
Olympus America, a Center Valley, Pa.-based commercial camera and medical supply maker, landed a contract to supply surgical tools to members of group purchasing organization Premier healthcare alliance.
The GPO added Olympus’ Thunderbeat surgical energy platform via the Technology Breakthroughs program, reserved for innovations that Premier says "represent a significant advance in terms of safety, clinical outcomes, dramatic process of care, cost savings or operational efficiency."
Thunderbeat is a hand-held instrument with ultrasonic and bipolar energies that cuts, seals and grasps tissue during surgery. The device was one of the 14 breakthrough technologies recognized at Premier’s recent 2013 Breakthroughs Conference.
Covidien wins a 3-year contract from Novation
Covidien (NYSE:COV) landed a 3-year contract with Novation, making its BIS brain monitoring system available to all Novation care members.
The BIS technology non-invasively measures brain waves to determine patient consciousness levels during surgery, allowing doctors to more closely manage and monitor individual anesthesia dosing needs.