The delay in the employer mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act gives companies an additional year before they must offer medical coverage to their workers or pay a fine.
What does the delay mean for benefits managers? If you're at the head of an HR department, what should you be doing and thinking about?
Here are five things to consider:
1. The law is still on the books; it’s just that the penalties associated with that part of the legislation that impacts employers with 50 or more employees won’t be enforced until 2015 – unless there’s another delay, of course. Technically, though, employers with 50 employers or more are still supposed to provide coverage for full-time workers beginning Jan 1, 2014.
Top 10 Heal Care Companies To Own In Right Now: Haemonetics Corp (HAE)
Haemonetics Corporation, incorporated on August 29, 1985, is a healthcare company engaged in providing blood management solutions to its customers. The Company�� portfolio of integrated devices, information management and consulting services offers blood management solutions for each facet of the blood supply chain, helping improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs for blood and plasma collectors, hospitals, and patients around the world.The Company serves three markets: manufacturers of plasma derived pharmaceuticals, blood collectors and hospitals. Plasma includes plasma collection devices and consumables. Blood Center includes blood collection and processing devices and consumables. Hospital includes surgical blood salvage and blood demand diagnostic devices and consumables. Software Solutions includes information technology platforms and consulting services provided to all three markets. On April 30, 2013, the Company acquired of certain assets of Hemerus LLC.
The Company helps its customers create and maintain a safe and efficient blood supply chain. Specifically, it develops and markets a wide range of systems used with plasma and blood donors that collect and process blood into its components using both manual and automated methods. It also develops and markets a variety of systems to hospitals that automate the cleaning and reinfusion of a surgical patient's blood during surgery, automate the tracking and distribution of blood in the hospital, and enhance blood diagnostics. The Company sells information technology platforms to promote efficient and compliant operations for all of its customer groups. The Company provides consulting services to reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies in blood management. . Its products and services help prevent a transfusion to a patient who does not need one and provide the right blood product, at the right time, in the right dose to the patient who does.
Plasma
Human plasma is collected and processed by bio-ph! armaceutical companies into therapeutic and diagnostic products that aid in the treatment of immune diseases and coagulation disorders. While plasma is also used to aid patients with extreme blood loss, such as trauma victims, this portion of its business solely focuses on plasma's pharmaceutical uses. Automated plasma collection technology allows for the safe and efficient collection of plasma. The Company manufactures and market plasma collection devices and respective disposables, but do not make plasma-derived pharmaceuticals.
The Company�� portfolio of products and services is designed to support multiple facets of plasma collector operations. The Company with its PCS brand automated plasma collection technology, more plasma can be collected during any one donation event because the other blood components are returned to the donor through the sterile disposable sets used for the plasma donation procedure. The Company offers one stop shopping to its plasma collection customers, enabling them to source from them the full range of products necessary for plasma collection and storage, including PCS brand plasma collection equipment and consumables, plasma collection containers, and intravenous solutions. It also offers a robust portfolio of integrated information technology platforms for plasma customers to manage their donors, operations, and supply chain. Its products automate the donor interview and qualification process; streamline the workflow process in the plasma center; provide the controls necessary to evaluate donor suitability; determine the ability to release units collected; and manage unit distribution.
Blood Center
The Company offers automated blood component and manual whole blood collection systems to blood collection centers to collect blood products.The Company markets the MCS (Multicomponent Collection System) brand apheresis equipment which is designed to collect specific blood components integrated from the donor. Utilizing t! he MCS au! tomated platelet collection protocols, blood centers collect one or more therapeutic doses of platelets during a single donation by a volunteer blood donor. The MCS two-unit protocol or double red cell collection device helps blood collectors optimize the collection of red cells by automating the blood separation function, eliminating the need for laboratory processing, and enabling the collection of two units of red cells from a single donor thus maximizing the amount of red cells collected per eligible donor and helping to mitigate red cell shortages in countries where this problem exists. Blood collectors can also use the MCS system to collect one unit of red cells and a jumbo (double) unit of plasma, or one unit of red cells and one unit of platelets from a single donor. The MCS plasma protocol providing the possibility to collect 600-800ml of plasma for transfusion to patients or for pharmaceutical industry use completes the comprehensive portfolio of different blood component collection options on this device.
The Company offers a portfolio of products for manual whole blood collection and processing. Haemonetics' portfolio of disposable whole blood collection and component storage sets offer flexibility in collecting a unit of whole blood and the subsequent production and storage of the red blood cell, platelet, and/or plasma products, including options for in-line or dockable filters for leukoreduction of any blood component. In addition Acrodose product line provides a closed system for the pooling, storage, and bacteria testing of leukoreduced whole blood derived platelet concentrates, an Acrodose Platelet, that is transfusion ready for the hospital. Use of Acrodose platelets lowers hospital handling costs by eliminating the need for pooling and bacteria testing at the hospital.
The Company with ACP(Automated Cell Processor) brand offers a small bench-top solution to automate the washing and freezing of red cell components in the lab. The automated red cell was! hing proc! edure removes plasma proteins within the red cell units to provide a safer product for transfusion to frequently transfused patients, neonates, or patients with a history of transfusion reactions. The automated glycerolization and deglycerolization steps are required to prepare red cells for frozen storage. Freezing the red cell units can expand the shelf life of these products up to 10 years. Customers utilize this technology to implement strategic red cell inventories for catastrophe cases, storage of rare blood types, or enhanced inventory management.
Hospital
The Company offers a range of blood management solutions that significantly improve a hospital's systems for acquiring blood, storing it in the hospital, and dispensing it efficiently and correctly. Its products and integrated solution platforms help hospitals optimize performance of blood acquisition, storage, and distribution.The Company�� TEG Thrombelastograph Hemostasis Analyzer system is a blood diagnostic instrument that measures a patient's hemostasis or the ability to form and maintain blood clots.
The Cell Saver system is a surgical blood salvage system targeted to procedures that involve rapid, high-volume blood loss, such as cardiovascular surgeries. It has become the standard of care for high blood-loss surgeries. During the year ended December 31,2012, the Company launched the Cell Saver Elite system, which is autotransfusion option to minimize allogeneic blood use for surgeries with medium to high blood loss. The OrthoPAT surgical blood salvage system is targeted to procedures, such as orthopedic, that involve slower, lower volume blood loss that often occurs well after surgery. The cardioPAT system is a surgical blood salvage system targeted to open heart surgeries when there is less blood loss during surgery, but where the blood loss continues post-surgery. These systems are designed to remain with the patient following surgery, to recover blood and produce a washed red cell produ! ct for au! totransfusion. Their Quick-Connect feature permits customers to utilize the blood processing set selectively, depending on the patient's need.
The Company�� IMPACT Online Web-based software platform, which monitors and measures improvements in a hospital�� blood management practices, provides hospitals with a baseline view of their blood management metrics and helps monitor transfusion rates. Business consulting solutions are offered to support process and blood management efforts. It also provides blood management assessment tools to hospitals that enables its customers to monitor their progress in order to continually improve their blood management performance.
Software Solutions
The Companby has a suite of integrated software solutions for improving efficiencies and helping ensure donor and patient safety. This includes solutions for blood drive planning, donor recruitment and retention, blood collection, component manufacturing and distribution, transfusion management, and remote blood allocation. For its plasma customers, it also provides information technology platforms for managing donors and information associated with the collection of plasma products within fractionation facilities.
The Company�� software solutions , including information technology platforms and consulting services can be combined with its devices and sold through its plasma, blood center, and hospital sales forces. The Company�� software products help hospitals track and safely deliver stored blood products. SafeTrace Tx is its software solution that helps manage blood product inventory, perform patient cross-matching, and manage transfusions. In addition, its BloodTrack suite of solutions manages tracking and control of blood products from the hospital blood center through to transfusion to the patient. Smart refrigerators located in or near operating suites, emergency rooms, and other parts of the hospital dispense blood units with secure control and autom! ated trac! eability for efficient documentation. With its offerings, hospitals are better able to manage processes across the blood supply chain and identify increased opportunities to reduce costs and enhance processes. Its software solutions, such as its SafeTrace and El Dorado Donor donation and blood unit management systems, span blood center operations and automate and track operations from the recruitment of the blood donor to the disposition of the blood product. Its Hemasphere software solution provides support for more efficient blood drive planning, and Donor Doc and e-Donor software help to improve recruitment and retention.
The Company competes with Fenwal, Inc., Terumo BCT ,Caridian BCT, Rotem, MAK Systems, Mediware, MacoPharma , Medtronic, Fresenius, Sunquest Information Systems and Sorin Biomedica.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Analysts at Benchmark downgraded Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) from ��uy��to ��old.��The target price for Haemonetics has been lowered from $49 to $46.
- [By shash63]
Haemonetics (HAE), pioneers in the blood-collection equipment market with around 75% market share in the U.S., is poised to capitalize on this market growth. For the fiscal 2014, Haemonetics reported revenue of $938.5 million, up 5%. Base revenue, exclusive of the whole blood business, increased 1% on a constant currency basis. To continue registering growth in this expanding market, the company is focusing on developing innovative solutions for managing blood with its acquisition strategy.
- [By Holly LaFon]
Haemonetics (HAE) is the market leader in blood management products for collection centers and hospitals. The company's equipment and related consumables allow collection centers to separate blood into the components of plasma, red cells and white cells. Hospital-based products include blood diagnostics, devices to salvage patient blood during surgery and software to manage blood supply. Earnings temporarily declined due to two product quality issues that management of Haemonetics has stated have been remedied. In our opinion, earnings growth may be expected to accelerate in the next few years as Haemonetics rolls out its automated whole blood collection solution to collection centers. Relative to the existing manual process, the company's automated solution speeds up the collection process and reduces discard rates. Cost and efficiency gains become more important to collection centers as hospitals better manage their blood supply. We believe the company is a compelling value at 12x our $3.50 estimate of earnings power.
Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Acceleron Pharma Inc (XLRN)
Acceleron Pharma Inc., incorporated on June 13, 2003, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of protein therapeutics for cancer and rare diseases. The Company�� research focuses on the biology of the Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-b) protein superfamily, a large and diverse group of molecules that are key regulators in the growth and repair of tissues throughout the human body. By coupling its discovery and development expertise, including its knowledge of the TGF-b superfamily, with its internal protein engineering and manufacturing capabilities, it has built a productive research and development platform that has generated clinical and preclinical protein therapeutic candidates with mechanisms of action.
The Company focuses on discovering and developing protein therapeutics that target a group of approximately 30 secreted proteins, or ligands, that are collectively referred to as the TGF-b superfamily. These ligands bind to subsets of 12 different receptors on the surface of cells, triggering intra-cellular changes in gene expression that guide cell growth and differentiation. The TGF-b superfamily ligands and their receptors represent an under-explored and diverse set of drug targets with the potential to yield therapeutics that modulate the growth and repair of diseased cells and tissues.
The Company has three internally discovered protein therapeutic candidates that are being studied in 12 ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials, focused on cancer and rare diseases. The Company�� two advanced protein therapeutic candidates, sotatercept and ACE-536, promote red blood cell production through a novel mechanism. Together with its collaboration partner, Celgene Corporation, the Company is developing sotatercept and ACE-536 to treat anemia and associated complications in patients with b-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These red blood cell disorders are generally unresponsive to approved dru! gs. The Company�� third clinical stage protein therapeutic candidate, dalantercept, is designed to inhibit blood vessel formation through a mechanism that is distinct from, and potentially synergistic with, the dominant class of cancer drugs that inhibit blood vessel formation, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors. The Company is developing dalantercept primarily for use in combination with these products to produce better outcomes for cancer patients.
The Company and Celgene have conducted six human clinical trials with sotatercept in over 160 healthy volunteers and cancer patients. The Company has conducted one clinical trial with ACE-536 in healthy volunteers. In these studies, both sotatercept and ACE-536 caused a dose-dependent increase in the number of red blood cells. Based on these results, the Company and Celgene have initiated Phase II clinical trials with each of these protein therapeutic candidates in b-thalassemia and MDS. In the ongoing trial of sotatercept in patients with b-thalassemia, the Company has observed encouraging, dose-dependent increases in hemoglobin in a subset of patients at the two lowest dose levels.
Sotatercept is a soluble receptor fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) linked to the Fc domain of human IgG1. Sotatercept acts as a protein trap for TGF-b superfamily ligands that signal through the ActRIIA receptor. Sotatercept has increased red blood cells in multiple clinical trials. ACE-536 is a soluble receptor fusion protein consisting of a modified extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) linked to the Fc domain of human IgG1.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
3. We see 23+ partnered pipeline assets and are most positive on Phase I/II MOR202 anti-CD38 for myeloma with data in 2015, and others such as Acceleron Pharma (XLRN), Agios Pharmaceuticals (AGIO), Epizyme (EPZM), Concert Pharmaceuticals (CNCE) (just started Phase I for next-gen Revlimid).
Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc (OMED)
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OncoMed) incorporated on July 19, 2004, is a clinical development-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on discovering and developing monoclonal antibody therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). It utilizes its technologies to identify, isolate and evaluate CSCs; identify and/or validate multiple potential targets and pathways critical to CSC self-renewal and differentiation; and develop targeted antibody and other protein-based therapeutics that are designed to modulate these CSC targets and inhibit the growth of CSCs. The Company's anti-cancer therapeutics include anti-DLL4 (demcizumab, OMP-21M18), Anti-DLL4/Anti-VEGF Bispecific, and Anti-Notch2/3 (OMP-59R5), Anti-Notch1 (OMP-52M51, Anti-Fzd7, Fzd8-Fc, RSPO-LGR.
Anti-DLL4 (demcizumab, OMP-21M18) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits Delta Like Ligand 4 (DLL4) in the Notch signaling pathway. The Company has completed a single-agent Phase Ia trial in advanced solid tumor patients. The Company focuses on conducting two Phase Ib combination trials of demcizumab. Anti-DLL4/anti-VEGF bispecific is a monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits both DLL4 and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF). VEGF is the target of Avastin. Anti-Notch2/3 (OMP-59R5) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the Notch2 and Notch3 receptors.
Anti-Notch1 OMP-52M51 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted to the Notch1 receptor. Anti-Fzd7 OMP-18R5 is a human monoclonal antibody identified by screening against the Frizzled7 receptor (Fzd7) that binds a conserved epitope on five Frizzled receptors and inhibits Wnt signaling. OMP-18R5 is in a Phase I single-agent trial in advanced solid tumor patients. Fzd8-Fc OMP-54F28 is a fusion protein based on a truncated form of the Frizzled8 receptor ( Fzd8). RSPO-LGR ligands signal through the LGR receptor family.
The Company utilizes several robust technologies for the discovery and optimization of its antibody and protein-bas! ed therapeutics, including multiple proprietary technologies. Its antibody technologies include Mammalian Display Technology, Bispecific Antibody Technology, Hybridoma Technology. Mammalian Display Technology utilizes flow cytometry to isolate mammalian cells expressing antibodies on the cell surface with desired characteristics from large libraries of candidate antibodies. Bispecific Antibody Technology is used to generate its anti-DLL4/anti-VEGF antibody. Hybridoma Technology is used for isolating antibodies from mice, including multiplex single-cell screening techniques.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals (OMED), a clinical development-stage biotechnology company, focuses on discovering and developing monoclonal antibody therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells. This stock closed up 5.3% at $18.08 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 446,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 178,792
Volume % Change: 155%From a technical perspective, OMED ripped higher here right above previous support at $16.57 with above-average volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last four months and change, with shares moving lower from its high of $28.43 to its recent low of $16.57. During that move, shares of OMED have been making mostly lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of OMED have now starting to rebound off some previous support and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if OMED manages to clear some near-term overhead resistance levels at $19.17 to its 50-day at $19.92 and then above more resistance at $20 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in OMED as long as it's trending above some key near-term support at $16.57 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 178,792 shares. If that breakout kicks off soon, then OMED will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $21.80 to $22.43, or even $24 to $24.48.
- [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday imposed a partial clinical hold on a second cancer treatment trial by OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.(OMED) The FDA’s action follows a similar hold last Friday on another treatment targeting cancer stem cells.
Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cerner Corp (CERN)
Cerner Corporation (Cerner) is a supplier of healthcare information technology (HCIT) solutions, services, devices and hardware. Cerner solutions optimize processes for healthcare organizations. These solutions are licensed by approximately 9,300 facilities globally, including more than 2,650 hospitals; 3,750 physician practices 40,000 physicians; 500 ambulatory facilities, such as laboratories, ambulatory centers, cardiac facilities, radiology clinics and surgery centers; 800 home health facilities; 40 employer sites and 1,600 retail pharmacies. The Company operates in two segments: domestic and global. The domestic segment includes revenue contributions and expenditures associated with business activity in the United States. The global segment includes revenue contributions and expenditures linked to business activity in Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China (Hong Kong), Egypt, England, France, Germany, Guam, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. On May 23, 2011, the Company acquired Resource Systems, Inc. On October 17, 2011, the Company acquired Clairvia, Inc. Effective March 18, 2013, it acquired Labotix Automation Inc.
The Company designs and develops software solutions on the unified Cerner Millennium architecture, a person-centric computing framework, which combines clinical, financial and management information systems. This architecture allows providers to access an individual�� electronic health record (EHR) at the point of care, and it organizes and proactively delivers information to meet the specific needs of physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, front- and back-office professionals and consumers. It also offers a range of services, including implementation and training, remote hosting, operational management services, revenue cycle services, support and maintenance, healthcare data analysis, clinical proc! ess optimization, transaction processing, employer health centers, employee wellness programs and third party administrator (TPA) services for employer-based health plans.
The Company offers a longitudinal, person-centric EHR, which gives clinicians electronic access to the right information at the right time and place to achieve optimal health outcomes. Medical information and care regimens accessible from home enables consumers to manage their conditions and adhere to treatment plans, creating a medium between physicians and individuals. Its Cerner ITWorks is a suite of services, which creates an alignment between Cerner and its clients. Its Cerner RevWorks includes solutions and services to help healthcare organizations improve their revenue cycle functions. It offers clinic, pharmacy and wellness services directly to employers.
The Company's Healthe Intent Chart Search includes clinical meanings of words located within the electronic medical record (EMR), as well as the context in which those words occur to create algorithms that identify and rank information contextually. The Healthe Intent platform also provides the ability to apply algorithms against contextual clinical activity to recommend clinical action.
The Company competes with Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., Computer Programs and Systems, Inc. (CPSI), Epic Systems Corporation, GE Healthcare Technologies, Healthcare Management Systems, Inc. (HMS), Healthland, Inc., Computer Sciences Corporation (iSoft), Keane, Inc., McKesson Corporation, Medical Information Technology, Inc. (Meditech), Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services Corporation, Quadramed Corporation, Accenture plc, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), Cap Gemini S. A., Computer Task Group, Inc. (CTGHS), Dell, Inc., Deloitte Consulting LLP, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, maxIT Healthcare LLC, AmazingCharts.com, Inc., Athenahealth, Inc., eClinicalWorks LLC, e-MDs, Inc., Greenway Medical Technologies, MED3000, Inc., Quality Sy! stems, In! c., Conceptual MindWorks, Inc., Vitera Healthcare Solutions, API Healthcare, CapsuleTech, Inc., CareFusion Corporation, GE Healthcare Technologies, iSirona, LLC, McKesson Corporation, Omnicell, Inc., Accretive Health, Inc., Capario, Inc., Emdeon Corporation, McKesson Corporation, MedAssets, Inc., Optum, Inc., SSI Group, Inc. and 3M Company.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
In the wake of the Obamacare�fiasco, small cap healthcare information systems stock Computer Programs & Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CPSI) has put in a good performance, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of large cap players like Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ: CERN) and McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) and small cap Quality Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: QSII).
- [By Dan Caplinger]
Quality Systems certainly has plenty of growth potential. Late last month, competitor Cerner (NASDAQ: CERN ) announced record bookings for its first quarter, and with a strong backlog and favorable guidance for the full 2013 year, Cerner is finding promising ways forward to grow its business. Cerner's results point to strength not just within the company but for the broader industry as well, and Quality Systems is poised to tap into the generally positive environment.
- [By Todd Campbell]
Although McKesson notched respectable top-line growth for its low-margin distribution business, sales in its higher-margin technology solutions unit dipped 6% to $770 million. Rising competitive pressure in the healthcare IT space from Cerner (NASDAQ: CERN ) and the privately held Epic continue to negatively affect demand for the company's Horizon clinical software program. Regardless, the unit still delivered operating profit of $125 million, for an operating margin of 16.23%.
Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Analogic Corp (ALOG)
Analogic Corporation (Analogic), incorporated in November 27, 1967, is a technology company that designs and manufactures advanced medical imaging and security systems and subsystems sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and end users primarily in the healthcare and airport security markets. Analogic operate primarily three segments: Medical Imaging, Ultrasound, and Security Technology. Medical Imaging, which primarily includes systems and subsystems for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical imaging equipment, Selenium-based detectors for screening and diagnostic applications in mammography. Ultrasound, which designs, manufactures, and distributes ultrasound systems and transducers primarily in the urology, surgery, robotic assisted surgery, anesthesia, and general imaging markets. Security Technology, which includes advanced threat detecting CT systems. In March 2013, it completed the acquisition of Ultrasonix Medical Corporation. In September 2013, the Company announced that it has acquired the remaining ownership stake in PocketSonics, Inc.
Medical Imaging
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company�� medical imaging segment, which accounted for approximately 59% of its net revenue, which consists primarily of electronic systems and subsystems for medical imaging, sold globally to OEM producers of CT, MRI, and digital mammography systems. Products under this consist of: X-Ray Detectors, which converts the x-ray energy in a CT machine to useful analog signals for processing in the DAS.
DAS, which are used to process the signals created by the detectors and feed them as a digital stream to a reconstruction computer to create high resolution images. The DAS is designed with many multi-channel circuit boards that process the analog signals from the detectors and convert them into digital signals through an array of analog to digital.
converters. DMS, which the brains of the CT sys! tem and consists of both the detector array and the DAS in one package. This system provides its OEM customers a level of integration that allows for lower cost and faster time to market. Integrated Gantries, which is a component of the CT system (detectors, DAS, x-ray tube and power supplies), are mounted on a rotating ring assembly called a gantry. It provides integrated gantries to its OEM customers as another level of integration.
For OEM producers of MRI equipment, it also supplies two key components: gradient amplifiers and radio frequency, or RF, amplifiers. It has developed a range of amplifier solutions for its customers ranging from low-magnetic-field systems (< 0.3 Tesla) to ultra high-field systems (> 7.0 Tesla) used in academic research hospitals.
Gradient Amplifier, which is a power systems used to drive a set of coils located inside the MRI system and around the patient. The coils energize the atomic structure of patients��anatomy in order to develop tissue and structure images. Gradient amplifiers must be specifically designed for different MRI field strengths ranging from 0.3 Tesla to >7.0 Tesla. RF Amplifiers, which is a power systems used to control another set of the coils within the MRI system that are used to read-back the signals from the anatomy generated by the gradient coils. These signals are then processed in a reconstruction computer to create images. The RF amplifiers must have a high signal-to-noise ratio to produce the cleanest images.
The Company�� digital mammography products consist primarily of digital mammography selenium-based x-ray detector plates, sold directly to OEM customers for screening and diagnostic applications in mammography. These x-ray detector plates are used by OEMs in mammography systems to convert x-ray signals into high resolution two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) images of breast tissue to aid in the detection of breast cancer. Its detector plates for mammography applications are sold to! medical ! OEMs for use in products worldwide. Its mammography product portfolio consists of: LMAM, which is its large area detector plate, based on selenium technology, is used primarily for European markets and was recently introduced in the United States market. This detector plate is also compatible with systems that can perform tomosynthesis, which creates 3-D images through a series of exposures to more accurately detect lesions in the breast. SMAM, which is its small area detector plate uses the same selenium-based technology as the LMAM detector and is manufactured primarily for the Asian markets. Within its medical imaging segment, it also designs and manufactures precision motion control systems, which it supplies to OEM customers for use in computer-controlled automation systems primarily in the semiconductor and medical markets.
Ultrasound
The Company�� ultrasound segment designs and manufactures procedure-driven ultrasound systems and transducers, principally under the B-K Medical brand. These products are primarily for end-user markets in urology and surgery and accounted for approximately 29% of its net revenue in fiscal year 2012. Its ultrasound systems use acoustic waves to generate real-time images of the body�� internal anatomy that are used for interventional and medical diagnostic procedures. These ultrasound systems are also used for guiding robotic assisted surgical procedures and for guiding prostate cancer treatment employing a procedure called brachytherapy. It also manufactures and sells advanced ultrasound probes and transducers to medical OEMs.
Security Technology
Utilizing the Company�� CT technology, its Security Technology segment designs and manufactures airport security systems and subsystems primarily for checked bag applications and accounted for approximately 12% of its net revenue in fiscal year 2012. These systems generate 3-D images of objects contained within baggage and provide threat analysis of materials conta! ined with! in the bags. The Company sells the checked baggage systems through L-3 Communications Corporation (L-3): eXaminer XLB (High Speed), eXaminer 3DX (Medium Speed) and eXaminer SX (Reduced Size).
The Company competes with General Electric Corporation (GE) and Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Philips), Hitachi Medical Corporation, Fujifilm, Morpho Detection and Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Monday
Earnings Releases Expected: Analogic Corporation (NASDAQ: ALOG) Economic Releases Expected: U.S. industrial production, U.S. manufacturing productionTuesday
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Analogic (NASDAQ: ALOG) were down 16.00 percent to $80.11 after the company reported downbeat Q2 earnings. CJS Securities downgraded the stock from Market Outperform to Market Perform and cut the price target from $97.00 to $90.00. - [By Wallace Witkowski]
Shares of Analogic Corp. (ALOG) �fell 12% to $85 on light volume after the electronics-component maker reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of $1.17 a share on revenue of $141.4 million and forecast flat revenue for the year because of headwinds. Analysts expected $1.20 a share on revenue of $151.7 million, along with a 7% revenue growth for the year.
Best Medical Stocks To Watch Right Now: Amedica Corp (AMDA)
Amedica Corporation (Amedica), incorporate on December 10, 1996, is a commercial biomaterial company focused on using its silicon nitride technology platform to develop, manufacture and sell a broad range of medical devices. The Company market spinal fusion products and are developing products for use in total hip and knee joint replacements. The Company markets its Valeo family of silicon nitride interbody spinal fusion devices in the United States and Europe for use in the cervical and thoracolumbar areas of the spine. In addition to its silicon nitride-based spinal fusion products, it markets a complementary line of non-silicon nitride spinal fusion products which allows us to provide surgeons and hospitals with a broader range of products. These products include three lines of spinal fusion devices and five types of orthobiologics, which are used by surgeons to help promote bone growth and fusion in spinal fusion procedures.
The Company�� non-silicon nitride products have accounted for approximately 70% or more of its product revenues for the years ended December 31, 2013. The Company�� also incorporating its silicon nitride technology into components for use in total hip and knee replacement product. Biomaterials are synthetic or natural biocompatible materials that are used in virtually every medical specialty to improve or preserve body functionality.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
Stocks as a whole haven't gotten the new year off on the best foot, but that's not to say every equity out there is in trouble. Indeed, some small cap stocks may actually be doing well - and poised to do well for a while - specifically because larger companies are seeing their stocks struggle. To that end, traders looking for a bullish bright spot to start the new year may want to take a closer look at Amedica Corporation (NASDAQ:AMDA), Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:THLD), and Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCMKTS:AEMD).
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