ENT Archives

Bovie J-Plasma Handpiece Greenlighted in U.S.

by Gene Ostrovsky on Feb 7, 2012 •

bovie j plasma1 Bovie J Plasma Handpiece Greenlighted in U.S.
Bovie Medical received FDA clearance for its J-Plasma handpiece with retractable cutting feature for coagulating soft tissue during surgeries. It is available for both open and laparoscopic procedures.

The device is powered by a previously approved Bovie GS electrosurgical generator.

J-Plasmaâ„¢ is formed by passing an inert gas, such as helium, over a sharp conductive point which is held at high voltage and high frequency, producing a luminous discharge beam. The sharp conductive point can also be in the form of a retractable surgical blade, providing multiple modes of operation in a single instrument. The extended surgical blade can be used for incisions and other cutting procedures, and when retracted, the blade is used to form the J-Plasma beam for coagulation. The extended blade can also be used in combination with the J-Plasma beam, providing an enhanced cutting capability with minimal impact on surrounding tissue.

The Company, assisted by leading surgeons, will introduce J-Plasmaâ„¢ at selected hospital beta sites including several university teaching facilities, in preparation for a market launch later this year by its independent sales distribution network.

bovie icon gs Bovie J Plasma Handpiece Greenlighted in U.S.

Press release: BOVIE MEDICAL CORPORATION RECEIVES 510 K CLEARANCES TO MARKET PATENTED J-PLASMAâ„¢ TECHNOLOGY

ENT / Geriatrics / Sports Medicine

Feeling Dizzy? Sensixa’s e-AR Device Wants to Know

by Scott Jung on Jan 24, 2012
Feeling Dizzy? Sensixa's e-AR Device Wants to Know

Via an FCC filing we learn of a new device from Shenzhen, China-based Sensixa that can measure and record the movement and orientation of one’s head. The ear-worn device, called e-AR, is actually designed to mimic the human vestibular system that keeps you walking straight and tells you if you’ve ridden too many roller coasters. Besides the three-dimensional accelerometer, the e-AR also contains a microcontroller, battery, flash memory for storing data, and a radio for transmitting the data to a receiving unit.

The e-AR is currently being investigated for use by athletes for such applications as monitoring the effects of painful football hits, but Sensixa is also looking into the device being worn by senior citizens for those times when you’ve fallen and you can’t get up.

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ENT / in the news... / Sports Medicine

Fitness Trackers and Hearing Aids Receive Top Honors at CES 2012

by Scott Jung on Jan 10, 2012
Fitness Trackers and Hearing Aids Receive Top Honors at CES 2012

The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas kicks off today, but the recipients of this year’s annual CES Innovations Awards have already been announced.

As in past years, one of the award categories includes innovations in health and wellness. Like last year, hearing aids were notable in the list of award recipients. Both Able Planet Incorporated and Starkey Laboratories, Inc. won the award again for their technologically advanced and nearly invisible hearing devices.

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ENT

Panasonic Unveils R1-W Series Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aids

by Gene Ostrovsky on Jan 3, 2012
Panasonic Unveils R1-W Series Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aids

Panasonic has released the new R1-W Series Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids.  The devices feature Bluetooth connectivity and can interface with Bluetooth enabled phones, computers, and anything else comporting to the standard.

The Hearing Hub that facilitates this can also be used to record voice memos such as reminders in files up to 2 minutes 40 seconds long.

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ENT / Pediatrics

Advanced Bionics’ Neptune Processor Plays Safe Around Water

by Scott Jung on Dec 7, 2011
Advanced Bionics' Neptune Processor Plays Safe Around Water

You’ll probably agree that learning how to swim is a typical rite of passage for adolescents, but for children who are hearing impaired this common skill becomes a major challenge. Fortunately, advancements in cochlear implants and hearing aids make learning a little easier for these kids, but the learning tends to stop at the water’s edge because electronic devices and the wet stuff tend to not get along very well.

Valencia, California-based Advanced Bionics has made bath time and trips to the pool a little more fun with the U.S. and Canadian approval of its revolutionary Neptune sound processor. Neptune is the world’s first and only waterproof sound processor. Designed to withstand extreme aquatic environments, the Neptune incorporates Advanced Bionics’ hearing technology into a lightweight, durable, and flexible package. The Neptune processor is able to be worn in a variety of ways, such as on the arm, collar, or hair (basically anywhere but on the ear), and comes in a variety of colors that will especially appeal to children who use the device.

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ENT / Neurological Surgery

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Receives CE Approval

by Wouter Stomp on Oct 28, 2011
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Receives CE Approval

Apnex Medical has received CE Mark approval for its Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS) system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The pacemaker-like device monitors the patient’s breathing patterns and is activated during sleep to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve, timed to the patient’s own respiration. The hypoglossal nerve in turn controls muscles in the upper airway, ensuring they keep the airway open. The system is programmed to work only when the patient is asleep, but can also be turned on and off through a handheld controller. A clinical study is currently underway to test the effectiveness of the system in patients with OSA who were not helped with CPAP and other OSA treatments.

Press release: Apnex Medical, Inc. Receives CE Mark Approval for HGNS® System to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea…

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Cardiac Surgery / ENT / Ob/Gyn / Orthopedic Surgery / Surgery / Thoracic Surgery / Vascular Surgery

Air Barrier System Helps Airborne Bacteria Fly Past Surgical Incision Site

by Gene Ostrovsky on Oct 25, 2011
Air Barrier System Helps Airborne Bacteria Fly Past Surgical Incision Site

Via Gizmag we discovered an interesting surgical space ventilation system that moves a continuous stream of purified air across the incision site. The Air Barrier System from Nimbic of Stafford, Texas uses a HEPA filter and delivers a turbulence free flow that creates an invisible barrier for airborne microorganisms.

Features of the Air Barrier from the product page:

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ENT

Siemens Improved iScan Digitizes Ear Impressions for Customized Hearing Aids

by Wouter Stomp on Oct 20, 2011
Siemens Improved iScan Digitizes Ear Impressions for Customized Hearing Aids

Siemens has launched a new improved version of its ear impression scanner, the iScan. The iScan digitizes ear impressions in 3D in just a few minutes. The resulting 3D model is displayed on the computer screen and is accurate to a tenth of a millimeter. Scans can then be sent online to hearing aid manufacturers to order devices completely customized to the patient’s ear canal.

The new version is faster than its predecessor, which was introduced back in 2005, and uses an open data format ensuring files can be used with all manufacturers. Previously scanned ear impressions are archived on Siemens’ servers for 36 months from which they can be retrieved when needed. The new iScan will be available at the beginning of November 2011.

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ENT / Neurological Surgery / Orthopedic Surgery

How To Do High-Quality 3D Bone Model Printing On The Cheap

by Scott Jung on Sep 20, 2011
How To Do High-Quality 3D Bone Model Printing On The Cheap

Orthopedic and maxillofacial surgeons sometimes prepare for surgery by creating physical models of 3D scans of bones that they need to work on. Such models are also useful in educating med school students, doctors, and patients. However, these models tend to be very expensive, usually seen only in well-funded research projects or used by expensive medical professionals. Oftentimes, because the cost of the model is so high, a compromise must be made, so the resulting models end up being truncated or less than actual size.

Shapeways, a company that prints custom-designed 3D models, published a blog post about how Max Frame, an orthopedic surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow, Scotland, managed to produce a full-size human pelvis for about $230, less than one-fifth the cost of a smaller, professionally made model.

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