Friday, May 9, 2008
No Spillage VantageCath Gets FDA Approval
VantageCath is a new peripheral IV catheter designed to not only prevent unexpected needlestick injuries, but also to eliminate the spillage of blood during the IV placement. The device is a product of a firm called Advantage Medical Devices from Solana Beach, CA.
From the product page:
The VantageCath is an innovative peripheral Intravenous (IV) Catheter Safety System designed to significantly reduce blood borne pathogen exposure without compromising the "pop and glide" that users want and need. Utilizing a patented "closed hub" design, blood is contained during the entire cannulation and needle retraction process. This eliminates the need to tamponade above the site of the IV catheter and allows the provider to have both hands free to secure the IV and attach tubing using sterile technique.In addition to the protection from blood borne pathogen exposure delivered by the VantageCath, there are many features that providers and patients will appreciate:
Built-in saline lock
Improved flash for confident cannulation
Safe and easy blood draws
Rapid delivery of life saving drugs -- 20% reduction in tubing distance
Eliminates need to loop tubing
Built-in needle-free access
Flawless needle retraction mechanism
Rotating L-Tube allows for easy access to luer-lock port Frontline providers have had to make do with the safety engineered IV catheters made available to them in the clinical setting; compromising their relationships with patients who must endure multiple sticks, a bloody mess and the risk of an infection. The VantageCath offers a significant improvement in protection and utility. More importantly, the opportunity to gain back the confidence that the patient's IV start will be safe and effective.
The video:
Product page: VantageCath...
Press release: Advantage Medical Devices Receives FDA Clearance for VantageCath...
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Study: Kids Love Zingo No Needles Local Anesthesia
William T. Zempsky, MD, from the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and colleagues from five other hospitals just published a randomized, double-blind study in the latest issue of Pediatrics, that has shown that a "needle-free powder lidocaine delivery system was well tolerated and produced significant analgesia within 1 to 3 minutes," in pediatric patients scheduled to undergo venipuncture or cannulation. 
The system used in the study was Zingo™ lidocaine powder intradermal injector from Anesiva, Inc., a South San Francisco, CA company. The system, that uses compressed gas to accelerate the lidocaine particles under the skin, was approved by the FDA in August 2007, " to reduce the pain associated with peripheral IV insertions or blood draws in children three to 18 years of age."
To learn more about Zingo™, head on to this product page @ Anesiva...
Abstract: Needle-Free Powder Lidocaine Delivery System Provides Rapid Effective Analgesia for Venipuncture or Cannulation Pain in Children: Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison of Venipuncture and Venous Cannulation Pain After Fast-Onset Needle-Free Powder Lidocaine or Placebo Treatment Trial PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 5 May 2008, pp. 979-987
Zingo™ prescribing info (.pdf)...
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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Your Kid is Overweight? Blame The Tan-Bark
Kristen Copeland, M.D. of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital is lead author on a study that seeks to determine why kids in day-care aren't playing outside enough. A central culprit was the importance parents place on academic activities (readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmatic) over outdoor playing activities. There were some other surprising factors, as well...
Then there was the mulch factor. "The staff members who participated in the groups were really concerned about mulch in the play area," said Dr. Copeland. "Many said that the kids eat the mulch, or use it as weapons, or it gets caught in their shoes. It also requires constant upkeep. It's certainly not something that we had anticipated as an issue, but judging by the amount of and intensity of the discussions among child care teachers, it really is."Dr. Copeland said the child-care center staff recognized that they themselves could sometimes serve as a barrier to children's physical activity. "We heard reports of teachers talking or texting on cell phones instead of interacting with the children while on the playground," said Dr. Copeland. She continued, "We found that a staff member who doesn't like going outside -- maybe she's not a cold-weather person, or she thinks it's too much work to bundle up and unbundle the children on a cold day -- could act as a gatekeeper to the playground." In some cases, staff reported that their own issues with being overweight prevented them from encouraging children's physical activity.
We're assuming by "mulch" they most likely mean tan-bark or other splintery, mostly wood based ground cover stuff, as opposed to fecal matter (though some kids have been known to eat that as well).
All in all, it's unfortunate that the importance of outdoor play-time in terms of both health and social development is being overlooked.
Press release: Flip Flops, Mulch and No Coat: Study Identifies Surprising Barriers to Outdoor Activity for Kids in Child-Care Centers
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Monday, April 28, 2008
Diabetic Gadgets by Sascha Morawetz
Diabetics continue to complain about the lack of visual design and ergonomic considerations put into the hundreds of devices that are available on the market, 
and looking back on previous decades makes one want to cry. Designer Sascha Morawetz created two concepts that are pleasure to the eye, and hopefully one day useful for the body. Ninos AS, a nebulizer, may be the foreshadow of the holy grail that Mr Mann is searching for, and the Ninos GL is the quest of the rest of the diabetes device industry.
The inhaler, dubbed “Ninos AS”, generates an insulin aerosol, replacing the common insulin pen. A special thread allows an exact adjustment of the insulin dose. Incorporating a bloodless glucose measurement system, the “Ninos GL” can also be used as a diary, useful for collecting statistics for optimizing therapy.
More from Yanko Design...
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Bottle Wins MDEA Award
Now don't get too excited, boys. Though obviously tremendous effort went into perfecting the shape and texture of the Adiri, this one is not a toy, and not for your age group.
More about the device:
The Adiri Natural Nurser Ultimate Bottle is 100% polycarbonate-free and bisphenol-A free, and retains the features babies and parents love in the Breastbottle® Nurser, as well as offers the latest high quality materials, a graceful design, and the new Fill, Twist and Feed™ system, engineered so that a parent or caregiver can quickly prepare a bottle, even with a hungry infant under one arm.A sleek cover protects the bottle from getting dirty and keeps the nipple from leaking during transport. The Adiri Natural Nurser comes in three stages for three different flow rates. Each stage holds 8 oz. of fluid and is dishwasher safe! Adiri Natural Nursers can also be boiled or sterilized using a basic sterilizer.
Product page: The Adiri Natural Nurser Baby Bottle...
Press releases: 33 Innovative Products Win Medical Design Excellence Awards...; Adiri(TM) Natural Nurser(TM) Ultimate Bottle Wins Medical Design Excellence Award...
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Monday, April 14, 2008
NovoFine Autocover, a Needle for Insulin Injection
Though not a new product, the NovoFine® Autocover® needle for insulin injection from Novo Nordisk is worth mentioning, primarily because it was just recognized at the eleventh annual Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA).
NovoFine® Autocover® is designed to conceal the needle during injection and may therefore help diabetes patients overcome needle anxiety. As many as 10% of people with diabetes suffer from a fear of needles, to the point where they actually avoid injections.NovoFine® Autocover® has currently been launched in the US, UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Ireland. It is used with the Novo Nordisk FlexPen® and other Novo Nordisk insulin injection devices.
Product page: NovoFine® Autocover®...
Press releases: Novo Nordisk wins design award for NovoFine® Autocover®...; 33 Innovative Products Win Medical Design Excellence Awards...
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
World's First Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter
Via Turner Medical, we learned that Plymouth, Minnesota based manufacturer Nonin Medical just released the world's first wireless pulse oximeter that should easily interact with other devices through the emerging Bluetooth Medical Device Profile (MDP) protocol.
Store & Forward MemoryEnsures ultimate versatility by allowing patients to take readings outside of the home and transmit the time-stamped data once they return. The Onyx II 9560's memory storage provides up to a minimum of 20 single point measurements.
SmartPoint™ Technology
SmartPoint Technology eliminates the guesswork of determining which oximetry values to use for analysis. Using a sophisticated algorithm, it provides a fast and accurate snapshot of the patient's SpO2 and pulse rate. The Onyx II 9560 sends the SmartPoint spot-check measurement typically 30 seconds from turn-on.
Extended Range
The Onyx II 9560 provides an extended range of up to 100 meters (Class I).
Patient Proof
Unmatched durability for the home care environment, we've made the Onyx II 9560 rugged to take a beating day after day. The most widely used fingertip oximeter comes with no wires or cables to hassle with, an automatic turn on/turn off, and as convenient and easy-to-use as possible.
Power Saver
Unlike traditional Bluetooth devices, the Onyx II 9560 has a new power saving feature that automatically adjusts transmitted power based on distance from the main unit. This unique feature allows for approximately 600 spot checks on 2 AAA batteries.
Press release: Nonin® Medical unveils world's first Bluetooth®-enabled, wireless fingertip pulse oximeter ...
Product page: Onyx II 9560
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Positive Results for Echo Therapeutics' Noninvasive Glucometer
Echo Therapeutics out of Franklin, MA just announced positive results from the first study of their Prelude™ skin prep, a "next generation, needle-free, non-invasive skin permeation medium," designed for the Symphony™ transdermal glucose monitoring system (tGMS). The study was meant to evaluate the feasibility of using the Symphony™ on people.
From the press release:
Results of the feasibility study on healthy subjects demonstrate that Prelude safely and effectively permeated the skin so that the Symphony tCGM System could continuously monitor blood glucose levels reliably over a 24-hour period. Echo plans to use Prelude in the remaining pilot and pivotal clinical studies necessary to commercialize the Symphony tCGM System, including clinical studies scheduled to begin in the second quarter of this year.Prelude incorporates Echo's patented skin permeation control feedback technology into a comfortable, wireless, hand-held device used to prepare a small area of the skin for the non-invasive, biosensor and monitoring components of its Symphony tCGM system.
Study Design
The feasibility study was designed to evaluate the performance of Prelude as part of Echo's current generation Symphony tCGM System. Six (6) adult subjects, each without a history of diabetes, were enrolled. The skin of each subject was prepared using Prelude and a Symphony tCGM System biosensor was applied to the skin site. The study subjects were free to continue their routine activities at home and at work. Blood glucose (BG) references were taken every hour, or more frequently during the waking period, for comparison with Symphony results generated from Echo's past-generation, ultrasound-based skin permeation system. The Symphony biosensor remained on the patient and analyzed glucose levels for 24 hours...
Using nearly 144 hours of continuous data from Symphony and 183 reference BG measurements from the 6 study subjects in a home use setting with self-administration, Clarke Error Grid analysis of the study data showed that Symphony had 100% of the data in the combined A and B regions with approximately 90% in the "A" region. No data points showed in the C, D and E regions. The MARD for the study was 9.0%. There were no Prelude or Symphony failures and no adverse events, indicating strong reliability of Prelude as the skin permeation medium for Symphony.
Product page: Symphony™ tCGM System
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Thursday, April 3, 2008
Palmtop Computing Helps Autistics Communicate
Canada's CTV News is reporting on how autistic children at the Bloorview Kids Rehab, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, are using special software on Pocket PC-like devices to more comfortably communicate with people around them. There is no information in the article regarding who the developer of the software is, nor where one can obtain a copy.
"This device has a number of settings that contain pictures and words and an alphabet board," said Bloorview's Margaret Ettorre, a speech-language therapist. "So if he clicks 'school' and 'is it time for' it will speak that whole question."The Palmtop has a word-prediction function that gives Kayle a list of possible words after he types the first three letters. He can click on the right one and move on, which allows him to communicate more quickly.
It also has words and phrases that correspond with his favourite foods, people he knows and places he frequents.
Now that Kayle has a way to express himself, his behavior has improved.
"Before, he would do a lot of circling the room, do destructive things," said Coutie. "Now he can tell us. And the keyboard is the important part."
To read more about the technology, check out this story published by Bloorview Kids Rehab.
More from CTV...
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Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Transave Liposomal Technology for Lung Diseases Like Cystic Fibrosis
Transave Inc., a Monmouth, N.J., biotech firm developing a range of inhaled drugs for lung diseases, is reporting that its lead product candidate, ARIKACE™, a liposomal inhalation formulation of amikacin, "may have the ability to penetrate mucus and biofilms, and decrease the number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, according to results of a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy."
So we went ahead, and checked out the sustained-release liposomal technology behind the company's products, and here's what we have found on Transave's website:
Transave's proprietary liposomal technology is designed specifically for delivery of pharmaceuticals to the lung and provides for potential improvements to the conventional inhalation methods of delivering drug to the pulmonary system. Transave's proprietary technology provides potential advantages over conventional methods of inhalation therapy in terms of efficacy, safety and patient convenience.Underpinning these potential advantages are the following four factors:
Sustained delivery of drug to the lung – The liposomes provide for a relatively sustained release of drug to the lung, which may be important in treating certain bacterial infections that have a significant pulmonary component. Maintenance of anti-bacterial levels in the lung above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for prolonged time periods is an important component in the effectiveness of antibiotics; the area under the concentration curve (AUC) reflects drug exposure;
Endogenous lipid excipients – The lipid components of Transave's compounds are the same as those in the lung's pulmonary surfactant, which may ensure a more natural metabolism and clearance than polymeric drug delivery systems. This may reduce the chance of adverse reactions;
High efficiency encapsulation – Transave's liposomes are designed to encapsulate very high concentrations of drug into relatively small liposome structures. This efficiency allows Transave's compact, drug-laden liposomes to physically penetrate bacteria-generated mucoid biofilms in pre-clinical models. Importantly, these liposomes deliver drug effectively near the bacteria as drug is released because of specific lytic factors that exist inside the biofilms;
Charge-neutral liposomes – Transave's liposomes can be charge neutral, which may be an important factor in penetration of any patient mucus and bacterial biofilm. A positive charge, such as that naturally found with cationic antibiotics, can prevent the penetration of these molecules into the mucus and bacterial biofilm, due to the natural negative charge of these biological surfaces.
Transave's liposomal technology can be used for the successful delivery of low molecular weight products like classic pharmaceuticals as well as high molecular weight compounds such as peptides, proteins and genes. Transave's unique lipid-based delivery systems are not dependent on the inhalation device and can be administered either as a nebulized aerosol spray or as a dry powder.
A goal of localized targeting of drugs using this unique delivery system is to reduce systemic toxicity by minimizing the exposure of non-disease sites to the drug. Another potential benefit may be enhanced efficacy as a result of larger amounts of the drug being delivered directly to the site of disease.
In addition to amikacin, the company is working on Inhaled Cisplatin Lipid Complex, a chemo agent with hope for primary lung CA, osteosarcoma lung mets, and bronchoalveolar carcinoma.
Product page: Transave Proprietary Liposomal Technology...
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Thursday, March 27, 2008
ARUP Consult: The Physician's Guide to Lab Test Selection and Interpretation
Our wise readers probably have been using this website for a couple of decades now, but for us it's been a new and interesting discovery. ARUP Consult, a collaborative website run by Utah-based ARUP Laboratories with help from an expert panel of University of Utah medical faculty, is described as a "dynamic tool to provide instant, electronic, point-of-care access to laboratory testing information, help with test selection and decision making, and test interpretation for more than 750 laboratory tests." The information offered through ARUP Consult can be accessed either via the Web or PDA. The website offers more than 1,500 lab tests categorized into disease-related topics, as well as a number of clinical decision-making algorithms. Our staff anesthesiologists were particularly drawn to the Porphyrias Testing Algorithm that is illustrated at the bottom of the post.
A representative for ARUP Consult tells the following to Medgadget:
New and updated information is “published” every two months and each topic or disease receives a thorough annual review to ensure current and correct information. In an industry where nearly 80 percent of major medical decisions are based on lab test results it is extremely important to know which tests to order, why, how to interpret them and which steps to take next. Physicians don’t have the time or resources to stay current on a lab industry that constantly changes with improved techniques and assays. However, getting tests right the first time and having a resource at your fingertips to improve diagnostic capabilities will not only save valuable time and money to both physician and patient, but will ensure optimum patient care.We saw more than $50 billion spent last year in laboratory testing and over 10 percent or more of that was unnecessary… and this is not counting patient downstream costs and unnecessary therapy. ARUP Consult fills a giant gap in patient diagnostics.
Porphyrias Testing Algorithm:
ARUP Consult: The Physician's Guide to Laboratory Test Selection and Interpretation...
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008
seca 856: Organ and Diaper Scale
OK, this is not the most earth shattering medical device, but given the reverence that most parents give to their offsprings' diapers (as well as surgeons to harvested organs), we might as well just report about the scale. The German Healthcare Export Group also raves about the flat, nondescript device:
The seca 856 is as safe and easy to clean as is required in its area of application. As the display is slightly raised, it cannot be soiled by possibly leaking fluids. And the battery compartment and feet on the base have been sealed off in such a way that no fluid can seep into the scale and damage the electronics.The pre-TARE function makes it possible: The specific weight of organs or tissue can be measured easily and reliably, even in a container. When the function is activated, the additional weight of the container is first measured and stored and then automatically deducted from the combined weight value.
The seca 856 has a robust surface of stainless steel which is easy to clean and thus meets all the hygiene demands made on a medical device. As the scale is battery operated, it can be used anywhere. And, to make sure that the battery lasts as long as possible, the automatic switch-off function guarantees low power consumption.
Product page: seca 856
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Medgadgets for Walking Rehabilitation, Peace in Mideast
If anything will create goodwill in the Middle East, it would probably be projects like the SoM-ToUR (Thrive on Unique Road) shoes from Step of Mind, Ltd for people with cerebral palsy.
Product page: SoM-ToUR...
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AccuCirc for a Safer, Happier Bris
Discover Magazine is reporting on a new circumcision device invented by Dr David Tomlinson and developed into a product with the help of Brown University and Clinical Innovations out of Murray, Utah.
The most popular device in the United States, preferred by 67 percent of physicians, is the Gomco clamp, whose parts come in different sizes to match varying penile diameters; mismatched clamp components increase the risk of laceration. Both the Gomco and the competing Plastibell—used by 19 percent of physicians in the United States—require the insertion of a shield beneath the foreskin to protect the underlying glans from the scalpel; to slide the shield in, doctors first make a slit in the foreskin with scissors, increasing the risk of cutting the urethra as well.The plastic AccuCirc avoids these problems. A probe is inserted beneath the foreskin, shielding the glans without the need for an incision. The attached clamp, which can be activated only if the shield is in position, is then placed over the probe. When the lever is depressed, it crushes the foreskin, sealing blood vessels and preventing bleeding, while a circular steel blade excises the foreskin in one action. When the clamp is released and removed, the foreskin is withdrawn with the holder in the probe. The device cannot be reused, preventing the spread of HIV.
More from Discover Magazine...
Clinical Innovations website (no info about the device yet)....
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Monday, March 17, 2008
FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitor Approved in US
The FDA just gave Abbott approval to market its FreeStyle Navigator continuous glucose monitor in the US. The device received the European CE mark of approval last June.
Some features of the system from the product page:
Customizable early-warning alarms 10, 20, or 30 minutes in advance to significantly reduce hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes Continuous glucose readings each minute, providing real-time access to information. Only the FreeStyle Navigator system provides readings every minute TRU™ Directional Arrow technology to accurately project glucose direction and rate of change Suitable for everyday activities-including exercise, bathing, and swimming Contains a built-in FreeStyle® meter for convenient calibration (minimum of 4 calibrations averaged over the total 5 day period) and confirmatory blood glucose tests Sensor continuously worn on body for up to 5 days Wireless transmitter sends glucose readings to the receiver anywhere within a 10-foot range Graphs and reports show glucose patterns
Press release: FDA Approves Abbott's FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System...
Product page...
More from Bernard Farrell...
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Wednesday, March 5, 2008
FDA Approves NIOX MINO for Asthma Monitoring
NIOX MINO®, a hand-held device for the measurement of airway inflammation and monitoring of patients with asthma, has just been 510(k) cleared by the FDA. NIOX MINO, a product of Swedish company Aerocrine AB, is designed to measure fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), an inflammatory marker. The company promotes its product as a device that will "cost efficiently improve management and care of patients with inflammatory disorders, such as asthma." The monitor is sensitive enough to detect as low as 5 particles per billion of exhaled nitric oxide.
More about the device, taken from the product page:
NIOX MINO Airway Inflammation Monitor is an easy-to-use handheld device that provides accurate, reproducible and immediate measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO). This is a proven and sensitive indicator of the inflammation that causes the symptoms of airway inflammatory diseases including asthma.Current management of airway inflammatory diseases, including asthma, is achieved primarily by monitoring symptoms and lung function, with the treatment objective of bringing the disease under control. But the underlying cause of these respiratory symptoms and asthma attacks is airway inflammation, which until now could not be routinely measured.
NIOX MINO is 510(k) cleared (K072816) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use and is the first hand-held tool to aid in asthma management by measuring airway inflammation. NIOX MINO is now approved for use in both adults and children. Measuring FENO using NIOX MINO is a reimbursable procedure.
NIOX MINO provides physicians in the U.S., for the first time ever, a powerful, easy-to-use tool that enables them to provide people living with inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma, personalized inflammation control. By using NIOX MINO, doctors can provide the ideal level of therapy to each patient in order to achieve and maintain control of their symptoms.
NIOX MINO answers the need for a simple, accurate tool for assessing asthma control and responsiveness to treatment. NIOX MINO helps physicians achieve asthma treatment and management goals, allowing people with asthma to enjoy greater quality of life.
In its effort to increase clinicians' awareness of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) monitoring, the company has put out the following white paper.
Product page: NIOX MINO...
Press release: FDA GRANTS MARKET CLEARANCE TO AEROCRINE INC.'S NIOX MINO®: A NEW HAND-HELD DEVICE TO MEASURE AIRWAY INFLAMMATION IN ASTHMA (.pdf)...
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Pediatric Bright Futures Guidelines Go Mobile
Unbound Medicine has released a new pediatrician's program for PDAs and smartphones. Called Bright Futures for Mobile Devices, the software is based on the project from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that features health supervision guidelines for peds, including immunization recommendations, regular health screenings, etc.
The company describes its new product:
Bright Futures for Mobile Devices offers The American Academy of Pediatrics' authoritative guidelines for pediatric well care, including specific recommendations on immunizations, routine health screenings, and anticipatory guidance. Centered around 10 themes common to all stages of child development, this edition of Bright Futures places special emphasis on two new significant areas--promoting mental health and maintaining healthy weight. With explicit plans for 31 age-based health-care visits, you can be confident that no aspect of pediatric care is overlooked. Each visit plan enumerates five priorities for that visit, including sample questions and discussion points for both parent and child.Access the most up-to-date AAP recommendations with Unbound Medicine's award-winning mobile platform. Refer to important child development guidelines and supervision standards directly at the point of care. Clinicians treating infants, children, and adolescents can link directly from age-based visit information in the Pocket Guide into comprehensive strategies for anticipatory guidance and preventive care. Powerful navigation tools help you find information fast, link to related topics, or create bookmarks for future reference.
Features:
Credible--written and edited by more than 1,000 experts
Evidence-based--interventions and recommendations proven to be effective
Current--the most up-to-date guidelines available
Efficient--direct links from Pocket Guide to complete guidelines Advanced PDA & Smartphone features:
User interface customized for your device
Bookmark tool for quick return to critical information
Color and high-resolution support
Landscape mode
Memory card support
Highly compressed data to save space on your device
Product page: Bright Futures for Mobile Devices...
Press release: Unbound Medicine and American Academy of Pediatrics Release Mobile Bright Futures...
Flashbacks: Medgadget's Unbound Medicine archives...
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Microwave Glucose Sensor for Bloodless Diabetes Monitoring
Dr. Randall Jean and his engineering colleagues at Baylor College came up with a noninvasive way to measure blood glucose through the use of non-invasive microwave technology. The idea is that microwaves could be used in determining a substance's dielectric constant:
For diabetics, the daily routine of pricking their finger to check blood-sugar levels can be an annoying and inconvenient task. But now, a Baylor University researcher has developed an electromagnetic sensor that could provide diabetics a noninvasive alternative to reading their blood glucose levels, and new research shows the sensor works and is effective."We are definitely excited," said Dr. Randall Jean, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Baylor. "This is a relatively new area the market is exploring and we've demonstrated that using microwave energy can work."
The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to measure blood glucose levels in the body. As the energy goes from the sensor through the skin and back to the sensor, the glucose level is measured through the transference of energy. Jean said the microwave frequency range is wide enough to isolate the effect of sugar in the blood and minimize the characteristics of other things like body fat and bone, which could alter accurate readings. Jean also said using electromagnetic waves is relatively safe because they do not ionize the body's molecules like x-rays can do.
To measure glucose levels, users must press their thumb against the sensor, and a new study by the Baylor researchers shows that the sensor is accurate. Researchers took samples of nearly 20 people and compared those samples to levels measured by an over-the-counter commercial sensor. The researchers found Baylor's noninvasive sensor has the potential of achieving the same or even better accuracy than current commercial sensors, many of which prick the finger to sample blood.
Baylor press release: Baylor Researcher Creates New Way to Test Blood-Sugar Level...
MIT Tech Review: Bloodless Diabetes Monitoring...
Microwave Applied Metrology Lab at Baylor...
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NanoStat Nasal Vaccine Technology Shows Promise
Scientists at the University of Michigan and NanoBio Corporation, a university spin off, have demonstrated a pretty remarkable ability to illicit an immune response to an inactive virus given intranasally in an animal model. Reporting in the latest issue of Clinical Vaccine Immunology, investigators gave nasal nanoemulsion droplets containing inactivated vaccinia virus to a bunch of mice, and saw a remarkable build up of the immune system. There is a growing enthusiasm in the scientific community that such nasal conferred immunity could be used to develop a new generation of vaccines against a wide range of viruses and bacteria, including influenza, hepatitis , RSV, anthrax and HIV.
Vaccinia virus is related to smallpox virus and builds immunity against it.The new vaccine confers a high level of safety because it contains inactivated vaccinia virus, not the live virus contained in current smallpox vaccines, according to the scientists. Live viruses can elicit adverse reactions; yet previous attempts to use inactivated virus have failed to rouse an adequate immune response against smallpox, the scientists said.
The current study in mice demonstrates that NanoBio’s killed-virus vaccine elicits a robust immune response because it delivers immune-alerting antigens directly to the lining of the nasal mucosa, where the virus first enters the body. Immune cells inside the nose immediately recognize the foreign invader and quickly build an immune response against it, a process known as “mucosal” immunity.
Mucosal immunity provides a critical first response against respiratory viruses, yet injected vaccines do not induce mucosal immunity, said James R. Baker Jr., M.D. founder and chairman of NanoBio Corporation. NanoBio is a spin-off from the University of Michigan.
“The key finding is that we have validated in animals a new means of immunization that produces a unique and highly effective immune response without the potential risks of smallpox vaccination that are no longer considered acceptable in the population at large,” said Baker.
More about the company's NanoStat™ technology that was used in the experiment:
The NanoBio NanoStat™ technology employs a physical process to disrupt the outer membrane of pathogenic organisms by fusing