As the ‘business of business’ begins to move forward again, so, too, does our work in the home healthcare industry,” said the official statement from VNU Expositions, Chantilly, Va, organizers of Medtrade, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. While the October 23-25 show may not be quite the joyous occasion organizers had hoped, Medtrade had to go on.

Those who journey to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans will be treated to more than 200 programs on how to operate their business more efficiently and have the opportunity to visit with 1,050 exhibiting companies—many of which will reveal their latest products at the show.

Highlights of this year’s show include:

• A keynote address and Washington update given by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Tom Scully.
• Nine educational sessions presented by the American Association for Homecare, Alexandria, Va, including a report given by William Cron, PhD, on the results of AAHomecare’s financial survey of the industry.
• A new products pavilion where manufacturers can show off their latest devices in one central place.
• Multiple sessions on key topics, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Prospective Payment System (PPS).
• Eight continuing education programs for nurses sponsored by the American Home Care Association Inc, Jacksonville, Fla.

Organizers expect 25,000 people will attend. For more information about the show, including a map of the show hall, attending companies, and a list of conference sessions, visit the show Web site at www.medtrade.com.   To contact the show organizer, call (877) 693-1013.

Ready, Set, Scooter Medtrade revs up excitement this year with the addition of a power wheelchair and scooter Grand Prix sponsored by Harmar Mobility. Manufacturers, including DCC Shoprider, Golden Technologies, PDQ Mobility, Permobil, Pride, Sunrise, and Teftec, will show off the power, speed, and versatility of their products as they race their chairs around a 100-ft-by-78-ft track. Company drivers will compete for the inaugural Harmar Cup trophy. On October 23, there will be trial races in four classes: three-wheel scooters, four-wheelers, power chairs, and an “unlimited class” of power chairs and scooters. All four classes will race on October 24 and the final Grand Prix competition will be held on October 25. The Grand Prix track will also be used for product advancement demonstrations during exhibit hall hours, 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday. Track sponsors include Interstate Battery, PDQ Mobility, Teftec, and Varilite.

Urinary Catheter
Mentor, Santa Barbara, Calif, introduces an ergonomic design for its Self-Cath® Closed System for the management of urinary retention. The design provides a convenient means of intermittent self-catheterization. The system is sterile and unisex, has a narrow collection bag, includes a prelubricated latex-free intermittent catheter, and fire-polished eyelets for increased patient comfort. (805) 879-6252; www.mentorcorp.com. See us at Medtrade booth No. 3007

Ventilator for Volume Ventilation
Pulmonetic Systems, Colton, Calif, announces the LTV800, a new addition to the LTV Ventilators. The compact, lightweight LTV800 is designed for the patient who requires volume ventilation. (909) 783-2280; www.pulmonetic.com.
See us at Medtrade booth No. 4318

Door Opener
Concord Elevator, Brampton, Ontario, offers the Commander automatic door opener that converts swing doors to automatic operation without modifying existing door frames. It works with in-swing and out-swing door configurations and can be used on lifts and elevators. Users operate the door opener with a handheld remote control, wall-mounted push button, or manually. (800) 661-5112; www.concordelevator. com.
See us at Medtrade booth No. 1336

Orthopedic Products
Bauerfeind USA Inc, Kennesaw, Ga, has improved several of its products. GenuTrain® has a softer fabric; MalleoTrain® now features a two-piece silicone insert for a more comfortable fit around the malleoli and in the patient’s shoe; LumboTrain® now has Velcro-closure straps; ManuTrain’s® redesigned thumb area increases comfort; MalleoLoc’s® modified lining material and width results in better shock absorption; and ViscoHeel® N and ViscoHeel® K are now available in clear silicone. (800) 423-3405; www.bauerfeindusa.com.
See us at Medtrade booth No. 925

Vendor Contracts
Northwood Inc, Center Line, Mich, offers premier vendor contracts aimed at saving time and money. Ranging from no annual fees to $850, the Gold, Silver, or Bronze memberships allow one to exercise the “power to choose with nothing to lose.” (800) 447-9599; www.northwoodinc.com. 
See us at Medtrade booth No. 3300

Brief Improvements
With the addition of a soft, cloth-like back sheet that is gentle against the skin and less noisy than plastic, SCA Hygiene Products, Eddystone, Pa, offers increased dignity and comfort for wearers of TENA® (formerly Promise®) Ultra and Super Briefs. SCA will offer a trial pack program to help assure customer acceptance. (610) 499-3700; www.tena-usa.com.
See us at Medtrade booth No. 3728

Bariatric Bed
Burke Inc, Kansas City, Kan, helps patients get in and out of the foot of their bed with its Dual Passage Assist option with the Burke Tri-Flex bariatric bed. The system allows patients the option of leaving or returning to the bed through the foot end, encouraging greater patient mobility and overall ease of use. (800) 255-4147.
See us at Medtrade booth No. 2165

Heated Humidifier
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Laguna Hills, Calif, announces the HC150, a heated humidifier for CPAP therapy. Features include Ambient Tracking™, DC-AC inverter capability, and a new case design. Ambient Tracking senses changes in room temperature and alters the heaterplate temperature accordingly to minimize condensation and maximize humidity. The DC-AC inverter allows truck drivers, campers, or people who live in remote areas to use the HC150. (800) 446-3908; www.fphcare.com.  
See us at Medtrade booth No. 429

Comfortable Beds
Neuropedic® Neurological Research and Development Group, White Plains, NY, offers the Neuropedic Electric Adjustable Bed and the Neuropedic Hi-Lo Rehabilitation Bed. The adjustable bed features easy-touch controls, four-way adjustable support, and a tension-reducing vibrator system. It is available in twin, full queen (extra long), and king sizes. The rehabilitation bed supports up to 1,000 pounds and features antiskid floor locking, easy touch controls, six-way adjustable support, half side rails, and head and foot boards. It is available in full and queen sizes. (914) 684-2665; www.neuropedic.com.
See us at Medtrade booth No. 2825

Shower Chair
RD Equipment Inc, West Barnstable, Mass, offers the Tub Slide Shower Chair, making bathroom care safer and easier without renovating. Everything moves as a unit ensuring stability and comfort as a patient transfers from the bed to the shower chair and then to the shower. The chair can also be rolled over the commode. (508) 362-7498; www.rdequipment.com. 
See us at Medtrade booth No. 3964

CPAP System
Respironics, Pittsburgh, introduces the REMstar® Pro CPAP System with integrated humidification, Encore® SmartCard™, and onboard FOSQ (functional outcomes of sleep questionnaire). The Encore SmartCard enables the REMstar to record compliance and quality-of-life data with a mail-in card. Other features include automatic altitude compensation, auto on/off, and leak tolerance. (800) 345-6443; www.respironicsremstar.com. 
See us at Medtrade booth No. 618

Pocket Flow Meter
Ferraris Medical, Orchard Park, NY, offers the personal, easy-to-use POCKET PEAK™ peak flow meter, now equipped with durable, sliding zone indicators, allowing patients to monitor changes in airflow. (800) 205-7187; www.ferrarismedicalusa.com.  
See us at Medtrade booth No. 567

Bath Seat
The portable and lightweight Versa-Bath Seat™ by Chattanooga Group, Hixson, Tenn, helps people with limited mobility get in and out of bathtubs. The adjustable seat attaches securely to the side of the bathtub, and the seat rotates 90 degrees to accommodate both left- and right-handed faucets. A bidet-like system assists in cleaning. The seat has a 350-pound capacity. (800) 592-7329; www.chattgroup.com.  
See us at Medtrade booth No. 1036

Cotton Socks for Women
Lite Line 66% cotton support socks for women by Juzo are soft and breathable. They are available in four sizes and in an assortment of colors. (800) 222-4999; www.juzousa.com. 
See us at Medtrade booth No. 2240

Ventilator
Newport Medical Instruments Inc, Newport Beach, Calif, introduces the Newport HT50. The ventilator features an internal dual micro-piston gas generator and a battery that provides up to 10 hours of operation. The power source recognizes voltage ranges of 100-240 VAC, 12-30 VDC. The HT50 delivers pressure or volume ventilation in A/CMV, SIMV, and SPONT modes. It offers pressure support, backup ventilation, and built-in PEEP/CPAP. Monitoring includes peak/ mean/base airway pressure, set tidal volume, total frequency, inspiratory minute volume, and battery charge level. (800) 451-3111; www.ventilators.com. 

LightWeight Nebulizer
Omron Healthcare, Vernon Hills, Ill, offers the handheld Comp Air Elite®. This small compressor nebulizer weighs just one pound and features an optional battery pack to offer complete portability for an active lifestyle. (877) 216-1336; www.omronhealthcare.com. 
See us at Medtrade booth No. 3600

Sterile Heat Seal Vial
Respiratory Distributors Inc, Foley, Ala, developed the technology to produce validated sterile heat seal vials for packaging compounded Aqueous Based Inhalation Solutions (ABIS). The RDI Sterile Stat Vial prices are the same as nonsterile heat seal vials. (800) 872-8672; www.rdiworld.com. 
See us at Medtrade booth No. 3160