06May
Take anyone who has undergone Endroscopy and he would tell you the difficulties he experienced as he swallowed the flexible or rigid cable — which, of course, can be a source of infection, over-sedation, and, worst, the harming of various body organs. The answer? The wireless capsule camera (which also has other names such as “PillCam,” “video pill,” “Sayaka,” or “Endocapsule” that enables one to view and see areas that the old-fashioned endoscopes have failed to display. This capsule traverses the path of the intestines after a patient takes it in through the mouth. Although it indeed takes a longer time to provide images, the ones it produces are clearer and of better quality.
06May
In the ever-improving world of neuromedicine, psychology and psychiatry, the newest materializing exploratory pursuit is the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) technique that uses implants that hinders tremors experienced by people with Parkinson’s Disease. Forty thousand patients around the world have benefited from these implants. Nowadays, researchers are exploring the possibility of using the same technique in an attempt to cure mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disorder and chronic depression as well. They are seeing the possibility of these implants to act like an antidepressant for diseases which have severe untreatable manifestations. These brain pace-makers will surely help a lot of people in setting foot once again to normalcy but authorities emphasize that Deep Brain Stimulation using implants is still on its initial experimental state.
01May
Great news for hospitals and other clinical facilities with an enormous need of improvements with medical scanners - The University of Sheffield and STFC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratories have provided the world a medical scanner that is easier to use and produces faster and more sensitive images.
This recent development offers immediate analysis of medical screening tests and early detection of cancer. It can also be of service in x-ray imaging and mammography.
The developers are looking at wafer-scale imagers, which can generate images with width of the human torso as the next big thing for this project. If this pushes through, it will allow more efficient and productive medical imaging systems.
Source: www.sciencedaily.com
28Apr
Prosthetic legs have evolved to lightweight and more “user friendly”. The old prosthetics were designed just to allow patients to stand with “both legs”, but walking and climbing the stairs were difficult, and running was impossible. Then “bendable” prosthetics were developed. Now a prosthetic that looks like the real thing gives people who lost their legs a better chance to live normal lives, and wear clothes that they otherwise would not wear with the old cyborg-like prosthetics.
One particular design was called LISA, which stood for lightweight, inconspicuous, shapely and active. Running is now possible, and women can even wear shoes with heels, as the ankles can be adjusted with a button.
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26Apr
Mid-Yorkshire offers new treatment to patients suffering from ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Instead of giving patients a clot-busting drug and later on undergo surgery, paramedics will send STEMI patients to a treatment center at Leeds General Infirmary, and will be given a primary angioplasty.
For the treatment to be successful, people should be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack, and call an ambulance immediately. Symptoms of heart attack include extreme chest pain that radiates to the jaw, arms or neck, nausea shortness of breath and sweating.
The program include the coordination between paramedics and hospital staff. The service is available 24-hours a day.
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24Apr
It has been discovered recently that the progress of Alzheimer’s in the brain also happens in the eye, which is actually a direct extension of the brain. Amyloid beta proteins, which is found to be a biomarker for the disease, can be detected and measured in the eye even before the disease shows its symptoms. This gives hope that early detection leads to preventive measures and treatment.
The device developed is an interior laser ophthalmoscope. Since the formation of amyloid beta proteins in the eye resemble a cataract, a special method was devised. The eye is injected with fluorescent drops that react to the amyloid beta proteins, and glows under infrared lights.
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22Apr
A new treatment that underwent clinical trial for a year has proven to be safe and helped reduce the progress of the disease. Researchers from Purdue University designed a molecule that inhibits the eventual formation of amyloid plaque in the brain, which causes the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This is developed into a drug which was given to volunteers for clinical trial in 2007. The levels of protein amyloid beta is measured in plasma, and is considered a biomarker. Reduction of this protein indicates the effectiveness of the new drug. A second clinical trial is scheduled this year.
Alzheimer’s disease shows its symptoms usually after the age of 60.
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18Apr
An artificial heart pump specially designed for children with heart failure has been developed. It is much smaller than existing ventricular assist devices (VAD). It can be used even for newborns. It has been named PediPump, and developed by biomedical engineers and doctors at the Cleaveland Clinic. The PediPump efficiently moves blood without damaging too much red blood cells.
The device has two versions: one has a design similar to conventional VAD, with inflow conduit in the ventricle and outflow conduit at the artery. The second design the pump’s inflow is in the ventricle, and the outflow in the artery.
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14Apr
People who have lost their teeth and want a more permanent replacement can have a dental implant, where a titanium-based metal is screwed into the jaw bone and a crown is placed on top. The advantage of a dental implant is that the gums do not recede due to the absence of the teeth’s root. The jaw bone also regenerates around the implant, making it permanent.
Bone lost or damaged due to accidents can also be reconstructed using titanium screws and plates.
New developments led to the use of porous materials such as ceramic instead of pure metal. This is to replace heavy implant material to lighter ones, and replicate the surface structure of natural bone.
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08Apr
Japanese researchers at Osaka University are undergoing research on putting electrode censors to the brain to analyze electrical activity, which can be used to operate mechanical devices. A robotic arm, for example, should be able to move in real time, just as a real human hand moves with just a mind’s thought. The movements will be controlled by sensors that pick up electrical signals from the brain. However, since direct contact with the brain is needed, there is no actual experiment as of the moment. The researchers already filed an application for license with the Osaka University Hospital ethics board.
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