Many fields of medicine are undergoing a transformation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as patients are kept away from clinics as much as possible. Patients are now regularly visited by their doctors over video calls, are asked to perform certain procedures on their own, and are prescribed medical devices that would normally be used by […]
Author: Medgadged
Abbott’s Tiny Freestyle Libre 3 Cleared in EU
Abbott has received CE Mark approval for the Freestyle Libre 3 continuous glucose monitor, meaning it can now be marketed in Europe. Abbott has substantially changed the design for the first time since the launch of the initial Freestyle Libre. The company claims that the Libre 3 is the thinnest and smallest continuous glucose monitor […]
Discovery of Hepatitis C Wins Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Medgadget would like to congratulate Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice on receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in discovering the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C, a virus that infects liver cells and causes inflammation, certain cancers, and lymphomas, is fairly widespread among certain groups of pe (Read more...)
Sensor Rapidly Detects SARS-CoV-2, Antibodies, and Inflammatory Markers
Researchers at Caltech have developed a low-cost multiplex test that can rapidly provide three different types of data on COVID-19. The test can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, antibodies against the virus (potentially indicating a level of immunity), and inflammatory markers that could indicate the severity of COVID-19. Using blood or saliva, t (Read more...)
Sensor Rapidly Detects SARS-CoV-2, Antibodies, and Inflammatory Markers
Researchers at Caltech have developed a low-cost multiplex test that can rapidly provide three different types of data on COVID-19. The test can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, antibodies against the virus (potentially indicating a level of immunity), and inflammatory markers that could indicate the severity of COVID-19. Using blood or saliva, t (Read more...)
True Digital Surgery’s Robotic Digital Microscopy: Interview with Chairman and CEO Aidan Foley
The Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope from True Digital Surgery and Aesculap is now available in the United States. The system consists of a robotic arm and digital displays, and the company claims that it allows surgeons to achieve superior visualization compared with standard optical microscopes during a variety of complex surgical procedu (Read more...)
FDA Clears Masimo’s Go Anywhere Pulse Oximeter and Respiration Rate Monitor
Masimo won FDA clearance for its Rad-G pulse oximeter, a rugged device developed with the help of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Originally created to spot-check patients for SpO2 (oxygen saturation), respiration rate from the plethysmograph (RRp), pulse rate (PR), perfusion index (Pi), and pleth variability index (PVi®), this latest (Read more...)
Jet Suit Paramedic Reaches Stricken Hikers in Seconds
Arriving as quickly as possible to the site of a medical emergency is a critical goal for any paramedic. It may be easy enough in urban and even rural areas, but when someone is stuck high up a mountain there are often no expedient options. Drones may offer help in certain cases, such as delivering […]
$1 Hearing Aid for Age-Related Hearing Loss
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed an ultra low-cost hearing aid, for which all the components cost in total less than $1. Designed to be worn by people with age-related hearing loss, the technology provides much of the functionality of conventional hearing aids, but at a tiny fraction of the price. The device may represent […]
Wireless Brain Implant to Give Sight to Blind
Scientists in Australia are gearing up for clinical trials of a brain implant that may restore limited sight in blind people. Developed at Monash University in Melbourne, the Gennaris system involves bypassing the eye completely and targeting the vision center of the brain. A person would wear a pair of glasses outfitted with a camera […]
X-Rays and Electron Beams Print 3D Soft Objects at High Resolution
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, have developed a new technique to 3D print soft objects, such as hydrogels, at a higher resolution than previously possible. The technique uses X-rays or electron beams to crosslink the gels, helping to create complex structur (Read more...)
Orbit Subretinal Delivery System for Gene Therapy: Interview with Mike Keane, CTO of Gyroscope Therapeutics
Gyroscope Therapeutics, a retinal gene therapy company, has developed the Orbit subretinal delivery system (SDS). The technology is designed to deliver therapies to the retina without the need for invasive procedures, such as vitrectomies, which involve removing the gel-like substance within the eye, or retinotomies, which involve making a hole in (Read more...)
CRISPR-Based Assay for Rapid and Inexpensive Malaria Testing
Researchers at the Harvard Wyss Institute have developed a rapid, inexpensive, and very sensitive malaria test that harnesses the power of CRISPR. The new technique does not require complicated sample preparation or processing, and it could allow for rapid on-site testing in low resource regions, aiding the campaign to eliminate malaria. Determinin (Read more...)
Philips Azurion Lung Edition for High Precision Bronchoscopy Procedures
Philips has just unveiled its Azurion Lung Edition system that combines a number of technologies that improve how minimally invasive procedures in the lungs are performed. The system relies on Cone Beam CT imaging, to provide a high resolution 3D view of the lungs, along with X-ray guidance for clear awareness of the anatomy being […]
EchoNous KOSMOS 3-in-1 Ultrasound, Electronic Stethoscope, and ECG Helps with COVID-19
EchoNous, a developer of novel ultrasounds, has found a way to leverage multiple critical clinical technologies within a single device. The result is KOSMOS, a handheld 3-in-1 device consisting of an ultrasound, electronic stethoscope, and an ECG, all linked via artificial technology. When COVID-19 was hitting NYC earlier this year, EchoNous was ab (Read more...)
Intestinal Organoids Mimic Human Gut
Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have developed a mini intestine on a chip that closely mimics the morphology and cellular composition of the small intestine. The device could be useful for advancing personalized medicine, drug screening, and even paving the way for researchers to grow new (Read more...)
Wireless EEG for Fast Prep and Easy Use: Q&A with Aswin Gunasekar, CEO of Zeto
Electroencephalography (EEG) devices are incredibly helpful in diagnosing and monitoring certain brain disorders, such as epilepsy and strokes. However, they are not particularly user-friendly or convenient, with specialized technicians performing time consuming procedures, such as skin preparation, to get patients ready to undergo the procedure. A (Read more...)
LightForce Orthodontics, Maker of 3D Printed Braces, Raises $14M Series B
The orthodontics market is expected to realize significant growth in the coming years with projected growth to $9.72 billion by 2026 ($4.06 billion in 2018). Technology advancement in the industry has largely been driven by invisible, clear aligners that can be removed for eating and cleaning. Aligners progressively reposition teeth through control (Read more...)
ReStore Exosuit Shows Positive Trial Results for Stroke Rehab
Soft exosuits that provide assistive force during movement could be a game changer for patients with mobility issues. Such devices can help enhance rehabilitation and assist patients while they perform everyday tasks. The idea with such technology is that the soft suit feels almost like a piece of clothing and applies force gently and evenly [&hell (Read more...)
Graphene Facemask to Deactivate Coronaviruses and Bacteria
Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have developed a face mask containing laser-induced graphene that can kill bacteria and has demonstrated potential in deactivating coronaviruses. The graphene layer has antibacterial properties and can generate heat when exposed to sunlight, which may underlie its ability to deactivate coronaviruses. (Read more...)