Medical technology

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

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.

Text messaging beats missed appointments

UK - Patients who miss medical appointments cost the country's National Health Service (NHS) around £575 million annually.

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.

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.

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…

Exposanitá

The 15th international healthcare exhibition from 25 to 28 May in Bologna, Italy has expand up to 25,000 sq.m and 20,000 visitors.

The Kitten Scanner

The Philips Kitten Scan is a miniature CT (or CAT) scanner for children - no, not to be scanned in it, but for them to use while awaiting checkups themselves.

Data management in cardiology

With CardioNet by SCHILLER SEMA the number of unnecessary multiple exams can be greatly reduced as family physician, specialist and hospital can exchange data.

Article • Company Profile

In the spotlight: Schiller AG

Alfred E Schiller, founder and managing director of Schiller AG, based in Baar, Switzerland, describes the rise of his company and its place in today’s highly competitive intensive care market. Alfred Schiller founded Schiller AG in 1971 and three years later introduced his first product – a pocket-sized electrocardioscope, which has been built on successively over the years. The…