ACIST- Injection Systems for Contrast Delivery in Cardiovascular Angiography

1991: The company is founded by Dr. Robert F. (Bob) Wilson, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of the Interventional Cardiology Program at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Wilson envisions an easier way to deliver contrast media during angiography, using a technique that would streamline and simplify the procedure.
1995: The company is incorporated as "Invasatec."
Oct. 1997: The company licenses five-year joint marketing rights to Bracco Diagnostics Inc. , Princeton, NJ, which has an extensive nationwide distribution network.
Dec. 1997: After developing the first injection system for diagnostic and interventional cardiology, the company receives FDA clearance to market the CL100H system.
Jan. 1998: Invasatec's management and board of directors change the company name to "ACIST Medical Systems" to better reflect the company's focus. "ACIST" stands for "Automated Contrast Injection System Technology."
Oct. 1998: First ACIST system is sold, a CL100H, with a single-use syringe. Within three months, thirty systems are sold.
Jan. 2000: ACIST opens a European sales and service office in Ravenswade (near Amsterdam), Netherlands.
Oct. 2000: FDA clearance to market for the ACIST CMS2000 model, featuring a contrast syringe that can be used for up to five procedures
Dec. 2000: 400 ACIST systems are being used worldwide.
March 2001: FDA clearance to market for the ACIST Voyager System, used for peripheral procedures.
June 2001: ACIST Medical Systems is acquired by the Bracco Group, Milan, Italy, a world leader in the field of diagnostic imaging.
April 2003: The ACIST Europe office moves to Maastricht and Sittard, Netherlands, and becomes the Customer Service and Distribution Centre.
Dec. 2004: 1,000 ACIST systems are in use in over 30 countries worldwide.
Dec. 2005: The ACIST CVi Contrast Delivery System is introduced. This fourth-generation system combines the capabilities of the CMS and Voyager into one user-friendly system.
Dec. 2006: Over 2000 ACIST systems are installed worldwide.
June 2007: ACIST Medical Systems moves into a new headquarters which will be expanded, remodeled, and dedicated in 2008. This new facility allows greater manufacturing and product development capabilities and supports the world market with two other regional offices in Europe and Asia.
January 2008: ACIST Medical Systems receives the 2007 Frost & Sulllivan Technology Innovation Award.
January 2008: Major investment is made in minimally invasive heart valve technology currently being developed by Heart Leaflet Technologies, Inc.(HLT), a privately held medical-device company based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
April 2008: ACIST Medical Systems, Inc., as an affiliate of the Bracco Group, acquires E-Z-EM’s contrast delivery, contrast data management, and point-of-care testing business. This includes the Empower® line of contrast injector delivery systems, IRiS contrast management system and the EZ Chem™ point-of-care device, a unique chemistry device for testing serum creatinine levels.
October 2008: Grand opening ceremony is held to celebrate the new and expanded corporate headquarters of ACIST Medical Systems. The honorable Mary Pawlenty, First Lady of Minnesota, Phil Young, Mayor of Eden Prairie, Elizabeth Bickel, President of Children’s Heartlink, and Mrs. Bracco, Chairwoman and CEO of Bracco, S.p.A, join Fulvio Renoldi-Bracco, Chairman and CEO of ACIST Medical Systems as keynote speakers during this dedication ceremony and luncheon.
Mar 2010: ACIST Medical Systems and HealthTrust Purchasing Group Enter Three-Year Contract
May 2010: ACIST Medical Systems Honored by Omega for Providing Exemplary Customer Service - Recipients of Omega’s 2009 NorthFace ScoreBoard Award^SM consistently exceeded customer expectations.
Oct 2010: Thomas Morizio Named President and Chief Operating Officer of ACIST Medical Systems, Inc.
May 2011: ACIST Medical Systems Honored for Delivering ‘World-Class’ Customer Service - Receives Omega’s prestigious NorthFace ScoreBoard Award^SM for second consecutive year.
Aug 2011: Acist Medical Systems Contrast Delivery System Facilitates Diagnosis of 10 Millionth Patient