We have previously mentioned that BrainLab's Digital Lightbox reminds us of a giant iPhone. Clearly agreeing with our way of thinking, last week at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons we saw BrainLab demonstrate an implementation of their knee navigation software that simply uses an iPhone/iPod Touch, coupled with a passive tracking attachment and iPhone App. The iPhone, with attached markers, is used to identify bony landmarks on the knee, which are then fed into the BrainLab software for 3-D guidance of knee surgery. The iPhone screen is used as the display, both for marker placement prompting and leg-alignment indicators during the procedure. Using the motion tracking sensor and the iPhone as an input and display, rather than the other solutions BrainLab supports (shown below), reduces the footprint needed in the OR.
There is no mention of the iPhone version of their imaging suite on the BrainLab website, but the FDA 510(K) clearance given for its Uni-Knee software does not define the display technology used, seemingly allowing this configuration.
While gene therapy has seemed always just on the verge of being right around the corner, the limitation has always been delivery of the gene. How do you get the new gene to the right cells and activated? An in-vivo mice study in PNAS may take us closer to a usable delivery system. Rui Maeda-Mamiya of the University of Tokyo and others were able to get diabetic mice to increase their insulin levels after delivery of a insulin 2 gene by a water-soluble fullerene.
The system detects vibrations at the eardrum, processes the signal digitally, then applies physical vibrations directly to the cochlea.
Jokes about needing special glasses aside, Nature Nanotechnology published a letter on March 14, 2010 describing progress in three dimensional cell culture technology from Glauco Souza, et. al. at the Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. According to the research team, prior attempts at 3-D culture have included “protein based gel environments or rotational/agitation-based bioreactors” and yet “broad, practical application of such methods has not been achieved.” The novel method they describe uses magnetic fields to manipulate cells which have endocytosed “gold-hydrogels” which incorporate magnetic iron oxide. Once the cells have taken up the iron in the hydrogel, a magnetic field is applied which levitates the cells, allowing them to grow in a three dimensional architecture as opposed to the standard two dimensional fashion.
Scientists at Korea University in Seoul have demonstrated a prototype of a new biomonitoring system that transmits data through the body, replacing wires and minimizing the need for batteries.
The Winter Paralympic Games are currently going on in Vancouver and fearless athletes are out on the snow and ice pushing their bodies (and some medgadgets) to the limit. Gene Ostrovsky, one of our editors, spoke with Dr. Mike Wilkinson, Chief Medical Officer of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, about the effort required to provide medical services for such an event. Here's the full interview:
GE Healthcare has released an iPhone app aimed at radiologists which shows off sample images and videos from GE Healthcare imaging systems. It was demonstrated recently at RSNA 2009. Currently almost a hundred images and videos from the OPTIMA450W MRI system are included, and the app will be updated periodically adding image sets from other products including x-ray, ultrasound and PET systems.
The New York Times profiles research by Harvey A. Liu and Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. of the University of Texas at Dallas to create a therapeutic nitric oxide releasing bandage. Nitric oxide can play a significant role in peripheral vasodilation, relaxation of pulmonary vasculature, and other physiological processes, such as penile erection. Therefore, an effective method of delivering this free radical should allow the development of new types of vascular stockings, bandages, and other therapeutic (or recreational) devices.
It consists of a small balloon attached to a catheter which is inserted in the vertebral body and then inflated in order to create a cavity. This cavity is subsequently filled with bone cement in order to stabilize the fracture and restore the height of the affected vertebra. Additionally the AVAmax PLUS vertebral augmentation system is available for use in conjunction with the AVAmax Vertebral Balloon to deliver cement, which allows the radiologist’s hands to be out of the radiation field during the procedure. CareFusion claims to be the only company in the industry that nowadays offers a full line of products addressing both vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. The device is released as part of a range of products that includes needles, bone cement and delivery instruments.
RS TechMedic BV out of Broek op Langedijk, The Netherlands has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Dyna-Vision line of portable cardiac monitors. The devices, already approved in Europe, transmit ECG data wirelessly to a clinician via Bluetooth or through a mobile phone network.
