Leaders launch a new global health partnership
An International Health Partnership: Richer countries urged to fast-track Millennium Development Goals for healthcare
Innovative solution for hearing loss
Otologics' Carina could improve the quality of life for patients suffering from hearing loss. The fully implantable hearing device uses a transducer to move the middle ear bones - much like the eardrum causes the middle ear bones to vibrate in response to sound wave. Carina implantation surgery takes about three hours and is an easy procedure with low surgical risks. (The whole article is only…
Monitoring of Surgical Bypasses
The aortocoronary bypass is an important surgical method for multivessel coronary revascularization, especially in the presence of complex lesions and in diabetic patients. It is can improve the prognosis of patients with three vessel disease and with left ventricular dysfunction1 . With regard to the type of graft used, bypasses are split into venous and arterial types. The use of venous…
Novartis launched once-a-year osteoporosis treatment
The Swiss company Novartis recently received the FDA approval for the U.S. market for their new osteoporosis drug “Reclast”, a therapy that is only given once a year via a 15-minute infusion. The new treatment option is especially designed for women who suffer from post-menopausal osteoporosis.
LA GESTIÓN DE LA CALIDAD
1.INTRODUCCIÓN La gestión de la calidad y la acreditación de centros y servicios, vienen siendo una prioridad para los políticos y directivos en el ámbito sanitario. En Europa y los EE.UU, se han desarrollado distintos modelos de gestión de la calidad. A continuación, destacaremos algunos de los modelos, con sus distintas características, para procurar orientar las decisiones, a la hora…
EL SÍNDROME DEL QUEMADO
1.INTRODUCCIÓN Los gestores sanitarios de hoy afrontan un problema que afecta tanto a directivos como a empleados el "síndrome del quemado"...
Neuroradiological Applications of Biplane Angiography Technology
Endovascular therapy of diseases of the brain-supplying blood vessels has recently sparked new interest. Hundreds of these minimally invasive and often operation-substituting interventions are now being performed annually at neuroradiological centers. The most impressive results in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms are achieved using coil embolization. Endovascular therapy has been lound to…
Article • Ophthalmology
Aetiology of glaucoma
A study of european scientists reveals that misfolded amyloid beta proteins, generally regarded as the cause for Alzheimer's disease, could also cause glaucoma. The scientists tested several drugs and their effect on the progression of glaucoma - pharmaceuticals usually used to treat Alzheimer's disease had most effect.
Robotic Forceps
Toshiba has developed robotic forceps for use in laparoscopic surgery — a type of minimally invasive surgery that contributes to the patient's quality of life. By using the robotic forceps, the surgeon can lay sutures from any direction without difficulty.
Transdermal Carrier Technology (TPM): Non-invasive application of insulin
Phosphagenics' TPM uses natural dermal transport mechanisms to deliver a dose of medication through the skin into the bloodstream. Now a Phase 1b transdermal insulin trial was completed successfully.
Internal Medicine in the German Bundesliga
Medical care for the professional soccer players of the German Bundesliga (Premier League) for obvious reasons has to focus on traumatology. Injuries of the locomotive system occur almost on a daily basis and thus constitute a permanent threat to the potential performance of the valuable players.
The Non-Surgical Closure of Congenital Heart Defects
What is an “open foramen ovale”? The open foramen ovale medical abbreviation PFO for “patent foramen ovale”) is a usually small, only a few millimeter thick, membrane-covered slit in the septum between the atria of the heart. It is a remnant from human embryonic development that usually closes during the newborn period; however, in 10-25% of newborns a small opening remains that generally…
First FDA-approved artificial disc for the neck
New treatment for patients suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease: Medtronic's Prestige Cervical Disc is the first artificial disc system for the neck that received approval from the FDA.
Achieving precise power output
Professor Martin Raithel MD* works alongside medical devices manufacturer Bowa on the use of argon plasma coagulation in endoscopy. "The argon unit, in conjunction with the generators of the Bowa ARC range, is working very reliably in different disciplines", he says. "It is opening up new methods in flexible endoscopy with argon-assisted electrosurgery due to its outstanding…
Wearable heart monitor improves patients' mobility
A wearable cardiac telemedicine system based on Bluetooth technology could text the local hospital if a patient is about to have a heart attack, according to a publication of two Indian researchers of the Sathyabama University in Tamil Nadu, who developed the system.
Tumor paint distinguish between cancer cells and normal tissue
Researchers at A Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center developed a tumor paint that will help surgeons see where a tumor begins and ends more precisely by illuminating the cancerous cells.
Toshiba Introduces: Dyssynchrony Imaging
In recent years, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) has become increasingly important in the treatment of patients with impaired left ventricular contraction. Since this patient group is growing constantly experts estimate that by 2010 about 10 million people in Europe will be suffering from heart failure. Especially the “baby-boomers”, born just after World War II and in 2010 about…
Chinese traditional medicine - a complement, not an alternative
The interest in using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) alongside conventional Western medical care has steadily increased among European physicians; it is no longer unusual, for example, for acupuncture to be suggested by a doctor to help fight tobacco addiction, or to ease a persistent musculoskeletal problem.
Treating Alzheimer with a skin patch
“Exelon Patch”, developed by Novartis is the first skin patch to treat patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease. The new therapy that has already been approved by the FDA, is said to be more compliant for it causes less incidents of nausea and vomiting.
Precise weighing can save lives!
For diagnostic and treatment purposes it is often crucial to obtain a clear picture of a patient's nutritional status. Once the body mass index (BMI) has been determined, further steps for a successful therapy can be initiated and the medication dose can be adjusted to underweight, overweight or normal-weight patients.
Article • Procedure update
Endoscopy in Lithuania
The well-known Whipple procedure, or pancreaticduodenectomy, recently underwent a transformation due to the skills of Nerijus Kaselis MD, Head of Abdominal and Endoscopic Surgery at Klaipeda District Hospital.
Dräger's special anniversary year 2007
Dräger looks up to 100 years of innovation in ventilation technology worldwide. In 1907 Johann Heinrich Dräger invented the Pulmotor as the first short-term respirator and founded the first Draeger company in the United States.
Weighing up to 360 kg patients
seca GmhH & co. manufactures a non-calibrated platform scales that can take a maximum capacity of 360 kg.
New insights, algorithms and debates
For the first time in 33 years, wound healing was the focus of a dedicated session at the 33rd annual VEITHsymposium for vascular surgeons in New York (11/06). This underscores the fact that wound healing is heading increasingly towards a speciality that warrants the special attention of dedicated people willing to embrace an interdisciplinary approach to non-healing or complex wounds.
Fat compromises surgical and intensive care patients
Nutrition-induced obesity is a physical and budgetary problem. For example, in Germany alone, an estimated €20 billion has been spent on obesity related health problems.
