Archive for September, 2010
Technology Tackles the High Cost of Infection
Endotracheal tubes with a pharmaceutical coating, a technology based on synthetic, small molecules that are electrostatically attracted to certain viruses, fungi, and bacteria, are now being studied. Studies indicate that this method, which has a long shelf life, can prevent bacteria colonization on endotracheal tubes for up to 21 days. Read More »
A New Generation of MRI-Compatible Pacemakers
Each year, over 1 million patients receive some form of pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Unfortunately, current pacemakers are not compatible with intense magnetic fields generated by MRI technology because the magnetic field can cause the pacemaker to rotate within the body, malfunction/fail, or cause electrical/thermal burns due to the antenna effect of the lead, thus, putting the patient at risk. Due to these risks, over 300,000 patients in the U.S. with pacemakers are ineligible for MRI exams each year. However, new technology is in its final phases of review and may allow future pacemaker and ICD patients to receive a diagnostic MRI. Read More »
Stents that Absorb, Really
With several current drug-coated stents, concerns have arisen due to the increased risk of late stent thrombosis and device fracture as a result of an MRI or natural movement, both of which can lead to a heart attack. Bioabsorbable drug-eluting stents are designed to dissolve over time leaving behind the patient�s natural blood vessel. This restores the body�s natural large vessel biomechanics, an important factor that allows the natural blood flow feeding the heart and safer use of MRI technology. Read More »
Hansen Steers Clear Path in Robotics
Surgical robotics has been around for roughly a decade. The da Vinici, a three-armed remote-controlled device, and the ROBODOC (orthopedic [...] Read More »
Lung Cancer Breath Testing: A New Direction in Low-Cost Screening
Similar to blood, just about everything in the body ends up in a patient�s breath, allowing it to be an excellent medium for quick noninvasive diagnostic testing. Currently, there are several emerging breath tests for diagnosing asthma, H. pylori, and pharmaceutical levels in the body, and now, researchers are close to bringing a lung cancer application to market. Lung cancer is a difficult form of cancer to detect in its early stages, so an accurate breath test could have enormous and exciting benefits. Read More »
Nano-Based Contrast – How Good?
A recent MIT technology review article has stated that researchers have developed nano-based agents that are 15 times more sensitive than existing compounds. A nanoparticle is a molecule that ranges from 1 nm to 100 nm in length and, because of their size, can also reach multiple areas of the body Read More »
Putting Contrast Agents in the Spotlight
A recent MIT technology review article has stated that researchers have developed nano-based agents that are 15 times more sensitive than existing compounds. A nanoparticle is a molecule that ranges from 1 nm to 100 nm in length and, because of their size, can also reach multiple areas of the body Read More »
Breath-Based P450: How Much in Savings?
One very exciting but rarely talked about technology is the identification of the P450 gene to predict drug compatibility and dosage. Now being studied in a breath-based format, it will make testing cheaper and quicker. But why should we care? Read More »
How Much Value does Technology Bring?
Innovative technologies have always captured the attention of both physicians and informed patients. Historically, the drive for increased revenue has been a determining factor for new capital purchases. While surveying administrators responsible for the capital budget process, the term �value� appeared as the common denominator. However, I also found that while hospitals have different missions, the world �value� can also have different meanings. Read More »