Health technology assessments
An unnecessary rein on medical innovations, or a wise insurance for patients' protection?
Medical technology
First European surgical studio goes live
The operating `theatre´ exists no longer - at least in St Olavs Hospital (Trondheim University Hospital, Norway) where Europe's first operating studio officially opened this May. Now medical students no longer crane their necks to study surgical procedures. Thanks to this exciting new audio-visual concept they can see more, hear more and learn more.
Healthcare in Spain
General information concerning the country's healthcare is held at the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE).
The Eisenherz project
Tobias Schaeffter PhD, Principal Scientist, Philips Research Laboratories, Hamburg, Arne Hengerer PhD, Director molecular MR, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, and Andreas Briel PhD, Eisenherz project manager, Schering Research Laboratories, Berlin, describe...
France and Spain gain the first region-wide speech recognition systems
In an effort to optimise efficiency and patient service, Spain's Castilla-La Mancha region and the Paris Hospital network AP-HP have become the first in Europe to introduce speech recognition to thousands of physicians and transcribers on a regional level.
Thermofocus
"Thermofocus* is the first non-contact clinical thermometer in the world and the only one working at an accurate and determinate distance," Tecnimed srl, its manufacturer, reports. "Body temperature is measured in less than one second by pointing Thermofocus at the centre of the forehead."
The all-in-one alarm and speech pager
The Personal Security Pager (PS-Pager), made by Bosch Security Systems, is an innovative mobile that houses two products: a personal alarm device and speech pager. Compact, lightweight, robust, comfortable and discreet to wear, the device is also as easy to handle as the messages are to read.
Tracking drugs and assets
At over 200 years old, it is also one of the oldest hospitals, yet is classed as one of the most up-to-date institutes in Europe.
Intelligent textiles
The latest textile technologies go along with fabric integrated sensors, or computers, to measure e.g. the functioning of a patient's cardiovascular system.
Progressing towards the EPR
Today, the Local Healthcare Company ASL Nº 11, of Empoli, Florence, is a highly advanced public utility, able to face the challenges of technological innovations and to perform long-term objectives with leadership and competence.
Stenting: Dynamic growth continues
Paris, France - The explosive growth in demand for drug eluting stents has shaped a market worth more than six billion euros annually.
Exposanita 2006
Bologna, Italy - With 670 exhibitors - 595 domestic and 78 international companies from 18 countries as well as 344 represented companies from 36 countries - and close to 28,000 visitors, the medical event Exposanita was, once again, a huge success.
ILED - the LED operating lamp
Based on semiconductor connections that convert the current directly into light, LEDs have numerous technical advantages over conventional halogen and gas discharge lamps, the most important being low heat emissions, adjustable light features and an almost indefinite life-cycle.
The gigantic impact of dwarf technology
It occupies approximately the same space as one to three atoms.
Protection for lone healthcare employees
In 2002-2003 around 116,000 incidents of abuse were recorded in the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS).
50% more light but so cool
The new Chromophare D series from Berchthold is “a superior innovation in 21st century surgical lighting technology”.
24/7 Shopping in Hospitals
Ever since the American automats that brought about fast food living were reduced in size, people have become used to picking up a quick bite.
The 1st International High Tech in Medicine congress
Prevention is better than cure - use the technology! A report from the 1st International High Tech in Medicine congress.
The RSNA 2005
Late in November and into early December, as icy air streamed over the shores of Lake Michigan - affirming the nickname `windy city´ for Chicago - radiologists continued to immigrate here en masse for their biggest annual gathering. This year the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) held its 91st annual meeting, parallel with the scientific congress and trade fair. The exhibition alone…
Medica 2005
The organisers of Medica, the world's largest medical trade fair have reported that 137,000 visitors from around 100 countries attended these events in November.
Cost-effectiveness analysis in the ICU
In most OECD countries, healthcare costs take 8-15% of GDP and, even more problematic, they are rising faster than the GDP growth rate.
Bird flu vaccine production to be based in CR
Czech Republic - The US firm Baxter International Inc. is to establish a production facility to produce a quite unique vaccine in CR. First discussed in December 2005, the plan appears to have made a significant step forward. Baxter specialises in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, and globally employs around 48,000 people in 64 manufacturing facilities, which include those in…
Text messaging beats missed appointments
UK - Patients who miss medical appointments cost the country's National Health Service (NHS) around £575 million annually.
Small wireless device to improve cancer treatment
USA - Engineers are developing a tiny wireless device - the size of a rice grain - to be implanted in tumours to indicate the precise radiation dose received and to locate the exact position of tumours during treatment.