STAMFORD, Conn., June 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zargis Medical
Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Speedus Corp. (Nasdaq: SPDE),
today announced that it has entered into an agreement with
Boston-based Stethographics, Inc.
providing an exclusive license to patented, FDA-cleared
Stethographics lung sounds analysis technology that automatically
identifies clinically significant respiratory sounds. Zargis
plans to incorporate the technology into its existing telemedicine
and computer-aided auscultation platform in order to deliver these
new diagnostic support tools to medical professionals.
Stethographics is a leading developer of automated, noninvasive
sound analysis products designed to help medical professionals
identify and interpret clinically significant lung sounds. The
company was founded in 1998 by Dr. Raymond
Murphy, a Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine who also spent
25 years as an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.
The licensed technology allows lung sounds to be visually
displayed in the form of traces, similar to the manner in which the
Zargis Cardioscan heart murmur detection software displays
stethoscope-captured heart sounds. The system also provides
objective findings regarding clinically significant respiratory
sounds such as wheezes, crackles and rhonchi. "We are excited to
have partnered with Zargis Medical. Their award-winning platform
has set a new standard for computer-aided sound analysis and
tele-auscultation, and the inclusion of our technology in their
systems should greatly aid healthcare professionals in the
assessment of patients' lungs," stated Dr. Murphy.
Although certain respiratory sounds are often associated with a
variety of illnesses and injuries, such as asthma, pneumonia, COPD,
interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis and pneumothorax, the
task of identifying, differentiating and recalling such sounds can
be challenging for medical professionals. The early and correct
recognition of important lung sounds can have a significant impact
on health outcomes and improve patient management.
“Numerous investigations have been published which support the
role of computer-aided lung sounds analysis,” stated Zargis CEO
John Kallassy. “With our existing
heart sounds analysis device, cleared for sale in 37 countries,
Zargis is already the world’s leading provider of computer-aided
auscultation tools. The integration of lung sounds analysis tools
into our award-winning software and telemedicine system is a
natural progression in our development.”
Zargis has not yet announced a date for the launch of the lung
sounds analysis tools.
About Zargis Medical Corp.
Zargis is a global medical device company focused on improving
health outcomes and cost-effectiveness through diagnostic support
software and innovation. Zargis is majority-owned by Speedus
Corp. (Nasdaq: SPDE), and both 3M Company and Siemens Corporate
Research, a division of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), hold equity
positions.
For additional information about Zargis or Speedus Corp.,
contact Peter Hodge at 888.773.3669
(ext. 23) or phodge@zargis.com, or visit the following Web sites:
www.zargis.com and www.speedus.com.
Statements contained herein that are not historical facts,
including but not limited to statements about the Company's
product, corporate identity and focus, may be forward-looking
statements that are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in
any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but
not limited to, the continuing development of the Company's sales,
marketing and support efforts.
SOURCE Speedus Corp.