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Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. scoops Exporter of the Year for the 3rd time in a row at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce awards.

On Thursday 21st March, the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce held their annual business awards and 2nd generation family business, Bedfont®, was named Exporter of the Year for the 3rd year in a row.

The awards, now in its 13th year, celebrates the excellent abundance of businesses in the county of Kent.

Bedfont®, based in Harrietsham, specialises in the design and manufacture of breath analysis medical devices.  Its range of carbon monoxide (CO) monitors include the Smokerlyzer®, used for smoking cessation, and the ToxCO®, used by emergency services, to screen for CO poisoning. The NObreath® FeNO monitor provides accurate analysis of airway inflammation to aid in the diagnosis and management of asthma, and the Gastrolyzer® range aids in the detection of gastrointestinal disorders and food intolerances.

Despite being a small family business with only 43 employees, Bedfont®’s medical analysers can be found worldwide, with export sales accounting for 80% of turnover, thanks to continuous innovation from the Bedfont® family and its network of carefully selected distributors, Bedfont®’s extended family.

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont®, comments, “Exporting for any company is no easy feat. For Bedfont®, our greatest challenge can be our size, but with dedicated employees and distributors we have managed to achieve this. We are utterly humbled to have won this award for the 3rd year in a row – it really acknowledges the efforts of the Bedfont® family, our employees and distributors, and I am honoured to share this prestigious award with them.”

Kent medical device manufacturer receives a manufacturing accolade in the GHP Biotechnology Awards

Bedfont, who has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath and gas analysis monitors since 1976, has been named Best Breath & Gas Monitoring Instruments Manufacturer 2019 in the Global Health & Pharma (GHP) Biotechnology Awards.

The awards, now in their 3rd year, aim to highlight those responsible for the “life-changing innovations and developments” in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, comments, “We take great pride in being an innovative company whose products are used to save lives. We’ve been manufacturing breath analysis medical devices for over 40 years, but it is still quite a niche concept in some areas of the world. This award is a testament to our high-quality products and we hope that it will help us to reach new medical markets, enabling us to keep innovating and improving health, one breath at a time.”

Kent medical device manufacturer, Bedfont Scientific Ltd., signs a multiyear ODM deal to supply MGC Diagnostics Corporation with its new NObreath®

MGC Diagnostics Corporation (MGCD), through its Medical Graphics and Medisoft subsidiaries, is a global medical technology company dedicated to the delivery of diagnostic solutions for detecting, classifying, and managing cardiorespiratory disease. MGCD has signed an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) agreement with Bedfont for the new NObreath® Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) monitor.

FeNO is a biomarker for airway inflammation, helping in the control and diagnosis of asthma and also the differentiation between asthma and other respiratory diseases. Measuring FeNO through breath analysis, making the process quick, simple and non-invasive for both the GP and the patient. Interpreting FeNO levels aids in identifying patients who do/do not require on-going treatment1 whilst also differentiating between allergic (eosinophilic) and non-allergic asthma2, and if used daily, FeNO measurements can help to predict exacerbations and attacks.3

The ODM agreement for NObreath® means Bedfont designs and manufactures the monitor and MGCD distributes MGCD branded product. The MGCD product, called FeNObreath, is differentiated from the NObreath® by direct integration with MGCD diagnostics devices.

Matt Margolies, President and Chief Operating Office at MGC Diagnostics commented, “Bedfont’s NObreath® is an ideal device to expand our existing range of high-quality diagnostic solutions. We will sell the FeNObreath both as a stand-alone device and as an integrated module to our diagnostic products. Medical Graphics and Medisoft’s selling teams are excited to add this innovative product to our product portfolios.”

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, adds, “The NObreath® mission is to help improve asthma diagnosis and management for adults and children worldwide through FeNO monitoring. This new strategic partnership will enable Bedfont to access new markets worldwide and further highlight FeNO testing and its benefits globally.”

REFERENCES

1.      Andrew D. Smith, Jan O. Cowan, Sue Filsell, Chris MacLachlan, Gabrielle Monti-Sheehan, Pamela Jackson and D. Robin Taylor. Diagnosing Asthma: Comparisons between Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements and Conventional Tests. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 169. pp 473-478, 2004.

2.      Coumou HBel E. Improving the diagnosis of eosinophilic asthma [Internet]. Taylor and Francis online. 2017 [cited 06 February 2019]. Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17476348.2017.1236688

3. Harkins M. Exhaled Nitric Oxide Predicts Asthma Exacerbation [Internet]. Taylor & Francis. 2017 [cited 06 February 2019]. Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JAS-120033990

Bedfont, based in Maidstone, wins South East Exporter of the Year at the South East Health Technology Alliance Awards

Bedfont Scientific Ltd., who has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath analysis medical devices for over 40 years, was named Exporter of the Year at the South East Health Technology Alliance Awards on 11th February 2019.

This is the 2nd regional award that Bedfont has achieved after winning their 1st regional award, also for exporting, last year. This win means Bedfont will be going through to the National Medilink Awards taking place at the NEC Birmingham in May.

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Bedfont, explains, “In 10 years we’ve managed to establish a network of distributors, whom we regard as an extension of the Bedfont Family. Our first distributor was established in 1988 and we still work with them today. Through this network, we have managed to increase our exports significantly, and they now account for 80% of our turnover.”

Dr David Parry, CEO, SEHTA, said, “Once again our awards have demonstrated the excellence of small health technology companies in the South East. This year was once again very competitive; it’s a primary aim of SEHTA to help such companies’ access public and private sector markets with their innovative products and services”.

Rob Berry, Head of Innovation, Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network (KSS AHSN), said, “KSS AHSN has a key role to help companies navigate the healthcare maze, so we’re delighted to continue to support the SEHTA Healthcare Business Awards. The awards help to recognise and reward great innovative work taking place across the region and we congratulate all the winners and finalists on their success”.

Bedfont’s long-standing UK distributor, Intermedical UK, will be exhibiting their breath analysis medical products at the annual ARTP conference.

A distributor for nearly 10 years, Intermedical UK will be exhibiting the 2nd generation NObreath at the annual Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology (ARTP) conference and can be found at Stand 25.

FeNO monitoring with the NObreath offers a quick, simple and non-invasive method of assessing airway inflammation for aiding the diagnosis and management of asthma. Interpreting FeNO levels aids in identifying patients who do/do not require on-going treatment(1) whilst also differentiating between allergic (eosinophilic) and non-allergic asthma(2), and if used daily, FeNO measurements can help to predict exacerbations and attacks(3).

New features for the NObreath includes the ability to save patient profiles on the device, Bluetooth connectivity, and SteriTouch technology for optimum infection control. The 2nd generation model also has a fresh and aesthetically pleasing design with a full-colour touchscreen. Furthermore, the NObreath comes with free patient management software allowing the equipment to synchronise with a PC, enabling reports to be generated, data to be backed up, and much more.

Livio Gagliardi, Acting Managing Director at Intermedical, said, “We’re excited to bring the NObreath to ARTP this year. It’s a great opportunity to talk about the benefits of measuring FeNO when monitoring asthma and airway inflammation – especially now it is recommended in the NICE guidance. We believe that the new NObreath will make FeNO monitoring quicker and easier for healthcare professionals and patients alike.”

This year, ARTP is taking place between 31 January and 1st February in Glasgow.

Bedfont Scientific Ltd. is exhibiting its wide range of medical devices at Arab Health 2019, including its new and improved NObreath® FeNO monitor

Breath analysis medical device manufacturer, Bedfont, will be returning to Arab Health 2019 – the largest healthcare exhibition in the Gulf Cooperation Council. They will be exhibiting their wide range of breath analysis medical devices, including the new and improved NObreath FeNO monitor.

The NObreath offers a quick, simple and non-invasive method of measuring FeNO to assess airway inflammation, aiding in the diagnosis and management of asthma. Interpreting FeNO levels aids in identifying patients who do/do not require on-going treatment(1) whilst also differentiating between allergic (eosinophilic) and non-allergic asthma(2), and if used daily, FeNO measurements can help to predict exacerbations and attacks(3).

Alongside a fresh and aesthetically pleasing design with a full colour touchscreen, new features of the 2nd generation NObreath also include the ability to save patient profiles on the device, Bluetooth connectivity, and SteriTouch technology for optimum infection control. Furthermore, the NObreath comes with free patient management software allowing the equipment to synchronise with a PC, enabling reports to be generated, data to be backed up, and much more.

Established in 1976, their other monitors include the Smokerlyzer, used for smoking cessation, and the ToxCO, used by emergency services, to screen for CO poisoning. The Gastrolyzer range aids in the detection of gastrointestinal disorders and food intolerances.

Matthew Skinner, Sales Team Manager, said, “Bedfont aims to continue improving and innovating health, and being the largest healthcare gathering in the GCC, Arab Health is the perfect place to find like-minded companies to work with and help raise awareness of the benefits of breath testing.”

This year, Arab Health is taking place between 28-31 January in Dubai and Bedfont can be found at stand C57, Hall 7.

REFERENCES

1.     Andrew D. Smith, Jan O. Cowan, Sue Filsell, Chris MacLachlan, Gabrielle Monti-Sheehan, Pamela Jackson and D. Robin Taylor. Diagnosing Asthma: Comparisons between Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements and Conventional Tests. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 169. pp 473-478, 2004.

2.     Coumou HBel E. Improving the diagnosis of eosinophilic asthma [Internet]. Taylor and Francis online. 2017 [cited 15 March 2017]. Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17476348.2017.1236688

3.     Harkins M. Exhaled Nitric Oxide Predicts Asthma Exacerbation [Internet]. Taylor & Francis. 2017 [cited 21 September 2017]. Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JAS-120033990

Medical device manufacturer, Bedfont Scientific Ltd., appoints Dr Jafari to the advisory board for its gastrointestinal breath monitoring products

Bedfont, who has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath analysis medical devices for over 40 years, announces today that Dr Jafar Jafari will be the first appointment to its Gastrolyzer Medical Advisory Board.

Head of Upper GI Physiology at the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust Hospitals, Dr Jafari has an MD in Medicine, a PhD in Neurogastroenterology, and has been involved in over 100 research publications regarding gastroenterology. Notably, one of Dr Jafari’s main areas of interest is Hydrogen and C13 GI breath testing.

The Gastrolyzer range works by measuring exhaled levels of hydrogen and methane that are produced when the gut breaks down food; interpreting these gas levels can help to determine gastrointestinal disorders such as lactose intolerance, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and more.

Jason Smith, Managing Director, says, “We are privileged to welcome Dr Jafari into our Bedfont Family and onto our Gastrolyzer Medical Advisory Board. We are very fortunate to be able to call upon his extensive knowledge and expertise in the gastrointestinal field.”

Dr Jafar Jafari, adds, “The Gastrolyzer range provides an instant, non-invasive and easy-to-use method for healthcare professionals and patients to use when investigating gut function. I am privileged to have been given this opportunity to contribute to Bedfont’s GI breath testing campaign.”

Bedfont gets into the giving spirit this Christmas with their reverse advent calendar

Christmas is the time for giving, and that’s exactly what the Kent-based company decided to do this year with their reverse advent calendar. A popular idea this year, the reverse advent calendar requires you to put in a gift instead of receiving one and the 2nd generation family business donated their reverse advent calendar to the homeless with the help of their Charity of the Year, Porchlight.

Last year, Porchlight found 834 people sleeping rough in Kent – 5 years ago that number was 148, indicating an alarming 463% increase.

Kate Boulding, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Porchlight, comments, “We are so grateful for the support from Bedfont Scientific Ltd. this year. As well as collecting useful items for their reverse advent calendars and making sure our service users feel valued this Christmas, they have also put loads of effort into their fundraising, which will go towards vital services and help Porchlight bring more homeless and vulnerable people in from the cold. It can be a difficult time of year for the people we support, so with the help of local companies like Bedfont, we can make Christmas a little brighter for them.”

Jason Smith, Managing Director, adds, “The rocketing number of homeless people is a growing concern and through the reverse advent calendar and fundraising for Porchlight, we hope that as a local company we can help give back to the community as well as raise awareness. As our Charity of the Year, we have pledged to raise £3000 for Porchlight; 79% of the rough sleepers Porchlight worked with last year were helped off the streets and so it’s great to know that in supporting Porchlight, the Bedfont Family can really help to make a difference.”

Bedfont gets into the giving spirit this Christmas with their reverse advent calendar

Family business, Bedfont Scientific Ltd., has pledged to row the length of the channel to raise money for local charity, Porchlight.

Earlier this year, Bedfont, based in Harrietsham, announced that all its fundraising was going to its chosen charity of the year. In its latest charity efforts, Bedfont has organised a Big Row on October 11th; Bedfont’s Wellbeing Warriors will set up 2 rowing machines, kindly loaned by Aylesford Sports College, and 2 teams have accepted the challenge to row the length of the Channel, 21 miles, to raise money for Porchlight.

Porchlight, based in Ashford, help people from all walks of life with all types of problems and abilities/disabilities by offering shelter, counselling, advice, skills and more, including a focus on mental health. With a particular focus on helping the homeless, the charity aims to help people solve their issues and overcome their obstacles so that they may live to their full potential.

Niki Carter, Wellbeing Warrior at Bedfont, comments, “We’re taking great strides to improve the health and well-being of our Bedfont family; the Big Row is the perfect opportunity to fundraise for our Charity of the Year as well as provide our employees with a fun and morale raising activity. Please help us towards our £3000 target and donate to support your team by visiting our Virgin Giving Money page.”

To donate to Bedfont’s cause, please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BedfontScientific

Bedfont Scientific Ltd. launches their new and improved FeNO monitor exclusively at the world’s largest European Respiratory Society Congress with a competition to win one.

Medical device manufacturer, Bedfont, who have specialised in breath analysis for over 40 years, have announced a new and improved 2nd generation NObreath®. The FeNO monitor will be launched exclusively at ERS, the world’s largest European Respiratory Society Congress, which takes place this year September 15-19th in Paris.

The 2nd generation FeNO monitor is launched after the recent publication of the NICE guidance on Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management, to improve asthma care, which included the NObreath® FeNO monitor from Bedfont as a recommended device[1,2].

To celebrate the exclusive launch, the second-generation family business will also be holding a competition at their stand where delegates will have the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a new NObreath®.

Jason Smith, Managing Director, comments, “As a breath analysis medical device manufacturer who exports globally, ERS is a key congress for us to reconnect with our customers from around the world. We are thrilled to be launching the 2nd generation NObreath® exclusively at ERS this year as we feel it would be quite symbolic; this launch will bring the product full circle, as the very first NObreath® was too launched at an ERS Congress 11 years ago. We’re excited to show our customers what’s in store for the advancement of respiratory care.” 

REFERENCES

1.     Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. 2018 [cited 24 April 2018]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80

2.     Measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration in asthma: NIOX MINO, NIOX VERO and NObreath | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. 2014 [cited 24 April 2018]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/dg12