Artificial cornea clears
eyesight
Photo credit: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
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Fake
cornea clears fog
POTSDAM, GERMANY — Researchers at the Fraunhofer
Institute in Germany have developed a new artificial
cornea that solves the two biggest problems that have
plagued other implants.
Patients
whose cornea is damaged — either through birth
defects or corrosion — go blind with time. Artificial
corneas become attached to the patient's natural cornea
by cells. Previous artificial corneas worked well until
the cells spread too far and collected at the centre
of the cornea, fogging the patient's vision. But the
German implant has a special protein applied only to
the edge of the cornea to allow cells of the recipient's
natural cornea to latch onto it, but not spread.
The other
big problem was dryness. The front of the new cornea
is coated with a hydrophilic polymer to keep it comfortably
moist with tear fluid. Animal trials have shown promising
results and clinical testing on humans is set to begin
in 2008.
Antimicrobial filters
block nasty bugs
Photo credit: Voyou
Communications/Noveko Inc. |
Anti-C
diff tech infects China, stockmarket
MONTREAL — Canadian-invented masks and filters
that kill C difficile, SARS, influenza and other
deadly bugs have just gone global. Montreal-based Noveko
Inc has applied its patented bioactive agent to masks
and air-filters for use in the healthcare sector. The
products, already available in North America and Europe,
are now heading to China, the company announced in an
October 10 press release. The announcement led to a
feeding frenzy on the TSX.
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