TACTILE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY INC (TCMD) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.
Item 1. Business.
Overview
Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (“we,” “us,” and “our”) is a medical technology company that develops and provides innovative medical devices for the treatment of underserved chronic diseases. We were originally incorporated in Minnesota under the name Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. on January 30, 1995. During 2006, we established a merger corporation and subsequently, on July 21, 2006, merged with and into this merger corporation resulting in us being reincorporated as a Delaware corporation. The resulting corporation assumed the name Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. and in September 2013, we began doing business as “Tactile Medical”.
Our mission is to help people suffering from chronic diseases live better and care for themselves at home. We focus our efforts on advancing the standard of care in treating underserved chronic diseases in the home to improve patient outcomes and quality of life and help control rising healthcare expenditures. Our areas of therapeutic focus are (1) vascular disease, with a goal of advancing the standard of care in treating lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency, (2) oncology, where lymphedema is a common consequence among cancer survivors and (3) providing airway clearance therapy for those suffering from chronic respiratory conditions. We possess a unique, scalable platform to deliver at-home healthcare solutions throughout the United States. This evolving home care delivery model is recognized by policymakers and insurance payers as a key for controlling rising healthcare costs. Our solutions deliver cost-effective, clinically proven, long-term treatment for people with these chronic diseases.
We generally employ a direct-to-patient and -provider model within our lymphedema portfolio, through which we obtain patient referrals from clinicians, manage insurance claims on behalf of our patients and their clinicians, deliver our solutions directly to patients and train them on the proper use of our solutions. This model allows us to engage directly with patients and clinicians, which are both critical audiences to which we can provide clinical evidence and education. For our respiratory therapy product, we have a durable medical equipment (“DME”) distribution model, through which we sell the AffloVest product to accredited DME providers, whose representatives gather and submit documentation for payer reimbursement, train patients on use of the device, and provide ongoing patient support.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we generated revenue of $329.5 million and had net income of $19.1 million. Our revenue increased 12% during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024.
Lymphedema is a type of chronic swelling, or edema, which occurs in the arms, legs, neck, trunk, chest or other body parts when the lymphatic vessels are unable to adequately drain protein-rich lymph fluid from these regions. Lymphedema is progressive in nature, worsens over time, and has no known cure. Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the affected region(s). Phlebolymphedema is the convergence of lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency. When the venous system does not effectively transfer blood from the lower limbs, it can result in venous hypertension and the development of painful, slow-healing wounds on the lower leg called venous leg ulcers. Venous hypertension can also lead to a marked increase in fluid build-up in the limbs, overwhelming the lymphatic system and causing lymphedema. Our proprietary Flexitouch, Entre and Nimbl systems are clinically proven at-home solutions for patients with vascular disorders such as lymphedema. Patients with lymphedema are typically treated by vascular surgeons, vascular medicine physicians, oncology care teams, wound physicians, nurses and therapists.
Our current lymphedema products are the Flexitouch Plus, Entre Plus and Nimbl systems. A predecessor to our Flexitouch system received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) in July 2002, and we introduced the system to address the many limitations of self-administered home-based manual lymphatic drainage therapy. We began selling our more advanced Flexitouch system after receiving 510(k) clearance from the FDA in October 2006. In September 2016, we received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Flexitouch system in treating lymphedema of the head and neck. In June 2017, we
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announced that we received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Flexitouch Plus, the third-generation version of our Flexitouch system. In December 2020, we received 510(k) clearance for two new indications for our Flexitouch Plus system: phlebolymphedema and lipedema. We introduced our Entre system in the United States in February 2013 and the second generation, Entre Plus, in March 2023. The Entre Plus system is sold or rented to patients who need a simple pump or who do not yet qualify for insurance reimbursement for an advanced compression device such as our Flexitouch Plus system. Nimbl, our next generation pneumatic compression platform, received 510(k) clearance in June 2024 and, beginning in October 2024, is commercially available throughout the United States for treatment of upper extremity lymphedema, and subsequently was commercially launched for lower extremity lymphedema in February 2025. Sales and rentals of our lymphedema products generated $278.4 million, or 84%, of our revenue in 2025, and $259.4 million, or 89%, of our revenue in 2024.
On September 8, 2021, we acquired the assets of the AffloVest airway clearance product line. AffloVest is a portable, battery-powered, wearable vest that provides airway clearance to treat patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as bronchiectasis or conditions resulting from neuromuscular disorders. The AffloVest product line generated $51.1 million, or 16%, of our revenue in 2025, and $33.6 million, or 11%, of our revenue in 2024.
To support the growth of our business, we continue to invest in our commercial infrastructure, consisting of our direct sales force, DME sales team, patient education team, reimbursement capabilities, and clinical expertise. We are a national, accredited provider of home medical equipment services approved for coverage by private payers, Medicare, the Veterans Administration and certain Medicaid programs in the United States. Our field commercial team is focused on increasing clinician awareness of our lymphedema solutions. As of December 31, 2025, we employed 166 account managers and 166 specialists for our lymphedema products and a team of 19 specialists supporting our airway clearance products. This compares to 169 account managers and 111 specialists for our lymphedema products and a team of 18 specialists supporting our airway clearance products as of December 31, 2024.
Our reimbursement function includes payer relations and reimbursement operations. Our payer relations function focuses on payer policy development, education, payer contract negotiations, and data analysis. Our reimbursement operations function is responsible for verifying patient insurance benefits, individual patient case development, prior authorization submissions, case follow-up, and appeals when necessary. Our clinical function, consisting of a scientific advisory board, in-house therapists and nurses, and our Chief Medical Officer, serves as a resource to clinicians and patients and guides our development of clinical evidence in support of our products. We believe these investments are critical to driving payer, clinician and patient adoption of our technologies, and together with our commercial infrastructure, represent a significant competitive advantage.
Health insurance coverage for our Flexitouch Plus, Entre Plus and Nimbl systems is in place with private payers, Medicare, the Veterans Administration and certain Medicaid programs. Based on our estimates, we are contracted or enrolled as an in-network provider with payers covering over 278 million lives in the United States. In 2025, we served over 84,000 patients with our compression therapy devices and cumulatively have served over 635,000 patients since they launched.
AffloVest also benefits from a relatively mature reimbursement landscape. Health insurance coverage is in place for High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (“HFCWO”) vest therapy with Medicare and most private insurers. Respiratory DME partners serve the role of receiving prescriptions, verifying coverage criteria, shipping, billing and training the patient.
Overview of Lymphedema and Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Lymphedema
The lymphatic system, a fundamental part of the cardiovascular system, consists of lymph vessels and lymph organs that protect the body against harmful bacteria and transport lymph fluid from the body’s tissues back to the cardiovascular system. Lymph vessels are thin-walled capillaries that absorb fluids, bacteria and
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proteins, and propel them to lymph nodes, small lymph organs that filter and process the lymph fluid by eliminating waste and bacteria. Lymph nodes are located in several areas of the body, including superficial and deep lymph nodes under each arm, at the hip, in the groin, above the collar bones in the neck, in the abdomen, tonsils and spleen, and in bone marrow. Lymph vessels and lymph nodes work together with larger lymph structures to help maintain a normal healthy fluid balance.
Lymphedema occurs when there is impairment to the lymphatic system, disrupting normal transport of lymph fluid within the body and causes severe and debilitating symptoms, including swelling, decreased mobility, skin breakdown, pain, increased risk of serious infection and marked psychosocial impairment, resulting in significant negative implications for a patient's health. When the lymphatic system becomes overwhelmed, damaged, or blocked for an extended period of time, lasting swelling (referred to as chronic edema) occurs. Symptoms related to lymphedema can present anywhere in the body, including the head, neck, arms, legs, trunk and genitals. For most patients with lymphedema, the negative impact on their quality of life extends far beyond the swelling and heaviness and can include physical limitations, skin changes and recurrent infections, depression, anxiety and social isolation, and the financial burden of care. For patients with head and neck lymphedema, critical functions such as swallowing, breathing and range of motion can be negatively impacted. Over time, the accumulation of lymph fluid can result in significant changes in the structure of the tissues, causing thickening and hardening of the skin, referred to as fibrosis. Recurrent skin infections such as cellulitis, a serious skin infection, are common complications of lymphedema.
For people with cancer, the build-up of lymph fluid can be caused by surgery, especially when lymph nodes are removed, radiation therapy that can damage lymph nodes and vessels, infections that damage surrounding tissue or cause scarring, and other conditions. In 2024, a study was published that showed the striking disparity in care between non-cancer-related lymphedema (“NCRL”) and cancer-related lymphedema (“CRL”) patients. On average from the study, 39% of NCRL patients had a diagnosis after two doctor consultations compared to 75% of CRL patients, and 63% of NCRL patients experienced more than twelve months between symptom onset and lymphedema diagnosis compared to 16% of CRL patients. Consequently, the study found that NCRL patients perceive physician disinterest in their condition and ultimately feel dissatisfied with their healthcare experience related to lymphedema.
Lymphedema worsens over time if not properly treated, and currently has no known cure. When untreated, lymphedema can become painful and debilitating. The symptoms of lymphedema can be managed however, and patients who are educated about effective treatment options can improve their quality of life.
Misdiagnosis of lymphedema is common, and often patients do not get the medical care they need until significant symptoms have occurred. Proper diagnosis of lymphedema may require evaluation by a physician or other healthcare provider with knowledge of lymphedema and its visible symptoms. While not required to develop a lymphedema diagnosis, some clinicians may choose to perform diagnostic testing. Diagnostic tests for lymphedema include history and physical examination, soft tissue and vascular imaging, lymph node imaging and volume measurements. The International Society of Lymphology categorizes the progression of lymphedema from Stage 0, the least severe stage, to Stage 3, the most severe stage.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Phlebolymphedema
The most common form of lymphedema in the Western world is phlebolymphedema, a mixed etiology swelling due to chronic venous insufficiency (“CVI”) and lymphatic insufficiency. The inability of the lymphatic system to adequately drain the interstitial fluid that accumulates in severe chronic venous hypertension causes this ‘combined’ condition, phlebolymphedema. CVI is prevalent among patients who are obese or pregnant and may also be caused by high blood pressure, trauma, lack of exercise, smoking, deep vein thrombosis and inflammation of the vein walls. As the valves deteriorate, blood is no longer able to effectively travel in the normal direction, leading to increased pressure in the vascular system, stretching and dilating vessels, which exacerbates the problem. Prolonged or untreated chronic venous insufficiency may cause an increase in the buildup of interstitial fluid (the fluid surrounding cells), which in turn, can cause skin and tissue changes that can permanently damage the lymphatic system. As hypertension increases, more fluid is pushed out of the vascular system leading to swelling, progressive tissue breakdown, skin infections and venous leg ulcers. Ulcers develop in areas with edema as swelling interferes with the movement of oxygen and nutrients through tissues, and if left untreated, these ulcers can quickly become infected or even gangrenous. Physicians
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diagnose chronic venous insufficiency based on appearance, symptoms and imaging techniques and classify it based upon a scale endorsed by the Society for Vascular Surgery.
Market Opportunity
Lymphedema and CVI are costly and lifelong conditions with debilitating physical and psychological impacts on patients. Based on a study published in 2020 by Dr. Steven Dean of Ohio State Medical Center et al., it is estimated that more than 16 million people in the United States were living with lymphedema due to CVI. This, in addition to the estimated five million individuals living in the U.S. with cancer-related and primary lymphedema, increases the prevalence estimates to over 20 million individuals.
Lymphedema and Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment can cause damage to the lymphatic system in several ways. Cancer surgery often removes lymph nodes, radiation therapy can cause scar tissue to form around the lymph nodes and vessels, the cancer tumor itself can block or put pressure on lymph nodes and vessels, and chemotherapy and immunotherapy can increase the risk of lymphedema. Cancer related lymphedema can present months or years after cancer has been treated. Unfortunately, studies show that many patients who develop lymphedema after cancer treatment have to consult with more than one doctor to get a diagnosis and often endure four months or longer before first treatment is rendered.
Breast cancer related lymphedema has more published evidence, clinician understanding and patient awareness than any other cancer type. Patients treated for breast cancer face a lifetime risk of developing lymphedema. The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the Commission on Cancer Guidelines and the Oncology Nursing Society have evidence-based guidelines on cancer survivorship that feature lymphedema early detection, monitoring and treatment. While lymphedema is identified as one of the top medical issues reported by breast cancer survivors, access to care remains a challenge.
The consequences of head and neck cancer treatment are significant, with 90% of patients experiencing lymphedema and 47% having moderate to severe fibrosis. Patient symptoms of lymphedema of the head and neck include significant skin changes, pain, difficulty breathing, speaking and swallowing. In 2016, Tactile received U.S. FDA clearance to market a first-of-its-kind system to treat patients suffering from lymphedema of the head and neck, The American Cancer Society estimates that there are 430,000 survivors of head and neck cancers in the United States, and more than 65,000 new patients are diagnosed each year. Our Flexitouch head and neck system is the only pneumatic compression device with an indication to treat patients suffering from debilitating head and neck lymphedema and our therapy is protected with several patents issued in 2022. We estimate the market opportunity for our Flexitouch head and neck system is approximately $1 billion in the United States, which is based on 75% of the total number of patients suffering from cancers of the head and neck and our average selling price per device. In June 2020, a pilot study demonstrated the effectiveness of Flexitouch in treating patients with head and neck related lymphedema. In 2025, we announced the results of our landmark randomized controlled trial demonstrating sustained clinical benefits of Flexitouch Plus as a first-line therapy for treating head and neck cancer-related lymphedema.
Care Pathway & Limitations
Treatment for lymphedema depends on the extent and severity of the condition upon diagnosis. Treatment options include complete decongestive therapy consisting of manual lymphatic drainage (“MLD”), which is a specialized application of gentle pressure to the skin applied by a trained therapist that encourages drainage of lymph fluid, as well as decongestive exercises, skin care and compression with multilayered bandages, compression garments or pumps. The manual lymph drainage can be self-administered at home or in a clinic if lymphedema therapists are available. If administered in-clinic, visits typically are three to five times per week for four to eight weeks. This is costly, a significant commitment for the patient, inconvenient and time-consuming. Access to lymphedema therapists can be limited, and a reason that many patients do not access or complete their prescribed in-clinic treatments. Following the in-clinic visits, patients typically transition to self-administered home-based MLD and daily use of compression garments. Manual lymphatic drainage is difficult for patients to self-administer due to limited range of motion and treatment techniques
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that are difficult to replicate. To address these limitations, our at-home Flexitouch Plus and Nimbl systems were developed to provide automated pneumatic compression that mimics manual lymphatic drainage through an advanced, easy-to-use, consistent, self-applied at-home system.
In 2022, three independent societies’ consensus endorsements were published in Phlebology: The Journal of Venous Disease. Experts from the American Venous Forum, American Venous and Lymphatic Society and Society for Vascular Medicine provided the consensus guidance on diagnosis and patient treatment pathways for lymphedema. A large majority of the panel (92%) agreed with the statement that sequential pneumatic compression should be recommended for lymphedema patients, with 34% strongly agreeing. In addition, 72% of the panel agreed with the statement that all patients with CVI (stages C3-C6) should be considered as lymphedema patients, with 38% strongly agreeing.
Overview of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is often a COPD-associated condition where the lung’s bronchi become inflamed, widened, permanently damaged and scarred. As more of the bronchial wall thickens, mucus gets trapped, creating a breeding ground for infection. The inability to fully clear mucus and pathogens from the lungs can result in a progressive, chronic process of infections, inflammation, and permanent lung damage, often referred to as a ‘vicious vortex’. Airway clearance therapies help interrupt the vicious vortex and need to be used regularly to maintain a healthy respiratory system in these patients.
Market Opportunity
Bronchiectasis is one of the most common respiratory diseases with over 500,000 U.S. adults diagnosed and is estimated to be growing in the high single-digits annually. More than 16 million people in the U.S. are living with COPD and it is estimated that over 4 million of them may be affected by bronchiectasis. High frequency chest wall oscillation is used to treat bronchiectasis and over 70 other International Classification of Disease (“ICD”)-10 diagnosis codes. Awareness of bronchiectasis is rising, bolstered by the emergence in 2025 of the first FDA-approved pharmaceutical, which is regarded as complementary to airway clearance therapy in the multi-modal treatment approach. This pharmaceutical provides a targeted, anti-inflammatory oral medication approach and HFCWO therapy vests physically help clear the mucus.
Traditional Treatment and Limitations
Airway clearance therapy (“ACT”) utilizes physical or mechanical means of percussion or vibration to mobilize mucus and phlegm to facilitate airway clearance by coughing. ACT options include huff coughing, chest physiotherapy performed by a therapist or caregiver, active cycle breathing, positive expiratory pressure devices and HFCWO vests. These treatments need to be performed daily to support bronchial hygiene for at-risk respiratory patients. Adherence to treatments and effectiveness of treatments are a significant challenge for patients with these chronic conditions.
AffloVest is a HFCWO therapy vest that has eight anatomically positioned oscillating motors that create individual pressure waveforms to target all lobes of the lungs to loosen, thin and mobilize lung secretions.
Our Strategy
Our goal is to become the leader in the at-home treatment of select underserved chronic diseases. We intend to leverage our established product, service and fulfillment platforms to be a global provider of clinically proven easy-to-use and cost-effective solutions. The key elements of our strategy include:
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| ● | Increase awareness of our solutions and establish them as the standards of care. We believe that many patients with lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency and chronic respiratory conditions remain undiagnosed or undertreated. We intend to continue to educate physicians, nurses, therapists, patients, payers and DME provider representatives to raise awareness of these diseases, the associated health burdens of such diseases on patients and society, and the clinical and economic benefits of using our products. Further, we intend to continue promoting this awareness through training and educating clinicians, advertising campaigns, exhibiting at tradeshows and physician |
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| meetings and publishing additional clinical and economic outcome data demonstrating the benefits of our solutions. Our ongoing marketing initiatives focus on increasing referrals from physicians trained in the diagnosis and treatment of venous and lymphatic diseases, oncology and chronic respiratory conditions. In addition, we plan to launch more extensive direct-to-provider and patient marketing programs that we believe will further increase awareness of our solutions. |
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| ● | Utilize direct sales and customer support teams. We rely on a large direct sales force and marketing organization to drive greater product adoption by patients suffering from lymphedema and CVI and their clinicians. We also intend to expand and support our respiratory DME channels, in an effort to help demonstrate HFCWO as a staple among the host of treatments they bring to chronic respiratory patients. We intend to strengthen our distribution network by continuing to recruit, train and retain talented sales representatives. With an expanded sales force, our goal is to expand the existing prescriber base. |
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| ● | Demonstrate ongoing innovation to grow our technology platform and expand adoption of our therapies. We are actively developing new products and features for our portfolio in order to expand the number of patients using our products and allow us to enter new clinical adjacencies. We pursue both internal research, design and development, and also work with external collaborators to expand our product offerings. In addition, we evaluate opportunities to license or acquire additional technologies and products to expand our total addressable market opportunity. |
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| ● | Continue the development of clinical and economic outcome data. A key part of our success is our ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of our products through clinical and economic outcome data. We intend to invest in additional studies to support peer-reviewed, published articles that evidence the clinical and economic benefits of our solutions as compared to traditional treatments. We intend to use these data to continue to educate clinicians, payers and patients on the proven advantages of our products compared to other therapies and expand our network of key opinion leader advocates. |
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| ● | Expand third-party reimbursement. Most of our products are covered under existing reimbursement codes, and we have secured coverage for our solutions with commercial payers, Medicare, the Veterans Administration and certain Medicaid programs. Our team has experienced significant success in obtaining positive coverage policies from payers by developing direct relationships with payer decision-makers, leveraging our relationships with physician societies and key opinion leaders, providing clinical data, demonstrating the efficacy of our products and educating payers on the limitations of traditional treatments. We intend to continue this strategic approach to further expand coverage for our solutions, as well as to meet payer-specific requirements on behalf of patients. |
Our Products
We market Flexitouch Plus, Entre Plus and Nimbl systems as at-home therapies for the treatment of lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency. We market AffloVest as an at-home therapy to mobilize lung secretions through high frequency chest wall oscillation. These products have received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to be marketed in the United States. We believe our products have unique features and benefits that address the shortcomings of traditional treatments, are more cost-effective and enable more consistent and effective therapy, leading to enhanced patient quality of life, improved clinical outcomes and reduced cost of care.
Flexitouch Plus System
Our Flexitouch Plus system is a programmable advanced pneumatic compression device designed to stimulate the lymphatic system. It is indicated for the treatment of lymphedema, phlebolymphedema, lipedema, certain types of other edema, venous insufficiencies and certain types of leg ulcers. We introduced our first-generation Flexitouch system in the United States in 2003, our second-generation Flexitouch system in 2006, and our third-generation Flexitouch system, the Flexitouch Plus, in 2018. The patented mechanism of action of the Flexitouch Plus system works by sequentially inflating and deflating its chambers to create a gentle, wave-like motion that directs lymph fluid from the impaired areas toward healthy regions of the body. By automating
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this technique, we believe our system offers an effective, cost-efficient, convenient and accessible at-home treatment for patients.
Our Flexitouch Plus system consists of an electronic controller unit that offers 17 treatment settings and multiple contoured garment configurations for the trunk, chest, head, neck and the arm or leg. Our Flexitouch Plus is the only pneumatic compression system offering the flexibility for treating upper and lower extremities, the trunk and chest, and the head and neck. The electronic controller is a pneumatic compressor with four connector outlets. Each connector has eight outflow ports into which the garment hoses are connected. Our unique ComfortEase garments contain up to 32 air chambers, are made of a soft, pliable fabric and are designed with zippers and hook-and-loop fasteners to fit snugly around affected areas for maximum comfort and optimum pressure delivery. The garments come in a variety of sizes that can be easily adjusted to patients of all sizes. When our system is activated, air passes through the hoses, delivering sequential inflation and deflation to the garments and applying gentle pressure to the skin. The electronic controller unit adjusts the amount of pressure and the timing of the pressure and release cycles. This unit is lightweight and easily portable, providing maximum convenience for at-home treatment. A typical therapy session using our Flexitouch Plus system lasts up to one hour, with additional treatment options available if prescribed by a clinician. Beginning in November 2022, Flexitouch Plus controllers include Bluetooth capability that enables therapy data from the controller to be reported through Kylee, a companion application.
Entre Plus System
Our Entre system, introduced in 2013, is a basic pneumatic compression device used for the at-home treatment of lymphedema, chronic edema, venous insufficiency, and chronic wounds. Our Entre system is a pump with garments covering the arm or leg with eight chambers that inflate in sequence. In 2023, our second-generation system, Entre Plus, was introduced. In February 2025, we launched Nimbl for lower extremity lymphedema, which has replaced most orders for our Entre system and we expect to continue to do so.
Nimbl
Nimbl, our next generation basic pneumatic compression system, received 510(k) clearance in June 2024. Nimbl was commercially launched for upper extremity lymphedema in October 2024 and was commercially launched for lower extremity lymphedema in February 2025. Improving on the Entre Plus garments, the Nimbl system has reduced hose and harnesses while maintaining the eight chambers that inflate in sequence for treatment. Nimbl controllers include Bluetooth capability that enables therapy data from the controller to be reported through Kylee, a companion application.
Kylee
In 2022, we introduced Kylee™, a free mobile application to help patients learn about lymphedema, track their symptoms and treatment, and share their progress with their doctor. Kylee helps to support and encourage patients to embrace self-care and become more educated about their condition. Our customers can use Kylee to track their orders for our devices and view onboarding tutorials for using the device. Once a patient starts using a Tactile device, they can use Kylee to view their device usage, track their symptoms, and capture photos of their condition for sharing with their healthcare team. Flexitouch Plus and Nimbl controllers include Bluetooth technology to enable data transfer to the Kylee application.
AffloVest
We acquired the AffloVest business in September 2021. The AffloVest is the first truly portable high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) vest. The device is battery-powered and affords patients the ability to ambulate while receiving treatment, as well as increases the likelihood that their treatment will travel with them. The AffloVest treats patients with retained pulmonary secretions resulting from bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and a host of neuromuscular disorders. The AffloVest offers various treatment modes and intensities. The user can set and store their personalized default treatment settings. Our AffloVest system has received 510(k) clearance as a HFCWO device and is intended for promoting airway clearance and improvement of bronchial drainage by enhancing mobilization of bronchial secretions where manipulation of the thorax is the physician’s choice of treatment.
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Clinical Results and Studies
Overview
A key part of our success is our ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of our products by funding studies that generate clinical and economic outcome data supporting our products. We have developed a significant body of clinical data supporting the efficacy and safety of our products. We intend to continue to invest in studies to support peer-reviewed, published articles that demonstrate the clinical and economic benefits of our solutions as compared to traditional treatments. To date, more than 26 studies regarding the safety and efficacy of our products have been completed, in which over 2,300 subjects have been included.
Impact of our Flexitouch System in Patients with Phlebolymphedema
In 2024, the largest U.S. prospective clinical trial ever conducted investigating pneumatic compression and lymphedema was published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery - Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, which demonstrated high compliance and significant improvements across study endpoints for patients treated with Flexitouch. The 52-week study included 179 veterans across four participating VA medical centers. Among the patients included in the study, chronic venous insufficiency was the most common etiology of lymphedema (phlebolymphedema), present in approximately 63% of study participants. Further, mild lymphedema was the most common disease stage, presenting in 68% of patients.
The study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in its primary endpoint of health-related and general quality of life measures. Specifically, Lymphedema Quality of Life (QoL) increased from 6.2 to 6.9, which includes improvements in function, appearance, symptoms, and emotion.
The secondary endpoint results demonstrated several statistically significant improvements, baseline to 52 weeks, with reductions in limb girth, cellulitis events, and skin hyperpigmentation. Among these results, the following were observed at 52 weeks: limb girth decreased by 1.4 cm; cellulitis events decreased from 21.4% to 6.1%; and skin hyperpigmentation decreased from 75% of patients to 40% of patients. There were additional improvements also noted in compliance and limb girth reduction, which included: 92% patient compliance (defined as used for five to seven days per week) with Flexitouch at 8 weeks and 72% patient compliance at 52 weeks; 74% patient compliance with compression garments at 52 weeks, compared to 64% at baseline; and 6% limb girth reduction at 12 weeks in patients with moderate (stage 2) and severe (stage 3) lymphedema.
A retrospective longitudinal matched case-control analysis of de-identified private insurance claims published by the Journal of Vascular Surgery in 2018 indicated significant benefits attributable to our Flexitouch system as compared to alternative compression therapies currently employed to help reduce the notable economic burden of phlebolymphedema (chronic venous insufficiency-related lymphedema). The study used administrative claims data from Blue Health Intelligence for the years 2012 through 2016. Patients were required to be continuously enrolled in the health plan for at least 18 months, diagnosed with phlebolymphedema, and had received at least one claim for conservative therapy either alone or in addition to a pneumatic compression device, or PCD. The main outcomes included direct phlebolymphedema- and sequelae-related medical resource utilization and costs.
Prior to case matching, 1,065 patients met these criteria. After case matching, the study included: 86 patients using conservative therapy matched with 87 patients on Flexitouch; 34 patients on simple PCDs, or SPCDs, matched with 23 patients on Flexitouch; and 69 patients on other advanced PCDs, or APCDs, matched with 67 patients on Flexitouch. Compared with conservative therapy alone, Flexitouch patients were associated with 69% lower per patient per year total phlebolymphedema- and sequelae-related costs net of any PCD-related costs ($3,839 vs $12,253; P=0.001). This was driven by 59% fewer mean annual hospitalizations (0.13 vs 0.32; P0.001) corresponding to 82% lower inpatient costs and 55% lower outpatient hospital costs. Flexitouch patients were also associated with 52% lower outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy costs and 56% lower other outpatient-related costs. Compared with SPCDs, Flexitouch was associated with 85% lower total costs ($1,153 vs $7,449; P=0.008) driven by 93% lower inpatient costs ($297 vs $4,215; P=0.002), 84% lower outpatient hospital costs ($368 vs $2,347; P=0.020), and 85% lower other outpatient-related costs ($353 vs $2,313; P=0.023). Compared with other APCDs, Flexitouch was associated with 53%
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lower total costs ($3,973 vs $8,436; P=0.032) because of lower outpatient costs and lower rates of cellulitis infections (22.4% vs 44.9% of patients; P=0.02).
Impact on Clinical Outcomes and Healthcare Costs with Use of our Flexitouch System
A retrospective study published in JAMA Dermatology demonstrated significant improvement in key clinical endpoints and immediate cost reductions for individuals with lymphedema following receipt of our Flexitouch system. The study was conducted in the United States and included 718 patients with a lymphedema diagnosis who had continuous insurance coverage during the 12 months prior to and the 12 months after receiving our Flexitouch system from 2007 through 2013.
The study evaluated a broad, clinically relevant set of healthcare use outcomes for each patient for the 12 months before and the 12 months after receipt of our Flexitouch system, including cellulitis infections, inpatient hospitalizations, physical therapy and outpatient hospital visits. Receipt of our Flexitouch system was associated with a significant decline in the rate of cellulitis diagnosis in the cancer-related lymphedema patients of 79% and in the non-cancer-related lymphedema patients of 75%. The inpatient hospitalization rate declined 22% in the cancer-related group and declined 54% in the non-cancer-related group. Outpatient hospital visits declined 29% in the cancer-related patients and 40% in the non-cancer-related patients.
The study also reviewed lymphedema-related healthcare costs for each patient in the study for the 12 months before and the 12 months after receipt of our Flexitouch system. Among the cancer-related lymphedema patients, total costs per patient, excluding durable medical equipment costs, were reduced by 37%.
Flexitouch System Impact on Limb Volume and Patient-Reported Outcomes
A prospective study published in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery demonstrated that use of our Flexitouch system is associated with statistically significant reduction in limb volume, improvement in quality of life and no significant adverse effects. The study was conducted in the United States and collected data from a patient registry required by a third-party payer for 196 patients with lower extremity lymphedema who were prescribed our Flexitouch system from January 2009 to May 2012.
Use of our Flexitouch system was associated with a statistically significant reduction in limb volume with 88% of patients experiencing a reduction in limb volume and with 35% enjoying a substantial reduction in limb volume of greater than 10%. Twelve percent of patients experienced an increase in limb volume. Clinician assessment indicated that the majority of patients experienced improvement in the condition of their skin. Eighty-six percent of the patients exhibited a reduction in skin hardening (fibrosis) based on manual assessment of the skin. Based on clinical observation of function, 85% of patients demonstrated an increased ability to perform activities of daily living. Additionally, 77% of patients demonstrated improved range of motion.
Patients reported a significant increase in their ability to control lymphedema through treatment with our Flexitouch system, with an increase in function and a reduction in pain. Of the 98 patients who responded, 70% reported being "very satisfied" with the treatment by our Flexitouch system and 30% reported being "satisfied" with the treatment by our Flexitouch system.
Comparison of our Flexitouch System with Simple Pneumatic Compression Devices
A prospective, randomized controlled trial published in Supportive Care in Cancer in 2012 demonstrated that our Flexitouch system provides better clinical outcomes as compared to those achieved with a simple pneumatic compression device for home-based treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema. The study was conducted in the United States and involved 36 patients. The number of participants in this study is considered to be a small sample size and a limitation of the study. However, it is one of the only published randomized controlled trials comparing PCDs, and we believe is currently the only published study of PCDs that reported comprehensively on adverse events. The patients were randomized to our Flexitouch system or a simple pneumatic compression device used for home treatment of one-hour per day for 12 weeks. The study does not reflect a comparison of our Flexitouch system to a product that is billed under the same Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, or HCPCS, Code as our Flexitouch system. The group using our
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Flexitouch system experienced an average reduction in edema of 29% compared to a 16% increase in the group using a simple pneumatic compression device.
Study of Patient-Reported Satisfaction with Use of our Flexitouch System
A retrospective study published in the Oncology Nursing Forum in 2008 demonstrated that patients using our Flexitouch system were satisfied with the device and perceived it to be beneficial in managing their lymphedema. The study was conducted in the United States and involved 155 patients with lymphedema. Ninety percent of the 155 study patients reported being "satisfied" with our Flexitouch system. Of these patients, more than 65% reported being "extremely satisfied."
Flexitouch System Impact on Patient-Reported Improved Quality-of-Life
A prospective observational study published in Annals of Vascular Surgery demonstrated that use of our Flexitouch system is associated with patient-reported overall improvement in quality-of-life and lower extremity-related symptoms. The study was conducted in the United States and collected data from patients presenting for treatment of lower-extremity lymphedema from March 2011 to September 2014. The study reported that 54% of patients reported greatly improved symptom control after use of our Flexitouch system, 35% moderately improved and 11% mildly improved. In the year before use of our Flexitouch system, 15% of the patients reported 26 episodes of cellulitis, which decreased to five episodes after initiation of the Flexitouch system (P=0.002) in subsequent median follow-up of 12.7 months. 8% of patients reported skin ulceration of the affected extremity in the year before presentation for treatment.
Advanced Pneumatic Compression for Treatment of Lymphedema of the Head and Neck
A landmark randomized control study of 236 patients with head and neck cancer related lymphedema demonstrated short term and sustained clinical and quality of life benefits of Flexitouch Plus as a first-line therapy in treating head and neck cancer-related lymphedema. The study assessed clinical and quality of life outcomes at 2, 4 and 6 months for patients randomized to either usual care (therapist-guided multi modal treatment) or Flexitouch Plus. In October 2025, the 4 and 6 month results were presented as a late breaking research poster at the ACRM 2025 102nd Annual Conference. Highlights include:
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| ● | Flexitouch Plus demonstrated reduced internal swelling at the majority of anatomical sites (13 of 19), with statistically significant improvement achieved in the base of tongue (p=0.008) and arytenoids (p=0.023); |
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| ● | Improvements in both internal (Endoscopy Modified Patterson Scale) and external soft tissue swelling (clinical observation) favored Flexitouch Plus over usual care; |
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| ● | Statistically significant improvement in epiglottic thickness and prevertebral soft tissue thickness at C3 in both groups at six months; and |
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| ● | Both groups demonstrated sustained improvement in patient-reported symptom burden. |
In June 2025, the two-month data publication of this same study demonstrated significant clinical and quality-of-life benefits in Flexitouch Plus treated patients. Specific areas that showed differentiation between usual care and Flexitouch Plus treated patients include:
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| ● | Participants in the usual care arm took an average of 29.8 days to begin therapist guided lymphedema treatment, compared to 17.9 days for therapy initiation for patients randomized to Flexitouch; |
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| ● | Only 71% of participants randomized to usual care actually received their assigned usual care treatment. 94.9% of those that were randomized to Flexitouch received treatment; |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| ● | Flexitouch participants had statistically significant reduction in swelling via digital photography and total Head and Neck Cancer Related Lymphedema and Fibrosis Grading (HN-LEFG) scores while usual care participants exhibited marginal improvements; and |
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| ● | Self-reported symptom improvement occurred in both groups, with Flexitouch demonstrating statistically significant improvement on three of the six health-related quality-of-life sub scales. |
AffloVest Clinical Evidence
The use of the AffloVest in patients with cystic fibrosis (“CF”) has been studied and reported on in non-peer reviewed journals. In 2016, a prospective study was conducted of 25 patients who were asked to augment their current airway treatment regimen with the AffloVest. These patients ranged from 11 to 18 years old and used AffloVest for periods of one month to almost a full year. Twelve patients demonstrated measurable improvement in multiple lung function tests: Forced Vital Capacity (“FVC”) increased 15.22%, Forced Expiratory Volume 1 (“FEV1”) increased 17.41% and Forced Expiratory Flow (“FEF”) 25-75% increased 11.21% respectively. Eleven of the 12 patients who demonstrated positive improvement in their lung scores, and in whom those scores were maintained for nearly one year, had been using air bladder style vests previously. The remaining 13 patients saw no significant increase, and no decrease, in lung function.
A prospective, single-site study was published in Respiratory Therapy in 2018 and compared the impact of traditional compressor/bladder-style HFCWO vests with that of the mobile, battery-powered AffloVest on lung function measures in 32 healthy patients. The results showed no significant difference between the technologies in increased airflow in the lungs during treatment. AffloVest performed favorably to traditional vests in that it produced no significant decline in forced vital capacity or forced expiratory volume, while the traditional vests did show statistically significant declines in these measures.
In 2020, a chart review study of 30 patients compared the need for antibiotic therapy due to exacerbation, based on the number of prescriptions, emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the period approximately six months before each patient started AffloVest HFCWO therapy compared to the period six months after initiating AffloVest HFCWO therapy. The results showed a 96.2% reduction in hospitalizations, 82.4% reduction in emergency room visits, and 87.3% reduction in antibiotic usage for the post-AffloVest group.
In 2023, a patient preference study was published demonstrating a strong preference for the AffloVest over traditional bladder-style vests. 93% of symptomatic adults preferred the AffloVest to bladder-style vests and 90% reported the AffloVest therapy would fit with their lifestyle. The independent, randomized study of 30 vest-naïve adults was published in RT Magazine in June 2023.
Sales and Marketing
Unlike many of our competitors, we generally utilize a direct-to-patient and -provider model to market our lymphedema products directly to patients and clinics, providing high-quality customer service and capturing both the manufacturer and distributor margins for most of this business. The direct channel allows us to focus on our primary call points, which include vascular, therapy, oncology, and the Veterans Affairs hospital markets.
For AffloVest, we utilize the respiratory DME channel as our go-to-market method. Our utilization of DME provider representatives gives us access to a larger channel than competitors that market and sell directly. The respiratory DME channel also already serves the chronic respiratory community, enabling them to identify complex respiratory candidates who are regularly on other respiratory therapies (such as oxygen, nebulizers,
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non-invasive ventilators, etc.) and who might benefit from the use of our AffloVest. The below chart reflects these models:
Our direct-to-patient and -provider lymphedema business is composed of a direct sales force, patient training and support, reimbursement capabilities and clinical expertise. These functions focus on patient and provider education, expanding awareness, coordinating referrals, and obtaining payment for our products.
The chart below describes our U.S. direct-to-patient and -provider model for the majority of our lymphedema business.
We sell the AffloVest to DME providers in the U.S. whose representatives service patients and bill third-party payers for the product. The DME provider representatives obtain the prescription and coordinate with patients and payers to determine insurance eligibility and payment. These DME providers are staffed by trained respiratory therapists who are required in some states to set up patients on at-home prescription respiratory therapies like AffloVest. We market to, and educate, DME provider representatives and clinicians about the AffloVest advantages. As of December 31, 2025, we also employed a small group of respiratory specialists, who educate DME provider representatives, provide product demonstrations for targeted clinicians and support technical questions related to the AffloVest.
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The chart below describes our DME model.
As of December 31, 2025, we employed 166 account managers and 166 specialists for our lymphedema products and a team of 19 specialists supporting our airway clearance products. This compares to 169 account managers and 111 specialists for our lymphedema products and a team of 18 specialists supporting our airway clearance products as of December 31, 2024.
Our marketing team leads our efforts in brand development, product messaging, tradeshow attendance, medical educational forums, website development, social media and advertising.
Reimbursement, Payer Relations and Customer Support Process
Private insurers and other payers represented approximately 51% and 60% of our revenue in 2025 and 2024, respectively, while Medicare represented approximately 24% and 18% of our revenue in 2025 and 2024, respectively, Veterans Administration hospitals represented approximately 9% and 11% of our revenue in 2025 and 2024, respectively, and DME distributors represented approximately 16% and 11% of our revenue in 2025 and 2024, respectively. When we sell our solutions directly to patients, we generally bill third-party payers, such as commercial insurance or Medicare, on behalf of our patients and bill the patient for their copayment obligations and deductibles.
As a nationwide provider, we have developed a broad expertise in obtaining billing codes, in-network contracts, developing coverage policies, overcoming payer barriers and obtaining authorization and payment from payers across all regions of the United States. Our model utilizes our strategic and operational reimbursement proficiency to meet the varying requirements of hundreds of payers across the country.
Our reimbursement function includes payer relations and reimbursement operations. Our payer relations function focuses on payer policy development and education for our entire portfolio, as well as contract negotiations for our direct business, and data analysis. Our reimbursement operations function is responsible for verifying patient insurance benefits, individual patient case development, prior authorization submissions, case follow-up, gathering documentation from clinics, and appeals when necessary. The reimbursement operations function is organized into regions so that each case is handled throughout the process by experts in specific payer requirements.
We have strong and established payer relationships, including most of the largest private payers in the United States. Based on our estimates, we are contracted or enrolled as an in-network provider with payers covering nearly 278 million lives. These contracts allow us to be an in-network provider for patients, enabling them to access our systems at a competitive rate and copay comparable to other suppliers and easing our
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administrative burden in processing authorizations and claims. For the last several years we have enjoyed an 80% or greater approval rate on commercial payers and 90% or greater approval rate on Medicare claims submitted (across all our products). We began doing business with Medicare in 2007. We have an in-depth understanding of specific payer coverage criteria, and our submission materials are tailored to address an individual payer's distinct requirements. Our dedicated customer service team is available to answer patient questions regarding reimbursement, account status, device operation and troubleshooting during normal business hours. We receive no additional reimbursement for patient support, but provide high-quality customer service and continuity to enhance patient comfort, satisfaction, compliance and safety with our products.
Our Flexitouch Plus system controller is reimbursed under HCPCS code E0652, and our Entre Plus and Nimbl system controllers are each reimbursed under HCPCS code E0651. Garments that cover various parts of the body are used with these systems and billed using HCPCS codes E0656, E0657, E0667, E0668 and E0669. Our head and neck garment does not currently have a billing code assigned; it is currently billed using the miscellaneous DMEPOS HCPCS code E1399. To date, over 1,100 payers have paid for our products.
Our respiratory DME partners contract directly with commercial payers and regularly serve as a consolidated source for various respiratory-related therapies. The DME distributor obtains the prescription and, in coordination with the patient and payer, determines insurance eligibility and payment. The AffloVest is reimbursed under HCPCS code E0483, high frequency chest wall oscillation for bronchiectasis, and over 70 other ICD-10 diagnosis codes.
Research
Our research scope includes engineering, scientific and clinical research in the areas of our therapies for the treatment of lymphedema, cancer-related lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, bronchiectasis and other chronic respiratory conditions. Our expertise includes pneumatics, electronics, garment design, embedded software, mechanical design, sensors, manufacturing technologies and clinical trial management. Our current research and development efforts are focused on improving design for ease-of-use, reducing production costs of our solutions and further differentiating our products from our competitors. We coordinate our development efforts with external advisors and our intellectual property strategies in order to enhance our ability to obtain patent and other intellectual property protection. Our research and development expenses, including spending on our clinical evidence development efforts, totaled $8.5 million and $8.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Manufacturing and Quality Assurance
Our manufacturing and quality assurance model combines our internal manufacturing resources and expertise, including assembly, quality assurance, material procurement and inventory control, with approved third-party manufacturers and suppliers of system components. Our internal manufacturing activities, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, include quality inspection, assembly, packaging, warehousing and shipping of our products. We outsource the manufacture of components, which are produced to our specifications and shipped to our facilities for inspection and final assembly. We use third-party manufacturers and suppliers worldwide to source our components, maintaining dual-source vendors of critical components whenever possible, and leveraging competitive bids among third-party manufacturers and suppliers to control costs. Quality control, risk management, efficiency and the ability to respond quickly to changing requirements are the primary goals of our manufacturing operations. We believe our manufacturing model permits us to operate with low capital expenditure requirements. We carefully manage our supply chain in an effort to take costs out of the manufacturing process.
We manage our arrangements with our third-party manufacturers and suppliers to adjust delivery schedules and quantities of components to match our changing manufacturing requirements. We forecast our component needs based on historical trends, current utilization patterns and sales forecasts of future demand. We establish our relationships with our third-party manufacturers and suppliers through supplier contracts and purchase orders. In most cases, these supplier relationships may be terminated by either party upon reasonable notice.
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In order to mitigate against the risks related to a single source of supply, we qualify alternative suppliers, when possible, and develop contingency plans for responding to disruptions, including maintaining adequate inventory of any single source components, along with requiring each supplier to maintain specified quantities of inventory. To date, we have not experienced material delays in obtaining any of our components, nor has the ready supply of finished products to our patients or clinicians been adversely impacted by component supply issues.
We have implemented a quality management system designed to comply with FDA regulations and International Standards Organization, or ISO, standards governing medical device products. In the United States, we and some of our manufacturers are required to manufacture our products in compliance with the FDA's Quality Management System Regulation, as updated to take effect on February 2, 2026, which covers the methods and documentation of the design, testing, control, manufacturing, labeling, quality assurance, packaging, storage and shipping for our products. We maintain a quality management system to control compliance with such requirements and have procedures in place designed to ensure that all products and materials purchased by us conform to our requirements and FDA regulations. Our quality management system has been certified to ISO 13485:2003 in 2012, 2014 and 2017, and to ISO 13485:2016 in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2021, we also received our Medical Device Single Audit Program (“MDSAP”) certification, which was renewed in 2024. An MDSAP allows an MDSAP-recognized Auditing Organization to conduct a single regulatory audit of a medical device manufacturer that satisfies the relevant requirements of the regulatory authorities participating in the program. Many of our manufacturers’ quality management systems also have been certified to ISO.
Order Fulfillment and Patient Education
With respect to our Flexitouch Plus, Entre Plus and Nimbl systems, once we have a complete patient order and appropriate documentation from the payer, we package and ship the system, configured to their physician's prescription, directly to the patient. We utilize third-party carriers for delivery and pick up of our devices. After delivery and when requested by our patient, we coordinate a virtual or at-home visit from one of our trainers to provide education and instruction on use and care of their therapy system. These trainers are professionally trained and instructed on proper use of our products. Patient visits and training sessions are assigned by our staff. Additional materials including training videos and support content is available on our website to support patients and their training needs. Kylee™ allows patients to manage their conditions by tracking treatments and symptoms, as well as having direct access to educational resources.
Our AffloVest product is packaged and shipped to the DME provider representative or drop-shipped directly to a patient, as directed. We utilize third-party carriers for delivery and pick up of our AffloVest products. In situations in which the product is shipped to the DME provider representative, they are responsible for completing the delivery to the patient. Upon receipt of the product, patients are able to utilize materials included with the product to complete self-training or engage with the DME provider representative for additional support.
Competition
The pneumatic compression pump market is composed of a number of manufacturers and distributors of pneumatic compression pumps. Our most significant manufacturing competitors are Bio Compression Systems, Inc. and Lympha Press USA.
Given the growth of the pneumatic compression pump market, we expect that the industry will become increasingly competitive in the future. Manufacturing companies compete for sales to patients primarily based on product features and service.
We believe we are the only pneumatic compression home-therapy device company with a meaningful U.S. market position supported by a direct sales force. We believe our manufacturing competitors' complete reliance on DME distribution intermediaries compresses their margins and limits their ability to invest in clinical evidence and product features that address consumer preferences. To pursue a direct-to-patient and -provider sales model, our manufacturing competitors would need to meet national accreditation and state-by-state licensing requirements, secure Medicare billing privileges, as well as compete directly with the home medical equipment providers that many rely on across their entire home care businesses.
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We anticipate that, given the size of the available market, we will face increased competition in the future as existing companies and competitors develop new or improved products and distribution strategies and as new companies enter the market with new technologies and distribution strategies. Our ability to compete successfully and to increase our market share is dependent upon our reputation for providing responsive, professional and high-quality products and services and achieving strong customer satisfaction.
Competitors within the airway clearance market consist largely of three other HFCWO vest manufacturers: Baxter (formerly Hill-Rom), Philips Medical and Electromed. While we believe AffloVest’s portability and our use of DME distributors are differentiators, we anticipate that given the size of the airway clearance market, we will continue to see vigorous competition. We intend to further expand and support our respiratory DME relationships, as well as invest in product development, to better support this still-underserved area.
Government Regulation
Our systems are medical devices subject to extensive and ongoing regulation by numerous governmental authorities, principally the FDA, and corresponding state and foreign regulatory agencies.
FDA Regulation
In the United States, the FDA regulates medical devices, including the following activities that we perform, or that are performed on our behalf with respect to our devices: product design and development, pre-clinical and clinical testing, manufacturing, labeling, storage, servicing, premarket clearance or approval, record keeping, product marketing, advertising and promotion, sales and distribution, and post-marketing surveillance, including reporting. Failure to comply with applicable U.S. requirements may subject us to a variety of administrative, enforcement, or judicial sanctions, such as warning letters, import alerts, debarment, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties and criminal prosecution. The FDA can also refuse to clear or approve pending applications.
Unless an exemption applies, each medical device we seek to distribute commercially in the United States requires marketing authorization from the FDA prior to distribution. The two primary types of FDA marketing authorizations applicable to a device are premarket notification, also called a 510(k) clearance, and premarket approval. The type of marketing authorization is generally linked to the classification of the device, which is based on the degree of risk the FDA determines to be associated with a device and the level of regulatory control deemed necessary to ensure the device's safety and effectiveness.
All of our past and current models of our Flexitouch, Entre, Nimbl and AffloVest systems are Class II devices under the FDA classification system requiring 510(k) clearance. We obtained 510(k) clearance for our Flexitouch system in October 2006 and for a discontinued predecessor system in July 2002. In September 2016, we received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Flexitouch system for treating lymphedema of the head and neck. In June 2017, we announced that we received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Flexitouch Plus, the third-generation version of our Flexitouch system. In December 2020, we received 510(k) clearance for two new indications for our Flexitouch Plus system: phlebolymphedema and lipedema. We obtained 510(k) clearance for our Entre system in May 2015. In June 2024 we received 510(k) clearance for our Nimbl device. 510(k) clearance for the AffloVest system was obtained in 2013. All of our Class II devices have obtained 510(k) clearance and that status remains current as of the date of this filing.
After a device receives a 510(k) clearance or a premarket approval, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness or that would constitute a major change in its intended use will generally require a new clearance or approval. Thus, modifications or changes in use of our existing devices will be evaluated to ensure ongoing compliance to the FDA requirements.
Further, even after a device receives clearance or approval by the FDA and is placed on the market, numerous regulatory requirements apply. These include:
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| ● | establishment registration and device listing; |
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| ● | quality management system regulation, which requires manufacturers, including third-party manufacturers, to follow stringent design, testing, control, documentation, current good manufacturing practice, as applicable, and other quality assurance procedures during all aspects of the manufacturing process; |
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| ● | labeling regulations and the FDA prohibitions against the promotion of products for un-cleared, unapproved or "off-label" uses, and other requirements related to promotional activities; |
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| ● | medical device reporting regulations, which require that manufacturers report to the FDA if their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury or malfunctioned in a way that would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur; |
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| ● | corrections and removals reporting regulations, which require that manufacturers report to the FDA field corrections and product recalls or removals if undertaken to reduce a risk to health posed by the device or to remedy a violation that may present a risk to health; and |
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| ● | post-market surveillance regulations, which apply when necessary to protect the public health or to provide additional safety and effectiveness data for the device. |
Any new Class II devices developed by us will be submitted to the FDA as required by the 510(k) process. Under this process, when a 510(k) clearance is required, we must submit a premarket notification to the FDA demonstrating that our proposed device is "substantially equivalent" to a previously cleared and legally marketed 510(k) device, a legally marketed device which has been reclassified from high to low or moderate risk or a device that was in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976 for which the FDA does not require the submission of a premarket approval application, which is commonly known as the "predicate device." In 2019, the FDA released a final guidance for industry regarding an optional Safety and Performance Based Pathway for 510(k) clearance, which allows a submitter to demonstrate that an eligible new device of a well-understood type meets FDA-identified performance criteria to demonstrate that the device is as safe and effective as a legally marketed device. If the FDA determines that the device, or its intended use, is not substantially equivalent to a previously-cleared device or use, the FDA will issue a not substantially equivalent decision. This means the device cannot be cleared through the 510(k) process and will require marketing authorization through the premarket approval pathway.
A premarket approval application must be submitted to the FDA if the device cannot be cleared through the 510(k) process. The premarket approval application process is much more demanding and in-depth than the 510(k) premarket notification process and requires the payment of significant user fees. A premarket approval application must be supported by valid scientific evidence, which typically requires extensive data, including but not limited to technical, pre-clinical, clinical trials, manufacturing and labeling to demonstrate to the FDA's satisfaction reasonable evidence of safety and effectiveness of the device.
Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can result in enforcement action by the FDA, which may include, but are not limited to, any of the following compliance and enforcement actions: warning letters, fines, injunctions, civil or criminal penalties, recall or seizure of our products, operating restrictions, partial suspension or total shutdown of production, denying our request for 510(k) clearance or premarket approval of new products, rescinding previously granted 510(k) clearances or withdrawing previously granted premarket approvals.
We are also subject to announced and unannounced inspections by the FDA, and these inspections may include the manufacturing facilities or other sites of our subcontractors to audit any part of our quality system. We were inspected three times since January 2010 by the FDA and found to be in compliance with the Quality System Regulation requirements in effect at that time. We cannot assure you that we can maintain a comparable level of regulatory compliance in the future at our facilities.
FTC Regulation
Device advertising and promotional activity in certain circumstances is also subject to scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), as well as similar state consumer protection agencies, which enforce
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laws related to false and deceptive trade practices. A company that is found to have advertised its product in violation of these laws may be subject to liability, including monetary penalties.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, requires providers and suppliers of products or services to attain and maintain accreditation in order to participate in federally funded healthcare programs. To attain and maintain accreditation, among other requirements companies are required to institute policies and procedures that formalize the interaction of the company with patients. Accrediting bodies that are approved (“deemed”) by CMS will perform audits of these policies and procedures every three years. Should a company fall out of compliance with the requirements of the accrediting body, expulsion from the Medicare program could follow. In May 2008, we became a Durable, Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies accredited supplier by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This accreditation must be renewed every three years through a recredentialing process that includes an on-site review. We last renewed our accreditation with our accrediting body in May 2023. Maintaining our accreditation and Medicare enrollment requires that we comply with numerous business and customer support standards. If we are deemed out of compliance with accreditation standards our enrollment status in the Medicare program could be jeopardized, up to and including termination.
Licensure
Several states require that durable medical equipment providers be licensed in order to sell products to patients in that state. Certain of these states require that durable medical equipment providers maintain an in-state location. Most of our state licenses are renewed on an annual or bi-annual basis. In addition, we are subject to certain state laws regarding professional licensure.
Fraud and Abuse Regulations
Federal Anti-Kickback and Self-Referral Laws. The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, among other things, prohibits the knowing and willful offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any form of remuneration, whether directly or indirectly and overtly or covertly, in return for, or to induce the referral of an individual for the:
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| ● | furnishing or arranging for the furnishing of items or services reimbursable in whole or in part under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs; or |
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| ● | purchase, lease, or order of, or the arrangement or recommendation of the purchasing, leasing, or ordering of any item or service reimbursable in whole or in part under Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. |
The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute applies to certain arrangements with healthcare providers, product end users and other parties, including marketing arrangements and discounts and other financial arrangements offered to our clinicians in connection with the sale of our products. The statute is very broad, but includes statutory safe harbors (such as a discount safe harbor) to ensure that if a company tailors its conduct in accordance with a safe harbor, it will not violate the statute.
Noncompliance with the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute can result in civil, administrative and criminal penalties, restrictions on our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions, and exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. In addition, to the extent we are found to not be in compliance, we may be required to curtail or restructure our operations.
The Ethics in Patient Referrals Act, commonly known as the "Stark Law," prohibits a physician from making referrals for certain "designated health services" payable by Medicare to an entity, including a company that furnishes durable medical equipment, in which the physician or an immediate family member of such physician has an ownership or investment interest or with which the physician has entered into a compensation arrangement unless an exception applies. Violation of the Stark Law could result in denial of payment,
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disgorgement of reimbursements received under a noncompliant arrangement, civil penalties and exclusion from Medicare or other Federal health care programs.
Additionally, because some of these laws continue to evolve, we lack definitive guidance as to the application of certain key aspects of these laws as they relate to our arrangements with providers. We cannot predict the final form that these regulations will take or the effect that the final regulations will have on us. As a result, our provider arrangements may ultimately be found to be non-compliant with applicable federal law.
False statements. The federal false statements statute, relating to health care matters, prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing, or omitting a material fact or making any materially false statement in connection with the delivery of healthcare benefits, items, or services. In addition to criminal penalties, violation of this statute may result in collateral administrative sanctions, including exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs.
Federal False Claims Act and Civil Monetary Penalties Law. The Federal False Claims Act provides, in part, that the federal government may bring a lawsuit against any person whom it believes has knowingly presented, or caused to be presented, any false or fraudulent request for payment from the federal government, or who has made a false statement or used a false record to get a claim paid or to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government or knowingly retained an overpayment. The Federal False Claims Act’s qui tam provisions have made it easier for private parties to bring whistleblower lawsuits against companies.
The Civil Monetary Penalties Law provides, in part, that the federal government may seek civil monetary penalties against any person that, like under the Federal False Claims Act, presents or causes to be presented claims to a Federal health care program that the person knows or should know is for an item or services that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent or that has made a false statement or used a false record to get a claim paid. The federal government may also seek civil monetary penalties for a wide variety of other conduct, including offering remuneration to influence a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary's selection of providers and violations of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
If we are found to be in violation of the Federal False Claims Act or the Civil Monetary Penalties laws, penalties include fines for each false claim violation of the Federal False Claims Act and varying amounts based on the type of violation of the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, plus up to three times the amount of damages that the federal government sustained because of the act of that person. In addition, the federal government may also seek exclusion from participation in all federal health care programs.
In addition, we bill Medicare Part B, Medicaid, the Veterans Administration and other insurers directly for lymphedema products provided to patients. As a result, we must comply with all laws, rules and regulations associated with filing claims with the Medicare program, including the Social Security Act, Medicare regulations, the Federal False Claims Act and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, as well as a variety of additional federal and state laws. During an audit, insurers typically expect to find explicit documentation in the medical record to support a claim. Physicians and other clinicians, who are responsible for prescribing our products for patients, are expected to create and maintain the medical records that form the basis for the claims we submit to Medicare and other insurers. Any failure to properly document the medical records for patients using our products could invalidate claims, impair our ability to collect submitted claims and subject us to overpayment liabilities, Federal False Claims Act liabilities and other penalties including exclusion from the Medicare, Medicaid, other government health care programs or private insurance programs.
State fraud and abuse provisions. Many states have also adopted some form of anti-kickback and anti-referral laws and false claims acts that apply regardless of payer, in addition to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs. In some states, these laws apply, and we believe that we are in compliance with such laws. Nevertheless, a determination of liability under such laws could result in fines and penalties and restrictions on our ability to operate in these jurisdictions.
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Other Anti-Corruption Laws. We may be subject to a variety of domestic and foreign anti-corruption laws with respect to our regulatory compliance efforts and operations. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) is a criminal statute that prohibits an individual
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or business from paying, offering, promising or authorizing the provision of money (such as a bribe or kickback) or anything else of value (such as an improper gift, hospitality, or favor), directly or indirectly, to any foreign official, political party or candidate for the purpose of influencing any act or decision in order to assist the individual or business in obtaining, retaining, or directing business or other advantages (such as favorable regulatory rulings). In addition to the FCPA, there are other federal and state anti-corruption laws to which we may be subject, including, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 USC § 201 (which prohibits bribing U.S. government officials) and the U.S. Travel Act (which in some instances addresses private-sector or commercial bribery both within and outside the United States). Also, a number of other countries have their own domestic and international anti-corruption laws, such as the UK Bribery Act 2010.
We could be held liable under the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws for the illegal activities of our employees, representatives, contractors, collaborators, agents, subsidiaries, or affiliates, even if we did not explicitly authorize such activity. Although we will seek to comply with anti-corruption laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, representatives, contractors, collaborators, agents, subsidiaries or affiliates will comply with these laws at all times. Violation of these laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, other enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, significant fines, damages, other civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension and/or debarment from contracting with certain governments or other persons, importation restriction, the loss of export privileges, reputational harm, adverse media coverage and other collateral consequences. In addition, our directors, officers, employees, and other representatives who engage in violations of the FCPA and certain other anti-corruption statutes may face imprisonment, fines and penalties.
State and federal transparency/reporting requirements. As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or ACA, the Federal government has created a transparency program known as Open Payments (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) which requires applicable manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals and medical supplies to report annually to the CMS, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, information related to payments and other transfers of value provided to physicians and teaching hospitals (“covered recipients”) and certain ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. Beginning in 2021, tracking and reporting was expanded to include additional covered recipients, namely physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse-midwives. Failure to submit timely, accurate and complete information may result in significant civil monetary penalties for "knowing failures to report." Certain states have their own versions of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, and may also require implementation of commercial compliance programs and compliance with the device industry's voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government, impose restrictions on marketing practices, and/or prohibition and tracking and reporting of gifts, compensation and other remuneration or items of value provided to physicians and other healthcare professionals and entities.
The laws described above impact the kinds of financial arrangements we may have with hospitals, healthcare professionals or other potential purchasers of our products. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws or regulations described above or others that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including potentially significant criminal, civil and/or administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, administrative burdens, diminished profits and future earnings, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.
HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, established uniform standards governing the conduct of certain electronic healthcare transactions and protecting the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information maintained or transmitted by healthcare providers, health plans and healthcare clearinghouses, which are referred to as covered entities. The standards promulgated under HIPAA's regulations include those that:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | restrict the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information, or "protected health information"; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | establish standards for common electronic healthcare transactions, such as claims information, plan eligibility, payment information and the use of electronic signatures; |
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | require covered entities to implement and maintain certain security measures to safeguard certain electronic health information, including the adoption of administrative, physical and technical safeguards to protect such information; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ● | require covered entitles to provide notification to affected individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services and the media in the event of a breach of unsecured protected health information. |
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or ARRA, expanded HIPAA's privacy and security standards. ARRA includes the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, or HITECH, which, among other things, made HIPAA's privacy and security standards directly applicable to business associates of covered entities. A business associate is a person or entity that performs certain functions or activities on behalf of a covered entity that involve the use or disclosure of protected health information. As a result, business associates are now subject to significant civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with applicable standards. Moreover, HITECH creates a new requirement to report certain breaches of unsecured, individually identifiable health information and imposes penalties on entities that fail to do so. HITECH also increased the civil and criminal penalties that may be imposed against covered entities, business associates and possibly other persons and gave state attorneys general new authority to file civil actions for damages or injunctions in federal courts to enforce the federal HIPAA laws and seek attorney fees and costs associated with pursuing federal civil actions.
The 2013 final HITECH omnibus rule, or the HITECH Final Rule, modifies the breach reporting standard in a manner that makes more data security incidents qualify as reportable breaches. The costs of complying with privacy and security related legal and regulatory requirements are burdensome. The HITECH Final Rule will continue to be subject to interpretation by various courts and other governmental authorities, thus creating potentially complex compliance issues for us, as well as referring providers.
In addition to federal regulations issued under HIPAA, several states have enacted privacy and security statutes or regulations that, in certain cases, are more stringent than those issued under HIPAA. In those cases, it may be necessary to modify our planned operations and procedures to comply with the more stringent state laws. Most states have also adopted breach notification laws that require notification to affected individuals and certain state agencies if there is a security breach of certain individually-identifiable information. If we suffer a privacy or security breach, we could be required to expend significant resources to provide notification to the affected individuals and address the breach, as well as reputational harm associated with the breach. If we fail to comply with applicable state laws and regulations, we could be subject to additional sanctions. Any liability from failure to comply with the requirements of HIPAA, HITECH or state privacy and security statutes or regulations could adversely affect our financial condition. The costs of complying with privacy and security related legal and regulatory requirements are burdensome and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (“TCPA”) restricts telemarketing and the use of automated telephone equipment. The TCPA limits the use of automatic dialing systems, artificial or prerecorded voice messages, SMS text messages and fax machines. It also applies to unsolicited text messages advertising the commercial availability of goods or services. Additionally, a number of states have enacted statutes that address telemarketing. For example, some states, such as California, Illinois and New York, have created do-not-call lists. Other states, such as Oregon and Washington, have enacted “no rebuttal statutes” that require the telemarketer to end the call when the consumer indicates that he or she is not interested in the product being sold. Restrictions on telephone marketing, including calls and text messages, are enforced by the FTC, the Federal Communications Commission, states and through the availability of statutory damages and class action lawsuits for violations of the TCPA.
Environmental Regulation
Our research and development and manufacturing processes and operations may involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, including flammables, toxics and corrosives and produce hazardous chemical waste products. We are subject to numerous foreign, federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations relating to, among other matters, safe working conditions, product stewardship and end-of-life handling or disposition of products, and environmental protection, including those governing the
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generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous materials. Some of these laws and regulations require us to obtain licenses or permits to conduct our operations. Environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time.
Foreign Government Regulation
International sales of medical devices are subject to foreign governmental regulations, which vary substantially from country to country. The time required to obtain clearance or approval by a foreign country may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA clearance or approval, and the requirements may be different. Many countries also impose product standards, packaging requirements, environmental requirements, labeling requirements, and import restrictions on medical devices. Each country has its own tariff regulations, duties and tax requirements. Failure to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements may subject a company to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions, criminal prosecution or other consequences.
The European Union is the primary regulator in Europe, which has adopted numerous directives/regulations and has promulgated standards regulating the design, manufacture, clinical trials, labeling and adverse event reporting for medical devices. Medical devices that comply with the requirements of applicable directives/regulations will be entitled to bear the CE conformity marking, indicating that the device conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable directives/regulations and, accordingly, can be commercially distributed throughout the member states of the European Union, and other countries that comply with or mirror these directives. At this time, we have no products that are CE marked.
Third-Party Reimbursement
In the United States and elsewhere, sales of medical devices depend in significant part on the availability of coverage and reimbursement to providers and patients from third-party payers. Third-party payers include private insurance plans and governmental programs. As with other medical devices, reimbursement for our products can differ significantly from payer to payer, and our products are not universally covered by third- party commercial payers. Further, third-party payers continually review existing technologies for continued coverage and can, with limited notice, deny or reverse coverage for existing products.
Two principal governmental third-party payers in the United States are Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is a federal program that provides certain medical insurance benefits to persons age 65 and over, certain disabled persons and others. In contrast, Medicaid is a medical assistance program jointly funded by federal and state governments to serve certain individuals and families with low incomes and who meet other eligibility requirements. Each state administers its own Medicaid program which determines the benefits made available to the Medicaid recipients in that state. The Medicare and Medicaid statutory framework is subject to administrative rulings, interpretations and discretion that affect the amount and timing of reimbursement made under Medicare and Medicaid.
CMS, which is the agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that administers both Medicare and Medicaid, has the authority to decline to cover particular products or services if it determines that they are not "reasonable and necessary" for the treatment of Medicare beneficiaries. A coverage determination for a product, which establishes the indications that will be covered, and any restrictions or limitations, can be developed at the national level by CMS through a National Coverage Determination, or NCD, or at the local level through a Local Coverage Determination, or LCD, by a regional Medicare Administrative Contractor, which is a private contractor that processes and pays claims on behalf of CMS for the geographic area where the services were rendered. Obtaining a coverage determination, whether an NCD or LCD, is a time-consuming, expensive and highly uncertain endeavor, especially for a new device. Under the current NCD that has been effective since January 14, 2002, pneumatic compression devices, or PCDs, including our products, are covered for the treatment of lymphedema or for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with venous stasis ulcers. A LCD, administered by the two Medicare Administrative Contractors responsible for processing durable medical equipment claims, and which had set forth additional coverage criteria impacting Medicare coverage for our products was retired on November 14, 2024. The validity of the coverage criteria in the LCD remains
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under dispute in the District Court of the District of Columbia. Our Medicare business was 24% of revenue in 2025 compared to 18% in 2024.
Because Medicare criteria is extensive, we have a team dedicated to educating clinicians to help them understand how Medicare policy affects their patients and the medical record documentation needed to meet Medicare requirements. We maintain open communication with physician key opinion leaders and with Medicare contractors to provide data as it becomes available that could potentially influence coverage decisions. We also continue to closely monitor our Medicare business to identify trends that could have a negative impact on certain Medicare patients' access to our products, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was enacted in July 2025. The OBBBA contains provisions that may reduce future Medicare reimbursement rates due to deficit-driven sequestration provisions. Similarly, certain provisions contained in the OBBBA may have the effect of reducing participation in Medicaid on a national basis. Changes to Medicaid eligibility or enrollment procedures could reduce the number of covered lives, decrease demand for our products, and increase uncompensated care.
Commercial payers that reimburse for our products do so in a variety of ways, depending on the insurance plan's policies, employer and benefit manager input, and contracts with their provider network. Moreover, Medicaid programs and some commercial insurance plans, especially Medicare Advantage plans (commercial insurers that are administering Medicare benefits to certain beneficiaries), are frequently influenced by Medicare coverage determinations. In working with payers who follow Medicare criteria, we have focused on clear communications with insurers to ensure mutual understanding of criteria interpretation, which differs significantly among the plans from very restrictive to quite lenient, and we then work closely with clinicians to educate them accordingly. While this approach has had positive impact, we do not know if or when additional payers may adopt more restrictive criteria nor do we know how they will choose to interpret it.
We believe a reduction or elimination of coverage or reimbursement of our products by Medicare would likely cause some commercial third-party payers to implement similar reductions in their coverage or reimbursement of our products. If we are unable to expand coverage of our products by additional commercial payers, or if third-party payers that currently cover or reimburse for our products reverse or limit their coverage or reimbursement levels in the future, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Intellectual Property
Our intellectual property consists of patented designs and methods and proprietary know-how. In addition to the patented designs and methods discussed below, we have made significant investments in proprietary know-how, including the manufacture of fabrics and garments used in our systems and the algorithms used to manage the inflation and deflation of our systems and other functions of the controllers. To maintain and protect our proprietary technologies and products, we rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property laws, and confidentiality provisions in our contracts. We have a policy to enter into confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants, third parties and our advisors to protect our intellectual property and maintain our competitive position. We also require our employees and consultants to sign agreements requiring that they assign to us their interest in intellectual property such as patents and copyrights arising from their work for us. We also require all employees to sign an agreement not to compete unfairly with us during their employment and upon termination of their employment through the misuse of confidential information, soliciting employees, and soliciting customers. Despite any measures taken to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our systems or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.
Patents
Our patent portfolio consists of a few sets of patents, including patents relating to our Flexitouch system, our AffloVest system and other related technologies. As of December 31, 2025, we owned about 172 issued patents globally, of which 61 were issued U.S. patents. As of December 31, 2025, we owned about 21 pending patent applications pending globally, of which 10 were pending patent applications in the United States. Our
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U.S. issued patents have varying patent terms, expiring between 2026 and through at least 2040, subject to payment of required maintenance fees, annuities and other charges.
Trademarks
We have registered the trademarks Tactile Medical, Flexitouch, Flexitouch Plus, the Flexitouch logo design, ComfortEase, Entre, AffloVest, AffloVest Pro, Kylee and Nimbl with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the Principal Register. We rely in the United States on common law rights to the Tactile Medical design trademark. The Tactile Medical trademark is registered in Australia and Japan, and the AffloVest trademark is registered in Australia, the European Union, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Seasonality
Our business is affected by seasonality. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Seasonality.”
Human Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2025, we had 1,086 employees. We had 651 employees based throughout the United States, as well as 435 employees primarily based in our corporate/manufacturing locations in the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Our employees are our most important resource, and they set the foundation for our ability to achieve our strategic objectives.
The success and growth of our business depends, in large part, on our ability to attract, retain and develop talented and high-performing employees at all levels of our organization, including the individuals who comprise our workforce as well as executive officers and other key personnel. To succeed in a competitive labor market, we have developed key recruitment and retention strategies, objectives and measures that we focus on as part of the overall management of our business. These strategies, objectives and measures form the pillars of our human capital management framework and are advanced through the following programs, policies and initiatives:
Total Rewards: Rewarding and supporting our employees is essential to Company morale. To maintain a competitive salary and benefits package, we utilize multiple external survey sources to evaluate employee compensation and an independent third party to review executive compensation. We continue to explore and utilize benefits options in line with our growing workforce to attract and retain top talent. These benefits include but are not limited to retirement savings, an employee stock purchase plan, a variety of health insurance options, including dental and vision, discounts on healthy foods and fitness memberships, disability insurance, paid maternity/paternity leave, and a company volunteer program providing employees paid time to give back to the community.
Employee Engagement and Culture: We consider employee engagement to be a cornerstone of our business and we encourage different perspectives and ideas, which we believe enables better business decisions and rapid innovation. We are committed to constructive and critical self-evaluation that leads to concrete steps that continually enhance and strengthen our corporate culture.
Fair Labor Practices: We seek fair labor practices throughout our business, including from our partners and key suppliers who share our values for human rights, dignity, and respect. We have adopted a Human Rights Policy formalizing this commitment and implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct, requiring from our suppliers the same commitment to human rights, fair labor practices, and anticorruption that we value here at Tactile Medical.
Health and Safety: The health and safety of our employees is a vital aspect to the success of the Company. We provide all employees training on workplace safety and require employees to follow standards and practices supporting a safe and healthy work environment.
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Talent and Retention: In 2025, we continued to focus on recruitment, hiring, and retention to ensure high quality talent and a strong fit for specific roles within the Company. Our recruitment efforts include strong recruiting and hiring processes, as well as an internship program. The Company’s intranet facilitates employee inclusion, provides resources, and advances transparent communication efforts. We also have a number of learning and development options for our team members.
We continue to be diligent and remain focused on our employee engagement strategies, including through exit interview analyses, talent management and retention risk analyses and periodic employee engagement surveys.
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
We also make financial information, news releases and other information available on our corporate website at www.tactilemedical.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge on this website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these reports and amendments with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the SEC.
Information About our Executive Officers
Certain information with respect to our executive officers as of February 17, 2026 is set forth below.
Sheri L. Dodd, age 60, has served as a member of our Board of Directors since January 2021 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since July 2024. Previously, Ms. Dodd served as President of Medtronic Canada at Medtronic plc. Since joining Medtronic in March 2010, Ms. Dodd served as Vice President and General Manager of Medtronic Care Management Services, Vice President and General Manager of Non-intensive Diabetes Therapies and Vice President for Global Health Economics, Reimbursement & Policy and Global Clinical Research across the Medtronic cardiovascular portfolio. From November 1997 until March 2010, Ms. Dodd held various positions in the pharma and medical divisions with Johnson & Johnson, most recently as Vice President of Health Economics and Reimbursement for Ethicon, Inc. Ms. Dodd also served as an outcomes researcher with Orthopedic Surgeons, plc from January 1995 until November 1997. From May 1988 until September 1993, Ms. Dodd served as a project coordinator with the World Health Organization.
Elaine M. Birkemeyer, age 51, has served as our Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in March 2023. Ms. Birkemeyer joined the Company from UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (“UnitedHealth”), where she had served as Chief Financial Officer, Optum Care Solutions, from May 2021 to March 2023. Prior to that she held various other roles with UnitedHealth, including Chief Financial Officer, Rally Health from March 2020 to May 2021, Senior Vice President, Optum Corporate Finance from February 2017 to March 2020, and Vice President, Optum Operations Finance from July 2014 to February 2017. Previously, Ms. Birkemeyer held various positions with Best Buy Co., Inc., including Senior Director, Strategy and Business Planning, Senior Finance Director and Senior Finance Manager. Ms. Birkemeyer has over 26 years of experience in finance, accounting, financial analysis, strategy and business planning. Ms. Birkemeyer holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Kristie T. Burns, age 54, has served as our Senior Vice President, Marketing & Clinical Affairs since joining the company in March 2021. Prior to joining our company, Ms. Burns was the Chief Marketing Officer of Cala Health, Inc., a privately-held bioelectronic medicine company developing wearable neuromodulation therapies for chronic disease, from January 2017 until March 2021. At Cala Health, she organized the company’s commercial functions and managed the U.S. commercial introduction of its lead product. Prior to joining Cala Health, Inc., Ms. Burns served as Vice President of Solutions Marketing, ResMed Americas of ResMed Inc. (NYSE: RMD), a global leader in digital health and cloud-connected medical devices focused on
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sleep apnea and other chronic diseases, from December 2003 to February 2016. Ms. Burns held various marketing and leadership roles of increasing responsibility with ResMed Inc. beginning in 2003. At ResMed Inc., her responsibilities included managing marketing and legal due diligence teams and leading the collaboration between multiple teams following a significant market reorganization. Ms. Burns previously served in consulting and business development roles of increasing responsibility at a privately-held cardiology consulting practice that was subsequently acquired by GE Medical Systems, from 1994 to 1999.