Port Washington, NY – December 1, 2016

DeVilbiss Healthcare announced today it has been awarded a patent for its suction container replaceable filter cartridge.

“This invention’s unique design helps to isolate the user and the suction device from the contents of the container by combining a traditional ball float shutoff mechanism with a replaceable hygroscopic filter cartridge,” said Allan Jones, Director of Engineering for DeVilbiss Healthcare.

This shut‐off ball float device retains suctioned fluids within the container, eliminating the worry of user, patient and device contamination. As the container fills, the float rises and blocks the fluid from entering the replaceable filter cartridge.

Any fluid that does escape the float will make contact with the filter’s absorbent valve that traps fluids and air when wet. The filter ensures that no fluids are able to enter the vacuum source of the unit.

“DeVilbiss continually strives to enhance the safety and effectiveness of our products,” Jones said. “The implementation of this feature in our suction container design allows us to achieve these goals.”

This container assembly is intended to be used with medical suction and aspiration devices alike. Both the lid and the jar are reusable, while the filter cartridge and filter element are replaceable. The inventors of this design are Joel Neatrour of Johnstown, PA and Matt Smith of Berlin, PA.

DeVilbiss Healthcare is a part of the Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare family of companies. For more information on the company, visit www.drivemedical.com.

About Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare

Headquartered in Port Washington, New York, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare manufactures a complete line of medical products, including mobility products, sleep and respiratory products, beds, bariatric For Immediate Release products, wheelchairs, sleep surfaces and pressure prevention products, self‐assist products, power operated wheelchairs, rehabilitation products, patient room equipment, personal care products and electrotherapy devices. Currently, the Company has corporate offices, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities located throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Romania, Australia, the Netherlands and India. The Company markets its products to customers located throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Central and South America, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, visit www.drivemedical.com

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