Copyright 2008 Medical News Today Latest Medical Devices / Diagnostics News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/medical_devices/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119619.php An ultrasound probe small enough to ride along at the tip of a catheter can provide physicians with clearer real-time images of soft tissue without the risks associated with conventional x-ray catheter guidance. Duke University biomedical engineers designed and fabricated the novel ultrasound probe which is powerful enough to provide detailed, 3-D images. The new device works like an insect's compound eye, blending images from 108 miniature transducers working together. Medical Devices / Diagnostics Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119628.php Cook Medical announced a significant milestone for its EVOLUTION® Mechanical Dilator Sheath technology, an innovative new tool designed to remove faulty, ineffective leads in patients with cardiac pacemakers. To date, 200 medical centers in the United States have adopted the breakthrough technology that utilizes venous entry during pacemaker lead extraction procedures. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119592.php TomoTherapy Incorporated (NASDAQ: TOMO) announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its TomoDirect™ radiation therapy technology. TomoDirect is an innovative new discrete-angle, sliding-beam delivery mode for the Hi•Art® treatment system. Radiology / Nuclear Medicine Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119608.php The Stanford University School of Medicine will no longer accept support from pharmaceutical or device companies for specific programs in continuing medical education, as industry-directed funding may compromise the integrity of these education programs for practicing physicians, officials said. The action on CME builds on a 2006 policy that banned gifts, including free meals, and industry marketing at the Stanford University Medical Center. Stanford is one of the few U. Medical Students / Training Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119609.php BIOTRONIK announced the enrollment of the first patient into the EchoCRT (Echocardiography guided Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) study. Drs William T. Abraham and Ralph Augostini at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, USA, enrolled and implanted the Lumax HF-T CRT-D device in the first patients in EchoCRT. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119626.php Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the ER and PR image analysis applications available through its patented ScanScope® slide scanning system. MRI / PET / Ultrasound Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119581.php RE2, Inc., a leading developer of intelligent modular manipulation systems, announced that it was awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract grant (contract number W81XWH-08-C-0023) on June 9, 2008 by the U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command's (USAMRMC), Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) to develop a prototype Robotic Nursing Assistant (RNA). Medical Devices / Diagnostics Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119586.php Stereotaxis, Inc. (Nasdaq: STXS), announced that it has received regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its magnetically tipped, PowerAssert(TM) radiofrequency (RF) guidewire to cross chronic total occlusions in the peripheral vasculature. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119542.php Less than a year into the process, RamSoft, a leading developer of affordable healthcare information technology, has successfully helped PresGar, the nation's largest privately-owned medical imaging service company, establish a significant digital mammography presence at eight of its imaging centers. The result has been increased efficiency among PresGar mammographers and technologists and substantial savings for the company. MRI / PET / Ultrasound Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119552.php SCC Soft Computer's blood bank product, SoftBank® II, version 23.2 received market approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 12, 2008. SoftBank II version 23.2 was designed to have the added capability to print ISBT-compliant labels for modified blood products. The functionality of the predicate device, SoftBank II version 23. Blood / Hematology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119559.php Siemens Healthcare offers a range of cardiac imaging solutions for minimally invasive routine procedures, advanced magnetic navigation electrophysiology and hybrid solutions for the operating theatre environment. Information on these innovations and the benefits delivered in the field of arrhythmia will be available on the Siemens stand at Heart Rhythm Congress 2008 to be held in the Hilton Birmingham Metropole from 19th - 22nd October. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119564.php AssayReady4U(TM) is an online based storefront which allows drug discovery researchers the ability to search, design and select compounds from a live physical collection of screening compounds. Then, using additional options, build their final assay by selecting the exact amount and concentration required to perform their own unique experiments. Biology / Biochemistry Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119572.php Cunningly disguised as a toy, a new medical device that harnesses the power of distraction can greatly reduce the pain felt by young burns victims. Designed for medical device company Diversionary Therapy Technologies by Sam Bucolo, who is a Queensland University of Technology industrial design Associate Professor, Ditto is a virtual reality-inspired diversionary therapy aid. Pain / Anesthetics Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119511.php Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Tuesday sent a letter to acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems demanding a "full accounting" of how the agency underestimated the extent of improper Medicare payments for durable medical equipment, the Miami Herald reports (Weaver, Miami Herald, 8/27). Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119536.php Premier international meeting highlights breakthroughs in molecular cancer diagnostics research What: The AACR Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutics Development Meeting features the latest findings in laboratory, translational and clinical cancer research. This year's meeting focuses on new biologic markers and imaging methods. Cancer / Oncology Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119472.php Early cancer detection can significantly improve survival rates. Current diagnostic tests often fail to detect cancer in the earliest stages and at the same time expose a patient to the harmful effects of radiation. Led by Dr. Patrick McCann, a small group of internationally known researchers at the University of Oklahoma with expertise in the development of mid-infrared lasers is working to create a sensor to detect biomarker gases exhaled in the breath of a person with cancer. Medical Devices / Diagnostics Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119483.php An estimated 60,000 Americans are walking around with time bombs in their chests called thoracic aortic aneurysms. At any time, their main chest artery could suddenly burst open, causing massive internal bleeding that is almost always fatal. It's possible to repair the defect before the artery bursts, but traditional surgery is highly invasive. The operation typically requires an 18-inch incision, a week or two in the hospital and three to six months to recover. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119571.php Recently, Respiratory Technology Corporation (dba Restech) announced that the Restech Dx-pH Measurement System was part of a study to accurately measure pharyngeal acid exposure conducted by the Advanced Esophageal Function Laboratory of the University of Southern California (USC). The study, 24-hour Pharyngeal pH Measurement©, was conducted under the direction of Tom R. DeMeester, MD, FACS, FACG, Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Southern California. Acid Reflux/GERD Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119457.php Scientists at the new Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance unit at the University of Warwick have discovered how a high tech glass of milk is helping bones mend. Low temperature Bioglass is used to help fix broken bones, but until now no-one has been able to understand the process. Using a strong magnetic field to 'see' into the bones researchers saw calcium rush into the bioglass in the first hour of implantation. Bones / Orthopaedics Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119461.php Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development: Fulfilling the Promise of Personalized Medicine. September 22 - 25, 2008, Marriott Philadelphia Downtown Philadelphia, PA Please join us this September as AACR's home city of Philadelphia hosts the third conference in the Molecular Diagnostics series. Medical Devices / Diagnostics Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119391.php HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson on Monday released a federal audit that found that Medicare officials underestimated the amount of incorrect payments for durable medical equipment in 2006 and that the miscalculation was caused by the agency's failure to have auditors follow CMS' policy for checking claims, the Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119235.php bLoricate choanoflagellates are microscopic, aquatic, filter-feeding Protozoa. The tiny cell is housed within a basket-like cage made of silica ribs. The ribs are produced individually within the cell and stored outside in bundles. When the cell divides, the ribs slide over each other until the exoskeleton is formed. We have developed a computer-graphic model that allows us to re-enact the process of cage assembly. Biology / Biochemistry Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119365.php With food safety top of mind for consumers and the food industry, Vacci-Test Corporation ("Vacci-Test") is pleased to announce that its first food safety test, FoodChek(TM)-E.coli, has successfully completed a field trial at a major meat packaging facility and has shown that it can accurately test for E.coli O157:H7 in less than 6 hours, including enrichment. FoodChek(TM)-E.coli is a revolutionary new same-shift test that is rapid, accurate and cost effective. Nutrition / Diet Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119413.php A diseased kidney has been surgically extracted using a minimally invasive technique that utilizes 3D robotics, at the Henry Ford Hospital, the first surgery of its kind in Michigan. About 55,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer every year. Treatment options, most commonly, involve open surgery with an incision approximately one foot (300 mm) long. Sometimes it is necessary to remove a rib and divert muscle in order to remove the kidney. Urology / Nephrology Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119416.php The cellular response to Viagra may be harnessed to help create new anticoagulant therapies, according to an article released on August 26, 2008 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS.) The enzyme PDE5 is known to modulate platelet activity. Normally, platelets exist in the blood and have an integral role in blood clotting. Cardiovascular / Cardiology