Medical Design Excellence Awards 2014: And the gold goes to Trudell Medical

Over-the-Counter and Self-Care Products

Gold: The Aerobika oscillating positive expiratory pressure device helps loosen and remove mucous buildup in the lungs. Manufactured by Trudell Medical International (London, ON, Canada), the device holds open airways by means of positive pressure while oscillations loosen and shift mucous so that it can be coughed out. The potential market is huge—about 329 million people suffer from some form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for which there is no cure. Use of the Aerobika reportedly has allowed some patients to breathe easier, walk farther, and feel better after three weeks of use, according to the company. The research that led to this conclusion is expected to be published later this year. In the meantime, MDEA judges found the technology and the predicted outcome to merit a gold award.

Silver: Tria AgeDefying Laser, Tria Beauty Inc.

Bronze: Freestyle Optium Neo, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.

Click on the arrow below to go to the next slide.

— Norbert Sparrow