Friday, November 20, 2009
Infinity M540 from Draeger Makes Hospital Workflow and Patient Data Oh So So Smooth
Filed under: Anesthesiology
, Critical Care
Here's another piece of news about medical gadgetry released at the ongoing Medica 2009. The Infinity M540 from Drägerwerk AG & Co. (aka Dräger) is designed to provide portability and full functionality of a stationary vitals signs monitor:
The Dräger Infinity M540 measures and saves patient vital signs data, including 12-lead ECG and etCO2 values. For transport, the hospital staff can release the M540 from its docking station using one hand. The monitor continues to display and record vital data without interruption. As soon as the M540 is reconnected to a docking station – whether at its previous location or on a different ward – it automatically backfills the data recorded on transport into the Medical Cockpit, which is the central control and viewing unit of the Infinity Acute Care System.This way, trends and events from the patient's current hospital stay are accessible to the clinician even after transport. When the Infinity M540 is used in combination with an Infinity C700 or C500 Medical Cockpit, relevant monitoring parameters are available. "In view of increasingly complex clinical scenarios, having comprehensive patient information is becoming a key factor in modern patient care," says Prof. Dr. Jürgen Peters, Director of the Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at Essen University Hospital. The clinic was the first facility in the world to install Infinity M540 monitors.
To support hospital workflow, a compact monitor design and simple operation are also required. "In the daily clinical routine, it is important for staff and patients that devices are simple to operate," explains Jürgen Peters. "The less we have to concentrate on the technology, the more we can focus on the patients."
The slim, rectangular design of the M540 makes it possible to hold the patient monitor with just one hand. The color display fills almost the entire surface area of the monitor, so multiple vital signs parameters can be viewed at a glance despite the compact size of the device.
When the monitor is turned 180 degrees, the display rotates automatically so information is immediately readable again (auto-flip technology). This enables the monitor to be positioned on either side of the patient, as required for proper orientation of the cable connectors.
When docked, the M540 can automatically adopt the settings from the Medical Cockpit to which it is connected. This allows each ward to immediately display the parameters relevant to the ward without having to reprogram the device. As menus, nomenclature, function keys and display are similar to other Dräger components, the M540 can require only a minimal amount of training. This standardization also helps to avoid errors.
Press release: New Monitoring Component for the Infinity Acute Care System...
(0)
Sci Fi Contest: Send Us Your Entries
Filed under:
We are pleased to announce that we now have an adequate number of entries for this year's Sci Fi Writing Contest. But if you are a talented writer, the opportunity is still here, and you still can win a brand new Amazon Kindle. So get your talent and imagination together, write a short interesting fictional piece involving the future of medicine, and send it to us by Tuesday, November 24, 2009. This weekend will be a perfect time to write, and maybe become the next winner.
More details here: Med Sci Fi Writing Contest - Return of The Prose...
(0)
Let Draeger Polaris Be Your Guiding Light
Filed under: Cardiac Surgery
, ENT
, Neurological Surgery
, Ob/Gyn
, Orthopedic Surgery
, Plastic Surgery
, Surgery
, Thoracic Surgery
, Urology
, Vascular Surgery
We are continuing to profile the latest gadgets that are being showcased at the Medica 2009 in Düsseldorf. This beautiful line of cold OR light systems, appropriately dubbed Polaris, comes from Drägerwerk AG & Co., a company better known to everyone as Dräger.
Details from the press release:
Compared with conventional light sources, the smaller LEDs of the Polaris system are considerably more energy-efficient than conventional light sources. An LED light source has a life span of about 30,000 hours (corresponding to about seven to ten years of service life in the operating room), while the life span of a conventional light source is about 1,000 hours (corresponding to about four months of service life in the operating room). The slight amount of lost heat from the LEDs is dispensed through the top of the housing.The different Polaris models are distinguished by their illuminating power. They can be used as an individual OR light or as a satellite in multiple-light systems, and can also be equipped with an integrated camera.
This new product design received the red dot design award 2008 which, according to the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, is based on criteria such as innovation, functionality, quality and ergonomics.
The 108 light-emitting diodes of the Polaris (700 model) distribute light with a color temperature of 4,600 Kelvin. "Cold light" (without long-wave infrared content) is generated by means of a phosphor layer on the semiconductor and focused via an optical system. The LEDs are installed in the reflectors in pairs.
The individual light paths form a light cylinder which has an illumination depth of about 1,100 millimeters and a variable diameter of 220 to 290 millimeters. This ensures that the light of each LED can be focused on the OR field and that several surgeons can work simultaneously on the OR field without noticeably reducing the brightness.
Press release: Precision lighting with the new Dräger Polaris...
(0)
Evidence MultiStat from Randox Might Save Cardiac Lives and More
Filed under: Pathology
RANDOX Laboratories, a diagnostics company from Crumlin, UK, is releasing in Düsseldorf at Medica 2009 a 
new semi-automated analyzer that can perform detection of up to 12 analytes from a single patient sample in under 20 minutes. The Evidence MultiStat™ can save lives of cardiac patients or identify drug junkies, hence it can be used in emergency rooms, cardiology departments, ambulatory centers, or even employee drug screening centers.
The following arrays are currently available:
Cardiac Array [serum]: Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB), Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP), Myoglobin, Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI)Drugs of Abuse Array I [urine]: Amphetamine, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepine 1, Benzodiazepine 2, Cannabinoids, Cocaine metabolite (Benzoylecgonine), Methamphetamine, Methadone, Opiates, Phencyclidine, Creatinine (dilution marker)
Product page: Evidence MultiStat...
Announcement on Twitter: Randox unveils cardiac care technology...
(0)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My Lab One Portable Ultrasound from Esaote Makes Debut
Filed under: Anesthesiology
, Cardiology
, Critical Care
, Emergency Medicine
, Medicine
, Military Medicine
, Ob/Gyn
, Pediatrics
, Radiology
, Sports Medicine
, Surgery
, Urology
, Vascular Surgery
At the ongoing Medica 2009 in Düsseldorf, Esaote out of Genoa, Italy is releasing a new portable ultrasound system that features a 12 inch touch screen for manipulating settings without having to use buttons. The My Lab One can be worn on a shoulder strap and is designed for mobile applications such as ambulatory anesthesia, EMT, military and sports medicine.
From the press release:
The automatic rotation of the image according to the position of the system, an ergonomic probe equipped with controls, a long life battery, all add up to making this ultrasound an extraordinary innovation in the medical system arena.MyLab One is a “dedicated” ultrasound, which reflects perfectly today’s need for diagnostic capabilities in many different fields of application: from Radiology to Cardiology, from to Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia, Sports Medicine, etc… or in first-aid, emergency, vascular screening as well as in general practices.
Press release: Esaote presents “My Lab One” Innovative “wearable” ultrasound scanner ARM HELD
Product page: Esaote ultrasound...
(0)
Safe Life A400: A New Look for an N95 Respirator
Filed under: Medicine
, Public Health
Safe Life Corporation (San Diego, CA) recently released a new respirator that looks and feels more like a traditional surgical face mask. We received a copy of the A400 respirator for review and spent about a half hour wearing it to see how it feels.
The new Safe Life A400 N95 Respirator can filter 95 percent of the airborne particles that can carry viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, while looking and feeling similar to a normal face mask. It's light, durable and easy to use. Safe Life made this respirator by infusing iodine into a polymer, making it safe for wearing while oxidizing microorganisms to death.
The disposable mask comes in two sizes (S/M and M/L) and is said to be cost effective, though there is no information about the price.
Doing activities around the house with the Safe Life N95 Respirator was fine, until 30 minutes after wearing the mask it became slightly uncomfortable as the neck straps are quite tight and pull the unit firmly onto the face. Another marginal issue was with the padded metal band that creates a seal around the nose area. It was a bit rough and could use softer support padding.
Other than the mask being slightly irritating, the Safe Life N95 Respirator does the job, and it's been certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to be a true N95 class respirator.
Overall, we can say that Safe Life created an innovative product that does what the mask was supposed to do. It comes in a small package, it is relatively comfortable, and is a bit less conspicuous than traditional respirators.
Press release: Safe Life Introduces First Comfortable, Breathable N95 Respirator with Antimicrobial Protection ...
Product page: Safe Life N95 Respirators ...
(0)
Enigma ML System for Quick and Easy PCR
Filed under: Genetics
This week at MEDICA2009 in Düsseldorf, Enigma Diagnostics out of Wiltshire, UK is unveiling its new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) apparatus. The Enigma ML provides almost fool proof testing using single disposable reagent cartridges, and can be expanded to run multiple PCR tests in parallel using one control unit.
The Enigma ML has a modular, easily scalable architecture providing flexibility and choice in different healthcare settings. At entry level with a single processing module it is a compact, portable, inexpensive instrument ideally suited to settings where usage is lower and space is a premium e.g. in the doctor's office, pharmacy or intensive care unit. At the other end of the scale, multiple processing modules can be controlled by a single master unit allowing random-access, parallel running of different samples and tests.It incorporates a clever, disposable cartridge which can accommodate either liquid or swab samples without any requirements for manual processing. All reagents and sample preparation tools are held on the self-contained cartridge and all steps are automated, minimising the risk of human error. The instrument also has a simple to use touch-screen for data entry and result reporting, plus an integrated label printer.
The system can perform multiplex, real-time PCR assays for both DNA and RNA targets.
Key features:
Fully automated real-time PCR system
rapid test (30 ~ 45 minutes to result)
multi-sample and scalable
accepts swabs and liquids (e.g. urine, blood plasma)
integrated sample preparation and analysis
low system price
small footprint (no specialist skills or cold storage requirements)
Product page: Enigma ML ...
(0)
Nanopillars Capture Circulating Tumor Cells
Filed under: Nanomedicine
Well, we're back with more circulating tumor cell (CTC) news. This one comes from a new study published by UCLA scientists that describes a new technology to capture CTCs for analysis. The device is a silicon chip covered in nano-pillars coated with a special antibody to cause circulating tumor cells to stick. The chip can then be used with existing lab technology to analyze the collected tumor cells. The new device is faster and will hopefully be cheaper than similar existing technology.
Metastatic disease is usually identified by performing biopsies of solid metastatic tumors. This is often late in the disease, however, and it's better to identify metastatic disease earlier (such as by detecting CTCs) so that treatment can possibly be more effective.
More info from the press release:
In a study published this month in the journal Angewandte Chemie, the UCLA team developed a 1-by-2-centimeter silicon chip that is covered with densely packed nanopillars and looks like a shag carpet. To test cell-capture performance, researchers incubated the nanopillar chip in a culture medium with breast cancer cells. As a control, they performed a parallel experiment with a cell-capture method that uses a chip with a flat surface. Both structures were coated with anti-EpCAM, an antibody protein that can help recognize and capture tumor cells.The researchers found that the cell-capture yields for the UCLA nanopillar chip were significantly higher; the device captured 45 to 65 percent of the cancer cells in the medium, compared with only 4 to 14 percent for the flat device.
Read the press release here...
Read the abstract here...
CTC flashbacks: Microchips for Tumor Detection, CellTraffix Aims to Cleanse Blood of CA, Collect Stem Cells, Watching Circulating Tumor Cell Count Helps Predict Breast Cancer Development
(0)
Scientists Embed Organisms With Light Sensitive Paralysis Switch
Filed under: in the news...
Scientists out of Simon Fraser University in Canada have developed a chemical switch that can paralyze C. elegans nematodes and bring them back to mobility when triggered by an external light.
The JACS report describes development and successful testing of a photoswitch composed of the light-sensitive material, dithienylethene. The scientists grew transparent, pinhead-sized worms (C. elegans) and fed them a dithienylethene. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the worms turned blue and became paralyzed. When exposed to visible light, the dithienylethene became colorless again and the worms' paralysis ended. Many of the worms lived through the paralyze-unparalyze cycle. Scientists were not sure how the switch causes paralysis. The study demonstrates that photoswitches may have great potential in turning photodynamic therapy on and off, and for other applications in medicine and research, they indicate.
Abstract in Journal of American Chemical Society: A Photocontrolled Molecular Switch Regulates Paralysis in a Living Organism
Full story: New on-off 'switch' triggers and reverses paralysis in animals with a beam of light ...
(0)
