Categories
Business

Aetrex revolutionizes 3D foot scanning with Albert 2 launch

All-in-one, integrated foot scanner ensures the right fit & creates a profit center for retailers

TEANECK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. (“Aetrex”), the global market leader in foot scanning technology, orthotics and comfort and wellness footwear, today announced the launch of Albert 2, the next generation of the company’s revolutionary 3D foot scanning technology. The all-in-one omnichannel device is a fully integrated foot scanning system engineered to help customers find the right fitting footwear and orthotics and provide an enhanced customer experience at retail. The intelligent system also captures unmatched data and creates a profit center for retail partners. The Albert 2 is the most advanced foot scanning system offered globally and is available to deliver to retailers nationwide starting February 2021.

“The Albert 2 is an easy-to-use, all-in-one scanner that looks beautiful and modern in stores and does everything a retailer could possibly need from a foot scanning technology,” said Larry Schwartz, CEO, Aetrex. “The system eliminates the need for retailers to use traditional, multi-step processes to drive footwear and orthotic sales. The Albert 2 is the fastest, most integrated and streamlined device we’ve ever made.”


The customer experience with Albert 2 begins by stepping onto the sleek, modern scanner in store. The quick, easy-to-use, two-foot-at-once scanning process takes 20 seconds or less and can capture both static and dynamic pressure, as well as 3D measurements of the foot. The accurate, complete foot data is then used to help customers find the best fitting footwear or orthotics on the first try, based on their unique foot profile. The life-like, 3D animated Albert character guides users through the scanning process, while also responding to voice commands, creating a one-of-a-kind, interactive customer experience. The customer’s unique foot scan data can then be sent via email, allowing users to access to their information after they leave the store.

“What’s really unique about Albert 2 is that it can collect an unbelievable amount of data about customers’ feet, and retailers can use it to overcome many challenges they face today,” said Schwartz. Retailers can use the data to help increase store profitability by finding the right fit the first time and providing better customer service. They can also use the data to build customer relationships and loyalty by creating personalized digital marketing strategies based on foot type. Finding the right fit the first time also translates to a reduction in ecommerce returns.

Unlike other foot scanners on the market today, one of the biggest advantages of Albert 2 is the bundle with Aetrex Orthotics as part of scanning process, offering authentic, personalized fitting solutions for customers. “This integrated business model drives add-on sales for retailers, making Albert 2 a profit center rather than a cost center,” said Schwartz. The Aetrex Premium Orthotics line is recognized as the World’s #1 Foot Orthotic System and is designed for a variety of foot types based on arch type and areas of pressure. With Aetrex designing and producing all of their own hardware, software, and orthotics- all with one team- the process is seamless with a focus on quality.

“When a customer steps onto the scanner, it’s always a guaranteed sale. Albert has one of the highest returns on investment per square foot in our stores. We’ve had Albert in our stores for over two years, and I can’t wait for Albert 2 to deliver in February,” said Parks Robinson, General Manager, Fit2Run.

Aetrex Technology has placed over 10,000 scanners worldwide since the inception of foot scanning technology in 2002. Albert is one of the top profit centers per square foot in retail stores today and has proven to increase total sales by 75 percent. For a complete list of retailers, please visit www.aetrex.com/store-locator.

Albert 2 boasts many unique features, such as:

  • 3D Measurements: Albert 2’s 3D foot scan captures the most accurate foot data with key measurements, such as length, width, girth, in-step and arch height, all down to 1/10 of a millimeter. This data is then converted into a 3D model for an engaging, interactive consumer experience.
  • Pressure: Aetrex’s premium pressure plate technology is designed to capture complete foot data about customers’ unique arch types and pressure points. With the Dynamic Test option, Albert 2 can also provide a pressure gait analysis of customers’ feet, including their center of gravity throughout the gait cycle.
  • FitHQ: This proprietary software ensures the right fit the first time by using artificial intelligence (AI). The program can be synced with retailers’ POS or e-commerce systems to help sales associates recommend the best Aetrex orthotics or best fitting shoes by brand, style and size per customer, based on his or her unique foot scan.
  • Voice-Activated Learning Center: Using chatbot technology, Albert’s Learning Center provides an easy way for store associates to navigate the software, as well as provide customers with information on foot health, conditions and Aetrex Orthotics products by simply asking Albert.

Albert 2 comes to market in a modern, compact retail footprint at a fraction of the price of the competition. Albert 2 is available to retailers with different kiosk packages, starting at $2,495 or $83/month, with units launching in stores in February 2021. To learn more about Aetrex’s Albert 2 Technology, visit www.aetrex.com/technology.

About Aetrex

Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. is widely recognized as the global leader in foot scanning technology, orthotics, and comfort and wellness footwear. Aetrex has developed state-of-the-art foot scanning devices, including Albert and iStep, designed to accurately measure feet and determine foot type and pressure points. Since 2002, Aetrex has placed over 10,000 scanners worldwide that have performed more than 40 million unique customer foot scans, averaging more than 2.5 million scans a year. The company is renowned for its over-the-counter orthotics – the worlds #1 foot orthotic. With fashion, function and quality at the forefront, Aetrex also designs and manufactures stylish, performance footwear. Based in New Jersey, Aetrex is consistently named one of New Jersey’s Top 100 Privately Held Companies and was also included in NJBIZ’s Top 30 Manufacturing Companies. It has remained privately owned by the Schwartz family for three generations. For additional information, please visit www.aetrex.com.

Contacts

Cori Hays

Matter Communications

971-361-9604

aetrex@matternow.com

Categories
Healthcare

OPTIMIZE study reports lowest TLR ever achieved in an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study with Svelte Medical System’s bioresorbable coated drug-eluting coronary stent

OPTIMIZE Pivotal Study 1 Year Outcomes Announced at TCT Connect

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Svelte® Drug-Eluting Stent (DES) achieved 1.5% clinically-driven Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR) at 1 year, the lowest ever reported in an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study. Primary and secondary endpoint outcomes of the OPTIMIZE IDE study, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the Svelte DES Integrated Delivery System (SLENDER IDS®) and Rapid Exchange (DIRECT RX®) platforms, were presented today during the Late-Breaking Trials session at TCT Connect.

OPTIMIZE randomized 1,639 subjects (1:1 SLENDER IDS or DIRECT RX DES vs. Xience® or Promus® DES) at 74 investigative sites in the US, Japan and Europe in support of US and Japan regulatory approvals. Under the prespecified study statistical analysis plan, the threshold for non-inferiority of 1 year Target Lesion Failure (TLF) using an absolute non-inferiority margin was not quite met (p=0.034 with 0.025 the prespecified threshold for non-inferiority). Unprecedented Target Vessel Myocardial Infarction (TVMI) rates of 8.8% were observed across both treatment groups, driven by the frequent use of high-sensitivity troponin biomarkers during peri-procedural assessments, leading to overall TLF of 9.9%, nearly double the expected rate and effectively underpowering the study. Non-inferiority of the Svelte DES compared to the Xience and Promus DES was clearly established in independent analyses of the OPTIMIZE results using either a comparable relative non-inferiority margin with the protocol definition of MI (p=0.009), or the SCAI definition of MI (p=0.003), which specifically accounts for high-sensitivity troponin use in the assessment of peri-procedural TVMI.

Dean Kereiakes, M.D., F.A.C.C., the Medical Director at The Christ Hospital, Lindner Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and co-principal investigator of the OPTIMIZE study stated, “The Svelte DES went head-to-head against the gold standard for DES and demonstrated exceptionally low TLR and stent thrombosis rates at 1 year. I regard the high TVMI rates observed in this study as artifact. When nearly 1 in 3 subjects assessed using high-sensitivity troponin assays is counted as TVMI across both treatment groups (including previously studied and highly regarded DES as the control), it is clear the protocol definition of TVMI, and not clinically meaningful TVMI, plagued this study.”

“The high TLF reported in both OPTIMIZE treatment groups is driven by the 25% of study subjects assessed peri-procedurally with high-sensitivity-troponin. These subjects accounted for 80% of all study TVMIs, yet 96% of them had no ECG changes and 88% were discharged post-procedure without delay, data that are not indicative of true clinical TVMI,” added Sunil Rao, M.D., F.A.C.C., Professor of Medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and co-principal investigator of the OPTIMIZE study. “With definition-driven TVMI placed into appropriate context, it’s exciting to see the exceptional clinical outcomes achieved in OPTIMIZE with 79% of subjects undergoing TRI. The low profile of the Svelte DES, and especially SLENDER IDS, facilitates TRI. The significantly lower access site hematoma rates and strong 1 year clinical results in TRI subjects should be of interest to radial specialists seeking to downsize catheters and improve patient care.”

Direct stenting was undertaken in 30% of OPTIMIZE subjects, with 96% device success rates observed. Ronald Caputo, M.D., F.A.C.C., an interventional cardiologist at Levine Heart & Wellness in Naples, Florida and top-5 user of SLENDER IDS for direct stenting in the OPTIMIZE study stated, “SLENDER IDS offers a unique low-profile option especially attractive to radial operators. It and DIRECT RX are extremely deliverable stents. I was very impressed with their performance during the study and exceptional 1 year clinical outcomes.” Investigators with prior experience direct stenting with SLENDER IDS in Europe also realized significant reductions in procedure, device and fluoroscopy times, as well as radiation exposure, compared with direct stenting using control DES.

SLENDER IDS and DIRECT RX utilize the same low profile, highly conformable stent with a new class of bioresorbable sirolimus-eluting drug carrier designed to minimize inflammation and promote vessel healing. Both SLENDER IDS and DIRECT RX hold CE Mark certification and are commercially available in Europe.

“We are deeply grateful to each and every one of the patients, investigative team members and support personnel contributing to the OPTIMIZE study. Our highly differentiated platforms bring a new and unique approach to coronary stenting which improves procedural efficiency while enhancing patient outcomes and comfort, delivering value to all constituents – patients, physicians, providers and payers,” said Jack Darby, President and CEO of Svelte Medical Systems.

About Svelte Medical Systems

Headquartered in New Providence, New Jersey, Svelte Medical Systems (www.sveltemedical.com) is a privately-held company engaged in the development of highly deliverable balloon expandable stents. Statements made in this press release that look forward in time or that express beliefs, expectations or hopes regarding future occurrences or anticipated outcomes or benefits, are forward-looking statements. A number of risks and uncertainties, such as risks associated with product development and commercialization efforts, results of clinical trials, ultimate clinical outcomes and benefit of the company’s products to patients, market and physician acceptance of the products, intellectual property protection and competitive product offerings, could cause actual events to adversely differ from the expectations indicated in these forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Jack Darby

President and CEO

Svelte Medical Systems, Inc.

jdarby@sveltemedical.com
(908) 264-2012