Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Interview With Dr. Mike Wilkinson, Chief Medic of 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

The Winter Paralympic Games are currently going on in Vancouver and fearless athletes are out on the snow and ice pushing their bodies (and some medgadgets) to the limit. Gene Ostrovsky, one of our editors, spoke with Dr. Mike Wilkinson, Chief Medical Officer of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, about the effort required to provide medical services for such an event. Here's the full interview:

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GE Healthcare Releases Clinical IMAGES iPhone App for Radiologists

Filed under: Net News

GE Healthcare has released an iPhone app aimed at radiologists which shows off sample images and videos from GE Healthcare imaging systems. It was demonstrated recently at RSNA 2009. Currently almost a hundred images and videos from the OPTIMA450W MRI system are included, and the app will be updated periodically adding image sets from other products including x-ray, ultrasound and PET systems.

Although GE boldy states "Radiologists, there is an iPhone app for you too!", we suspect it will be of more use in the hands of sales representatives. From the press release:

"There are times when you could only meet the radiologist at the hallway of the hospital for 30 seconds. Now with this application we can show them right there more than 100 clinical images and videos".

Nevertheless it is a nifty marketing tool and it might come handy the next time you are shopping for a new MRI system for your hospital.

See the following video for a demonstration of the app:

Press release: Radiologists, There Is An iPhone App For You Too!

Link: Clinical IMAGES in the iTunes app store...

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Energized Condoms Coming Soon? A New Method for Transdermal Delivery of Nitric Oxide

Filed under: in the news...

The New York Times profiles research by Harvey A. Liu and Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. of the University of Texas at Dallas to create a therapeutic nitric oxide releasing bandage. Nitric oxide can play a significant role in peripheral vasodilation, relaxation of pulmonary vasculature, and other physiological processes, such as penile erection. Therefore, an effective method of delivering this free radical should allow the development of new types of vascular stockings, bandages, and other therapeutic (or recreational) devices.

A snippet from NYT:

As they describe in a paper in Chemistry of Materials, the researchers use a zeolite, an aluminosilicate mineral that has a three-dimensional cage structure. Zeolites have been shown to be able to store and release nitric oxide and other chemicals. They embed the mineral in fibers of a biocompatible polymer, polylactic acid, as they are spun and form a tissue-like mat. The fibers are then infused with nitric oxide; by controlling the porosity of the fibers, the researchers could control the release of the gas.

The researchers say the resulting material could be incorporated into socks for diabetics that would deliver nitric oxide through the skin. It might also prove useful before transplants as a wrapping for organs to help preserve them outside the body for longer.

CareFusion AVAmax Vertebral Balloon Kyphoplasty Device

Filed under: Neurological Surgery , Orthopedic Surgery

CareFusion of San Diego, California has announced the release of the AVAmax Vertebral Balloon that can be used to treat spinal compression fractures. It consists of a small balloon attached to a catheter which is inserted in the vertebral body and then inflated in order to create a cavity. This cavity is subsequently filled with bone cement in order to stabilize the fracture and restore the height of the affected vertebra. Additionally the AVAmax PLUS vertebral augmentation system is available for use in conjunction with the AVAmax Vertebral Balloon to deliver cement, which allows the radiologist’s hands to be out of the radiation field during the procedure. CareFusion claims to be the only company in the industry that nowadays offers a full line of products addressing both vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. The device is released as part of a range of products that includes needles, bone cement and delivery instruments.

Press release: CAREFUSION LAUNCHES NEW DEVICE TO HELP TREAT SPINAL FRACTURES ...

Link: CareFusion AVAmax product line

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Dyna-Vision Real-Time Remote Patient Monitoring System Gets US Green Light

Filed under: Cardiology , Medicine , Telemedicine

RS TechMedic BV out of Broek op Langedijk, The Netherlands has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Dyna-Vision line of portable cardiac monitors. The devices, already approved in Europe, transmit ECG data wirelessly to a clinician via Bluetooth or through a mobile phone network.

Features of the top end Dyna-Vision device from the product page:

Remote Monitoring of Vital Signs: > 3, 5 and 12 lead ECG > Heart Rate > Plethysmogram & SpO2 > Respiration & Respiratory Rate

Benefits:
> Real-Time Remote Monitoring without limitations
> Internal GSM, Bluetooth Class I and USB connection
> No peripherals required for transmission
> Dyna-Vision© supports all mobile networks

Turn-key Telemedicine Solutions and Interfacing:
> Integration of Dyna-Vision© in existing platforms
> Server Solution, PC software and monitoring devices
> Remote Cardiac Diagnostic Services

Here's a demo video about Dyna-Vision:

Product page: Dyna-Vision...

Here's an interview Ivor Kovic, our former editor, took with the CEO of RS TechMedic in October 2008: Dyna-Vision Monitoring from RS TechMedic...

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Robot Scientist Automates Scientific Discovery

Filed under: in the news...

The Singularity Hub is reporting on a genetic discovery brought to you entirely by Adam, a robot at Aberystwyth University in Wales that can conduct its own experiments. Not just that, Adam actually invents its own experiments and defines how to perform each study. After carrying out the task Adam analyzes the data, providing scientists (we'll still call them that) with easily verifiable results.

Some details of Adam's first discovery from Singularity Hub:

His developers introduced him to a yeast genetics mystery that had eluded discovery for quite some time. As with all living organisms, yeast have proteins called enzymes that catalyze many of the chemical reactions necessary for life to occur. Each of these enzymes is encoded in the yeast's genome, but a few of these enzymes were difficult to link to particular genes. For decades, geneticists had toiled to figure out which genes encode a few of these "orphan" enzymes.
Dr. King and colleagues gave Adam a database containing information on the enzymes, the chemicals and reagents to do the experiments, and access to the yeast cultures. After that, a human technician only came around to refill the necessary reagents and remove the waste products generated from the experiments (evidently, Adam is unable to perform those lowly tasks!). So what did Adam find? After multiple rounds of experimentation and analysis, Adam found exactly which yeast genes encode which "orphan" enzymes! The human scientists then went to work to verify his findings by doing the experiments manually. Eureka! Adam had indeed solved the problem!

Here's a video about Adam:

Read on at Singularity Hub: Adam The Robot Scientist Makes Its First Discovery...

Abstract in Science: The Automation of Science

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"Mark Roth: Suspended animation is within our grasp"

Filed under: in the news...

Mark Roth, a research biologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, has been studying the mechanics of suspended animation, or the ability of some animals to go into a near death state from which they can later wake up. In his last month's TED talk, Roth gave an overview of the state of suspended animation research and the potential it has for medicine.

Link @ TED: Mark Roth: Suspended animation is within our grasp...

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Ambulight PDT for Outpatient Photodynamic Skin Cancer Therapy

Filed under: Dermatology , Oncology

Ambicare Health out of Fife, Scotland just received the European CE mark of approval and is subsequently launching the Ambulight PDT device for on-the-go photodynamic therapy. PDT typically requires in-hospital equipment, so skin cancer patients are tied to a clinical environment when receiving treatment. The Ambulight PDT is small and portable enough to be worn inconspicuously as a skin patch, taking the patient out of the hospital for a better experience and reduced costs.

Features from the product page:

A single use device, packaged as a disposable dressing, it is simple to set up with the patient

Wearable low powered light source technology allows greater freedom of movement during treatment

Low light intensity - which has the potential to reduce pain

A high uniformity of light, wavelength matched to the PDT cream and treatment protocol

Convenient for patient, medical professional and healthcare provider

Here's a BBC report about the device:

Press release: Ambicare Health demonstrates it’s [sic] revolutionary device to key European practitioners in Monaco...

Product page: Ambulight PDT ...

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SJM Enhances Usability of Company's FFR Measurement Technology

Filed under: Cardiology

St. Jude Medical has announced a few additions and improvements to their Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measurement system. The PressureWire Certus FFR measurement device is promised to be more ergonomic for physician use, while PressureWire Aeris, the wireless version, can now be used with Siemens AXIOM Sensis XP hemodynamic recording system.

The new PressureWire Certus includes modifications to design and functionality which will provide physicians with more controlled handling and versatility. It is the only guidewire on the market to offer in one wire the combined measurement of pressure and temperature which enables calculations of FFR, Coronary Flow Reserve (CFR) and an Index of Microcirculatory Resistance (IMR).

The PressureWire Aeris system offers a secure, wireless interface between PressureWire and a cath lab's hemodynamic recording system to immediately display, measure and save FFR data. With FFR results integrated into a patient's existing study record, the severity of coronary lesions is documented together with other procedural data and angiographic imagery. The wireless technology of the PressureWire Aeris also eliminates cables crossing the sterile field, reducing variables and making the entire procedure faster and easier.

St. Jude Medical's new agreement with Siemens will enable integrated wireless FFR measurement with PressureWire Aeris as an upgrade to hospitals using the Siemens AXIOM Sensis XP. The AXIOM Sensis XP is one of the most widely used hemodynamic recording systems in cath labs and offers advanced measurement programs which aid physicians in interventional procedures.

Because of this new agreement with Siemens, and existing compatibility with other recording systems including the GE Mac-Lab(R) Hemodynamic Recording System, Mennen Horizon XVu and the McKesson Horizon Cardiology Hemo(TM) solution, the PressureWire Aeris technology can be used in the majority of cardiac cath labs for wireless integrated FFR measurement utilizing existing hardware.

Press release: St. Jude Medical Announces Multiple Enhancements to Industry-Leading PressureWire FFR Measurement System ...

Product pages: PressureWire™ Certus FFR Measurement System; PressureWire™ Aeris Wireless FFR Measurement System...

Flashbacks: New Technology Reduces Risks After Cardiac Stenting Procedures; RADI and GE Healthcare Collaboration Delivers First Wireless FFR Monitoring ;