Smiths Medical Acquires DHD; NASA Assists DHD Spirometry Project
In July, Smiths Medical, a division of Smiths Group plc, London, paid $55 million in cash from Riverside Capital of Cleveland, Ohio, for the acquisition of DHD Healthcare, based in Wampsville, NY. The 118-employee company will be integrated into Smiths Medical ASD Inc, the anesthesia and safety devices division of Smiths Medical in the United States.

Recently, DHD received help from the national space program to increase the accuracy of its spirometers. Based on a recommendation from the Central New York Technology Development Organization (CNYTDO), Doug Crumb, DHD vice president of operations, decided to utilize the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), funded by NASA, to investigate a DHD project to improve the accuracy of the incentive spirometer. SATOP provides free engineering assistance to small businesses with technical challenges through the donations of expertise from 49 Space Alliance Partners.

SATOP put DHD in contact with Alliance Partner Design by Analysis Inc (DBA), where Senior Technologist Mehdi Golafshani, PhD, volunteered to address the technical challenge of enhancing spirometer accuracy.

Golafshani conducted a design review supported by a limited fluid dynamics analysis of the spirometer. “Based on this review and analysis, it was found that there were unique opportunities to further enhance the airflow path and fine tune the performance of the device,” Golafshani said. “Recommendations were made to address the critical points and therefore guarantee a low turbulence and highly streamlined flow path.” Crumb said that his engineering staff is reviewing Golafshani’s report and is looking forward to putting his proposals into practice. “Mehdi came up with new creative suggestions aimed at optimizing the device’s performance. It was the fresh perspective on the challenge that we needed,” he said. “We are excited at the prospect of implementing his recommendations.”

• Nellcor, Puritan Bennett Offer Free Online Courses
Nellcor and Puritan Bennett of Pleasanton, Calif, have launched an accredited, educational Web site at which nurses and respiratory therapists can earn free continuing education credits from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association for Respiratory Care. Called the Center for Clinical Excellence, www.ccexcellence.org provides educational programs that focus on cardiopulmonary physiology and disease, ventilator management strategies, and relevant technology. The self-paced courses include post-testing and a printable certificate upon course completion.