Meet Three Medical Design Excellence Award Finalists

What do an inexpensive HIV test, a robot that connects doctors to remote patients, and a vest used to help relieve anxiety, have in common? They are just three of the 50+ product finalists being recognized at this year’s Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA). Winners will be announced at the 17^th annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at the Javits Center in New York City as part of the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) tradeshow and conference.

For companies trying to break into the medical device industry and impact the world, being a finalist for an MDEA Award could have a substantial impact.

Each year more than 100 million HIV tests are conducted in the field using a variety of testing methods that can be both inaccurate and expensive. The Atomo Diagnostics’ AtomoRapid HIV test could change all that. By creating a testing system that is accurate, reliable, and affordable, the AtomoRapid team hopes to have a global impact on the spread and treatment of HIV by providing early detection to all. AtomoRapid HIV is a perfect example of the type of world-changing products honored at the MDEA Ceremony with its revolutionary design, ease of adaptability, consideration of cost, and global relevancy.

Too often, access to quality healthcare is limited to those living in or near a major city. However, the future may look dramatically different thanks to InTouch Health’s RP-VITA remote presence telemedicine robot.  The RP-VITA allows specialists located anywhere in the world to consult face-to-face on cases through a combination of reliable video interface and clinical data integration. Eventually, thanks to expanded use of products like the RP-VITA remote presence telemedicine robot, rural healthcare centers will be able to provide a higher quality of care on par with what is offered in modern metropolitan hospitals.

While autism and sensory disorders are a global health issue, the challenges of these disorders can be devastatingly personal. Through Squeezease Therapy’s Snug Vest, individuals with autism and sensory disorders are given the power to manage their own daily care.  The Snug Vest uses patient-controlled deep-pressure to regulate the sensory system and relieve anxiety. The attention and exposure from being a MDEA finalist could help products, like the Snug Vest; reach the global market while significantly improving the quality of life for individuals living with special needs.