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FundamentalVR Integrates HaptX Gloves Into Virtual Reality Surgical Trainer

March 18th, 2019 by Editors

Education

FundamentalVR, a company that makes virtual reality training tools for medical education, has integrated the HaptX Gloves into its Fundamental Surgery platform. Fundamental surgery can be used on different computers and with a variety of virtual reality headsets and haptic tools. Most systems that can provide a sense of touch have relied on pointer-like tools that the user holds with the fingers. The HaptX Gloves make each finger and the entire hand into a virtual reality, haptic controller. Her'es a video FundamentalVR released showing off what's possible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZZmca5EWRA Via: FundamentalVR...

3D Brain Organoids Model Rare Neural Disease

March 18th, 2019 by Editors

Genetics

Direct studies on the brain are inherently difficult, as it's a complex and fragile organ hidden behind a thick skull. Animal studies can help, but animal brains are different from human ones. In order to better study how the brain works and its pathophysiology, researchers have been working on growing tiny replicas of specific parts of the brain in the lab. Now scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany are reporting the development of a brain organoid model of neuronal heterotopia,...

Triboelectric Generators to Power Implantable and Wearable Medical Devices

March 18th, 2019 by Editors

Materials

Wearable and implantable medical devices are constantly hungry for electricity to power their functions. Batteries, their lifetime, whether they can be recharged, and other related issues influence the design, usability, and functionality of electrically powered medical tech. Triboelectric generators that convert mechanical energy into electricity are an ideal solution, but their efficiency and other limitations have prevented their adoption in the medical space. Researchers at Purdue University have now developed a liquid-metal-inclusion based triboelectric nanogenerator, dubbed LMI-TENG, that can produce meaningful amounts of electricity from natural body movements, such as those...

Sonavex EchoSure Vascular Blood Flow Monitor Cleared in U.S.

March 18th, 2019 by Editors

Vascular Surgery

Following peripheral vascular and microvascular surgeries, it is important to be able to monitor how blood is flowing through the treated vessels and whether there may be an occlusion or compromise. This monitoring typically requires a nurse or a trained sonographer to use Doppler ultrasound, but now a new option is available. Sonavex, a company based in Baltimore, won FDA clearance for its EchoSure system that combines 3D ultrasound with deep learning algorithms that can nearly completely automate the process of blood flow monitoring. The system provides both visual and...

Alternative Orthopedic Fixation Company Ossio Developing Absorbable Fixation Devices

March 15th, 2019 by Kurt Yaeger

Orthopedic Surgery

Ossio, a medical device company with offices in Caesarea, Israel and Woburn, Massachusetts, recently announced a $22 million Series A venture investment round led by LA-based OCV Partners. This brings the company’s total venture funding to $35 million. This technology received FDA 510(k) clearance in January 2019. Ossio has developed the OSSIOfiber Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology, which provides a biocompatible framework for bone regeneration after traumatic fractures or orthopedic surgery. The platform is a bioabsorbable polymer resin (PLDLA) combined with natural mineral fibers, constructed in a sturdy matrix to maximize biomechanical...

BIOTRONIK Wins FDA Approval for Two High-Voltage Families of Cardiac Implants

March 15th, 2019 by Editors

Cardiology

The FDA has given BIOTRONIK approval to introduce the company's Acticor and Rivacor lines of high-voltage cardiac rhythm implants. They're designed to treat tachycardia (likely supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and have been made to be smaller and have a longer battery life. Some of the implants have a nearly 15 year lifetime, helping to lower the number of replacement procedures. All of the implants are 3 Tesla MR-conditional, meaning that patients can undergo most MRI scans as long as certain precautions are taken. BIOTRONIK touts the shape of the implants, which...

Withings Releases Breathing Disturbance Sleep Monitor

March 15th, 2019 by Editors

Medicine

Withings, the famous French maker of stylish activity trackers, blood pressure cuffs, and other personal healthcare and fitness devices, is releasing a breathing disturbance monitor. Built into its Sleep tracking mat, the technology can detect many of the instances when a person's breathing is interrupted. These events can be signs of sleep apnea, which in turn can lead to a variety of cardiovascular conditions. As a matter of fact, Withings is planning to add true sleep apnea detection to the Sleep mat once it received FDA and European regulatory clearances,...

da Vinci Surgical Robot Given Sense of Touch to Prevent Injury

March 15th, 2019 by Editors

Surgery

Intuitive Surgical effectively brought robotics into the operating room with its da Vinci systems. The company now dominates this market and its robots are now used all over the world to conduct all kinds of minimally invasive surgeries. While the da Vincis give surgeons incredible precision when working with tissues deep inside the body, they lack any force-feedback and therefore the physician can't feel what's being worked on. This is a serious problem, as our sense of touch lets us know when something is in the way, when a tear may start...

Siemens Healthineers to Unveil SOMATOM go.Top Cardiovascular Edition CT Scanner

March 14th, 2019 by Editors

Cardiology

Siemens Healthineers is releasing a new CT scanner tuned specifically for cardiovascular imaging. The new SOMATOM go.Top Cardiovascular Edition provides advanced radiation dose management features for routine cardiovascular procedures. It's a 128-slice scanner that's expected by the company to be adopted by outpatient cardiology clinics and hospitals to perform a variety of procedures, including CT angiographies (CCTA) and HeartFlow FFRCT analysis. One of the main features of the new system is called CARE kV that automatically chooses which kV setting to go with, depending on the patient and procedure. It...

Omeo Evolution 1 Wheelchair for Off-Road Adventures

March 14th, 2019 by Editors

Rehab

Conventional wheelchairs can only go where the ground is relatively smooth and flat, which means nature is mostly out of bounds to those that can't walk. A new wheelchair developed by Omeo Technology, a company out of New Zealand, allows people to go off-road and visit new places. The Omeo Evolution 1 has only two wheels, so it automatically balances the user during the ride. It has powerful motors to get up inclines and can rotate in place. The wheelchair can be controlled with either a joystick or by the...

Diagnosing Esophageal Cancer More Accurately: Interview with Mark Rutenberg, CEO of CDx Diagnostics

March 13th, 2019 by Editors

Exclusive

Cancer of the esophagus is often related to chronic heartburn, something patients too often end up ignoring. The onset of the potentially deadly disease can be detected, though, given good enough imaging and regular screenings. The imaging component, that we're particularly interested in, relies on physicians to take biopsies of random bits of the esophageal tissue and to then examine it under the microscope. Since precancerous cells are spread out randomly, it is very easy to miss the development of cancer. CDx Diagnostics has developed a technology that allows physicians...

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