Vidacare Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Medical devices |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Fate | Acquired by Teleflex Incorporated in December 2013 |
| Headquarters | San Antonio , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 50 countries) |
| Products | EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System, OnControl Bone Marrow System, OnControl Bone Access System |
| Parent | Teleflex Incorporated (since 2013) |
Established in 2001, Vidacare Corporation specialized in the creation of intraosseous (within the bone) medical devices designed for use in vascular access, emergency care, oncology, and spinal surgery. As a privately owned company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, its products reached markets in more than 50 countries worldwide.
In December 2013, Vidacare was acquired by Teleflex Incorporated, based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, for $263 million. Following the acquisition, Vidacare’s offerings were incorporated into Teleflex’s Arrow product line.
History
Although the intraosseous space was recognized as a potential route for vascular access as early as 1922, effective practical devices were not available until the mid-1990s. The foundational technology behind Vidacare’s products was developed at the University of Texas Health Science Center by Kyriacos A. Athanasiou and his team. In 2000, emergency physician and Vidacare co-founder Dr. Larry Miller sought to establish a versatile technology platform applicable to various medical fields such as vascular access, bone marrow biopsies, and regenerative therapies.
Vidacare was launched in 2001 with the goal of bringing this technology to market. The company obtained FDA approval in 2004 for the EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System—the first battery-operated device providing immediate vascular access through the intraosseous route. Additional FDA clearances followed: the OnControl Bone Marrow System in 2007 to improve biopsy procedures and the OnControl Bone Access System in 2008 aimed at facilitating spinal surgery.
By 2010, Vidacare reported that its EZ-IO technology was utilized by 90% of advanced life support ambulances across the United States, present in over half of emergency departments nationwide, and adopted by U.S. military forces, with distribution extending to more than 50 countries.
Teleflex finalized its $263 million purchase of Vidacare in December 2013, thereby broadening its portfolio of medical devices.
Products
• The EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion System, Vidacare’s primary product, enables rapid vascular access for delivering essential medications and fluids. This device has achieved widespread adoption with sales exceeding one million needle sets. Key inventors include Larry J. Miller, Robert W. Titkemeyer, David S. Bolleter, Ruben Trevino, Matthew T. Harmon, and Christopher Kilcoin.
• Designed to improve bone marrow biopsy and aspiration procedures by minimizing duration and patient discomfort, the OnControl Bone Marrow System represents another significant innovation from Vidacare.
• The OnControl Bone Access System facilitates swift and secure vertebral access during percutaneous vertebroplasty procedures, enhancing precision through tactile feedback mechanisms.