|
All,
I would like for all to take a look at Heartstream Inc. ( HTST )
After coming public earlier this year at around 13, the company
today announced that the FDA has approved it's new " Forerunner "
defibrillator product. This product is designed to deliver
lifesaving defibrillation to victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
In case anyone is wondering what a defibrillator is, it is one
of those devices that delivers shock waves to the chests of
heart attack victims. This product is quite a technological
breakthrough for the following reasons. a) It is quite smaller
and lightweight than it's predecessors, which will enable it
to be carried in all emergency vehicles. Presently less than
25 % of all emergency vehicles carry debibrillators. This
product weighs only about 4 lbs. b) It can be placed
not only in EMS vehicles, but in ordinary police cars, fire
engines, airliners, ships, ballparks, amusement parks, etc.
It is quite simple to operate and does not require the special-
ized training of conventional defibrillators. c) And unlike
standard defibrillators, the ForeRunner need not have it's
batteries charged approx every 12 hours and can go years
without a charge. d) With cardiac arrest being the #1 cause
of sudden death, this product could save an estimated 100,000
lives per year in the US alone. e) The product is affordable,
with a unit price of only $3000-$4000 per unit, compared
with a price of $5000-$7500 per unit for defibrillators
currently in use. At this price, persons with heart conditions
or at high risk could afford to have them for thier own
personal use. f) ForeRunner has also been approved in
over 18 european countries.
All on all, this product sounds like something that the
public is going to demand in many locations and situations.
I believe it could be years before the market for such a product
is saturated. I would welcome any and all comments regarding
this product and this company.
Thanks, Joe |
