GE [NYSE: GE] today announced a $7.5 million investment in
Australian-based Nanosonics Limited [ASX: NAN] - a leader in the
development of innovative technology for infection control - to further
develop and distribute Trophon EPR, an ultrasound transducer
disinfecting system. The investment is being made through the GE
healthymagination Fund, which makes investments in healthcare technology
companies.
"Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) have increased by 36% in the last
20 years and are consuming more healthcare dollars each year," said Ron
Weinberger, Managing Director of Nanosonics. "In the ultrasound market,
sonographers see over ten patients a day, resulting in an increased need
to disinfect the ultrasound transducer thoroughly between patients.
Nanosonics has developed Trophon EPR, an innovative ultrasound
disinfecting system, that we feel will significantly lower the risk of
HAIs among patients."
Realizing there was a significant need to address transducer
disinfection, GE Healthcare worked with Australian-based Nanosonics in
2006 to support the validation of the Trophon EPR. After a few years of
extensive research, development and testing, Trophon received FDA
approval in 2011 and was sold to customers in the US, Canada and Europe.
Currently, Trophon is installed at more than 800 customer sites globally.
"When patients get scanned, they deserve full assurance that the
equipment being used is safe and clean. The Trophon technology achieves
that - and revolutionizes infection control processes as we know it,"
said Dr Weinberger.
Specifically, the technology results in: