Executive Summary

QUEST MEDICAL SET TO PENETRATE SECONDARY MEDICATION I.V. MARKET VIA an attachment that will convert a standard disposable syringe into a secondary intravenous fluid container without the need for a plunger. The concept will allow hospitals to replace disposable mini-bags and mini-bottles currently used in secondary medication delivery with standard hospital syringes, resulting in both labor and materials savings, Quest maintains. An average syringe used in secondary medication intravenous treatments costs approximately 25›, as compared with average costs of $1.25 per mini-bag and 90› per mini-bottle, a Quest official said. The new Quest set also will compete with automatic plunger equipment in the nondisposable area. Used with secondary medication syringe containers, that equipment costs between $400 and $500 each, the spokesman said. The company, currently conducting clinical trials with prototype sets, hopes to be ready for manufacturing and marketing in "the latter half of 1984," the spokesman said. Quest has filed an application with FDA for 510(k) clearance of the system, the spokesman said. The as-yet-unnamed product consists of the syringe attachment, which enables fluids to be drawn from the syringe, and a length of plastic tubing to attach to the primary IV line. The product will fit various standard syringe sizes, according to the spokesman. Quest describes the market potential for its attachment product as "significant," based on estimates of between 150 and 200 million mini-bags and mini-bottles sold per year to hospitals. The company plans to introduce its system nationally through its 12-person direct sales force and an additional 25-to-30-agent network. Dallas, Texas-based Quest reported sales of $4.8 mil. for calendar year 1983. Principally a mfr. of custom intravenous sets, Retracto surgical tape, and endotracheal feeding tubes, last fall Quest introduced its Model 1001 Intelligent Infusor intravenous system. According to Quest, the device combines the volumetric measuring advantages of I.V. infusion pumps with the natural pressure system of an I.V. controller. Approximately 270 Intelligent Infusor units have been sold thus far, the spokesman said.