Category: Technology & Devices
Polymer coating to protect catheters from infections
A staggering 150 million intravascular catheters are implanted yearly in the US alone, and fatal infections can develop regularly. Antibacterial coatings have then been used to prevent colonisation and kill harmful bacteria, but often lose effectiveness after only two weeks. Most antibacterial coatings also use traditional antibiotics, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance over long term […]
Japanese devices can help with odour management in hospitals
The digital scent technology market is expected to grow annually by 30% from 2017 to reach USD1 billion by 2023, with Asia-Pacific projected to grow at the fastest rate according to market research. Previously, many organisations were not as particular about this aspect of their facilities -but odour control in healthcare is notably essential to […]
AI helps to predict arthritis in children
Some children are unfortunate to have arthritis, which occurs when the immune system mistakes the body’s own cells for foreign invaders, typically attacking the lining of the joints to cause swelling, pain and long-lasting damage. There is no known cure, and treatment is costly and increasingly aggressive – potential side effects include risks of infection. […]
“Smart stickers” underway for post-surgery monitoring
An advanced sticker solution is in the works to monitor physical activity and alert for health risks, particularly useful for patients who self-check their health at home after a major surgery. Lead researcher Ramses Martinez, a Purdue University assistant professor of industrial engineering and biomedical engineering has said that the wearable sticker technology is a […]
Israeli company unveils world’s first microcomputer for atrial pressure
Left atrial pressure (LAP) is a specific physiological indication for heart failure. Approximately 90% of cardiac patients admitted to the hospital have had pulmonary congestion related to elevated LAP- the earliest sign of impending heart failure exacerbation, long before clinical symptoms occur. But, the initiation of the Vector-HF First-in-Human (FIH) clinical trial, and the successful […]
Monitor diabetes on your phone
Diabetic patients constantly need to check their blood sugar levels throughout the day. The levels can increase or decrease depending on various factors such as meal consumption or exercise. An insulin pump is usually used to deliver regulatory hormones and adjusted accordingly. A new phone app has been introduced to ease blood sugar monitoring. Collectively […]
You can help medical research with Fitbit
Fitbit is a smart watch-cum-fitness tracker. For the casual jogger to hardcore athletes, there is a recommended Fitbit for everyone. Recently, Fitbit and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have launched a digital health technology initiative for both fitness and precision medicine study. Fitbit’s Bring-Your-Own-Device project and the All of Us research program is a […]
‘Game-changer’ test predicts risk of breast cancer
Experts have developed a potentially “game-changing” test to predict a woman’s risk of breast cancer. It combines information on family history and hundreds of genetic markers with other factors, such as weight, to give the most comprehensive assessment possible, says Cancer Research UK. The test is not yet routinely available on the NHS – some […]
New bionic eye successfully restores sight in Australian patients
Bionic Vision Technologies Pty Ltd (BVT) revealed that medical researchers had successfully restored a sense of vision in four blind people with its bionic eye as part of a clinical trial in Melbourne. All four patients have a degenerative genetic condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa which causes loss of vision. Principal investigator Associate Professor Penny Allen, […]
NHS set to make wearable glucose monitor widely available
Wearable glucose monitors will be made available to tens of thousands of Brits with type 1 diabetes from April 2019, thanks to the NHS. The new wearable reduces the need for finger-prick blood tests and helps people with diabetes to manage their condition. In England, around 300,000 people live with type 1 diabetes. The Freestyle […]
