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International Since introducing the first point-of-care coagulation test device nearly 40 years ago, ITC has played an important role in the delivery of cardiovascular care by providing critical data at the patient’s bedside. Point-of-care devices represent an alternative to the traditional method of utilizing a hospital’s central lab to conduct blood analysis. Improving technology—much of which was pioneered by ITC—and growing demand by clinicians for time sensitive patient data are driving market growth for ITC’s offerings. Today, ITC augments its strong presence in the hospital point-of-care market with a growing line of products that can be used at alternate sites, such as a doctor’s office, nursing home, clinic or a patient’s home. ITC sales in this sector alone grew by 45 percent in 2004. ITC’s products include HEMOCHRON point-of-care systems that perform a variety of blood coagulation tests, and can also provide the surgeon important information about heparin and protamine dosing during an open heart procedure. ITC’s ProTime Microcoagulation System is an alternate site device used to manage dosing of blood-thinning drugs, while the Hgb Pro measures hemoglobin levels in blood within 30 seconds at the point of care. The latest addition to ITC’s point-of-care product line, IRMA TRUpoint, tests for blood gas, electrolytes and other chemistries. These offerings combine to give ITC the most complete line of coagulation and critical care testing products for point-of-care applications. The division also markets a leading line of skin incision products used to obtain small blood samples for analysis. |
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A key factor in ITC’s growth has been its transition to a direct sales force, an initiative that was completed in the first quarter of 2005. As a result, ITC has been able to increase its share in the core U.S. hospital market and capitalize on new opportunities. These emerging markets include Europe—where the growth rate in several countries exceeds that in the U.S.—and group purchasing organizations that are becoming increasingly important to our business. To handle the increased demand for ITC’s current and future offerings, we have expanded cuvette manufacturing capacity by 50 percent through additional automation and staffing, and in 2005 will incorporate new facilities that offer room for additional growth. ITC has several important product development initiatives underway, including the next generation of ProTime and HEMOCHRON Signature systems, a new platform combining HEMOCHRON and IRMA TRUpoint technology, and a new device for the alternate site market. |
© 2005 Thoratec Corporation
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