Vendors

TORONTO – Braze Mobility had the opportunity to get important feedback on its terrain analysis system as part of the recent Breaking Boundaries: Collaboration Challenge, hosted by the Veterans Health Administration Ecosystem and Founder Institute, says CEO Pooja Viswanathan.  The system will help wheelchair users navigate outdoor environments more safely and independently, using proprietary machine-learning algorithms that identify hazards.  “It’s a co-creation process,...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration obtained additional information during an inspection of a Philips’ manufacturing facility that was not previously available to the agency that showed the silicone-based foam used in a singular, similar device marketed outside the U.S. failed one safety test for the release of volatile organic compounds.  Similar testing provided by Philips to the FDA on devices authorized for marketing in the U.S. had demonstrated acceptable results.  “The...

GOLETA, Calif. – Demand is high, but with supply restricted, Inogen is prioritizing POC orders from its direct-to-consumer channel.  That meant it was unable to fulfill some orders from other channels, particularly its domestic business-to-business channel, which saw sales of $22.8 million in the third quarter, down 1.1% from the same period last year.  "Due to supply chain constraints and in an effort to optimize financial results, we intentionally focused our available capacity...

TORRANCE, Calif. – Etac’s acquisition of Ki Mobility, a manufacturer of ultralight manual wheelchairs based in Stevens Point, Wis., gives the company an even stronger toehold in the complex rehab market in North America.  Etac, which has more of a presence in Scandinavia and Europe, has been building its complex rehab portfolio in North America since 2011, with Ki Mobility representing its third acquisition there,...

LEBANON, Tenn. – TIME Magazine has recognized Permobil’s Explorer Mini as a “Best Invention of 2021,” the manufacturer has announced.  “To be included alongside so many other ground-breaking innovations that are improving the lives of individuals around the world,” says Bengt Thorsson, Permobil’s president & CEO. “The inclusion of the Explorer Mini on this list helps to shine a light on the needs of thousands of very young children with mobility...

AKRON, Ohio – ACU-Serve’s recent acquisition of Professional Medical Administrators better positions the company to “help grow and support” smaller HME providers amid another wave of consolidation in the HME industry, says CEO Jim Knight.  Knight says ACU-Serve has lost “some of our bigger customers” due to consolidation, including Aerocare, which was acquired by AdaptHealth, and now, with Pro-Med, it is better positioned to offer leading-edge technology,...

GOLETA, Calif. – Inogen reported $93.1 million in total revenue for the third quarter of 2021, up 25.3% from the same period last year.  By business segment, it reported $36.3 million in revenue for domestic direct-to-consumer sales, up 24.6%; and $12.1 million for rentals, up 61.3%.  “I continue to be pleased with the sustained demand we are seeing for our market-leading portable oxygen concentrators, in spite of the challenging supply chain environment,” said Nabil...

TIMRA, Sweden – Permobil has entered into an agreement to acquire Stockholm-based Panthera, strengthening its offering of manual wheelchairs.   “Panthera’s products strengthen Permobil’s offering in the market with the world’s lightest wheelchairs for active users, alongside our Progeo and TiLite ranges,” said Bengt Thorsson, CEO and president of Permobil.  Permobil acquired Pasco, Wash.-based TiLite in 2014.  Both Permobil and Panthera...

SAN DIEGO – ResMed posted a 40% increase in sales for CPAP devices in the U.S., Canada and Latin America in the first quarter of the company’s fiscal year 2022, driven in part by increased demand created by a competitor’s recall.  Company officials previously said they expect the recall to result in incremental revenue from device sales of $300 million to $350 million for fiscal year 2022 but meeting that goal will depend on their ability to address supply chain issues.  “We...

ELYRIA, Ohio – Invacare took a number of measures in the third quarter to address the supply chain issues that have dampened sales and gross margins this year, and it expects to see the benefits of those in the fourth quarter, company officials say.  Invacare, for example, has expanded its network of freight providers for more timely shipments, found ways to improve staffing levels to increase throughput and further increased inventory to mitigate supply chain uncertainties.  “We’re...