Kasten Chase provides wireless communications devices to WorldHeart
TORONTO, Feb. 29 /CNW/ - Kasten Chase (TSE-KCA) today confirmed that it
has received its second order to supply World Heart Corporation with wireless
communications devices for the ongoing trials of WorldHeart's Ventricular
Assist Device (VAD), a system which is designed to assist the normal operation
of a patient's own heart.
The VAD, known as HeartSaverVAD(TM), is fully implanted in the chest and
powered through a highly innovative Transcutaneous Energy Transfer (TET)
technology. The TET technology enables the implanted device to be monitored
and controlled externally via a small controller located on the belt of the
recipient, without the need for wires or other direct connections through the
skin. The External Controller is wirelessly connected to a Clinical User
Interface to monitor and control the HeartSaverVAD. The wireless data transfer
capabilities of the Kasten Chase product will permit heart and device
monitoring and allow override control from remote locations using fully
integrated data communications capabilities.
"We have been working with Kasten Chase for some time to integrate their
wireless technology into HeartSaverVAD and are encouraged by the significant
progress we have made," said Bob Corson, executive vice president of
operations at WorldHeart. "The freedom and self-sufficiency that wireless
access provides is a very important part of making this medical solution as
patient-friendly as possible."
WorldHeart estimates manufacturing will produce 12,500 VAD units by the
year 2004. Current schedules call for human trials to begin in the fourth
quarter 2000 with approved product availability in 2001.
"WorldHeart's application takes advantage of the unique strengths and
universal attributes of our wireless technology," said Paul Hyde, president
and chief executive officer at Kasten Chase. "The data security aspects and
use of the Internet to remotely access the HeartSaverVAD make this a
particularly interesting and clearly advanced wireless application. It is yet
another example of the application of Kasten Chase wireless technology, in
this case providing secure communications in an exciting new area of
biotechnology."
About Kasten Chase
Kasten Chase is focused on technology incubation for the purposes of
providing advanced, fully integrated data communications solutions in the
areas of data security, Internet access and wireless data communications. The
company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with US offices located in Reston,
Virginia. For further information, visit the company's website at
kastenchase.com.
About WorldHeart
WorldHeart is a medical devices business focused on commercialization of
artificial heart and related technologies for which worldwide rights were
acquired from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Continuing research
and development of these technologies is carried out under contract to
WorldHeart by the Cardiovascular Devices Division of the Ottawa Heart
Institute Research Corporation, an affiliate of the University of Ottawa Heart
Institute. WorldHeart is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: WHT) and the Nasdaq National Market (ticker
symbol: WHRT).
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