ENT Archives

Will High Def 3D Binocular Disparity Monitor Make a Clinical Jump?

by Gene Ostrovsky on Dec 14, 2009 •

lg3d Will High Def 3D Binocular Disparity Monitor Make a Clinical Jump?
LG of Seoul, South Korea has released a 23 inch LCD monitor that can display 3D video and graphics at full HD resolution (we’re assuming this means 1080p). The system comes with shutter glasses that synchronize to how the screen flashes between views for the left and right eye, an effect called binocular disparity. Now it’s looking more and more likely that 3D technology will soon be a common modality to view volumetric, live images in radiology rooms and in the ORs.

The panel adopts the company’s proprietary technologies such as “high performance 3D exclusive controller” capable of processing more than twice as much image data as other HD 3D LCDs and “copper bus line” to improve on the resolution and picture quality. In addition, the panel is able to reproduce both 2D and 3D images, meaning that users can switch back and forth from 2D and 3D modes.
Although full HD 3D images have been developed for contents such as video games, movies and animations, 3D display products with full HD resolution were unavailable in the market. The commercial launch of LG Display’s full HD 3D LCD panel is expected to help to boost development of high resolution 3D contents while allowing users to view true-to-life 3D images.

Press release: LG Display Rolls Out 3D LCDs with Full HD Resolution
(hat tip: Vizworld)

ENT

Artificial Larynx to Give Mute a New Voice

by Gene Ostrovsky on Dec 3, 2009
Artificial Larynx to Give Mute a New Voice

Using touch sensors, the Palatometer from CompleteSpeech of Orem, Utah is capable of reading how one’s tongue contacts the palate during speech. Developed to help people with speech impediments learn how to speak properly, the device is now being used by research scientists from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa to develop an artificial larynx that can digitally vocalize the speech of mute people.
From Technology Review:

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Cardiac Surgery / ENT / Neurological Surgery / Ob/Gyn / Orthopedic Surgery / Plastic Surgery / Surgery / Thoracic Surgery / Urology / Vascular Surgery

Let Draeger Polaris Be Your Guiding Light

by Gene Ostrovsky on Nov 20, 2009
Let Draeger Polaris Be Your Guiding Light

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:

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Anesthesiology / Cardiac Surgery / Critical Care / ENT / Medicine / Surgery / Thoracic Surgery

A New LED Powered Endoscope from Schölly

by Gene Ostrovsky on Nov 10, 2009
A New LED Powered Endoscope from Schölly

Schölly Fiberoptic out of Denzlingen, Germany is releasing a new video bronchoscope with CMOS “chip-in-the-tip” and bright LED technology. The device is going to be unveiled at MEDICA 2009 next week in Düsseldorf.

The controller unit is plug-and-play with easy start-up. Its compact size saves table space and the simple controls eliminate the need for lengthy training. The controller is completely silent since it does not require a cooling fan. All video settings are preprogrammed, so no complicated and time consuming set-up is necessary. A single cable leads from the controller to the ergonomic handpiece. The handpiece includes the tip deflection lever, working channel port, suction valve, and buttons for taking photos and illumination adjustment. High-powered LEDs are incorporated inside the handpiece. These LEDs eliminate the need for costly replacement bulbs.

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Cardiac Surgery / ENT / Neurological Surgery / Orthopedic Surgery / Plastic Surgery / Surgery / Thoracic Surgery / Urology / Vascular Surgery

ThumBlade Scalpel Safety System

by Gene Ostrovsky on Oct 21, 2009
ThumBlade Scalpel Safety System

Here’s an interesting new take on improving the safety for scrub techs, nurses and surgeons. ThumBlade™ scalpel system from Precision Medical Devices Inc. (Marlboro, NJ) is a no contact, disposable safety sheath that covers blades, and allows activation of the scalpel with just one hand. So no more sharps and no more mosquito use to mount a blade.
Medgadget has obtained the following details about the device:

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ENT / Neurological Surgery / Ob/Gyn / Orthopedic Surgery / Surgery / Thoracic Surgery

Single Chip Stereo Endoscopy from Visionsense Coming to an OR Near You

by Gene Ostrovsky on Oct 20, 2009
Single Chip Stereo Endoscopy from Visionsense Coming to an OR Near You

Visionsense out of Orangeburg, New York, a company that makes single chip 3D endoscopic vision technology, has raised $8M in VC funds to begin full scale marketing of its unique technology in the US and Europe. The firm’s Visionsense Stereoscopic Vision System, designed to improve depth perception and understanding of complex surgical anatomy, can be used for a variety of complex surgeries, such as skull-base and keyhole neurosurgical cases, as well as a wide range of laparoscopic procedures.

Camera Control Unit (CCU) – The CCU consists of a single Pentium PC with proprietary Visionsense hardware and software.

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ENT

Touch Controls Is The Latest Feature in Hearing Aids from Starkey Labs

by Gene Ostrovsky on Oct 14, 2009
Touch Controls Is The Latest Feature in Hearing Aids from Starkey Labs

Starkey Laboratories has released a new line of hearing aids that sport a touch sensitive pad, similar to that on most laptops, which allows the user to control the volume and change between different sets of settings all without any buttons. Inspired by the Apple iPod scroll wheel, the S Series™ BTE with Sweep™ Technology is water resistant, which probably means you can take a shower while wearing one. Another nifty feature is the ability of the hearing aid to recognize the standard tones produced by telephones. This means you can use any phone as a remote to control the settings.
Features of the four models in the S Series from the product page:

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ENT

SoundBite, a Cochlear Hearing Aid Without The Implant

by Gene Ostrovsky on Oct 13, 2009
SoundBite, a Cochlear Hearing Aid Without The Implant

Cleveland Clinic has released its annual Top 10 Medical Innovations, a list that answers the question: “What game-changing medical technology, device, or therapy do you see breaking through in 2010?” At the top of the list is SoundBite, a bone conduction hearing system from Sonitus Medical, a firm out of San Mateo, California, that may bring some serious competition to the cochlear implant market, specifically for people suffering for a single sided deafness. Currently awaiting FDA approval, the system uses teeth as a sound conducting medium, instead of a cranium where cochlear aids are being typically implanted nowadays. Being much less conspicuous, the system should be a popular choice if it gets regulatory approval.

Merging the well-known principles of bone conduction together with advanced wireless and sound processing technology, SoundBite is the world’s first non-surgical and removable bone conduction hearing system, which is designed to transmit sound via the teeth. The SoundBite hearing system consists of both a behind the ear device, housing the receiver, wireless transmitter, and attached microphone, and a discreet, removable, custom-fit retainer-like device. An inductive charger unit is provided to charge the behind the ear device and retainer.

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ENT / Medicine

ImThera’s Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

by Gene Ostrovsky on Sep 23, 2009
ImThera's Targeted Hypoglossal Neurostimulation Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is a promising technology being pursued by a number of companies, including big firms such as Medtronic. The big idea is that muscles of the upper airway relax more than necessary in some OSA patients, the passage gets blocked and air can’t flow repeatedly during sleep. Hence hypoglossal stimulation, properly timed to one’s breathing, can help to relieve the obstruction. ImThera, a start up out of San Diego, California, is now reporting that it has developed a new neurostimulation solution for people that failed to find a less invasive therapy for their obstructive sleep apnea (i.e. CPAP mask) The aura 6000 implant provides night time electric stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve. The firm has yet to receive regulatory approval to market the device.
Components of the aura 6000:

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