News - dot medical

CardioFocus Laser Balloon used in German Study

A new study demonstrates the high acute and chronic success rates achievable with a single atrial fibrillation ablation procedure using the HeartLight endoscopic ablation system (CardioFocus). The study was conducted by Boris Schmidt and colleagues at Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien, Frankfurt, Germany, and was published online in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, in January 2012. Results indicate 98% acute pulmonary vein isolation, with 77% of patients in sinus rhythm at approximately nine months follow-up. [Jan 25th 2012]

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Dot Medical Moves Offices

After 8 years in the Old Mill at Bailey Court, Dot Medical moved to smart new offices at Silk Point in Macclesfield. The new offices have extremely flexible leasing terms and will enable Dot Medical to expand as required. [Dec 2011] More info...

St Mary's Hospital begins laser treatment for patients in Atrial Fibrillation

Dr Wyn Davies and Dr Prapa Kanagaratnam conducted St Mary's (London) first Laser Balloon treatment on Wednesday (12th October) using the CardioFocus system. They achieved 100% isolation on all four pulmonary veins over a period of 2hours 15minutes. Both Dr Davies and Dr Kanagaratnam were very pleased with the outcome. [Oct 12th 2011]. More info...

World First use of Smart Touch Catheter with Amigo Robot at Glenfield

Yesterday Dr Ng at Glenfield Hospital achieved another world first by being the first cardiologist in the world to use the new Biosense-Webster Smart Touch Catheter with the Amigo robot. The Smart Touch catheter is an irrigated tip ablation catheter for use in the heart for ablation procedures. It allows users to guage how much force there is at the tip of the catheter providing an indication of the level of electrical contact. Dr Ng said afterwards that the Amigo (which allows for remote operation of the catheter in a cath lab setting) and the Smart Touch catheter is an interesting and exciting combination. [Aug 24th 2011] More info...

First Endoscopic Laser procedure in UK for treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Last week was another UK first with Dr Edward Rowland and Dr Oliver Segal performing the first UK Endoscopic Laser ablation for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation at the HeartHospital, London. The procedure involves the electrical isolation of pulmonary veins in the left atrium, a procedure usually conducted using Radio Frequency energy and navigation tools. What made this procedure very different is that for the first time it was possible to visibly see inside the heart using an endoscopic camera inside the catheter whilst performing the ablation using laser energy. [Aug 2011] More info...

Dot Medical launches One Heart, One Life campaign...

Dot Medical launched it's One heart, One life campaign in order to screen patients for Atrial Fibrillation. Launched in the North West of England and fully supported by Dot Medical, the One Heart, One Life program will run their first programs in August 2011 in local towns and villages in order to reduce the number of Strokes. [Aug 2011]

Dot Medical takes receipt of its first Arctic Sun 5000 series

After the launch of the new Arctic Sun 5000 in January of this year Dot Medical took receipt of its first system in April. Functionally superior to the 2000 in many ways what sets it apart is the easy touch screen graphics which constantly monitor the patients temperature and any events around the temperature measurement. What used to take some working out is now abundantly clear on an easy to see graphics touch screen [April 2011] More info...

Bob Crawford joins the Dot Medical NRG team in Scotland & NE England

Bob Crawford, formerly selling Boston Scientific Products has joined the Dot Medical NRG team as an Agent in Scotland and NE England selling the Baylis NRG needle. Bob is well known to the Scottish medical fraternity and has been involved in CRM business for the last thirty years. He started at Medtronic, moving to CPI which eventually became Guidant, which was subsequently purchased by Boston Scientific. [Feb 2011]

Glenfield Hospital initiate FDA study on Amigo Robot

Dr Ng, who famously used the Amigo robot for the first time in the world last year, has started enrolling patients in an FDA study aimed at looking at how easy the Amigo is to use. Data will only be gathered on diagnistic use of catheters. Dr Ng has been speaking about his experiences with Amigo this month at the Cardiac Rhythm meeting in Hong Kong [Feb 2011]

Adrian Arnold joins Dot Medical covering the South Coast of England

Adrian Arnold joins Dot Medical to sell the Baylis NRG needle in South of England. Adrian has been many years in the medical device industry, initially with Shiley and Sorin and then as General Manager of Intermedics which was later acquired by Guidant. After a complete career change out of the medical arena, Adrian is back as an Agent for Dot Medical. [Jan 2011]

Steve Easom joins Dot Medical NRG Team

Steve Easom has joined Dot Medical as an Agent in London selling the Baylis NRG needle alongside his current EP portfolio from Boston Scientific . Prior to joining Guidant which was later purchased by Boston Scientific, Steve was the General Manager at Medtronic UK and played a major role in establishing Medtronic in this country. Steve is well known to Cardiologists and technical staff in London's hospitals and speak highly of his professionalism and courtesy. [Jan 2011]

Iain Anderson joins Dot to support the Medivance Arctic Sun

Iain Anderson beat off 70 applicants for the position of Product Specialist in the London area. Originally from the Telecoms industry, Glasgow born Iain has worked across the world from New Zealand, Australia, Saudi and the UK in the capital equipment industry. [Jan 2011]

Dot Medical signs joint venture with Cardiogenics to sell QuikClot

Dot Medical signed a Joint Distribution agreement with Cardiogenics on Tuesday (19th October 2010) to sell the QuikClot Interventional Hemostatic Bandage manufactured by Z-Medica Inc. The QuikClot Interventional obtains prompt hemostasis and allows an early and safe ambulation following coronary diagnostic and interventional procedures by femoral approach. [Oct 2010] More info...

Dot Medical launches Amigo at HRC - Birmingham

Dot Medical launched the Amigo at the HRC meeting in Birmingham with a helping hand from Boston Scientific who provided space on their stand. The Amigo, which allows Electrophysiologists to operate from outside the cath lab, was used throughout the meeting to demonstrate the simplicity and ease with which a catheter can be manipulated in to an artificial coronary sinus. The Amigo can now be used with EP Catheters manufactured by Boston Scientific and Biosense-Webster and will accommodate catheters from other manufacturers next year.
[Oct 2010] More info...

First Human use of Catheter Robotics "Amigo" in Leicester UK

A pioneering world first robotics system operation was conducted at Glenfield Hospital Leicester last week thanks to expertise at the University of Leicester. Dr Andre Ng, Senior Lecturer in Cardiovascular sciences at the University of Leicester and Consultant cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Glenfield Hospital, was the first person in the world to carry out the operation remotely using this system [April 2010] More info...

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Dot Medical signs distributor agreement with Vasogenics for EECP products

Dot Medical signed an agreement to distribute the Enhanced External Counterpulsation Systems in Britain for Vasogenics. The EEC systems have been extensively researched for use on patients suffering refractory angina with remarkable results. Patients with refractory angina have often had coronary artery bypass and or extensive stenting procedures but still have angina. [July 2010] More info...

Catheter Robotics awarded CE mark

Catheter Robotics Inc were awarded the CE mark this week for the Amigo Catheter Robot. Several years in development, the catheter Robot can be used by Electropysiologists in the Cath lab for assisting with EP cases. Assembled in about 30 minutes, the Amigo sits at the foot of the bed and can be utilised to manouvre catheters which have previously been inserted in to the patient. The Catheter Robot allows an EP physician to use a standard and familiar catheter which can be clicked in to the robot arm at any time during the procedure. [April 2010] More info...

Dot Medical Staff complete training in Enhanced External Counter Pulsation

Vasogenics Ltd, the European distributor for Vasomedical Inc, has appointed Dot Medical as their representative in the UK for their Enhanced External Counter-pulsation therapy with a view to supporting the product line from the end of April. Counter-pulsation is a therapy which has over 150 publications supporting its use for patients with Angina. Patients generally recieve this non-invasive treatment for one hour a day for 35 days. The benefits are remarkable, with 85% of patients reporting a decrease in their angina symptoms. Whilst initially designed for pateints who were not suitable for further invasive treatments, research in the US has shown that using Counter-pulsation earlier in the development of heart disease may be beneficial. [March 2010] More info...

Lifevest in top 5 medical devices award

A manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that the Medical Device Network has named the LifeVest® Wearable Defibrillator as one of the five most innovative and life-changing medical devices of 2009. Reporter Frances Penwill-Cook of the U.K.-based Medical Device Network explained, “The LifeVest was selected because we felt it was technologically exceptional, that it would experience widespread use due to excellent functionality and that it would have a significant impact on patient care.”The Lifevest is only available in the UK from Dot Medical Ltd [January 2010] More info...

Denise Rankin wins ICNM Award

Dot Medical is very proud to announce that Denise Rankin has won the Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine award. Denise has been a strong advocate of complementary medicine for many years and has worked within the House of Lords and with HRH Prince of Wales within the foundation for Integrated Medicine. Denise is also the editor of the international journal Complementary Therapies and Clinical Practice and has been the editor for over fourteen years. Denise has edited 6 books on the topic of complementary medicine which have been translated in to several languages and written numerous publications and articles. [January 2010] More info...

First meeting of the Obesity BOMSS group

It was apt that on the day that surgeons appeared on the BBC calling the current paucity of treatment for obesity unethical that Dot Medical attended the first meeting of the BOMSS group. BOMSS is an acronym for the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society and the first meeting was a great success. Held in Selsdon Park near Croydon, Dot Medical and MID were Silver Sponsors of this auspicious meeting and the interest in new treatments for obesity was high. Dot Medical supplies the MID Gastric Band (the MidBand) to hospitals in the UK, the unique feature of the band being it's inordinately low complication rate. [January 2010] More info...

Snow News day

A full 7" of snow fell in one night in Macclesfield in the first week of January and it continued to snow for the rest of that week. As it became apparent that the whole country was affected Dot Medical staff continued to man the office through out the period. As cars couldn't be used on the roads the staff living closest to HQ walked to the office to ensure that deliveries continued. DHL were magnificent and continued their deliveries with minimal complaint throughout the period, even though they did have to dig themselves out of the car park on more than one occasion. [January 2010]. More info...

Catheter Robot coming soon in Europe

Dot Medical has agreed to distribute a new Catheter Robot which will become available in Europe later this year. The Catheter Robot, as yet un-named, can be used during electrophysiological studies to assist the EP physician. The Catheter Robot allows an EP physician to use a standard and familiar ablation catheter which can be clicked in to the robot arm at any time during the procedure. By using the Robot, extremely fine movements of the catheter can occur which assists the physician in placing the ablation catheter at exactly the correct place in the heart. . [December 2009] More info...

Anaesthesia Product News interviews Dot Medical MD

APN: What changes do you see occurring in the anaesthetics and healthcare industry over the next few years?
IR: There will be huge strides in the development of non-invasive procedures and tools to assist anaesthetists to enhance patient case and safety. We will also see the size of equipment becoming smaller, more portable and efficient. As wireless technology develops, patient monitoring will be faster, more accurate, and cost effective and help to reduce operating and post operative time in hospital. This really is a very exciting time in the world of anaesthesia [December 2009] More info...

LifeVest usage expands in the UK

Although the LIfeVest has been used in the UK for nearly ten years, the indications for use have nearly always related to temporary protection whilst waiting for an implantable cardiovertor defibrillator. The reason for the waiting period has more often than not been related to an underlying infection which needs to be cleared before implanting an ICD. More recently the LifeVest has been used on patients with temporary cardiomyopathies who previously may have received an ICD. Once the cardiomyopathy has been resolved the ICD is largely redundent which makes the LifeVest an attractive alternative. [November 2009] More info...

Sandra Marchant joins Dot Medical

Sandra Marchant, formerly of Bard EP has joined Dot Medical to look after the LifeVest business in London. A former president's club winner (twice!) at Bard, Sandra's knowledge of arrhythmias will be an important asset as she grows the business in this unique product line. Sandra has been a Chief Cardiac Technician and a Clinical Product Manager in the past and will draw on those experiences in her new role. [November 2009] More info...

Dot Medical explore links with China for Alert Catheters

Dot Medical are exploring links with China in an arrangement which could mean that the Alert Internal Cardioversion catheter will be used by Chinese physicians. The population of China is 1billion people which is 16 times the population of the UK. There is no reason to believe that the incidence of Atrial Fibrillation is any less in China than in the UK. The unexpected link came from a meeting organised by the Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade and Industry which is promoting export of products to other countries. [October 2009] More info...

MID focus on Midband Gastric Band

MID, the french Gastric Band manufacturer of the MidBand were extremely pleased with the response at the IFSO meeting in Paris at the end of August. Denise Rankin said that "There is no doubt that the lack of surgical complications and ease of use is making this band ever more popular. Most gastric bands need to be sutured in place but most users of the MidBand find that by skipping this time consuming process they further reduce the complication and slippage rate". MidBand is available from Dot Medical in the UK. [September 2009] More info...

Dot Medical supports the Edinburgh Fringe

As strong supporters of the Edinburgh Fringe, Ian and Denise Rankin personally sponsored the Z -theatre performing at the Surgeons Hall Museum in Edinburgh. Ian Rankin said, "we were here last year and can see that the Fringe is going from strength to strength. We cannot believe that more than 10,000 shows took place this year over a three week period. The effort is monumental and a tribute to all the youngsters taking part". [August 2009] More info...

New Director of Finance & Operations at Dot Medical

Janet Bishop was recently appointed the new Director of Finance and Operations at Dot Medical. Having worked at Dot Medical since its inception in 1997 Janet has been a cornerstone for the company. Initially involved with administration in the company, Janet has been heavily involved with the incorporation of the Alert business in to Dot Medical. Janet is also the regulatory manager and the main contact for the regulatory bodies.
[August 2009] More info...

Dot Medical makes front cover of Chamberlink magazine

Chamberlink has asked Dot Medical to appear on the cover of their monthly magazine this month in view of their recent accreditation for the coveted ISO 13485, ISO 9001 and the CE mark for their Alert internal cardioversion catheter. Dot Medical purchased manufacture rights and patents earlier this year from an American company. Managing Director Ian Rankin stated "We decided to move the manufacture site from New Jersey to England in order to support UK employment and promote local business development. Over the past decade the catheter has been hugely successful in treating atrial fibrillation, which is a relatively common heart condition. [August 2009] More info...

Dot Medical and Occlutech part company

Dot Medical and Occlutech, the manufacturer of an ASD and PFO range, amicably parted company this month. Occlutech recently won the High Court case in the UK over patent infringement against AGA and a new distributor, Pyramed Ltd, has been appointed. All PFO and ASD cases currently booked are being referred to Pyramed.
[July 2009] More info...

Waiting list for ICON demonstrations

The ICON non-invasive CO monitor now has a five week waiting list for demonstrations. Gary Ham, Dot Medical's business manager says that in the whole history of Dot Medical we have never had a product which has caused so much interest from a group of customers. Anaesthetists in particular are extremely interested in the Stroke Volume Variation and Corrected Flow Time functions as well as the ease of use. New functions for the ICON are coming out all the time and this month saw the launch of the Blue-tooth snap-shot print out function for instantaneous recording of thirteen non-invasively measured parameters.
[July 2009] More info...

First use of Baylis RF NRG needle in the UK

Dot Medical became the distributor of the Baylis RF needle. First use in the UK occurred in London this month. By connecting the needle to the Baylis RF generator, 2 seconds of RF energy is delivered to the needle tip which rests against the septal wall. This is enough energy to allow the needle to slip through to the left atrium without exerting any pressure on the needle making it a very safe option particularly when passing the needle through tough fibrosed septal walls.
[July 2009] More info...

Osypka Medical holds first distributors meeting in Berlin

Osypka Medical, manufacturer of the popular ICON non-invasive CO monitor held its first distributor meeting at its manufacturing site in Berlin. Distributors attended workshops to learn about the ICON and its predecessor, the Aesculon, as well as a variety of old and new products from their sister company Osypka. Markus Osypka, the inventor of the ICON, was exceptionally pleased that at least twenty countries had attended the course. Osypka Medical also make the world's first triple chamber external pacemaker as well as the popular 203H Dual Chamber and 101H Single Chamber devices. [June 2009] More info...

Alert Catheter made in Britain

On June 22nd, Dot Medical was delighted to receive the coveted ISO13485, ISO9001 and the CE mark for the Alert Internal Cardioversion Catheter. This was the final milestone which had to be reached in order to provide the popular Alert Catheter to hospitals in Europe. Dot Medical purchased the Alert Catheter business in July last year from EPMedSystems Inc and spent the summer months transferring all the manufacturing to a UK manufacturing site in Kington Hereford before beginning the regulatory submission in December. Operations Director Janet Bishop said "Transferring the manufacturing was a walk in the park compared with the regulatory submission which was in excess of 2000 pages. The next time will be much easier..."[June 2009] More info...