Digital Lightbox replaces the conventional light box used to observe analog x-ray images. Connected to the hospital PACS, the new digital platform can be installed both in meeting rooms and in operating rooms, where clinicians can then access, manipulate, and utilize data for surgery planning. By displaying the human body in 3D, Digital Lightbox helps clinicians to more clearly demonstrate to patients what effects a disease can have and which procedures may be necessary.

Digital Lightbox enables clinicians to select the most valuable images from large amounts of existing medical data. Ergonomic touchscreen technology with zoom functionality makes working with data easy and effective.

Clinicians can intuitively navigate within pictures and between settings. Image scrolling can be performed with one finger; zooming in and out of images with two. Images from different sources can also be fused easily. A measure functionality enables clinicians to set size and other dimensions.

By integrating the communication platform iPlan® Net from BrainLAB, clinicians can perform treatment planning with Digital Lightbox or any PC connected to the hospital network. This eliminates bottlenecks, as busy planning stations are rendered obsolete. iPlan Net helps to simplify the clinical workflow and save costs, as well as strengthen and simplify interdisciplinary collaboration between neurosurgery, nuclear medicine and radiology departments.

Digital Lightbox can be installed in any hospital environment and is compatible with all established image formats, such as DICOM, jpg, bmp, tif, png, avi, wmv. Planning data can be transferred directly from Digital Lightbox to surgical navigation systems designed for precise and minimally invasive procedures.

Video demonstrating the Digital Lightbox:

Press release: World Premiere at University Hospital in Munich: Digital Lightbox...

Product page: Digital Lightbox

Here's what U of C says about the device and the procedure:

Because of scar tissue that formed after the first procedure, however, her doctors could not repeat the initial treatment, which required mechanically poking a hole in the septum with a long needle, then passing the catheter through that hole, across the atrial septum, from the right side of the heart to the left, where the problem was centered.

So her cardiologist at Good Shepherd referred her to the University of Chicago Medical Center's Knight, MD, a specialist in difficult cases. [Bradley Knight, MD is a director of cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Chicago Medical Center --ed.]

The NRGTM Transseptal needle was designed for the increasing number of patients like Ganshow, whose previous procedures make it dangerous or impossible to cross her septum safely with the traditional needle. Instead of using uncontrolled mechanical force, this new insulated transseptal needle has a closed end that safely delivers radiofrequency energy to create a small hole in the atrial septum, allowing the needle to pass to the left atrium with increased efficacy and control.

Using this device, Knight was able to pass the catheter smoothly from the right to the left atrium so that the ablation procedure could be performed to eradicate the problem. Ganschow went home the next day and recovered quickly.

"I feel good," she said two days after the procedure. "It gets better day by day."

A week later, she upgraded that to "I feel fantastic. I have my life back and I'm so glad."

NRG™ Transseptal Needle product brochure (.pdf)...

Press release: First human use of new device to make arrhythmia treatment safer...

Baylis Medical...

From Medtronic:

The ISS has utilized manual defibrillators in the past, but NASA decided to now deploy an AED because it requires less training and maintenance, better enabling astronauts to respond to a medical emergency. The small size and light weight of the 1000 also helped minimize hardware mass and volume onboard the Space Station.

NASA conducted extensive evaluations of 18 AEDs available worldwide before selecting the LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillator to protect the crew members of the ISS. The AED evaluations focused on user interface, ease of use, durability and detailed technical specifications related to the unique conditions encountered in space, including electromagnetic interference, pressure susceptibility, temperature, vibration, acceleration and other environmental factors. Additionally, Medical Operations personnel evaluated the use of LIFEPAK 1000 in zero gravity conditions aboard a NASA DC-9 test aircraft as part of developing their advanced life support use protocols.

With the exception of a customized battery developed and provided by Micro Power Electronics, a leading manufacturer of custom batteries and power systems, and a NASA-created cover for the device that is specifically designed for space use to help protect it from electromagnetic interference, the LIFEPAK 1000 was deployed on board the Space Station in the same device configuration used by professional emergency responders.

Product page: LIFEPAK 1000...

Product brochure...

NASA Selects LIFEPAK® 1000 Defibrillator from Physio-Control as First Automated External Defibrillator in Space...

The following statement was just issued by the company:

The REPLY pacemaker, the world’s smallest dual chamber pacemaker at 8cc’s, is Sorin Group’s next pacing evolution designed to reduce ventricular pacing and promote natural cardiac function.

REPLY integrates Sorin Group’s new proprietary SafeR™ pacing mode. The SafeR technology builds on the Sorin Group's proven AAISafeR™ pacing mode first introduced in Europe in September 2003 and in the US in May 2005. AAISafeR switches from AAI to DDD in case of AV block detection, and has been shown to reduce unnecessary pacing in both Sinus Node Disease and unselected AV Block patients1. Delivering unnecessary pacing to the right ventricle has been shown to significantly enhance the risk of patients developing heart failure and atrial fibrillation2.

In addition to SafeR, the REPLY pacemaker delivers advanced, automatic features such as SmartCheck™, which lets the user automate follow up tests and provides comprehensive data reporting and recommendations.

“The REPLY pacemaker delivers to the market Sorin Group’s 2nd generation universal pacing platform built around our exclusive SafeR pacing mode. REPLY and SafeR demonstrate Sorin Group’s continued commitment to driving innovation in Cardiac Rhythm Management and reinforces our mission to continuously improve the treatment of Bradycardia”, said Fred Hrkac, President of Sorin Group Cardiac Rhythm Management Business.

Dr. Randy Lieberman, Director of Electrophysiology at Harper University Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit implanted the first Reply pacemaker in the US. “The updated 2008 ACC/AHA Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy highlight the new standard of care in pacing which is to minimize unnecessary ventricular pacing. The Reply pacemaker was the right choice for this patient. Pacemaker options that only offer AV delay or AV search hysteresis do not eliminate frequent ventricular pacing for a significant number of patients. It’s important to know that down-sized devices do not mean that physicians have to compromise. Reply provides the output, longevity and pacing algorithms that physicians are looking for in a pacemaker.”

The REPLY pacemaker will be distributed in the United States by ELA Medical, Inc., a Sorin Group Company.

Product page: reply™ dr...

Press release: SORIN GROUP ANNOUNCES FDA APPROVAL AND FIRST U.S. IMPLANT OF THE WORLD'S SMALLEST IMPLANTABLE DUAL CHAMBER PACEMAKER...

From the CX50 product page:

Previously available only on our premium iE33 system, PureWave on the CX50 system allows you to get the clear images you need for confident diagnoses on a wide variety of patients, including the difficult-to-image.

The CX50 system was designed for your critical study requirements. In addition to PureWave, its premium imaging and Doppler performance are possible because of its digital broadband beamformer and XRES technology. Easily perform advanced echo analysis with integrated QLAB and stress echo capability.

The CX50 is designed to make portable exams easy and efficient. One-button iSCAN automatically optimizes 2D and Doppler data for new levels of clarity for your portable studies. On-board QLAB provides advanced analysis capabilities during and after exams.

Portable exams are a challenge, and getting clear diagnostic data is complicated by many factors. Now you can have the image quality you need for the diagnostic confidence wherever you need it – take the CX50 to your patients.

The CX50 system can be used on a specially designed cart, hand carried to your patients, or packed in its special travel case for easy transport to remote destinations.

Press release: Philips new handheld ultrasound system offers premium image quality in a portable system

Product page: CX50 CompactXtreme Ultrasound System

Inside the completed Heart FXPod, seated physicians watch an interactive video featuring Hank, a CHF patient, as he tries to take a walk in the park. As Hank’s condition worsens, he has a harder time walking, and consequently, the physicians have a harder time pedaling. When Hank tires even more, the physicians start feeling the effects of CHF as their pneumatic vests tighten, constricting their breathing. They even experience Hank’s elevated heart rate by way of an audio system built into the chair that is so effective it feels as if their own hearts are racing. “It’s an interesting physiological experience,” says Raymond. “After going through the simulation, many doctors said, ‘Wow, I had no idea it was this intense this early on.’”

From the press release:

ImaCor announces that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market the ClariTEE™ probe and the ZuraTM imaging system. The ClariTEE probe is a miniaturized transesophageal echocardiography probe which facilitates episodic monitoring of cardiac function. The ClariTEE is a single use device that can remain indwelling for up to 72 hours, allowing intensivists and anesthesiologists to periodically assess cardiac preload and left ventricular systolic function over a prolonged period of time.

“ImaCor believes that the ClariTEE probe will be a major contribution to the care of the critically ill, especially in ICU and perioperative situations” said Scott L. Roth, MD, Chief Executive Officer and a founder of ImaCor. “Current methods of monitoring hemodynamics in this patient population are either invasive, inconclusive, or both. The ClariTEE probe is minimally invasive and allows physicians to directly visualize cardiac size and function, and to assess changes as pharmacologic interventions are made,” adds Roth.

"This is a technology that intensive care physicians have been waiting for,” says Dr. Alexander Levitov, Critical Care section chief at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Virginia. Levitov adds, “The ClariTEE probe has the potential to become the standard of care in managing hemodynamically unstable patients in the ICU.”

We contacted ImaCor to inquire about the pricing of the device, but no one at the firm was available to comment.

Press release: ImaCor receives 510(k) clearance of its ClariTEE probe and Zura Imaging System (.pdf)...

Product page: ClariTEE Probe and Zura Imaging System...

St. Jude explains:

The transmitter supports the St. Jude Medical Current(R) RF and Promote(R) RF family of devices and works in conjunction with the St. Jude Medical data management system, Merlin(TM).net Patient Care Network (PCN), to provide complete remote care service for patients and their physicians.

Until recently, patients with implanted cardiac devices were typically required to visit doctors' offices several times per year to have their device performance checked. With the advent of transmitters capable of downloading and transmitting device data over telephone lines, patients are now able to initiate and perform many of these follow-ups in their own homes.

The Merlin@home transmitter's wireless technology gives patients the additional comfort of having devices automatically checked. Since the transmitter initiates the scheduled follow-up and uses RF wireless telemetry to download data from the device, the entire follow-up procedure is conducted without any direct patient involvement. The only requirement is that each patient remains within range of the transmitter while it reads his or her device. Patients also may initiate data transmissions as instructed by their physicians.

The Merlin@home transmitter is transportable and can be set-up wherever a standard phone line is available, typically by the bedside for data transmission while the patient sleeps. Data downloaded by the Merlin@home transmitter is sent to Merlin.net PCN, a secure, Internet-based data management system, where it is stored for review by the patient's physician.

"We have simplified remote follow-ups to the extent that they are now something that can be performed seamlessly without interrupting the patient's day. Patients simply set-up the Merlin@home transmitter; after that, the system handles all aspects of patient follow up, including daily monitoring," said Eric S. Fain, M.D., president of the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. "The simplicity of the system reduces the chance of patients missing follow-up transmissions."

The Merlin@home transmitter also monitors cardiac devices outside of regularly scheduled follow-ups. The system can perform daily checks to monitor for alerts about device performance or about patient heart rhythms that may have been detected by the implanted device. Merlin.net PCN can be programmed to alert a physician directly - including an on-call physician outside normal business hours - in the event that the monitored data reveals an episode the physician needs to know about as soon as possible.

Press release: St. Jude Medical Announces FDA Approval of Wireless Transmitter to Monitor Patients' Implanted Cardiac Devices...

From IDEA:

The appleprobe is an ultrasound transducer probe that can be held with a traditional pincer grip as well as in a new way that follows the natural alignment of the hand and wrist. Sonographers often experience repetitive strain injuries in their hands and wrists that are believed to be caused by the pinching and pushing of the pincer grip. This dual grip allows sonographers to switch the way they hold the ultrasound transducer throughout the exam and throughout the day, reducing discomfort and injuries.

Here's a PDF brochure about the appleprobe:

IDEA award details...

Some of the features from the product page:

Adult and pediatric dosing for FDA-approved and off-label indications

Black box warnings, contraindications, and cautions

Serious and common adverse reactions, and drug interactions organized by clinical category

Pill pictures within the drug monograph showing you and your patients exactly what each drug looks like

Safety and monitoring information, such as pregnancy risk categories, lactation safety ratings, monitoring parameters and therapeutic drug levels

Manufacturer information, approximate retail pricing, and FDA/DEA status

Pharmacology information, including metabolism, excretion (i.e., half-life), drug class, and mechanism of action

Notes section for your personal notes

Press release: Epocrates Drug and Formulary Application on Apple App Store

Product page: Epocrates Rx for iPhone