News / Press

A&D Medical launch Continua Converter at CES - built by Cypak

A&D Medical Introduces New Continua Health Alliance™ USB Cable
 

Las Vegas, Nev. -- January 6, 2009 - A&D Medical today announced the availability of the CPX186 Converter, the world’s first smart cable that converts measurements from proprietary medical devices to the new Continua Health Alliance USB standards at the Consumer Electronics Show this week. The cable accepts inputs from RS-232 or RFID (NFC) and outputs in USB format. 
 

Dubbed the Continua Converter, the Continua Certified^TM CPX186 converts measurements from current medical monitor devices – the A&D Medical Digital Blood Pressure Monitor UA-767PC and Precision Scale UC-321PL – to Continua standards. The CPX186 also converts data from Cypak compliant Medication Adherence Monitors according to the pending international standard IEEE 11073-10472. Compliance with Continua standards allows for interoperability between devices of different classes and enables manufacturers to create health information systems easily and efficiently. 
 

“The CPX186 Converter brings two existing USB devices to the growing ecosystem of interoperable Continua Certified devices,” said Chuck Parker, Executive Director of Continua Health Alliance. “The converter cable supports already in-place devices, ensuring interoperability and the ability to connect to devices already in the field. The Converter is also helpful in patients’ ability to effectively monitor and manage medication adherence.” 
 

Building on the momentum of the first Continua Certified Bluetooth blood pressure monitor and weight scale, A&D Medical once again expands the range of Continua healthcare solutions. Monitoring weight and blood pressure information is vital to the management of chronic diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory and diabetes. Furthermore, medication compliance is a significant issue in disease management, making the functionality a Medication Adherence Monitor adds to Continua systems invaluable. 
 

“This new product enables Continua system providers to effortlessly add blood pressure monitoring and weight measurement capabilities to their solutions immediately, as well as medication adherence monitoring in the near future,” said Teruhisa Moriya, President and CEO of A&D Medical. 
 

The CPX186 Converter was developed in a close collaboration between A&D Medical and Cypak, a leading technology provider for Continua-compliant solutions and a world leader in key technology for adherence monitoring of medicines. It will be used in a variety of connected health services – wherever accurate and immediate information regarding vital signs and medication adherence is beneficial. 
 

The CPX186 Converter is designed to provide patients with closer contact with their healthcare professionals. Simply by managing the medications correctly, we can see a significant reduction in complications and medication errors. Accurate data on vital signs and compliance with prescribed medication help professionals treat patients better than ever before, while in the comfort and security of their own homes. 
 

“Improving outcomes and quality of life, while reducing healthcare costs, are major benefits expected from a standards based approach to connected health,” commented Chris Johnson, Cypak Vice President. “The CPX186 is a powerful platform for linking the past and the future, bringing a range of data together in standard format and in a way that makes sense for patients, families, and professionals. Cypak is honored to have the opportunity to build this unique new product for A&D Medical. ” 
 

A&D Medical has a long history of pioneering new technology, particularly in the field of home blood pressure measurement with the first oscillometric home blood pressure monitor, the first telemedicine blood pressure monitor, and the first Bluetooth®-enabled blood pressure monitor. 
 

The Continua Certified CPX186 in conjunction with  the UA-767PC and UC-321PL are already available for purchase. The UA-767PC series of devices is clinically validated for accuracy and meets ANSI/AAMI SP10 standards. 
 

About A&D Medical – www.andmedical.com

A&D Medical is a division of A&D Engineering, and is ISO 13485:2003 certified. Since 1977, A&D Medical has been manufacturing and distributing a full line of advanced electronic blood pressure monitoring equipment and healthcare products for home and professional use. The company has established itself as a leader in home health monitoring technology through the development and introduction of unique products. A&D Medical offers leading telemedicine solutions for remote patient monitoring of heart disease and other chronic diseases through wired and Bluetooth® wireless systems for health system integrators.
 

 About Cypak – www.cypak.com

Cypak is a leading technology provider for Continua compliant solutions and medication adherence monitoring.  The company is based in Stockholm, Sweden and was founded specifically to create electronic solutions to improve medication compliance.  Solutions are constructed around the CPK082 programmable ASIC and competencies including RFID (NFC), embedded software, printed sensors, module design and production.
 

About Continua Health Alliance - www.continuaalliance.org

Continua Health Alliance is a non-profit, open industry coalition of the finest healthcare and technology companies joining together in collaboration to improve the quality of personal healthcare. With more than 220 member companies around the world, Continua is dedicated to establishing a system of interoperable personal health solutions with the knowledge that extending those solutions into the home fosters independence, empowers individuals and provides the opportunity for truly personalized health and wellness management.
 

Contact A&D Medical:

Brandon Katz

bkatz@andmedical.com

408.518.5125
 

 Contact Cypak:

Chris Johnson

chris@cypak.com

+31652446222
 

 Contact Continua Health Alliance:

Blair Cook

press@continuaalliance.com

+1 503.619.0656