Engineer Stefan Wollschläger, a partner in Visality Consulting GmbH, Berlin, and Dr Gregor Zehle MBA, a senior consultant at GÖK Consulting AG, Berlin, discuss the benefits of a strategy transfer from the aviation sector to operating theatre management. Russian article
According to a recently published study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, a vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) examination can be used to measure abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). The level of AAC can predict the likelihood of myocardial infarction as well as stroke among elderly women, independent of other clinical risk factors.
A research carried out at six hospitals in the West Midlands, UK, is evaluating the use of pulse oximetry as a screening tool for congenital heart disease in newborn babies. Approximately three percent of infant deaths are caused by these significant heart defects and at the moment only less than half of the affected babies are identified by clinical examination, the current screening technique.
Following the proposal of the European Union to all member states, Finland established a national screening programme for colorectal cancer in 2004. The programme is the first of its kind, aiming to screen a target group of women and men between the ages of 60 and 69 by the use of faecal occult blood test (FOBT).
According to a survey published in the journal Clinical Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians, there seems to be a serious under provision of out-of-hours emergency endoscopy services for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding in the UK. The electronic survery was carried out by the British Society of Gastroenterology, which sent two questionnaires to the endoscopy leads of 188 acute NHS…
Minimally invasive endoscopic stent procedures can reduce the hospital stay of patients suffering from colorectal cancer. Stenting may also reduce the future risk of surgery, reports colorectal surgeon Eric M. Haas MD, of Colorectal Surgery Associates in Houston, USA.
Heinrich Dräger's concept for the first Pulmotor was ahead of its time, for he was the first to choose a mechanical principle that could closely copy human physiology.
A specialist in radiology and neuroradiology, Dr Birgit Ertl-Wagner is senior physician for teleradiology at the Institute for Clinical Radiology, in Grosshadern University Hospital, Munich.
Engineer Stefan Wollschläger, a partner in Visality Consulting GmbH, Berlin, and Dr Gregor Zehle MBA, a senior consultant at GÖK Consulting AG, Berlin, discuss the benefits of a strategy transfer from the aviation sector to operating theatre management.
At ComPaMED 2007, Invibio presented its ENDOLIGN composite material that is composed of continuous carbon fibers in a PEEK-OPTIMA polymer matrix. Endolign combines the strengths of metal with the benefits of a polymer for the creation of advanced structural implants.
Accuracy and precision are of the utmost importance in spinal surgery. At ComPaMED 2007, Micro Precision Systems AG (MPS) presented its SpineAssist - a bone-mounted system that accurately guides the surgeon when placing implants destined to stabilize spinal fusions in open and especially in minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
The Newport e360 Ventilator incorporates Newport Medical's Intelligent Control System (ICS). ICS is a combination of four features designed to improve total breath synchrony (Automatic Slope/Rise, FlexCycle (automatic Expiratory Threshold), Dual Modes VTPC and VTPS and Automatic Leak Compensation.)
ST&D Ltd, a UK based manufacturer of wireless monitoring systems, has designed a novel chest mounted pulse oximetry system.
There are 12 categories for endoscopes or endoscopy products at MEDICA, as hundreds of firms exhibit the necessary materials or equipment for this expanding surgical field.
Italy - The latest advance in stereotactic radiosurgery - the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion made by Elekta, is due for inauguration this month at the Neurosurgery Department in Niguarda Hospital, located in the northern area of Milan. This prestigious hospital employs over 700 physicians and 1,500 nurses, and over 50,000 patients are admitted annually, and over 20,000 surgical procedures are…
In bronchoscopy and gastroenterology, reprocessors are commonly used to provide a quick availability of endoscopes. However, ENT departments do not dispose of dedicated material, according to the French company Soluscope Group, which manufactures endoscope reprocessors and the detergents used to wash and disinfect them.
UK - Optical imaging company Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL) has announced successful initial results from clinical testing of its novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology. The tests, performed on cancerous and precancerous human oesophagus and lymph node tissue, were designed to establish the potential value of MDL's optical imaging technology used during cancer surgery.
The Hamburg-based company seca has specialized in the manufacture of weighing and height measuring scales for over 165 years. Today, the firm has locations in Switzerland, the UK, France, Japan, China, Mexico and the USA, and manufactures products in Germany, the Czech Republic and China, and exports its range of products - which include infant, column and flat scales, with height measuring…
IP-based nurse call system provides non-body-contact vital signs monitoring as well as patient movements, a fall and epileptic seizure.
Agfa HealthCare will present leading healthcare IT and imaging solutions, focusing on clinical process management At MEDICA this year, Agfa HealthCare is demonstrating a "balanced mix of information about market-leading solutions and innovations for healthcare IT and medical imaging and plenty of opportunity to exchange opinions about market developments".
After a successful market penetration, TMA Medical (founded 1993) is currently expanding its Mobile Care Unit (MCU) introduction worldwide.
In 1996, NDS Surgical Imaging developed and launched the first Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technologies for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) viewing applications.
At Telecare 2007 exhibition held in Birmingham, UK, this September, Moira Mackenzie, the Scottish Executive's Telecare Programme Manager spoke of aim of the country's new government (minority Scottish Nationalist party, elected in May 2007) is keen to reform healthcare which it will change through administrative reform.
The St. Lucas Andreas Hospital in Amsterdam-West, the first in the Netherlands to begin the daily remote monitoring of cardiac patients at home, is using the Philips Motiva system. About 100 patients will be involved.
USA - A team of researchers at the Rochester Institute of Technology, is working to advance the integration of radio frequency identification technology (RFID) into existing cardiac sensor networks, a new wireless technology for telemedicine delivery, and will also work to enhance the security of the systems used.
