Occupational & Medical Innovations (OMI) - Safety Syringes, Scalpels and Safe IV Access Valves

An Australian medical device company producing innovative safety products for the global healthcare market, Occupational & Medical Innovations Limited (OMI) is headquartered in Queensland, Australia. The company is positioned to deliver innovative, affordable, high-quality safety products to the global healthcare industry.

The company’s vision is to become a global leader in medical safety technology. Key OMI products include the auto retractable safety syringe, the safety scalpel and the safe IV access valve. OMI pioneered retractable safety syringe technology in Australia and was the first company of its type to list on the ASX in 2000.

In November 2006, OMI received United States Food and Drug Administration approval for the retractable safety syringe – a key step towards selling its products into the global market. The company achieved a further milestone in September 2007 with the announcement that Fortune 500 company, Cardinal Health, had been appointed as a distribution partner for its auto retractable safety syringe product in North America.

THE OMI RETRACTABLE SYRINGE

The OMI retractable syringe offers simple, one-handed activation that is part of the natural action of using a standard syringe. After all fluid is expelled, the needle automatically retracts into the syringe plunger, in the process destroying itself by breaking the needle hub and the piston seal. The needle tip lodges inside the plunger rod once activated, keeping the contaminated sharp out of reach. This provides a second level of safety for users.

The OMI retractable syringe is available in a range of popular size and gauge combinations, and was honoured with a 2004 Australian Design Award.

THE OMI SAFETY SCALPEL

The OMI safety scalpel reduces the likelihood of contaminated sharps injuries suffered by operating theatre staff. The single, one-handed movement provides proven safety advantages. The safety scalpel features a protective guard that covers the blade, ensuring safe loading, passing, changing and disposal of the blade. A unique feature of the blade cartridge is the safety tab, which must be removed by the user before the blade can be exposed.

The OMI safety scalpel is available as either a completely disposable plastic unit or as a reusable surgical steel handle with disposable scalpel cartridges. Blade configurations are available in a range of #3 and #4 fitment sizes. The OMI safety scalpel was honoured with a 2003 Australian Design Award.

THE OMI SAFE IV ACCESS VALVE

The OMI safe IV access valve is innovative and simple to use, allowing attachment and changes of intravenous tubes safely for the patient and staff.

The safe IV access valve offers positive fluid displacement, leaving minimal fluid inside the valve, and an easily swabbed, Luer-compatible access port. The valve features high flow rates and minimal dead space. Importantly, the valve is compatible with Luer slip and Luer lock devices.

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

• Achieved approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration to distribute the automatic retractable syringe product in Australia in early 2004
• Received US Food and Drug Administration approval for the retractable safety syringe in November 2006
• Signed agreement for distribution of the OMI safety scalpel in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar in 2006
• Testing and approval of the quality of OMI's 1ml safety syringe by a multi-national Japanese company in 2006
• Signed a license agreement with Nexus Medical for the OMI safe IV access valve in April 2006