ATLANTA, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioMEMS has been named as one of four finalists for the prestigious Intel Innovation Award, a part of the 2012 Health IT Leadership Summit (www.HealthITLeadershipSummit.org) that will take place on December 4, 2012 at the historic Fox Theatre. This is the second year for the award, which recognizes companies developing leading-edge technology and unique approaches to improving health, as well as healthcare delivery and processes.

CardioMEMS is a medical device company that has developed and is commercializing proprietary wireless sensing and communication technology for the human body. The company's technology platform is designed to improve the management of severe chronic cardiovascular diseases such as aneurysms, heart failure, and hypertension. CardioMEMS miniature wireless sensors can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques and transmit cardiac output, blood pressure and heart rate data, which are critical to the management of patients. The sensors are designed to be permanently implanted into the heart and blood vessels due to their small size, durability and lack of wires and batteries. The sensors transmit real-time data to external electronic readers, which then communicate this information to the patient's physician through a secure web portal. CardioMEMS developed this technology based on the belief that frequent, on-demand, real-time monitoring of vital information enables proactive patient management, which holds the promise of reducing hospitalizations, improving a patient's quality of life and delivering more efficient and cost effective health care. More information about CardioMEMS is located at www.cardiomems.com.

"We are excited and honored to be a finalist for the Intel Innovation Award," said CardioMEMS Founder and CEO, Jay Yadav, M.D.  "CardioMEMS has benefited significantly from the important entrepreneurial support system that TAG and the Metro Atlanta Chamber provide.  Atlanta's position as the nation's health IT capital, coupled with Georgia's excellent University System, has afforded us access to a tremendous talent pool, enabling creation of this groundbreaking technology."

"The companies that have been named finalists should be very proud. It's a tremendous honor," said David Hartnett, Vice President Economic Development, Bioscience-Health IT, Metro Atlanta Chamber. "This level of innovation is representative of the technologies and advancements being made here in Atlanta, the nation's health IT capital."

"Given the number of quality nominations, it has been a difficult process for the judges," said Wayne Myers, chairman for the 2012 Summit. "We saw very diverse examples of technology and marketplace innovation, each making a positive impact in regards to the challenges facing the health industry."

The impact of innovation on healthcare is a cornerstone of the Summit, which will feature two panel discussions focusing specifically on the topic. "Innovation: Improving Cost and Quality" covers the application of technology, analytics and automation to improve the cost and quality of care; and "Innovative Approaches" looks at how landmark programs are leveraging innovative technology to improve access to quality care, particularly for rural areas most in need.

The Health IT Leadership Summit was created by three organizations, all dedicated to supporting the growth of the Health IT industry: the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and TAG Health, which is a society within the Technology Association of Georgia.

The Health IT Leadership Summit runs from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on December 4, 2012 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Additional information and registration:

www.HealthITLeadershipSummit.org.

SOURCE CardioMEMS