AssureFlow: A remote-controlled device to combat urinary incontinence

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

According to a study over 200 milion people suffer with urinary incontinence (inability to control the flow of urine and involuntary urination). Now, AssureFlow concept device can now act as a manually switchable on-off tap for the bladder to assist all those incontinence victims with an inventive manner. AssureFlow concept is designed by the Australian tertiary student Ms. Angelene Ozolins that acts on behalf of the natural function of the bladder. The device can prove beneficial for all those sufferers who lack strong bladders, normal level of control, damaged nerves and for many other conditions. This new concept consist two parts; an internal valve that is implanted in the urethra of the patient and a hand-held actuator that uses inductive heat to turn the valve on and off. The internal valve that is implanted in the urethra of the patient encompass three co-centric stent-like tubes whose two inner tubes are made of Nitinol, a memory shape alloy with the captivating capability to become superelastic above a certain temperature or stress level. It can also be hardened at a lower temperature that can be set, according to the levels of different metals in the alloy. This handy actuator is small and tactful that requires two buttons to be pressed concurrently to activate valve and also encompasses a USB port and a memory that can be used to accumulate information about patient’s voiding patterns. This newly designed concept will not only help patients to evade all those embarrassing degrees like ‘occasional accident’ and ‘complete lack of control’ that occurs due to Urinary incontinence, but it will also construct an incredible optimistic alteration in the lives of a large number of afflicted people. Via: Gizmag

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New Canadian CPR glove might just save your life one day

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation or commonly known as CPR is the last procedure in any life threatening situation. In order to enhance this life saving process, the Canadian electronic CPR glove has proved to be extremely efficient. Developed by Corey Centen and Nilesh Patel for their final year design project, this CPR glove has become popular with the Medics as well as first aiders. It seems like most people forget the correct CPR procedure 6 months after training. The new electronic CPR glove acts as a sort of refresher course for the already trained individuals. The electronic glove is fitted with a series of sensors and chips, which according to Centen measures the frequency and depth of compression. “Compressions must be given at the rate of 100 per minute and at a depth of four to five centimeters”. The electronic glove makes sure that this kind of procedure is done right. This new medical invention is designed in black and one size fits all. Centen mentions that this glove is relatively inexpensive and will become a standard first aid item pretty soon. The components of the glove cost about $250, and would be even cheaper if bought separately. Patel mentions: “We see the glove being available as part of any standard first-aid package” Centen and Patel have filed for US patent on this particular technology. A number of investors are already keen on buying this new invention.

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World’s first: Personnel DNA analyzer by Spartan

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

To analyze your DNA in the comfort of your home, Spartan Bioscience Incorporation has announced the commercial launch of their Spartan DXTM real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) DNA analyzer. This highly accurate DNA testing device is a ‘gold standard’ for molecular diagnostics that promises to offer DNA results in just 30 minutes or less for 4 samples at a time. Though, it is a bit slow and expensive, since batched in contrast to mainframe-style DNA machines those are especially designed for highly-trained scientists to work on high-throughput environments and if we compare this machine with other mainframe-style DNA machines, Spartan DXTM is designed for non-batched, on-demand DNA applications in which speed and convenience is vital, whereas its applications are concerned it comprises low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases. According to Dr. Paul Lem, Chief Executive Officer of Spartan: In the same way that mainframe computers gave rise to personal computers, mainframe DNA machines are giving rise to personal DNA analyzers, DNA is in every organism on the planet and there will be major benefits as DNA testing becomes widely available. This Spartan DXTM stands fit against industry-leading real-time PCR machines standards and is also quite attuned with industry-standard consumables that also comprises inexpensive reaction tubes, real-time PCR reagents and kits from leading manufacturers. Now, you don’t have to stand in hospitals or clinics in long queues to test your DNA as the machine is available on manufacturer’s suggested retail price for USD $14,995. Via: Medgadget

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VNS: A novel medical technique to eliminate depression

Posted on January 29, 2012 by admin

After undergoing detailed analysis on VNS(vagus nerve stimulator) technique, researchers have proved that by delivering an electrical charge into the brain through the vagus or pneumogastric nerve can chiefly help to eradicate depression but they are still not assured that why VNS works. This vagus nerve stimulator power pack is only two-inch in diameter whose .25 inch thick disk can be surgically rooted under the skin near the left collarbone to connect it upwards with the vagus nerve in the neck. Its battery lasts till eight to twelve months and it is equipped with an off-switch so that patients can suspend the unit by placing a magnet over it. The implanted disc can be easily programmed and reprogrammed via baton over the skin and to record patient’s data about the intensity and frequency of the pulse with device settings an individual memory cards are slotted into a handheld computer allied to the wand. The system then transports intermittent, rhythmic pulses to the nerve whose Latin name means ‘wandering’. Dr. Mitchel Kling of the National Institutes for Health asserted: We asked (epilepsy) patients who weren’t being helped if we could remove the device and by and large, the patients said, ‘No, no, don’t take this away. In some cases where there wasn’t good seizure control, patients’ mood problems stabilized. Physicians are using VNS from last 10 years to treat epilepsy to (a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures)slash seizures till upto 40 percent from some patients and, from then doctors began to identify its absolute prospective for treating severe depression even when it wasn’t helping their epilepsy. After getting FDA approval of VNS as a depression treatment tool in July 2005, October 2005 study revealed that after using this VNS technique by severely depressed patients ninety-one percent retained their recovery in nine months and others who did not reported instantaneous benefits they showed improvement and even remission later on. According to Dr. Darin Dougherty of Massachusetts General Hospital this technique reach almost half dozen areas of the brain to prove itself as an effective medication to treat severe depression. Via: Kethar.livejournal

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CAVEman: Movable ’4D’ image of human model

Posted on January 29, 2012 by admin

Canadian researchers has claimed that they have developed the most detailed movable ’4D’ image of human model that will enable doctors to plan complex surgeries or to exhibit patients that how illness looks like inside their bodies. This movable human model called CAVEman, the larger-than-life computer image includes more than 3,000 distinct body parts those can be viewed in a booth and gives the image height, width and depth. This new innovation enables scientists to layer on inimitable visuals of patients, such as magnetic resonance images, CAT scans and X-Rays and also facilitates to get high-resolution views of the inner functioning of the body while it appears to float within arm’s reach. Christoph Sensen, director of the medical school’s Sun Center of Excellence for Visual Genomics asserted: Today, this kind of a model is unique in the world. It’s the only one that is complete,” said “We have components of models. We could make this thing with 50 different brains because everybody makes their own brain model. What we didn’t have was a whole, complete body. According to the officials of the University Of Calgary Faculty Of Medicine, who has worked on the development of this system for six years this new advancement will also assist physicians to study the genetics of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, muscular sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. The CAVEman can be visualized through 3-D glasses in a booth to facilitate controller to operate and to focus it on body parts like skin, bones, muscles, organs, veins and to get more intricate picture of muscles and bones this innovation is initiated on a desire expressed by massage therapy teachers at a company in the central Alberta city of Red Deer. Sensen further said: The medical community will benefit by being able to merge patients’ diagnostic results – such as computerized internal images and blood tests – in one place, allowing specialists to work together more closely. CAVEman is an outcome of a 3-D virtual reality “Cave”, a $5.5 million lab called the Sun Center which was opened in 2002 in collaboration with Sun Microsystems Inc and the estimated development cost of this avant-garde innovation lies between $460,000 and $1.8 million. Via: Reuters

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ViScope: To sense approaching heart attacks

Posted on January 29, 2012 by admin

Australia’s HD Medical Group has introduced an innovative device that uses mechanical data (chiefly sound) to foretell approaching heart attacks. According to the HD Medical Group Ltd, the wireless device called ViScope that detects heart noises can signal an impending heart attack. Almost 500 patients in a clinical trial at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital are reported to be examined via this device for its initial trial whereas the results of this trial will be unveiled sometimes at the end of this year with an application to get green flag from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration possibly in early 2008. By explaining the functioning of this life saving device company’s managing director Jay Jethwa says that this life saving device functions by sending and receiving low-voltage radio waves to and from the heart, in the same way as fishermen uses sonar waves to locate fish. It is also worth mentioning that this life saving device is an amalgamation of the company’s proprietary ViScope instrument and technology licensed from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization in December last year. Via: Medgadget

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LifeShirt: Computerised ‘vest’ helps monitor mental illness continuously

Posted on January 28, 2012 by admin

Now, experts can study patients suffering from bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia by using a novel and amazing device – ‘LifeShirt.’ It is a computerized vest that if the patient is made to wear, can continuously monitor his movements. At times, it is difficult for physicians to diagnose if an individual is exhibiting signs of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, especially when patients are highly symptomatic. So, this new gadget can be a breakthrough as an answer to such problems. Hats off to the Psychiatric researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine for designing this amazing vest. The vest is sensitive enough to show even the differing movements patterns of patients with the two disorders. This VivoMetrics device can help monitor hyperactive and repetitive movements, and can also collect data on respiration, heart rate and other physiological measures! Leading a five-year study of bipolar disorder, Perry, Ph.D., UC San Diego professor of psychiatry, said In our first report from the study, we find that patients in the two groups show different patterns of exploration in new environments. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health William. Once the prototype proved successful, physicians can easily monitor behavioral patterns of their high symptomatic patients. Image

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Magnetic brain stimulator may be an answer to clinical depression

Posted on January 28, 2012 by admin

If you ever visit a psychiatrist’s clinic, don’t mistake that helmet-shaped device as something other than its having a good and considerable relation to your patient. Weird though it may look, with all those crawling electrodes in it, the newly developed transcranial magnetic stimulation device can help treat clinical depression. By placing the device on a patient’s head, the doctor can deliver a pulse to the gray matter. Hence, it can prove effective in treating tough and complicated cases. Once its FDA review is cleared, it could be in the market by this year’s end. The device does not leave an impact on a patient after its use, with the patients being able to go back home or even to work afterwards. It is simply because, transcranial magnetic stimulation works by creating an electromagnetic pulse without disturbing the skull or scalp. Amazingly, without affecting it, the device can reach two to three centimeters into the brain to stimulate the prefrontal cortex and paralimbic blood flow. This can safely help increase the serotonin output as well the dopamine and norepinephrine functions. So, next time you visit your psychiatrist, don’t be put down by the bizzare-looking device that can be used on you. Via: scifi Image

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The 560D HD camera for better Diagnostics during Surgery

Posted on January 28, 2012 by admin

A powerful addition to the rapidly growing HD endoscopic and arthroscopic camera market is the new 3-CCD HD camera. Unveiled by Smith & Nephew’s Endoscopy Division, the 560 Series HD Camera has been designed to provide high-definition resolution in the complete image chain right from the video laparoscope, camera head and the control unit to the monitor. This consistency in resolution helps in achieving clearer and highly detailed surgical images. A trend-setter in this category, the 560 D Series will help doctors perform better diagnostics during surgery leading to better surgery results. The camera has raised the bar higher for arthroscopic and endoscopic visualization with the best-in-class picture detail, color and field depth. It goes without saying that the image quality in any visualization system relies on its components. Better the components, better the image quality. The design of the 560 Series is such that it can interface with Smith & Nephew’s Endoscopy’s CONDOR Control System and the 660HD Image Management System for Digital Operating Rooms. The CONDOR Control System provides medical staff the ease of controlling the operative environment from a single panel and the 660 HD IMS allows the capture and storage high-definition surgical images. These images can be archived with the patient’s medical history for future use. All these ensure that the entire component structure of the visualization system is top-notch and there is no compromise on the image quality. Via: medgadget

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Hitachi develops a portable walkman-style brain scanner

Posted on January 27, 2012 by admin

Hmm…a portable brain scanner from Hitachi! Looks like the guys at the company have taken a break from manufacturing LCDs and Plasmas. Anyway, they have developed a prototype lightweight, portable brain scanner that allows users to keep tabs on their mental activity, thanks to the optical topography technology that stores the real-time brain activity in flash memory for examination. The personal mind reader system features a 400 gram headset and a 630 gram controller, which is worn on the waist. A single PC can maintain up to 24 mind readers simultaneously thereby enabling many users to monitor brain activity during group activities. The technology could be used in areas such as health, psychology, education, marketing, and mind gaming. Hitachi hasn’t commented anything on the personalization of the personal mind reader. Via: Pinktentacle

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