Singapore
Laerdal acquires Sophus Medical AS and STI Medical Products Corporation
In keeping with its commitment of providing customers with innovative, effective pre-hospital and in-hospital education and patient care solutions, Laerdal Medical has announced the acquisition of two companies - Sophus Medical (based in Copenhagen, Denmark) and S.T.I. Medical Products Corporation (based in California, USA).
In 2001 Laerdal Medical and Sophus Medical entered into a strategic alliance combining Laerdal’s core competencies in the field of emergency medicine products and distribution, together with Sophus’ strong software foundation. Sophus, a relatively young company, had created innovative software solutions to assist in the development of medical education curricula, particularly in the field of emergency medicine. Its flagship products are the First Aid program developed in collaboration with the Red Cross and the PC simulation training system known as ResusSim.
Sophus will become a part of the Laerdal Group with immediate effect, and the focus for Laerdal Copenhagen (Sophus) team will be on the development of self-directed learning systems in collaboration with key organizations and customers.
S.T.I. (Stabilization Technology Innovators) Medical Products Corporation was created in 1995 to market a unique solution for stabilizing an ET tube during triage and transport. Today that product is well-known as the Thomas ET Tube Holder.
S.T.I.’s other flagship products include:
- Sta-Blok Head Immobilizer, the easy to use, adjustable and compact head immobilizer that fits virtually any patient on any backboard.
- Pediatric backboard, the cost effective board that works in conjunction with Sta-Blok, and provides proper body positioning when transporting small children requiring head immobilization.
- PneuSplint, a completely new air splint system that is compact, provides necessary stabilization and compression, and is adjustable for any straight or angled extremity injury.
S.T.I.’s spinal and airway products combined with Laerdal’s own strong portfolio and world wide distribution capabilities, will benefit EMS providers and their patients by helping to improve patient care and outcomes.
The combination of these three companies has significant potential in helping meet real user needs with innovative products in the patient simulation, airway management and spinal immobilization market segments. As technologies change, and customers look to reliable partners to help them solve their training, education and therapy challenges, Laerdal will be there to support them in their lifesaving efforts.