For Immediate Release
May 9, 2012
St. Johns Becomes Home to Powers Device Technologies
~ Company launches technology developed at Florida State University, merging science and art to improve the lives of premature infants ~
May 9, 2012, St. Johns, FL – An early stage medical device company in the midst of launching groundbreaking technology has chosen St. Johns County as its corporate headquarters, bringing a wealth of business expertise and growth opportunity along with it.
Powers Device Technologies, Inc. specializes in products that improve pre-term infants’ chances at survival and growth, and is introducing directly from Florida the Pacifier Activated Lullaby, or “PAL®.” PAL® brings music and technology together to foster and support developmental milestones.
“The biggest challenge premature infants face is learning to suck and feed productively, and until they can do this, their ability to grow and thrive is compromised,” said P. Kathleen Lovell, President and CEO of Powers Device Technologies, Inc. “After years of research and clinical studies to prove how effective this technology is at solving feeding and overall developmental issues in pre-term infants, we are thrilled to be bringing PAL® to market.”
“At a time when economic development is crucial to the state, home-grown products like PAL® help solidify Florida’s role as an innovative leader,” said Norman Gregory, vice president of economic development for the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, one of several organizations that helped attract Powers Device to the area.
PAL® was developed in Florida and is currently being manufactured on Florida’s west coast in St. Petersburg. “We’re not only excited to bring this first-of-its-kind technology to hospitals everywhere, but we’re excited to make Florida our corporate home,” Lovell said.
The PAL® technology was invented at Florida State University in Tallahassee by Dr. Jayne Standley, the foremost authority on medical music therapy for premature infants. It was created to support and strengthen non-nutritive sucking in premature infants by providing positive, developmentally supportive auditory feedback in response to the infant’s sucking strength and frequency.
“PAL® teaches premature infants how to feed productively and safely through the healing power of music,” Dr. Standley said. “PAL® promotes development, hastens their discharge to home, and saves medical costs. It will make a huge difference in standard medical care preemies receive in the NICU.”
According to Lovell, Powers Device Technologies was attracted to St. Johns County for many reasons.
“Between the robust and growing economy, and the business-friendly environment, not to mention the beautiful area, St. Johns County offers so many incentives for a small business,” Lovell said “Powers Device Technologies looks forward to calling St. Johns home, and giving back to the local economy, for a long time to come.”
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