Astro-Med,
Inc.'s Grass Technologies Donates Portable EEG System to Haiti Earthquake
Relief
WEST WARWICK, RI, Feb 02, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Astro-Med,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) today announced that its subsidiary Grass Technologies
has donated a portable EEG system (electroencephalograph) to the Port-au-Prince
Epilepsy Clinic in Haiti. The donation is part of an international effort
led by Dr. Lionel Carmant, head of the epilepsy clinic and epilepsy
research program at Saint Justine Hospital in Montreal, and coordinated
by the American Epilepsy Society (AES), to re-open the clinic following
the earthquake which devastated Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010.
"In order to
treat people who experienced a traumatic head injury as a result of
the earthquake and the severe aftershocks which followed, neurologists
require the ability to scan and analyze brain function. The
international team of doctors on the ground in Port-au-Prince will be
able to use our Comet EEG system to scan and treat patients who are
in comas or coma-like states, and even patients who are ambulatory but
in need of scans to fully assess their responsiveness," said Marc
Paliotta, Grass Technologies Product Manager.
The Grass(R) Technologies
Comet Portable EEG system donation will include a laptop computer, TWin(R)
acquisition/review/analysis software, including the special Neurotrac
III Neuromonitoring software module, the Comet amplifier, a photic stimulator,
and a supply of Grass Gold Cup Electrodes, EC2 electrode cream, and
other preparation items. According to the company, the Comet system
is routinely used at hospitals around the world to provide more than
5 routine diagnostic EEGs per day, and has the capacity to provide even
more if necessary. The approximate total value of the Grass Technologies
donation is $20,000 USD.
"Our hearts
go out to the people of Haiti. We are pleased to be uniquely able to
help through our Grass diagnostic EEG instrumentation product line,"
said Everett V. Pizzuti, Astro-Med, Inc. COO.
Pizzuti continued,
saying, "There are few times when competitors in an industry come
together for a common purpose, but surely the response to the humanitarian
crisis in Haiti is such a time. I encourage all makers of EEG systems
and neuromonitoring software and devices to make a contribution to benefit
the Port-au-Prince Epilepsy
Clinic (la Clinique d'epilepsie de Port-au-Prince), care of the American
Epilepsy Society, at https://www.aesnet.org/go/haiti. More donations
are sorely needed."
About the American
Epilepsy Society (AES)
The American Epilepsy Society (AES), based in West Hartford, CT, is
among the oldest neurological professional organizations in the nation,
with roots dating to 1898. The AES annual meeting is the world's preeminent
professional meeting on epilepsy and attracts some 4,000 participants
from around the globe. The Society promotes research and education for
professionals (epileptologists) dedicated to the prevention, treatment
and cure of epilepsy. Membership includes epilepsy clinicians, basic
science and clinical investigators, and other health-care professionals
interested in seizure disorders. Contributions in support of the special
campaign to assist the Port-au-Prince Epilepsy Clinic (la Clinique d'epilepsie
de Port-au-Prince) can be made by mailing donations to: American
Epilepsy Society, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117-2507
or by visiting the AES website at www.aesnet.org.
About Grass Technologies
Grass Technologies, an Astro-Med, Inc. subsidiary, is a world leader
in neurophysiological monitoring instruments and software designed to
detect, amplify, and display the electrical activity of the brain. Primary
applications of Grass products include Sleep Monitoring and Analysis,
Long-Term Monitoring (LTM), EEG Monitoring, and Neurophysiological Research
Studies. Customers include sleep centers and clinics, hospitals, universities,
and pharmaceutical companies. More information is available at www.GrassTechnologies.com.
About Astro-Med,
Inc.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty high tech specialty
printing systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement
instruments. Astro-Med, Inc. products are sold under the brand names
Astro-Med(R), Grass(R) Technologies and QuickLabel(R) Systems, and are
employed around the world in a wide range of aerospace, medical, military,
industrial, and packaging applications. Astro-Med, Inc. is a member
of the Russell Microcap(R) Index. More information is available at www.Astro-MedInc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results
may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could
affect these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med's FY2009 Annual
Report and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Everett V. Pizzuti
COO
Tel: 800-343-4039
www.Astro-MedInc.com
