA recognized. For more information go to: www.heliusmedical.com
™ The Helius Medical Technologies name and logo are trademarks of Helius Medical Technologies, Hillsboro, Oregon.
™ The EPA, FDA, NIOSH, OSHA and ADA are acronyms and trademarks of their respective organizations.
*Needle gauge ranges vary. Specifications are available.
MEDIA CONTACT:
david.eastman ( @ ) heliusmedical dot com
Investors, Distributors and Partners Contact:
Steve.vance ( @ ) heliusmedical dot com
Other inquiries:
info ( @ ) heliusmedical dot com
