Vidacare Corporation
Encyclopedia
Established in 2001, Vidacare Corporation is the developer of a broad technology platform that is defining the field of intraosseous
(inside the bone) medicine. Products include the EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System, the OnControl Bone Marrow System and the OnControl Bone Access System, and applications include vascular access
, emergency and disaster medicine
, oncology
and spinal surgery. Privately held, the company is based in San Antonio, Texas
, and its products are marketed in over 50 countries worldwide.
was first discovered as a non-collapsible vein
in 1922 when C.K. Drinker, MD, of Harvard University
examined the circulation of the sternum
and confirmed that fluids infused into the bone marrow
were quickly absorbed into the central circulation
, providing a viable alternative to failed vascular access with traditional methods. However, a reliable, safe and easy method to access this intraosseous space
proved elusive and this area of medicine and its opportunities remained largely unexplored.
In 2000, Dr. Larry Miller, an emergency physician
for over 30 years and Vidacare’s founder, envisioned a device that could access the intraosseous (IO) space safely. Dr. Miller and other researchers set out to develop a technology platform that could be utilized in a broad range of health care settings. These applications included vascular access
, bone marrow biopsies and aspirations, regenerative medicine
and more.
In 2001, Vidacare Corporation was established to bring this technology platform to market. In 2004, Vidacare received its first U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) clearance for the EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System – the first battery-powered device to establish immediate vascular access using the IO space. In 2007, Vidacare received additional FDA clearance for the OnControl™ Bone Marrow System, the first significant improvement to bone marrow procedures in decades. In 2008, the company received FDA clearance for the OnControl Bone Access System for use in spinal surgery procedures.
Today, Vidacare’s technology platform is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of intraosseous
medicine. The EZ-IO technology is used in 90 percent of U.S. advanced life support ambulances, over half of U.S. emergency departments, and the U.S. military. It is available in over 50 countries. While IO is well-established as a standard of care for vascular access, it is now being applied in a broader variety of health care settings to both non-emergent and emergent patients.
Each Vidacare product incorporates a patented power driver and one or more needles to access the intraosseous space for a variety of medical, therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. For each clinical application, the speed and torque of the driver are carefully matched to the needles to achieve rapid bone penetration and to provide optimal user control.
Vidacare holds a large number of patents for this technology platform and its multiple product applications.
for the delivery of essential medications and fluids, and is used by 90 percent of U.S. advanced life support ambulances, over half of US emergency departments,and the U.S. military. The product is available in over 50 countries worldwide.
• Vidacare’s OnControl Bone Marrow System provides the first significant advance to bone marrow biopsies and aspirations in more than 50 years, offering patients and clinicians a vastly improved procedure option.
• The OnControl Bone Access System provides rapid and safe access to vertebrae
during vertebroplasty.
Intraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
(inside the bone) medicine. Products include the EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System, the OnControl Bone Marrow System and the OnControl Bone Access System, and applications include vascular access
Intraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
, emergency and disaster medicine
Emergency medicine
Emergency medicine is a medical specialty in which physicians care for patients with acute illnesses or injuries which require immediate medical attention. While not usually providing long-term or continuing care, emergency medicine physicians diagnose a variety of illnesses and undertake acute...
, oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
and spinal surgery. Privately held, the company is based in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, and its products are marketed in over 50 countries worldwide.
History
The intraosseous spaceIntraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
was first discovered as a non-collapsible vein
Vein
In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart...
in 1922 when C.K. Drinker, MD, of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
examined the circulation of the sternum
Sternum
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bony plate shaped like a capital "T" located anteriorly to the heart in the center of the thorax...
and confirmed that fluids infused into the bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
were quickly absorbed into the central circulation
Circulatory system
The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...
, providing a viable alternative to failed vascular access with traditional methods. However, a reliable, safe and easy method to access this intraosseous space
Intraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
proved elusive and this area of medicine and its opportunities remained largely unexplored.
In 2000, Dr. Larry Miller, an emergency physician
Emergency physician
An emergency physician is a physician who works at an emergency department to care for acutely ill patients. The emergency physician is a specialist in advanced cardiac life support , trauma care such as fractures and soft tissue injuries, and management of other life-threatening situations.In...
for over 30 years and Vidacare’s founder, envisioned a device that could access the intraosseous (IO) space safely. Dr. Miller and other researchers set out to develop a technology platform that could be utilized in a broad range of health care settings. These applications included vascular access
Intraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
, bone marrow biopsies and aspirations, regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine is the "process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore orestablish normal function". This field holds the promise of regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by replacing damaged tissue and/or by stimulating the body's own repair...
and more.
In 2001, Vidacare Corporation was established to bring this technology platform to market. In 2004, Vidacare received its first U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) clearance for the EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System – the first battery-powered device to establish immediate vascular access using the IO space. In 2007, Vidacare received additional FDA clearance for the OnControl™ Bone Marrow System, the first significant improvement to bone marrow procedures in decades. In 2008, the company received FDA clearance for the OnControl Bone Access System for use in spinal surgery procedures.
Today, Vidacare’s technology platform is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of intraosseous
Intraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
medicine. The EZ-IO technology is used in 90 percent of U.S. advanced life support ambulances, over half of U.S. emergency departments, and the U.S. military. It is available in over 50 countries. While IO is well-established as a standard of care for vascular access, it is now being applied in a broader variety of health care settings to both non-emergent and emergent patients.
Technology platform
Vidacare’s technology platform enables medical professionals to access the intraosseous space in a safe, effective and simple manner.Each Vidacare product incorporates a patented power driver and one or more needles to access the intraosseous space for a variety of medical, therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. For each clinical application, the speed and torque of the driver are carefully matched to the needles to achieve rapid bone penetration and to provide optimal user control.
Vidacare holds a large number of patents for this technology platform and its multiple product applications.
Product summary
• Vidacare’s first product, the EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System provides immediate vascular accessIntraosseous infusion
Intraosseous infusion is the process of injection directly into the marrow of a bone. This technique is used in emergency situations to provide fluids and medication when intravenous access is not available or not feasible.-History:...
for the delivery of essential medications and fluids, and is used by 90 percent of U.S. advanced life support ambulances, over half of US emergency departments,and the U.S. military. The product is available in over 50 countries worldwide.
• Vidacare’s OnControl Bone Marrow System provides the first significant advance to bone marrow biopsies and aspirations in more than 50 years, offering patients and clinicians a vastly improved procedure option.
• The OnControl Bone Access System provides rapid and safe access to vertebrae
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
during vertebroplasty.