Skip Navigation

Home > News > Medical Acoustics Awarded 2007 Frost & Sullivan Awarded

Medical Acoustics Awarded 2007 Frost & Sullivan North American Pulmonary Therapeutic & Diagnostic Device Excellence in Technology Award

Device identified as highly effective and tolerable tool for drug development requiring lung secretion samples

PDF document Download PDF Document

BUFFALO, New York — September 12, 2007 — Medical Acoustics LLC, a commercial-stage medical device company which employs acoustic technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications, announced today that Frost & Sullivan has selected it as the recipient of the 2007 North American Pulmonary Therapeutic & Diagnostic Devices Excellence in Technology Award. Medical Acoustics was recognized with this Award for its development of the Diagnostic Lung Flute®, which uses low frequency acoustic waves to aid in the collection of diagnostic sputum samples.

The Award acknowledges the quality and depth of Medical Acoustics research and development program that created the Diagnostic Lung Flute®, as well as its vision that enabled it to undertake such an endeavor.

"Through its commitment to research and development over nearly a ten-year period, Medical Acoustics has developed a unique product that will benefit those affected by various diseases of the pulmonary system such as lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, asthma and more," noted Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Abhishek Dutta. "As the significant benefits of this product become apparent to pharmaceutical companies, we believe the Lung Flute® will become a common and increasingly important tool in the development of drugs to treat pulmonary disease."

The Diagnostic Lung Flute®, which is shaped like a flute, creates a specific low frequency sound when the user blows into it. The sound vibrates the airways and lung secretions which causes the deep lung secretions to thin and be expelled. Currently, the standard method for obtaining lung secretions for testing uses hypertonic saline which is breathed into the lungs through a mask. This method is very uncomfortable for the person being tested and cannot be done more frequently than every 48 hours. The Diagnostic Lung Flute®, which simply requires the person being tested to blow into the device as though they were blowing out a candle, can be performed every 20 minutes, enabling pharmaceutical developers to monitor inflammatory biomarkers during an asthma attack or at various stages of obstructive or restrictive pulmonary events.

Dr. Nicolaas Smit, Vice President of Science & Technology for Medical Acoustics, stated, "The Diagnostic Lung Flute® is truly innovative as a hand-held, self-powered device which is both less expensive and less invasive than the standard sputum induction method. As we move into the commercialization stage, we believe our product will be well received by pharmaceutical companies and the medical community because of its simplicity and effectiveness, the significant reduction in discomfort for test candidates, and the flexibility of the monitoring process."

About Medical Acoustics

Medical Acoustics, LLC is a privately held, commercial-stage medical device company located in Buffalo, New York. It is built on ten years of research and development in the science of applied acoustics. The Company’s first product, the patented and FDA-cleared Diagnostic Lung Flute®, is a revolutionary medical device which should play a significant role in drug development for asthma, chronic bronchitis, community acquired pneumonia, lung cancer and tuberculosis. Medical Acoustics’ mission is to design and develop devices employing acoustic technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications. More information on the Company and the Diagnostic Lung Flute® can be found at www.medicalacoustics.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.awards.frost.com.

Media Contact Company Contact
Deborah K. Pawlowski/James M. Culligan Nicolaas J. Smit, Ph.D.
Kei Advisors LLC VP, Science & Technology
Phone: 716.843.3908/716.843.3874 Phone: 905.346.1876
Email: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com/jculligan@keiadvisors.com