MDT Magazine News

Security Risks Found in Sensors for Heart Devices

sfenske — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:13:21 +0000

The type of sensors that pick up the rhythm of a beating heart in implanted cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers are vulnerable to tampering, according to a new study conducted in controlled laboratory conditions.

Implantable defibrillators monitor the heart for irregular beating and, when necessary, administer an electric shock to bring it back into normal rhythm. Pacemakers use electrical pulses to continuously keep the heart in pace.

Nanotechnology Could Help Fight Diabetes

sfenske — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:52:53 +0000

Injectable nanogel can monitor blood-sugar levels and secrete insulin when needed.

Injectable nanoparticles developed at MIT may someday eliminate the need for patients with Type 1 diabetes to constantly monitor their blood-sugar levels and inject themselves with insulin.

UT Arlington Physicist's Tool Has Potential for Brain Mapping

sfenske — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:48:15 +0000

A new tool being developed by UT Arlington assistant professor of physics could help scientists map and track the interactions between neurons inside different areas of the brain.

New Study Recommends Using Active Videogaming ('Exergaming') to Improve Children's Health

sfenske — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:44:39 +0000

Levels of physical inactivity and obesity are very high in children, with fewer than 50% of primary school-aged boys and fewer than 28% of girls meeting the minimum levels of physical activity required to maintain health. Exergaming, using active console video games that track player movement to control the game (e.g., Xbox-Kinect, Wii), has become popular, and may provide an alternative form of exercise to counteract sedentary behaviors. In a study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers studied the effects of exergaming on children.

Diagnosing Heart Attacks: There's an App for That

sfenske — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:42:07 +0000

An experimental, inexpensive iPhone application transmitted diagnostic heart images faster and more reliably than emailing photo images, according to a research study presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2013.

The app could help save lives by speeding treatment for the deadliest type of heart attack known as STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction), in which a clot blocks blood flow to the heart.

PENTAX Medical And Hitachi-Aloka Medical Continue Joint Innovation And Global Leadership In Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:15:00 +0000

MONTVALE, N.J., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PENTAX Medical, a healthcare industry leader in endoscopic imaging, and Hitachi-Aloka Medical, a global leader in ultrasound imaging, recently announced renewed collaborative efforts between the two global companies to enable further innovation in the development of Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems (EUS).

Thoratec Announces FDA Approval Of HeartMate II Pocket Controller

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thoratec Corporation (NASDAQ: THOR), a world leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, today announced that it has received approval from the U.S.

EnteroMedics Completes VBLOC Therapy Pre-PMA Meeting With FDA

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:41 +0000

EnteroMedics Inc. (NASDAQ: ETRM), the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity, metabolic diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders, today announced that the Company completed a pre-PMA (Premarket Approval) application meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 15, 2013 regarding the Maestro® Rechargeable System's VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy as a treatment for obesity.

Neuro Kinetics in Tech Transfer Licensing Deal With Oregon Health & Science University

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:09:55 +0000

Medical device manufacturer Neuro Kinetics, Inc. (NKI) (www.neuro-kinetics.com) said today that it has licensed rights to patented diagnostic software developed at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) (www.ohsu.edu) that enables medical researchers to perform Pulse-Step-Sine Rotation tests to better understand vestibular system abnormalities.

Valtech Cardio Treats First Mitral Regurgitation Patients with Percutaneous Annuloplasty Device Without Open-Heart Surgery

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:14:00 +0000

Valtech Cardio Ltd., a medical device company that develops solutions for mitral valve repair and replacement, announced today that two patients diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) have been treated successfully with the Transfemoral Cardioband™ Annuloplasty System.