Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical’s innovative Hemospray® product received the 2019 Healio Disruptive Innovators Award in the Industry Breakthrough category. Healio, a healthcare news and education organization, presented the awards on October 27 at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The award is voted on by some of the world’s leading hepatology and gastroenterology professionals.
Healio award for Hemospray
Hemospray is an endoscopic hemostat product. As the first device of its kind, Hemospray uses an inorganic powder to achieve hemostasis in cases of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Because Hemospray uses a sprayed powder rather than thermal or mechanical techniques, it does not carry the same risks of further tissue damage as other traditional therapies.1 It also does not require direct precision, since it can be sprayed over a larger area. This makes Hemospray a unique treatment option for bleeding from damaged tissue.
“We’re honored that Hemospray has received this award,” said Barry Slowey, vice president of Cook’s Endoscopy specialty. “Cook has always been focused on helping create innovative products, and we saw a particularly urgent need for less traumatizing ways of stopping GI bleeding. We’re excited that Hemospray is making a difference in patient care every day.”
Since 2011, Cook Medical’s Hemospray has been used to treat bleeding in the GI tract. More than 125,000 units of Hemospray have been used to treat patients throughout Europe, Canada and other regions around the globe. In a summary of 19 studies of Hemospray, comprising treatment of 234 patients, the combined rate of successful hemostasis was 88.5 percent.2
Cook Medical’s Hemospray product
These successful attributes of Hemospray were noticed by Healio and their expert panel of healthcare professionals. Every year, Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease identifies companies, products and individuals that are revolutionizing gastroenterology. Along with the Peer Perspective Board and 200 of the world’s leading hepatology and gastroenterology professionals, Healio selects finalists in seven categories. Healio then presents the awards to the winner of each category every year at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting.
“We are very appreciative that we could participate in Healio’s conference this year. It was an honor to be with many other people who are innovating new gastroenterology technology. As we keep working together, we can make huge strides in improving patients’ lives,“ said Slowey.
To see how Hemospray changed one doctor’s approach to helping a patient, watch a video here.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we are combining medical devices, biologic materials and cellular therapies to help the world’s healthcare systems deliver better outcomes more efficiently. We have always remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities. Find out more at CookMedical.com, and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
1. ASGE Standards of Practice Committee; Ben-Menachem T, Decker GA, Early DS, et al. Adverse events of upper GI endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012;(76)4:707–708.
2. Changela K, Papafragkakis H, Ofori E, et al. Hemostatic powder spray: a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2015;8(3):125–135.
