Archives: 7/2006
Investigators from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have demonstrated that some bacterial organisms keep themselves busy by making tiny nanowires, used for distribution of energy among individuals.
When Yuri Gorby discovered that a microbe which transforms toxic metals can sprout tiny electrically conductive wires from its cell membrane, he reasoned this anatomical oddity and its metal-changing physiology must be related.
A colleague who had heard Gorby’s presentation at a scientific meeting later reported that he, too, was able to coax nanowires from another so-called metal-reducing bacteria species and further suggested the wires, called pili, could be used to bioengineer electrical devices.
It now turns out that not only are the wires and their ability to alter metal connected-but that many other bacteria, including species involved in fermentation and photosynthesis, can also form wires under a variety of environmental conditions.
“Earth appears to be hard-wired,” said Gorby, staff scientist at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who documents the seeming ubiquity of electrically conductive microbial life in the July 10 advance online Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In a series of experiments, Gorby and colleagues induced nanowires in a variety of bacteria and demonstrated that they were electrically conductive. The bacterial nanowires were as small as 10 nanometers in diameter and formed bundles as wide as 150 nanometers. They grew to be tens of microns to hundreds of microns long.
The common thread involved depriving a microbe of something it needed to shed excess energy in the form of electrons. For example, Shewanella, of interest in environmental cleanup for its ability to hasten the weathering of toxic metals into benign ones, requires oxygen or other electron acceptors for respiration, whereas Synechocystis, a cyanobacterium, combines electrons with carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
Bereft of these “electron acceptors,” bacterial nanowires “will literally reach out and connect cells from one to another to form an electrically integrated community,” Gorby said.
“The physiological and ecological implications for these interactions are not currently known,” he said, “but the effect is suggestive of a highly organized form of energy distribution among members of the oldest and most sustainable life forms on the planet.”
With a growing possibility that future medical gadgets will be based on nanowires, this kind of research is always exciting to see.
More…
Our Nation’s Twentieth President: An exhibition to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Assassination of James A. Garfield has opened at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, DC. Running through September 19, the exhibit focuses on 80 days of summer of 1881, when the nation watched the wounded president:
On July 2, 1881, just one hundred days after his inauguration, Garfield entered the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. to board a train bound for Williamstown, Ma., when Charles Guiteau fired two shots at the President. One bullet grazed the President’s right arm. The second bullet entered Garfield’s lower right back. Although mortally wounded, Garfield would linger for 80 days before succumbing to complications from the wound. Despite the best efforts of a team of notable physicians, President Garfield died on September 19, 1881.
In respect of the 80 days that President Garfield suffered, the life of this exhibit will also be 80 days. It will close on September 19, 2006, exactly one-hundred and twenty-five years to the day of President Garfield’s death.
The centerpiece of the exhibit is the 12th thoracic and 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebrae of the president, which includes a red probe showing the path of the bullet. Also on display are reproductions of a drawing of Garfield’s wound and deathbed, photos of Dr. D. S. Lamb and Dr. J. J. Woodward, two doctors from the Army Medical Museum who took charge of the examination of the president, and a drawing by Alexander Graham Bell of his “induction balance” that was used unsuccessfully to locate the bullet in President Garfield’s body.
Link…
Medtronic Inc. announced that it has received an investigational device exemption for its DIAM™ Spinal Stabilization System for use in a clinical study. This allows Medtronic to begin the first of three clinical trials in the US and Europe. The DIAM System was developed to reduce pain in degenerative stenosis patients who predominantly suffer from “radiating leg discomfort and moderate low back pain and is the only non-rigid interspinous spacer under clinical investigation.”
Here’s more about the study and the device:
The initial Medtronic study will examine the safety and effectiveness of the DIAM System when used to treat patients with degenerative stenosis. Degenerative stenosis is a common condition in the aging process, marked by the gradual narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Degenerative stenosis affects more than 250,000 U.S. patients each year. Stenotic spine patients with radiating leg pain or numbness typically undergo decompression surgery alone. Patients with both leg and back pain normally have a decompression surgery with fusion. The purpose of decompression surgery is to release excess pressure by creating more space in the spinal canal. Combined with decompression, the DIAM System could offer patients with leg and back pain a minimally invasive alternative to spinal fusion.
The implant is placed between the spinous processes (the visible ridges of the back) to act as a shock absorber that reduces loads on the surrounding vertebrae and restores the natural function of the joint. The core of the DIAM System is made of silicone, while the outer mesh and tethers are made of medical-grade polyester. The flexible properties of the DIAM materials may also protect the integrity of the spinous process.
Unbound Medicine and McGraw-Hill have released Harrison’s Practice, a completely new resource from the editors of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. Topics in Harrison’s Practice cover the most frequently seen medical conditions and deliver practical, concise answers on diagnosis and management in an innovative and easy-to-navigate format.
With Unbound Medicine’s unique PDA, Web and Wireless platform, mobile clinicians can access Harrison’s Practice anywhere. Intuitive built-in navigation helps users quickly review information and link to related content. Regular updates are delivered automatically on the Web and during PDA synchronization.
On the Web, Unbound’s search engine delivers high quality results, allowing users to quickly locate the information they seek. Users can link to abstracts and citations at PubMed from the references, and link to drug monographs with pill photos and patient handouts in English and Spanish. Each topic also includes links to websites with additional information appropriate for both patients and professionals.
PDA, Web, and wireless access are included for one price. The Unbound™ platform supports Palm OS, Pocket PC, and wireless devices such as Treo™ Smartphone and BlackBerry™.
For more information visit Unbound.
Few appreciate the intense processing that goes on in your brain and spine in order to walk. To a healthy individual, this process if effortless. On the other hand, patients suffering from stroke, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, often have a hard time walking. A popular therapy, BWSTT (body-weight supported treadmill traning) attempts to retrain a patient’s mind and muscles to walk properly.
Previously this type of therapy required up to three physical therapists, at once supporting and moving various limbs for a patient. This is the problem that the AutoAmbulator, an automated BWSTT device, attempts to address. From HealthSouth’s website:
How does the AutoAmbulator work?
The patient is fitted with a special harness and suspended above a treadmill by an overhead hoist. Robotic arms are then strapped to the patient’s legs at the thigh and ankle, which move the legs in a natural walking pattern. A computer system operated by the therapist controls the device through a touch screen panel or a remote control.
What makes the AutoAmbulator unique for this type of therapy?
BWSTT therapy is labor intensive, often requiring more than two or three therapists to support the patient and manually move his or her legs. Because of this, rehabilitation centers find it difficult to perform BWSTT often and only do so for a limited number of patients. The AutoAmbulator, using sophisticated robotics, automates this therapy, allowing patients to experience a smooth, natural human gait for as long as the therapy is well tolerated and practical.
Is it safe?
The AutoAmbulator is the result of years of research and development and was designed to perform BWSTT therapy in a totally safe environment. Numerous features are incorporated into the device to provide the patient and the therapist a safe, controlled experience. HealthSouth received permission from the FDA to use the AutoAmbulator in March 2002.
Read the entire FAQ on the AutoAmbulator here…
Check out the substantial literature on BWSTT…
Have you seen the O-arm™ Imaging System before? We haven’t. Until today, that is. We learned about it this morning when a company’s rep left O-arm™ brochures (and no food) in our physicians’ lounge. The device by Breakaway Imaging, LLC, of Littleton, MA, was FDA-cleared last year and is now distributed by Medtronic.
So here’s the scoop about the device that has a robotics-assisted positioning system:
The O-arm Imaging System provides complete multi-dimensional surgical imaging. It is the only approved platform that provides surgeons with real-time, 3-D images, as well as multi-plane, 2-D and fluoroscopic imaging. Initially intended for use in orthopedic surgical procedures, the O-arm Imaging System is designed to expand to additional surgical applications such as image-guided surgery. The O-arm Imaging System received FDA clearance earlier this year. [2005 -ed.]
“Computer-assisted surgical (CAS) navigation is a cornerstone for growth for many minimally invasive procedures and future biologic delivery,” said Pete Wehrly, vice president and president of Medtronic Spinal and Navigation. “Adding the O-arm to the Medtronic offering allows us to provide a complete, seamless solution for surgeons who rely on our technology to provide integrated imaging and CAS navigation. This collaboration represents a significant opportunity to bring innovative technologies that not only enable new procedures, but also enhance operating room efficiencies and possibly improve patient outcomes.”
The O-arm system, with patented breakable gantry and flat screen detector that enable it to collect 2-D or 3-D volumetric imaging within seconds, is designed specifically for use by surgeons in standard operating rooms while yielding high-quality imaging comparable to fixed CT systems. Electromechanical features enable repeatable positioning of the gantry between imaging shots and an unobtrusive location to permit unrestricted patient access.
And more:
Only the O-arm™ Offers Complete Multidimensional Surgical Imaging
Fast 3D reconstruction displays axial,coronal, sagittal views in seconds Patented telescoping gantry section enables lateral patient access Enclosed gantry system maintains sterile field and safety Iso-Wag™ iso-centric positioning eliminates need to reposition gantry for off-axis imaging High-precision robotics for real-time and preset positioning, as well as self-propulsion 2K x 1.5K digital flat panel detector enables higher dynamic range and higher spatial resolution for greater accuracy Desired “park” and imaging positions can be preset, resulting in lower dose and faster imaging Multi-plane imaging eliminates manual repositioning and need for a second system
For more, see the product page
To see what Orthopedics This Week said about the system, go here..
Bayer HealthCare is reporting that its diabetes portfolio “now includes a innovative device for self-testing of HbA1c– the gold standard indicator of ongoing blood sugar control…”
A1CNow+®, device, designed for at-home monitoring of HbA1c–a glycosylated hemoglobin–was acquired by Bayer when it bought Metrika Inc., a company based in Sunnyvale, CA.
From the press release:
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), tight glycemic control sustained over time, as measured through HbA1c scores, slows the development of diabetic complications including heart, eye, kidney and nerve diseases and even a small reduction in HbA1c is important. The HbA1c value is an index of mean blood glucose levels over the past two to three months with significant changes in the HbA1c levels due to blood sugar variability over the last 30-40 days being detectable.
The newly-released, improved A1CNow+ is a portable, easy-to-use and reliable system that provides immediate access to lab-quality NGSP* certified HbA1c results in just five minutes. This helps to improve the overall efficiency of diabetes care by reporting HbA1c values directly to the patient or during the patients’ office visit eliminating absent or delayed lab results. Utilizing the integration of micro-optical technology and solid state chemistry into a proprietary monitor with disposable cartridges, AICNow+ provides rapid HbA1c results with precision and accuracy equivalent to certified laboratories.
The test can be performed with a simple three-step procedure using finger-stick or venous blood. Fast, easy measurement of HbA1c enables people with diabetes and their healthcare providers to make immediate diabetes management decisions and to help optimize and calibrate therapy with the goal of improved outcomes…
HbA1c is formed when glucose in the blood binds irreversibly to hemoglobin to form a stable glycated hemoglobin HbA1c complex. Since the normal life span of red blood cells averages about 120 days, the HbA1c level will change as new red cells are made. HbA1c values are directly proportional to the average concentration of glucose in the blood over the past two to three months. HbA1c values are not subject to the daily fluctuations that are seen with blood sugar monitoring…
The ADA recommends that the test be performed every three months for patients who have HbA1c values at or above 7% and every six months for patients with HbA1c values below 7% as well as during treatment changes or after periods of elevated blood glucose levels. The ADA also added a recommendation for point-of-care HbA1c monitoring to their 2006 professional practice guidelines emphasizing the importance of routine real-time HbA1c monitoring of persons with diabetes.
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) studies showed that lower HbA1c values are associated with prevention of, or significant decreases in, the development of serious eye, kidney and nerve disease.
The ADA clinical practice guidelines indicate diabetes is under control when the HbA1c result is 7% percent or less.
Metrika product page…
The press release…
We try to shy away from rumors. This one is interesting, though, and is coming from Silicon Valley. It might even be true. So here it is. Google is in the planning stages for a new product that it hopes will modernize the way patients, physicians, pharmaceutical companies and vendors manage their medical information online, reported Joshua Jaffe of SeekingAlpha Network. Named Google Health Scrapbook, this product is still in the development stage. Here are some excerpts from the report:
Google executives met last week with their counterparts at WebMD (WBMD) in New York to pull them in as a partner for the new online service. They plan to pitch the product to other potential partners in the coming weeks.
The plan, as it stands now, calls for there to be four different directories for each different type of user. The prospect of listing a separate directory for medical devices seems to have been scrapped. Users will be able to log in with their own account information and do things such as add a new medical provider, check their medical records or pay their bills.
The product would also provide information about hospitals such as the frequency that a hospital performs a specific type of procedure or which hospitals perform which procedures most often.
Aside from WebMD, Google is hoping to partner with Intuit (INTU) on the product. Intuit currently offers consumers a software program that helps them keep track of their medical expenses. The company has already met with the CEO of AllScripts LLC (MDRX), Glen Tullman, and representatives of Epic Systems Corp., which has signed a non-disclosure agreement…
If the company’s Google Health Scrapbook launches, its health information offering will immediately go far beyond what is currently available to its users via Google Co-Op.
Link…
