Noteworthy ResMed and Fisher & Paykel Settle Patent Dispute: Sleep product manufacturers ResMed, San Diego, and Fisher & Paykel, Auckland, New Zealand, have settled a patent-infringement lawsuit that ResMed filed Aug. 26, 2002. Under the terms of the settlement, Fisher & Paykel agreed to introduce a new design for the company’s Aclaim mask by Aug. 1, 2003. Until then, Fisher & Paykel may continue to sell its existing Aclaim mask with ResMed’s approval. The companies did not disclose the remaining conditions of the settlement. In other ResMed news, the company last month signed an agreement with Guidant — a manufacturer of medical devices for cardiovascular disease — whereby ResMed and Guidant will collaborate on research and development projects, co-market to each other’s customers, and work…

Las Vegas AAHomecare and Atlanta-based VNU Expositions, which organizes the Medtrade shows, formed a partnership designed to strengthen educational programs at the conventions. Already, the two organizations are collaborating on conference design for Medtrade 2003 and Medtrade Spring 2004, AAHomecare said. “The involvement of AAHomecare will enhance the educational offerings of the Medtrade expositions by ensuring attendees receive a balance of programs that offer effective business strategies and up-to-date clinical information,” the association said. Louis Feuer, president of Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based Dynamic Seminars & Consulting — and former director of education for Medtrade — will continue to help the show organizers build educational content, the association said.

Alliance ResMed and MedCath Form Strategic Alliance to Address Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Cardiovascular Disease: ResMed, based in San Diego, and MedCath — a national provider of cardiovascular services based in Charlotte, N.C. — have formed a strategic alliance in which MedCath will offer sleep-disordered-breathing screening, diagnosis and treatment, in addition to services the company currently offers through its cardiovascular diagnostic centers. The Pikes Peak Cardiovascular Lab in Colorado Springs, Colo., the first cardiovascular sleep lab established under the alliance, began diagnosing patients in December 2002. Noteworthy Respironics Consolidates Manufacturing for Hospital Division: In what the company is calling its “final step” toward integrating the recent acquisition of Novametrix Medical Systems, Respironics, Murrysville, Pa., is consolidating its hospital-division manufacturing. Under the consolidation, manufacturing and support functions…

Through 25 years, and several hair-styles, Simon Margolis has found purpose in a profession often misunderstood. Vice president for clinical and professional development of National Seating and Mobility, Chattanooga, Tenn., and president and founding member of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), Margolis is one of six recipients of HomeCare magazine’s Caring Awards. Each winner was chosen for demonstrated commitment and service to the HME community. Recently, HomeCare talked to Margolis about his career and his dedication to the rehab technology field. HC: You’ve been in the durable medical equipment industry for 25 years. What motivates you? Margolis: From my standpoint there isn’t anything else I would prefer doing. After a while, you start seeing the industry and the profession…

Atlanta At an April 9 auction, The American Stock Transfer and Trust Co. placed the winning bid for the assets of Graham-Field, according to Mark Stead, Graham-Field’s chief restructuring officer. Acting as the trustee for Graham-Field’s bond-holders, American Stock purchased the company “free and clear of liens, claims and encumberances,” Stead said. “Graham-Field’s board of directors unanimously approved the sale, which is subject to formal court approval April 14. The company expects the sale to close by April 30.” After four years in bankruptcy, Graham-Field is emerging under new ownership, and “the company now is working with the bond-holders to ensure a smooth, seamless transition for customers,” Stead continued. “[Graham-Field] expects the bond-holders to maintain a commitment to high-quality products and excellent customer service.” Meanwhile,…

Noteworthy URAC Approves Privacy Accreditation Standards: URAC April 8 announced that its board of directors has approved standards for privacy accreditation. Calling the standards “the nation’s first independent HIPAA Privacy accreditation program for covered entities and business associates,” URAC said that 20 companies currently are seeking accreditation under the new program. More information is available at www.urac.org, under the “news” heading. The Med Group and ResMed Sign Purchasing Agreement: The MED Group of Lubbock, Texas, last month announced another in a series of purchasing agreements resulting from Med’s new “request for proposals” vendor contracts process. For the coming three years, MED will use Poway, Calif.-based ResMed as its primary vendor of sleep therapy devices, the organization announced March 31. “ResMed’s devotion to manufacturing quality sleep…

Noteworthy United Seating and Mobility Launches Web Site: United Seating and Mobility of Florissant, Mo., has launched a Web site designed to provide “practical information for referral sources and consumers about assistive technology,” in addition to general information about the company. While visiting www.unitedseating.com people also may sign up for the company’s electronic newsletter, USM E-News. McKesson Expands Disease Management Offerings: Broomfield, Colo.-based McKesson Health Solutions, a business unit of San Francisco-based McKesson, in May will launch its CareEnhance COPD disease-management product. The program, designed for health plan members who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, uses education modules, taught over the telephone by registered nurses, to teach health plan members the benefits of stopping smoking and to encourage members to take medication prescribed to…

The Big Bad Wolf In regard to the article “Pick your Prophet,” (HomeCareXtra Forecast 2003, Winter 2003) Jim Binson suggests that small businesses be proactive should the big, bad wolf called competitive bidding actually become reality. Then, he mentions belonging to a network. Would one of the possibilities of a format for NCB be the use of a network, such as one of the major buying groups? Obviously, I can’t expect any definitive advice as no details about NCB have been decided. However, I would appreciate your input as to this being a possibility. As a small business, we may then find it advisable to join a buying group as an “insurance policy.” — Rebecca Bell, manager, 1-800 Wheelchair, Brooklyn, N.Y. HomeCare Monday A Helpful…