ResMed Sues Respironics
Certain Respironics Inc products, including Contour Deluxe, Comfort Classic, Comfort Select, and Image3 masks, infringe patents held by ResMed Inc, alleges a suit filed by ResMed in Federal District Court. The complaint also charges that Respironics, Murrysville, Pa, copied ResMed’s proprietary technology, and suggests violation of the Lanham Act, trademark and trade dress infringement, and common law violations. ResMed, San Diego, seeks an injunction and damages. “We will not tolerate the copying of our products,” says Peter C. Farrell, PhD, its chairman and CEO.
Respironics has acknowledged the lawsuit and plans to fight back. “I am confident in our position and in our technology,” says James W. Liken, president and CEO of Respironics.
This lawsuit follows the August patent infringement charges ResMed filed against Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Laguna Hills, Calif.
All Four DMERCs Approve CAU System
Computer Applications Unlimited Inc, Harrisburg, Pa, has received confirmation that its electronic claims file for ANSI 4010 readiness contained the correct format as defined by the ANSI X12BN 837 version 4010 Implementation Guide. Region C, the final Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier to approve, announced that CAU met the acceptance criteria in time for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guideline deadline of October 16.
Respironics Makes Management Change
James W. Liken, president and CEO of Respironics Inc, is changing the company’s management structure to build management talent across all divisions, bridge the domestic and the international marketplaces, and strengthen the senior management level. To that end, he has created an Office of the Presidency, which will include Liken remaining as President and CEO, Craig Reynolds remaining as COO, and John Miclot in the newly created position of Chief Strategic Officer. Succeeding Miclot as President of the Homecare Division is William Post, who was Senior Vice President of that division.
| In Brief |
The MED Group, Lubbock, Tex, named Donald E. Clayback as its new vice president of networks. Clayback, a CPA and former vice president at two Buffalo-area HME companies, will manage MED’s National Rehab Network and oversee the Certified Repair Center Network and National Respiratory Network.
Fidelis Software, Atlanta, announced its appointments for the Brightree Advisory Board. The members include Kim Brummett of Advanced Homecare, Greensboro, NC; Miriam Lieber of Lieber Consulting, Sherman Oaks, Calif; Cara Bachenheimer, JD, of Epstein, Becker, & Green, Washington, DC; Alison Cherney of Cherney & Associates, Brentwood, Tenn; Lisa Thomas-Payne of Medical Reimbursement Systems, Albuquerque, NM; and Joel Mills of Advanced Homecare, Greensboro, NC. The company also hired Weyman Perry as vice president of sales and marketing.
Byram Healthcare Centers Inc, Milford, Conn, completed several patient base acquisitions from independent providers located in New York, Ohio, Georgia, and Kansas, which have revenue totals of $2 million collectively. |
HME Insider
Alice Chen
Bragel International Inc, Pomona, Calif, was the first to introduce the silicone breast enhancer to the postmastectomy prosthesis market in 1989. Since then, the silicone breast enhancer has become one of the most popular accessories carried in most lingerie stores, says Alice Chen, vice president of marketing. Working with one of the industry’s leading postmastectomy breast form consultants, Bragel developed its first form in early 1997. Chen tells Dealer/Provider how the company’s history has shaped where it is going.
Q What distinguishes Bragel from other players in the market?
A Bragel invests heavily in the training of its research and development personnel. This enables the company to perform the entire process from concept design, prototype, and tooling fabrication to final production, all in-house. Bragel acquires state-of-the-art machinery and equipment to support and expand its capability. Because of its efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process, Bragel offers customers top-quality products at competitive prices.
Q What can Bragel’s products offer HME providers?
A Since HME providers are dealing directly with the manufacturer, orders and questions are handled immediately. Orders normally are shipped on the same day they were received. Bragel’s full line includes the traditional triangle and teardrop shapes in both a regular and a special lightweight silicone material. The company recently introduced Lia Eternity, a self-adhesive form that adheres directly to the body so the weight is reduced, and Lia Solutions, a partial silicone form used after lumpectomy or reconstruction. The company’s Lia triangle form has a unique FulFillment edge—a patented feature that offers a better fit and more natural appearance. Bragel also offers well-constructed fashion bras with sewn-in breast form pockets, including an extremely popular sports bra.
For retailers who like to display breast forms in their shops, the Lia form is attractively packaged for presentation. Rather than fill a dealer’s shelves with dozens of product shapes, Bragel has selected the most popular breast form shapes and offers those forms in a full range of sizes at the most competitive prices.
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