Founded in 2000, and based in Marietta, just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, FOCUS-IT has been in the business of providing shockwave therapy equipment for veterinary applications in the U.S. for nearly a dozen years.
Company founder, Gerhard Kinas, has been involved in the research, development, distribution and establishment of new treatment procedures for non-invasive extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and other innovative non-invasive medical technologies in Europe and the United States for more than 20 years.
Originally from Germany, Gerhard’s education in biomedical engineering includes an advanced degree in medical technology and biomedical engineering. He began working for shockwave manufacturer STORZ MEDICAL in Switzerland in 1990 and gained broad knowledge and experience by working in many departments including application, research, training, R & D and others — and in many different counties throughout Europe.
ESWT’s History is that it was originally discovered as a tool for urology application — used for breaking up kidney stones. However, Gerhard was lucky enough to be part of the forefront of investigations and discoveries for new uses for ESWT throughout the 1990s. For example, he got to be a part of the team in Italy that discovered great shockwave results for delayed bone healing, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and other human orthopedic applications.
Introduced in the United States
Although shock wave therapy was in popular use in Europe at the time, it wasn’t until 1999 that STORZ received FDA approval for ESWT (for urology applications) in the U.S. Because the American market lacked experience and expertise in the use of the equipment, Gerhard came to the U.S. to teach and train the technology. U.S. interest in shock wave beyond just urology grew — especially orthopedic applications — but because use on humans is so tightly regulated by the FDA in America, Gerhard founded FOCUS-IT, LLC to promote and expand the use of ESWT to the veterinary market to put the technology to use in healing animals.
Affordability and Portability
When Gerhard started the business in 2000, shockwave therapy units were large, heavy, cumbersome and very expensive; as a result, it wasn’t practical for veterinarians to actually own the machines. So FOCUS-It began a mobile shockwave service, taking the machines to veterinarians, either in their clinics or at the barn or wherever an injured horse needed treatment. Today, the technology is so advanced — and the units are so affordable and portable — that veterinarians can easily own their own shockwave units.
The STORZ MEDICAL Brand
Gerhard has investigated — and even at times represented — other shockwave manufacturers. But he believes that STORZ MEDICAL is the most effective, most economical ESWT equipment and therefore wholly supports it.
Customer Service and Support
FOCUS-IT remains dedicated to promoting shockwave technology as an effective, painless and cost-effective therapeutic alternative for promoting healing, and restoring function, motion and strength to injured horses. To that end, we have a dedicated staff providing Customer Support to assist our clients with questions, training and customer service, as well as a number of ownership, rental and financing alternatives to make shockwave units as accessible and affordable as possible to the veterinary community.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone: +1-770-612-8245.
FOCUS-IT, LLC Mission Statement
We are committed to providing our clients with the latest in NON-INVASIVE, secure and proven treatment technologies available today and in the future. By combining our experience with our international clinical research partners, we are committed to support our clients with the most up-to-date knowledge for efficient use of the latest state-of-the-art technologies available today and in years to come. We are dedicated to providing the most responsive and highest service levels for all veterinarians, physicians, and healthcare professionals using our technology.