Santa Barbara, Calif. Robert Fary, former director of respiratory services for Lake Forest, Calif.-based Apria Healthcare, has been named vice president of sales at Inogen, a respiratory products manufacturer that debuted its new oxygen concentration device, the Inogen One, at Medtrade in October. “The Inogen One is really a new category of oxygen device that is designed to be one solution for oxygen patients and providers. It is designed to take care of all oxygen needs by functioning as a stationary and portable [device] at the same time,” said Byron Myers, Inogen founder and product manager. While awaiting final clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Myers said the company is gearing up for manufacturing in anticipation of shipment in mid-2004. “Every so often…

Sarasota, Fla. Power mobility equipment manufacturer Hoveround has entered into an exclusive national agreement with Birmingham, Ala.-based HealthSouth, in which HealthSouth’s outpatient rehab centers will perform mobility assessment evaluations on Hoveround’s clients. The evaluations will “ensure that each client’s functional level is compliant with medical guidelines” and will be performed by licensed physical or occupational therapists, Hoveround said. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Home Diagnostics, Inc., a manufacturer of blood glucose monitoring systems, has entered into a distribution partnership with Invacare Supply Group, a subsidiary of Elyria, Ohio-based Invacare. Invacare Supply Group will co-brand, market and distribute HDI’s Prestige IQ Smart System under the Invacare Quality Alternatives line of products. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

Old Forge, Pa. Golden Technologies has been awarded a one-year contract with the U.S. Veterans Administration, which will purchase small and full-sized, three-wheel scooters for VA medical centers nationwide. According to Golden, the contract award could increase production of the company’s Companion I and Companion II three-wheel scooters by up to 9,000 units per year, generating about $40 million in revenue over the next five years For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

Billings, Mont. Computers Unlimited is celebrating its twenty-fifth year of business. The HME software company employs 150 people and serves clients in 45 states as well as in Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

Port Washington, N.Y. Drive Medical has agreed to acquire Los Angeles manufacturer Dr. K International Trading Co. This acquisition represents the fourth over the past two years. The company’s President and CEO Harvey Diamond said the acquisition “will enhance our presence throughout the United States by providing greater distribution capabilities on the West Coast, and a complementary product line to our existing product offering.” Drive will continue to manufacture the existing product lines for both companies, including wheelchairs, hospital beds, bath safety products, ambulatory aids, respiratory equipment and electrotherapy products. Dr. K principals Ara Karamanoukian and Michael Serhan will join Drive’s executive management team. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

Tampa, Fla. Diabetes and respiratory product supplier MP TotalCare has acquired Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Medical Holdings, a supplier of urological products, incontinence supplies, diabetes products and testing supplies, mobility devices and ostomy supplies. Vance Wall, president of Medical Holdings, which operates under the name DS Medical, will join MP TotalCare as executive vice president. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.

Murrysville, Pa. Respironics has appointed John Miclot president and CEO of the respiratory products manufacturer, effective Dec. 1. Miclot succeeds James Liken, who has been president and CEO since 1999. Liken will assume the newly created role of vice chairman of the company, which is an advisory position only, he said during a press briefing last month. Liken added that he will remain active in the Alexandria, Va.-based American Association for Homecare and in government relations. Miclot most recently was chief strategic officer of Respironics and previously was president of the company’s home care division. He joined the company in 1998 as group vice president, sleep disorders, and had been senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Theradyne, which was acquired by Respironics in 1998….

Invacare Debuts Value Model Subsidiary, Reports 3Q Earnings Elyria, Ohio Invacare debuted its value model subsidiary, Professional Medical Imports (PMI), at Medtrade in October. PMI products are marketed and sold under the ProBasics brand. “In order for Invacare Corporation to participate in the value segment of the market, we launched PMI, a wholly owned subsidiary,” said Lou Slangen, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Invacare, who added that PMI caters to “providers looking for basic products where pricing is the primary driver.” PMI, based in Marlboro, N.J., has distribution centers in Calhoun, Ga., and Edison, N.J. A third location in Southern California is scheduled to open early this month. Scott Hassel is president. Invacare’s net earnings for the third quarter of 2003, ended…

Atlanta More than 21,000 home medical equipment providers and manufacturers packed Medtrade 2003, held Oct. 9-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Highlights of the annual conference and tradeshow included updates on federal and state legislative issues, innovative new products and interactive booths. For a wrap-up of the event, see the “Medtrade 2003 Report” on page 32. For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.