Cath Lab Digest

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      Utilizing his passion for the research and development of new life-saving medical technologies, mechanical engineer Ron Sechrist founded Sechrist Industries in 1973. From the beginning, Sechrist has defined its brand with a core set of values — ie, integrity, relationships, service, respect, and dedication. Today, Sechrist Industries comprises a team of distinguished professionals who work strategically to identify, develop, and sustain a worldwide competitive offering of high-quality technological solutions to the healthcare community.

     In July 2009, Ed Pulwer was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Sechrist Industries. One of the main strategies for growth was to increase its business focus on international markets. This initiative led to the appointment of Bill Preuit, Senior Vice President of International Sales and Marketing. The transition affirmed the importance the company places on the growing list of applications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy all over the world.

     Ed joined the company with more than 25 years of experience with medical technology. Most recently, Ed was Cardinal Health’s Senior Operating Executive for the respiratory care business. “My primary area of responsibility was ventilation and cardiopulmonary technology,” he says. “Before my tenure with Cardinal Health, I was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Viasys Healthcare, which was a New York stock exchange company acquired by Cardinal Health in July 2007. When we started the company, my key initiatives became my major accomplishment — that is, to create a global company that would become the leader in mechanical ventilation.”

     Not only is Sechrist the leading manufacturer of monoplace hyperbaric oxygen chambers, but they also manufacture life support neonatal ventilators and gas mixing products that deliver various concentrations of oxygen to patients. These products are used throughout the hospital and have been an integral part of Sechrist’s business for their hospital partners and users for more than 30 years. The company’s monoplace hyperbaric oxygen chambers have been used in the treatment of patients suffering from a variety of diseases including non-healing wounds, necrotizing soft tissue infections, thermal burns, skin grafts and flaps. These are just a few of the 13 indications that the FDA has approved for hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

     Every intricate detail involved with the hyperbaric chambers from the manufacturing process to actual installation is done with precision and care. “We’ve earned the reputation as the worldwide leader in quality, safety, and value,” Ed says. “We manufacture all our products on site. In doing so, we control all the processes of product manufacturing from design, production, installation, and service. Our hyperbaric systems have provided life-healing therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic wound injuries, especially those with diabetic wounds of the lower extremities.”

      “Sechrist reinvests a substantial amount of revenue in research and development and continues to support research with key leaders in wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We make five different chambers — our customers can chose from the standard pneumatic system to chambers utilizing electronic controls for operator convenience. These systems also utilize an oxygen conservation system that results in up to 65% cost reduction and significantly reduces the gas noise inside the chamber. Sechrist’s hyperbaric ventilator can be used with monoplace chambers for patients who need continuous life support during the hyperbaric treatment.