As Duluth-based GeaCom was bringing its Phrazer to market, it also was garnering honors along the way for its breakthrough technology.
As Duluth-based GeaCom was bringing its Phrazer to market, it also was garnering honors along the way for its breakthrough technology.
Last week, Geacom’s handheld wireless device, which overcomes language barriers between patients and caregivers, won top honors in the 2011 Edison Awards’ best new product category of handheld or miniaturized devices.
The internationally prestigious annual awards, named after Thomas Alva Edison, honor innovation and excellence in developing, marketing and launching new products. GeaCom was among the top winners that included Ford Motor Co.’s rear inflatable seat belts, the Apple iPad and GE Lighting’s new Energy Star LED A19 Bulb.
GeaCom founder Mat Johnson developed the Phrazer in 2003 to solve a global health-care problem when
patients and medical professionals speak different languages. A 2003 study found that in the average emergency patient encounter, the language barrier
accounts for 31 errors in interpretation, 19 of which could be life threatening, according to GeaCom.
GeaCom’s other honors include winning the high-tech division of the
Minnesota Cup, an annual statewide entrepreneurial contest that celebrates the newest and most innovative business ideas. The competition drew more than 1,000 submissions.
In December, GeaCom won a LifeScience Alley New Technology Showcase award at the ninth annual LifeScience Alley conference in
Minneapolis, which focuses on innovative Minnesota products and services that improve health outcomes and reduce health-care costs.
And in March, the Phrazer created a media storm at the international CTIA Wireless trade show in Orlando, Fla., when it was announced that Phrazer would be powered by T-Mobile. The announcement, coming a day before AT&T announced its intentions to acquire T-Mobile, was picked up by numerous wireless publications.
GeaCom also has been nominated for a Value Chain Award from Connected World magazine for its unique use of wireless technology. The winners will be announced at the publication’s annual conference in June in the Chicago area.
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