Forrest Bird, Inventor Of Mechanical Ventilators, Dies At 94
Forrest Bird, inventor of mechanical ventilators and a respirator known as the “BabyBird” for pediatric uses, and founder of Bird Medical Technologies Inc., passed away Aug. 2 at age 94. His initial respirators and ventilators were bought out and improved upon over the last 40 years by a series of device firms.
Forrest Bird, who developed early versions of mechanical ventilators and respirators in the 1950s and 1960s, died at age 94 on Aug. 2, at his home in Sagle, Idaho.
Medtronic’s diabetes spin-out – a process likely to run up to 18 months and involve 20% IPO followed by a split-off for Medtronic shareholders – will allow firm to focus on higher-margin devices.
The brunt of the tariff exposure stems from Singapore and Costa Rica, which together account for an estimated 70% to 80% of the tariff-related cost burden. Less than 10% of the exposure is tied to China.
Mirvie launched Encompass, a blood test to help identify women over age 35 who are at moderate risk for preeclampsia, and will conduct additional studies to support reimbursements from payers.
Apart from the reimbursement-driven turbulence in diagnostics, other aspects of Danaher’s China business are showing signs of resilience. Patient volumes remain strong and the company does not see evidence that the Chinese government is attempting to actively push Western suppliers out of its healthcare system.