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[caption id="attachment_1447240" align="alignright" width="400"] (Image source: fabrikbrands.com)[/caption] The concept of customer service is changing rapidly across many industries. Medical professionals expect more effort from the companies they do business with than a simple call center phone number with limited and often frustrating interactions. Today, traditionally defined customer service is but one small part of the client interaction model, with brands seeking to differentiate themselves through delivering a seamless and superior customer experience. One industry where the switch in focus from customer service to experience has become a keenly felt brand differentiator is in the...
3D-Printed Custom Robotic Prostheses: Interview with Easton LaChappelle, CEO and Co-Founder of Unlimited Tomorrow
December 10th, 2018 by Conn Hastings
Unlimited Tomorrow, a medical device startup based in Rhinebeck, NY, is developing inexpensive custom prostheses for upper limb amputees. Their approach involves 3D-printing inexpensive custom robotic devices that allow users to experience a sensation of touch, by providing live feedback on the forces that act on the prosthetics. While there are 30 million amputees globally, unfortunately only 5% have access to prostheses. A large part of this is the prohibitive cost of these devices. For example, a prosthetic arm can cost as much as $80,000. Unlimited Tomorrow aims to increase...
Hologic is releasing in the U.S. its new Omni three-in-one hysteroscope, a device that gives physicians an option of three different sheaths on the same system. Using the Omni, one is not required to switch between diagnostic and operatives scopes, as it can serve different functions thanks to the three available sheaths. The product won FDA clearance earlier this month, according to Hologic. “Experts agree that direct visualization of the uterine cavity in women with abnormal uterine bleeding is the gold standard that allows physicians to accurately identify and collect...
SubtlePET Artificial Intelligence Software Enhances PET Scans, Saves Time in Scanner
December 10th, 2018 by Editors
Subtle Medical, a firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California, won both FDA clearance and the European CE Mark of approval to introduce its SubltePET system on both sides of the Atlantic. The system uses artificial intelligence techniques to improve the quality of fast positron-emission tomography (PET) scans, allowing patients to go through exams faster than before without suffering from poorer image resolution. The technology not only improves the patient's experience during scans, but clinics can image more patients and get a lot more usability out of a given PET scanner. "Focusing Subtle...
Olympus landed FDA approval for its Spiration Valve System, a product designed to treat people suffering from severe emphysema. It's used to perform bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) procedures, which channel air away from hyperinflated portions of the lungs to healthier areas. In many patients this results in easier breathing and considerably improved quality of life. The implantation procedure is minimally invasive and the flexible valve can be positioned in pretty challenging airways, including in the upper lobe segments. The system has European approval already for treating of air leaks and...
Edge Headset for Enhanced Learning and Memory: Interview with Dr. Tim Fiori, Co-founder of HUMM
December 10th, 2018 by Conn Hastings
HUMM, a San Francisco-based tech company, has developed the Edge headset, a wearable electrical stimulation device that the company claims can boost learning and memory. The device consists of a headband that delivers electrical stimulation to the brain, and using it for just 15 minutes is reported to provide certain cognitive enhancements for at least one hour. In an increasingly fast-paced and competitive world, researchers have been exploring electrical brain stimulation as a way to enhance our cognitive abilities at the flick of a switch. People think nothing of using...
POPS! Diabetes Care, a company based outside of Minneapolis, won FDA clearance for its unusual, but certainly innovative, POPS! one blood glucose monitoring system. The system consists of a device that can (optionally) stick to the back of your smartphone. It is used to take readings, which are immediately shared with and displayed on the phone. A coaching app is provided that can be used to analyze the readings and help get blood sugar levels under control. The physical device has built-in needles that are used to creata pricks on...
MusicGlove Combining Music and Games for Stroke Rehab: Interview with Dr. Nizan Friedman, CEO of Flint Rehab
December 6th, 2018 by Kenan Raddawi
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability around the world. In the United States alone, nearly 800,00 people suffer from a stroke each year. Many of those who are lucky to survive continue to live with various long-term physical disabilities, including upper limb motor impairment. Studies have shown that early motor rehabilitation is one of the most important factors to help minimize disability and regain function after a stroke. This rehabilitation period usually includes multiple intensive and highly repetitive exercises designed to help the brain rewire itself and...
New X-Ray Technique to Improve Tomo Scans, Imaging of Fragile Lab Samples
December 6th, 2018 by Editors
Researchers working in Australia, France, Switzerland, and Germany have developed two new techniques that may expand the capabilities of X-ray imaging in clinical and pre-clinical applications. One of the new technologies is designed to reduce the radiation dose delivered during mammographies and other X-ray imaging procedures, while the other technique can provide 3D X-ray scans of fragile biological samples using only one exposure. [caption id="attachment_1446735" align="alignright" width="431"] 3D reconstruction of a gold nanostructure shows the acquired image (yellow) compared to a simulated phantom of the object (semi-transparent red). Scale bar:...
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a “virtually indestructible” solar-powered UV sensor. Described as the world’s smallest wearable, the battery-free device is thinner than a credit card and smaller than an M&M candy, but can warn people about UV over-exposure and help clinicians to optimize dosing during light therapy. Not knowing of Northwestern's role in this technology, we recently covered the now available sensor when it was released as a L’Oreal product through Apple stores. Light therapy has numerous applications, including blue light therapy for jaundiced newborns and UV therapy...
Orthopedic implants used to repair damaged and diseased bones and joints typically have a complex structure below the surface that helps native tissues grow into and secure the implants. In addition to this, surface treatments are often applied to even further improve the effectiveness of the implants. These surface treatments, just as the name implies, apply mostly to the surface of the object and don't do much on the complex insides where tissues eventually penetrate. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films (IST) in Braunschweig, Germany have developed...
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a molecular sensor that can spot metastatic cancer cells and measure how likely they're to spread through the body. “Although there are many ways to detect metastasis once it has occurred, there has been nothing available to ‘see’ or ‘measure’ the potential of a tumor cell to metastasize in the future," said Pradipta Ghosh, MD, UC San Diego School of Medicine professor and director of the university's Center for Network Medicine and senior author of a new study appearing in...
Medicine
Spiration Valve for Severe Emphysema Approved in U.S.
Olympus landed FDA approval for its Spiration Valve System, a product designed to treat people suffering from severe emphysema. It's used to perform bronchoscopic...
December 10th, 2018
POPS! one System for Easy Blood Glucose Testing Cleared by FDA
POPS! Diabetes Care, a company based outside of Minneapolis, won FDA clearance for its unusual, but certainly innovative, POPS! one blood glucose monitoring...
December 7th, 2018
Equashield Uses Robots and Image Recognition to Handle Hazardous Drugs (Interview)
Although lifesaving, chemotherapy drugs are potentially hazardous to the pharmacists and other healthcare workers who routinely handle them. Closed System Transfer...
December 3rd, 2018
Cardiology
Canon's New Alphenix 4D CT and C-Arm System for Interventional Procedures
Canon Medical is releasing a new high end CT scanning and fluoroscopy configuration for use in the interventional suite. The system combines the company's Alphenix...
November 26th, 2018
Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra Transcatheter Valve for Severe Aortic Stenosis Cleared in Europe
Edwards Lifesciences received European CE Mark approval for its SAPIEN 3 Ultra transcatheter aortic heart valve. Indicated for valve replacement in patients with...
November 19th, 2018
Artificial Intelligence Diagnoses Heart Murmurs Better Than Expert Cardiologists
At the just concluded American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2018 in Chicago, Eko, the makers of popular digital stethoscopes, showed off a neural...
November 14th, 2018
Surgery
Artificial Intelligence Automatically Spots Polyps During Colonoscopies (Interview)
Artificial intelligence is making big strides in a variety of medical fields, including radiology, oncology, and even ophthalmology. Now a company called Wision AI,...
December 4th, 2018
EZbra Breast Dressing to Make Post-Op Recovery Easier, Safer
EZbra Advanced Wound Care, a firm based in Tel Aviv, Israel, is releasing in the U.S. its innovative breast dressing for recovery following procedures such as biopsies,...
December 3rd, 2018
GE Healthcare's New Revolution Apex CT with Deep Learning Image Reconstruction
GE Healthcare unveiled a new CT scanner in its lineup of Revolution family of devices. The Revolution Apex device features the brand new Quantix 160 X-Ray tube and...
November 29th, 2018
Emergency Medicine
GE Healthcare's New Revolution Apex CT with Deep Learning Image Reconstruction
GE Healthcare unveiled a new CT scanner in its lineup of Revolution family of devices. The Revolution Apex device features the brand new Quantix 160 X-Ray tube and...
November 29th, 2018
Philips V60 Plus Non-Invasive Ventilator with High Flow Therapy Unveiled
Philips has unveiled and received European CE Mark approval for a new non-invasive ventilator, the V60 Plus, that features high flow therapy.
Typically high...
November 26th, 2018
Canon's New Alphenix 4D CT and C-Arm System for Interventional Procedures
Canon Medical is releasing a new high end CT scanning and fluoroscopy configuration for use in the interventional suite. The system combines the company's Alphenix...
November 26th, 2018
Radiology
SubtlePET Artificial Intelligence Software Enhances PET Scans, Saves Time in Scanner
Subtle Medical, a firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California, won both FDA clearance and the European CE Mark of approval to introduce its SubltePET system on both...
December 10th, 2018
New X-Ray Technique to Improve Tomo Scans, Imaging of Fragile Lab Samples
Researchers working in Australia, France, Switzerland, and Germany have developed two new techniques that may expand the capabilities of X-ray imaging in...
December 6th, 2018
Elekta Unity High-Field MRI/Linac System Cleared in U.S.
Elekta, the Swedish manufacturer of radiotherapy devices, won FDA clearance for the world's first high-field MRI/linac system. The Elekta Unity combines a 1.5 Tesla...
December 5th, 2018
Anesthesiology
Philips V60 Plus Non-Invasive Ventilator with High Flow Therapy Unveiled
Philips has unveiled and received European CE Mark approval for a new non-invasive ventilator, the V60 Plus, that features high flow therapy.
Typically high...
November 26th, 2018
3M's New Durapore Advanced Surgical Tape for Keeping Tubes in Place
3M is releasing a new surgical adhesive tape that was developed to address special needs for a variety of clinical applications. The 3M Durapore Advanced tape is...
November 8th, 2018
Flexible LED Sensor Monitors Blood-Oxygenation Levels Through Skin
Researchers at University of California Berkeley have developed a flexible sensor that can be placed on the skin to measure levels of blood oxygenation over a large...
November 8th, 2018
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