Astro-Med, Inc.’s Grass Technologies Donates Portable EEG System to Haiti Earthquake Relief
Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) today announced that its subsidiary Grass Technologies has donated a portable EEG system (electroencephalograph) to the Port-au-Prince Epilepsy Clinic in Haiti. The donation is part of an international effort led by Dr. Lionel Carmant, head of the epilepsy clinic and epilepsy research program at Saint Justine Hospital in Montreal, and coordinated by the American Epilepsy Society (AES), to re-open the clinic following the earthquake which devastated Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010.
“In order to treat people who experienced a traumatic head injury as a result of the earthquake and the severe aftershocks which followed, neurologists require the ability to scan and analyze brain function. The international team of doctors on the ground in Port-au-Prince will be able to use our Comet EEG system to scan and treat patients who are in comas or coma-like states, and even patients who are ambulatory but in need of scans to fully assess their responsiveness,” said Marc Paliotta, Grass Technologies Product Manager.
The Grass(R) Technologies Comet Portable EEG system donation will include a laptop computer, TWin(R) acquisition/review/analysis software, including the special Neurotrac III Neuromonitoring software module, the Comet amplifier, a photic stimulator, and a supply of Grass Gold Cup Electrodes, EC2 electrode cream, and other preparation items. According to the company, the Comet system is routinely used at hospitals around the world to provide more than 5 routine diagnostic EEGs per day, and has the capacity to provide even more if necessary. The approximate total value of the Grass Technologies donation is $20,000 USD.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti. We are pleased to be uniquely able to help through our Grass diagnostic EEG instrumentation product line,” said Everett V. Pizzuti, Astro-Med, Inc. COO.
Pizzuti continued, saying, “There are few times when competitors in an industry come together for a common purpose, but surely the response to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti is such a time. I encourage all makers of EEG systems and neuromonitoring software and devices to make a contribution to benefit the Port-au-Prince Epilepsy Clinic (la Clinique d’epilepsie de Port-au-Prince), care of the American Epilepsy Society, at https://www.aesnet.org/go/haiti. More donations are sorely needed.”
About the American Epilepsy Society (AES)
The American Epilepsy Society (AES), based in West Hartford, CT, is among the oldest neurological professional organizations in the nation, with roots dating to 1898. The AES annual meeting is the world’s preeminent professional meeting on epilepsy and attracts some 4,000 participants from around the globe. The Society promotes research and education for professionals (epileptologists) dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of epilepsy. Membership includes epilepsy clinicians, basic science and clinical investigators, and other health-care professionals interested in seizure disorders. Contributions in support of the special campaign to assist the Port-au-Prince Epilepsy Clinic (la Clinique d’epilepsie de Port-au-Prince) can be made by mailing donations to: American Epilepsy Society, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117-2507 or by visiting the AES website at www.aesnet.org.
About Grass Technologies
Grass Technologies, an Astro-Med, Inc. subsidiary, is a world leader in neurophysiological monitoring instruments and software designed to detect, amplify, and display the electrical activity of the brain. Primary applications of Grass products include Sleep Monitoring and Analysis, Long-Term Monitoring (LTM), EEG Monitoring, and Neurophysiological Research Studies. Customers include sleep centers and clinics, hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies. More information is available at www.GrassTechnologies.com.
About Astro-Med, Inc.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty high tech specialty printing systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement instruments. Astro-Med, Inc. products are sold under the brand names Astro-Med(R), Grass(R) Technologies and QuickLabel(R) Systems, and are employed around the world in a wide range of aerospace, medical, military, industrial, and packaging applications. Astro-Med, Inc. is a member of the Russell Microcap(R) Index. More information is available at www.Astro-MedInc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could affect these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med’s FY2009 Annual Report and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Everett V. Pizzuti
COO
Tel: 800-343-4039
www.Astro-MedInc.com
SOURCE: Astro-Med, Inc.