ARANZ Medical a finalist in World Summit Awards

ARANZ Medical a finalist in World Summit Awards

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ., 3 August, 2015 – ARANZ Medical (www.aranzmedical.com) has been named a finalist in this year’s World Summit Awards for creativity and innovation in ICT. The announcement was made today by Communications Minister Amy Adams.

ARANZ Medical are the New Zealand finalist in the Health & Environment category. The awards are a global showcase of 40 projects, across eight categories, with a special emphasis on those which show the benefits of information and communication technology for the development of communities.

ARANZ Medical CEO Dr Bruce Davey says, “We’re very pleased to be acknowledged for our work. Our focus is to give researchers and clinicians alike sophisticated yet easy-to-use medical technology that provides valuable information helping them to improve the lives of millions of people, wherever they are in the world.”

ARANZ Medical designs and manufactures 3D scanning and information systems that transform clinical processes in skin assessment. Its solutions support better health outcomes in wound care and orthotics/ prosthetics. Innovations include Silhouette, an FDA-approved electronic wound assessment system, and FastSCAN II, a 3D scanning system for orthotics and prosthetics.

Dr Davey says, “Our systems empower clinicians by giving them important assessment information at a level of accuracy and ease that has not been possible before.”

Over 40 million people around the world suffer from chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers, venous ulcers and diabetic ulcers, and this number is expected to grow to over 60 million between 2012 and 2017. Wounds typically account for 2-4% of health expenditure and can lead to amputations, readmissions, social isolation, sepsis, significant pain, and death. Amputation rates are also increasing, and wounds and amputations are linked. Every 30 seconds a lower limb is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world. It is believed that, with the right care, at least 50% of all diabetic leg amputations can be prevented.

“With accurate assessment information from our systems, clinicians and patients are empowered to make better-informed decisions that could lead to better healing outcomes,” says Dr Davey.

“Our scanning and information systems give a voice to patients suffering chronic wounds and amputations by bringing to light the true status of their wound healing progress and skin dimensions during assessment,” he says.

ARANZ Medical are seeing a growing demand for their technology driven by increases in diseases like diabetes, an ageing population, more accountable healthcare and the emerging telehealth trend. The company’s technology is being used in over 30 countries in a range of settings, from the largest healthcare providers in the US, to clinical researchers in rural Africa studying the Buruli ulcer, one of the most neglected tropical diseases.

Dr Davey says, “Our mission is to use our skill in laser technology and IT to equip researchers and clinicians alike with knowledge that will empower them to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide, including high risk groups such as diabetes sufferers and the elderly.”

New Zealand has participated in the World Summit Awards since 2003, co-ordinated by Jan Bieringa and judged this year by Courtney Johnston and Chris Cormack.

For more information on the Worlds Summit Awards go to: http://www.wsa-awards.org.nz.

ENDS

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