AtriCure Receives Coveted Emerging Technology Award for Innovation.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2002 The coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. Emerging Technology Award has been recently awarded to AtriCure Inc., a local, start-up medical company with headquarters in West Chester, Ohio West Chester, Ohio, can refer to:
The award was presented by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD ODOD Ohio Department of Development ODOD Oculodentoosseous Dysplasia ) through the office of Bob Taft Robert Alphonso "Bob" Taft II (born January 8, 1942) is an American Republican politician. He was elected to two terms of office as the Governor of the U.S. state of Ohio between 1999-2007. Taft started work for the University of Dayton beginning August 15 2007. , governor and Bruce Johnson For the American politician, see Bruce Edward Johnson. Bruce Johnson co-founded a Canadian personal income tax software company named WinTax in 1992 with fellow University of Alberta graduate Chad Frederick. , director, and "recognizes a company's global leadership in fostering or implementing innovation." "We are very excited to receive this prestigious distinction. It acknowledges and affirms the hard work and dedication of our team at AtriCure and the wonderful research that has been conducted by the clinicians," stated Mike Hooven, founder and chairman, AtriCure. AtriCure, founded in November 2000, is developing technology for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation atrial fibrillation Irregular rhythm (arrhythmia) of contraction of the atria (upper heart chambers). The most common major arrhythmia, it may result as a consequence of increased fibrous tissue in the aging heart, of heart disease, or in association with severe infection. (AF), the world's most common heart irregularity A defect, failure, or mistake in a legal proceeding or lawsuit; a departure from a prescribed rule or regulation. An irregularity is not an unlawful act, however, in certain instances, it is sufficiently serious to render a lawsuit invalid. and a major cause of stroke and congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. . Yearly, more than 2 million people in the United States suffer from this disease. The ODOD awards initiative was designed to bring together technology providers and users to create commercial opportunities through Ohio's Thomas Edison Program. Two clinicians who routinely use the AtriCure medical device are heart surgeons Drs. Patrick McCarthy and A. Marc Gillinov of The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center. "Atrial Fibrillation involves erratic electrical impulses in the heart, which prevent the upper chambers from contracting in a regular rhythm," said McCarthy, surgical director of the Clinic's Kaufman Center for Heart Failure. "Unless properly treated, Atrial Fibrillation can lead to serious complications, such as heart failure, blood clots Blood Clots Definition A blood clot is a thickened mass in the blood formed by tiny substances called platelets. Clots form to stop bleeding, such as at the site of cut. and an increased risk of stroke." Gillinov added, "The standard of care, the Cox-Maze procedure, has not been widely embraced because of the complex nature of the procedure. Devices that make treating this irregular heart rhythm more efficient provide a real benefit to medicine." According to state officials, the namesake of the Thomas Edison Awards Program was the world's premier inventor and Ohio native, Thomas Alva Edison. This distinctive award "honors a company that has utilized technology to impact not only its own operation, but also the quality of life in its community, in the state of Ohio and around the world." AtriCure was one of 12 companies honored at the awards ceremony held at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Sept. 30, 2002. Background AtriCure was founded in November of 2000 to focus on developing technology for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). AF is the world's most common heart irregularity and a major cause of stroke and congestive heart failure. More than 2 million people in the United States currently suffer from AF, and the prevalence is increasing rapidly as the population ages. The only known cure for AF is a drastic surgical procedure called the "Cox-Maze" procedure, where the upper chambers of the heart are cut and then sewn back together to create lines of scar tissue scar tissue n. Dense, fibrous connective tissue that forms over a healed wound or cut. to block the electrical signals causing AF. AtriCure has developed a technology that allows surgeons to create lesions that block electrical signals rapidly and safely without cutting. AtriCure is focused on developing this technology into a minimally invasive approach that can be performed on an outpatient basis. The company has recently closed a $21 million round of financing, and employs 28 people in high-tech jobs. AtriCure has raised a total of more than $26 million, mostly from venture capital sources in Silicon Valley. |
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