Cook Medical Launches SialoCath™ Salivary Duct Catheter

• Cook Medical senior engineers visit Castletroy Gaelscoil to talk about careers in Ireland’s medical technology sector ahead of MedTech Week, 19-23 June 2017
• Speaking today, Alice O’Dwyer, Vice President of HR at Cook Medical in Limerick says: “Collaboration between industry, educators and Government is crucial to ensure Irish graduates have the necessary skills to take up jobs in this sector in the years ahead.”

Limerick, Ireland: Cook Medical engineers from the company’s Irish headquarters in Limerick visited Castletroy Gaelscoil (Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh) recently to give students an insight into what it’s like to work in Ireland’s medical technology sector. Students from 6^th class had the opportunity to ask what a day in the life of a Cook Medical engineer is like and see first-hand a demonstration on how an oesophageal stent is used in medical procedures.

Speaking ahead of MedTech Week, a pan-EU initiative designed to promote and showcase innovations and research in MedTech, Cook Medical’s Darach McGrath, Director of Engineering for Cook Ireland said:

“Currently about 5,000 pupils sit the Leaving Cert engineering exam, a number which we believe is too low and needs to increase if we are to meet the demands for  jobs in this area. We must put more focus on improving STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in primary and secondary schools so children are adequately prepped for advanced technical study at higher level. The fields of engineering and technology are innovative and fast-moving and demand an equally innovative and fast-moving education system that is responsive to the demands of global industry.

We welcome the Government’s ambitious goal of establishing Ireland as a European leader in education and training by 2026, particularly its plans to increase the number of engineering apprenticeships and practical work experience opportunities for students*. It’s important to maintain this momentum. Going forward, deeper collaboration between industry and Government must be priority; not only to provide a best-in-class education system, but to ensure our graduates have the necessary skills to take up jobs in this sector.”

Cook Medical’s efforts highlight the need for more engineering curriculum as Ireland’s medical technology, or ‘MedTech’, sector is set to create 4,000 new jobs by 2020. Cook Medical already employs 850 people in Ireland.

The jobs surge, predicted in a recent industry report published by the Irish Medtech Association Skillnet and the Irish Medtech Association, will be driven primarily by increased investment in Ireland by international and indigenous companies setting up and expanding their operations.
Demand for engineers will increase, particularly as almost a third of all these new jobs will be in specialised areas, like R&D. Other advanced and relatively new skills, like 3D printing, robotics and data analytics, are also playing an increased role in the sector.

More than 29,000 people are employed in Ireland’s MedTech sector, a broad industry that produces more than half a million different products, from catheters to stents and pacemakers. It accounts for eight percent of Ireland’s total merchandise exports, worth €12.6 billion to the economy each year.

*Action Plan for Education- http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/PR2016-09-15.html

Limerick, Ireland: Over 2,500 athletes participated in the Cook Medical Women’s Mini Marathon this weekend. Now in its 18th year, the event raises funds for worthy local and national causes, with over 75 charities set to benefit from this year’s event.

The 10km race saw Grace Lynch in first place in a time of 36 minutes 38 seconds, followed closely by Orla Drumm in second and Carol Finn in third place.

This year’s event was run in memory of Gemma Carcaterra, the mother of three young babies and a keen runner who tragically passed away last February.

The marathon brought wonderful color and fun to the Castletroy area, while family and friends cheered on participants along the 5km and 10km routes. This carnival atmosphere was befitting of the fact that it was the headline event of Limerick’s October Bank Holiday weekend activities.

Alice O’ Dwyer, VP of HR, at 10km start line at the Cook Medical Women’s Mini Marathon 2016

Among the familiar faces spotted taking part in the race were local TD and former Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, along with Operation Transformation’s Lucy Dillon, this year’s official race ambassador.

Lucy, who has turned her life around since the TV show earlier this year, has recently taken up running for the first time. Commenting on the marathon she said:

‘I am so excited and proud to be the official Ambassador for the Cook Medical Women’s Mini Marathon this year. It was such an amazing feeling to cross the finish line today with so many amazing women. This year, I have gone from not being able to run for one minute to completing a 10km route! Events like this give women the opportunity to improve their health and fitness while having fun with like-minded women. Anything is possible.’

The event is supported by Cook Medical, a leading medical device company which employs 850 people in Castletroy.

Speaking today, Alice O’Dwyer, Vice President of HR Cook Medical EMEA, said:

‘We are very proud to be part of this wonderful event and occasion. It is heartening to see so many women participate in the run and for all their supporters to come out and create such an amazing atmosphere along the route. Cook Medical marks 20 years in Limerick this year and we are delighted to be the title sponsors of such a worthwhile community event.’

Limerick, Ireland, February 25, 2015. – Clinicians who treat obstructive salivary gland disorders now have the option of a specialised catheter designed to irrigate the salivary duct and flush out stone fragments. Cook Medical’s SialoCath™ Salivary Duct Catheter is a flexible, soft-tipped, single-lumen catheter indicated for use in the submandibular or parotid glands. It can be inserted into a salivary duct over a wire guide or through a Kolenda Introducer Sheath.

‘SialoCath provides clinicians with a minimally invasive tool for treating patients during in-office or surgical sialendoscopy procedures,’ said Thomas Cherry, global leader of Cook’s Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) clinical division. ‘The development of this catheter is part of Cook’s long-standing commitment to creating innovative devices that fulfil clinical needs.’

SialoCath is one device in a growing suite of Cook Medical sialendoscopy access and interventional tools that are now available to clinicians in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and North America.

For more information about SialoCath and other OHNS products, visit www.cookmedical.eu/otolaryngology and follow us on Twitter.

About Cook Medical
Since 1963 Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we are combining medical devices, biologic materials, and cellular therapies to help the world’s healthcare systems deliver better outcomes more efficiently. We have always remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees, and our communities. Find out more at www.cookmedical.eu, and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.