NEW ORLEANS, March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Card Guard AG and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) today announced a strategic alliance to offer Card Guard’s PMP4 suite of wireless healthcare monitors on Samsung’s Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile(TM)-based Pocket PC Phones. Samsung’s Mobile Intelligent Terminals (MITs), such as the i700, coupled with Card Guard’s wireless healthcare monitors, can offer patients and healthcare practitioners the ability to monitor vitals such as blood pressure and blood glucose level remotely.
The strategic alliance between the two companies expands Card Guard’s presence in the U.S. patient monitoring market and extends Samsung’s leadership in providing handheld applications to the healthcare sector. In 2004, Samsung announced the availability of wireless content and diagnostic resources such as drug references and clinical journals for physicians and medical residents via their handheld devices.
“Card Guard is setting the standard for advanced wireless medical technologies and monitoring services, and we’re pleased to offer their solution on our award-winning devices,” said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president of Samsung’s wireless terminals division. “For rural-area residents or those with ongoing conditions such as diabetes, wireless patient monitoring can help in the ongoing assessment of their vitals to ensure they remain healthy and visit the doctor when necessary.”
Industry analysts predict that as the baby boomer generation -- Americans born between 1946 and 1964 -- ages and the incidence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension rises, remote care applications will be an essential component in the future of patient care.
Card Guard’s PMP4 suite of solutions measure and transmit medical data via a Bluetooth wireless technology card inserted into an SD I/O slot of a handheld device, which can then upload this information to a dedicated Web- based medical center. The online medical center provides secure, private data protection, and a user-friendly interface that can be accessed by physicians and patients. The PMP4 suite of wireless peripherals include an ECG heart monitor, lung function Spirometer, Pulse Oximeter, blood pressure devices, and an SD I/O blood glucose monitor, which can be used in conjunction with Samsung’s i700 device.
“Our alliance with Samsung Telecommunications America is an exciting achievement for Card Guard. The PMP4 wireless healthcare applications together with Samsung’s mobile phones will facilitate the timely capture, storage and transmission of medical data for both the chronically ill and the wellness community,” said Yacov Geva, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Card Guard. “Empowering people to monitor their health will ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes and quality of life.”
Samsung and Card Guard will be showcasing the i700 with the Card Guard wireless monitors in booths #1045 and #1265, Hall B1 at the CTIA Wireless 2005 trade show this week.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, see STA’s website at http://www.samsungusa.com/wireless .
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2003 parent company sales of $36.4 billion and net income of $5.0 billion. Employing approximately 88,000 people in 89 offices in 46 countries, the company consists of six main business units: Corporate Technology Operations, Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest producer of color monitors, color TVs, memory chips, TFT-LCDs and VCRs. For more information, visit http://www.samsung.com/ .
About Card Guard AG
Card Guard(R) is a leading developer and provider of wireless healthcare technologies and systems, and state-of-the-art monitoring services in the fields of cardiology, pulmonology, obstetrics, and diabetes. Through their monitoring service LifeWatch, Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Card Guard, they provide the highest level of patient care and physician services around the clock. Card Guard is committed to develop cutting edge technologies and monitoring services that enhance a patient’s quality of life while providing cost-effective solutions to healthcare providers. For further information, please visit http://www.cardguard.com/
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Samsung Telecommunications America; Card Guard AG
CONTACT: Stephanie Stewart of Publicis Dialog, +1-972-628-7787, orstephanie.stewart@publicis-usa.com , for Samsung Telecommunications America;or Mardi Raff of Card Guard AG, +1-905-526-1942, or mraff@cardguard.com