
3rd educational publication on MIS
The European Medical Technology Industry Association, Eucomed, has launched the third in a series of educational publications on medical technology innovation, focusing on minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

The European Medical Technology Industry Association, Eucomed, has launched the third in a series of educational publications on medical technology innovation, focusing on minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

Using the different shaped tips of ARC 350L and TissueSeal or Ligator instruments, made by Bowa, surgeons can permanently seal large veins, arteries or bunched tissue. All of these special tools gained a red dot award for ergonomics and practicality.

Celebrating his 71st birthday this year, Czech chemist Professor Antonin Holy will also be able to celebrate the launch of clinical testing of a drug to treat non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) - adding another to his 60+ registered patents.

About a year ago, gastroenterologist Professor Horst Neuhaus began to use a high definition TV (HDTV) system as an aid in the endoscopic procedures carried out at Dusseldorf's Evangelisches Krankenhaus, in the Medical Clinic and Reference Centre for Endoscopy, of which he is head.

By Beate M Stoeckelhuber MD, Associate Professor and Radiology (Interim) Director at the Department of Radiology, Luebeck University, Germany, with Smaragda Kapsimalakou MD, also at Luebeck

Although about 75% of biopsies are negative, the side effects of that invasive procedure, plus the length of time to results, disturbs patients. Now, however, a new technology might be able to differentiate benign and malignant tissue due to an adjunct of a normal breast ultrasound examination.

In Ireland, breast cancer is particularly virulent: 18.5% of all cancer related deaths among the women are due to breast cancer.

Paolo Belli MD, Carmen Malaspina MD and Professor Lorenzo Bonomo, of the Department of Radiology, UCSC, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, discuss results from using computed tomographic laser mammography (CTLM) to detect cancers occult to mammography in dense breasts, and their comparison of CTLM with MRI to follow results of neo-adjunctive chemotherapy

Radiation oncologists and diagnostic radiologists will be encouraged to forge partnerships at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) congress in Chicago this November helped by a new programme, called Bolstering Oncoradiologic and Oncoradiotherapeutic Skills for Tomorrow (BOOST)

The Swedish IT and medical-technology company Sectra, together with clinical and industrial partners from six European countries, has been awarded EUR 3.6 million from the European Union to combat breast cancer through a research project for high-resolution, low-dose X-ray imaging.

The European Parliament voted for an EU Regulation on advanced therapies like gene therapy, cell therapy and tissue engineering. The decision, if adopted by the council, could open the door for innovative therapies which have a huge potential for curing diseases such as Parkionson´s, Alzheimer or cancer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given 510(K) clearance to Maquet Critical Care of Solna, Sweden, to market its Servo-i ventilator with the NAVA (Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist) option. Sales of the system, which aims to treat and monitor neonatal, infant and adult patients, should begin this year. In addition, current Servo-i users can upgrade their system with NAVA.

After their debut at the 2005 Medica trade show, the first LED lamp made by Trumpf Medizin Systeme (iLED) found new users worldwide.

Komet Medical has developed rotating and oscillating instruments since 1923.

Czech Republic - In 2001, when doctors at the Motol Faculty Hospital first saw Dusan Matras, he was diagnosed with a thyroid gland problem. However, they later found he had a tumour. Six years later, Dusan has become the first in the world to undergo a unique surgical procedure on the vertebral column in the neck area.

'Supersuite' describes a valuable service provided by Berchtold, specialist manufacturer of operating theatre lights (e.g. Chromophare), camera systems, monitor arms, surgical tables (Operon) and equipment management systems (surgical and anaesthesia booms, but not the device control units).

i-gel, a new single-use, supraglottic airway device designed for quick, easy insertion, also comes ready to use.

DGCH promotes studies for evidence-based medicine (EbM) in surgery to establish guidelines.

Along with advanced training courses, a training laboratory, video presentations, careers advice, satellite symposia to simplify the collation of clinical data, the forum will present a platform for young scientists.

`The term fast track surgery refers to a combination of findings from current, high quality studies of anaesthetics, surgery and perioperative care for a certain medical indication,´ explained Professor Schwenk.
In Europe today, obesity is assuming epidemic proportions.

A system that aims to prevent newborns from being swapped or kidnapped in hospitals, has received the RFID Award in the German Innovations Prize 2007, granted by Initiative Mittelstand, an association for small and medium businesses.
Improving patient safety and quality of care is of key importance for European citizens, and both the European Commission and Member States (MS) expect great benefits from new, information and communication technology (ICT)-based healthcare solutions.
To help improve transfusion safety, in accordance with EU Directive 2002/98/EC, the Dutch National Haemovigilance Office, TRIP, receives and analyses reports of transfusion reactions and promotes haemovigilance.

France - The country's health ministry is facing growing calls for a full public inquiry after allegations that surgeons have been demanding huge cash payments from patients keen to jump hospital waiting lists, and for charging exorbitant fees for "private" operations.