|
Drumroll, please. Here are the
10 medical devices we think were the most innovative,
useful or just plain cool from 2007.
Asthma sensor predicts
attacks
Photo: Dr Alexander Star
/ University of Pittsburgh |
10)
Asthma 'breathalyzer' predicts attacks
Your patients can predict an asthma attack weeks before
it happens by blowing into this nanosensor, and medicate
accordingly, say University of Pittsburgh researchers.
The hand-held device spits out a nitric oxide reading.
The gas levels spike as the airways become inflamed
with asthma.
The
FibroScan
Image courtesy of EchoSens
|
9)
Ouchless liver biopsies have arrived
Spare your patients painful biopsies — the FibroScan
assesses liver damage in minutes by sending out elastic
waves through the liver. Fast-travelling waves mean
healthy tissue, while slower waves indicate cirrhosis.
The LATITUDE system
Courtesy of Guidant.com |
8)
Remote cardiac control
Cardiologists can monitor their defibrillator implant
patients from a distance with LATITUDE. The device downloads
patient data — heart rate, rhythm, delivered treatment,
weight and blood pressure — when the patient stands
next to it. Docs then access the data by logging onto
a secure website.
SilhouetteMobile PDA for
wounds
Photo credit: Aranz Medical
|
7)
Wounds ready for their close up
Keep picture records of your patient's wound as it heals
with SilhouetteMobile, a handheld computer with camera
attachment. It takes the guess-work out of measuring
tissue damage and extent of injury, and the pix can
be stored in your EHR system.
Detection of West Nile
virus using the GreeneChip
Photo credit:
Image courtesy of Dr W Ian Lipkin |
6)
GreeneChip IDs infections in a flash
Patient with a rare infection? No worries, the GreeneChip
will identify it. This tiny lab-on-a-slide has 30,000
samples of genetic material from viruses, bacteria,
fungi and parasites. Just add a sample of your patient's
urine, stool or blood and presto! You've got your diagnosis.
3D heart scan produced
by CT Brilliance
Photo credit: BBC News/
Philips Medical Systems |
5)
CT heart slice 'n' dice
The Philips Brilliance 256-slice CT scanner produces
3D body images in under a minute — and cuts your
patient's exposure to x-rays by 80%. Images can be rotated
and examined from different angles so docs can look
for tumours.
The
Motion M5
Photo:
Courtesy of Intel |
4)
Mini-computer brings EHR into 21st century
The light-weight Motion M5 mini-computer allows instant
access to patient records, checks vital signs wirelessly
and has a built-in camera to help you monitor your patient's
progress.
The SmartPill capsule,
complete with pH meter
Source: SmartPill Corp
|
3)
Fantastic Voyage for tummy troubles
The multivitamin-sized SmartPill has sensors and a radio
transponder inside. Once ingested, it travels through
the GI tract gathering data on pH, mechanical pressure
and temperature, then sends it to a receiver worn by
the patient. Download the data on your computer and
diagnose your patient in minutes.
Pneumothorax detector
gives quick read
Source: Integrated Sensing
Systems Inc |
2)
Collapsed lung pinpointed in seconds
Electrosonics Medical Inc's pneumothorax detector is
a portable device that uses micropower-impulse radar
technology to scout air pockets around the lungs. It
would help EMT units spot a collapsed lung within seconds.
And the
most innovative, useful and cool gadget of 2007 is �
New and improved, and
just plain nifty
Image courtesy HD Medical
Group Ltd |
1)
Old faithful stethoscope gets high-tech makeover
The battery-powered ViScope comes loaded with an LCD
screen, an adjustable volume and a signal amplifier.
It monitors cardiac activity by bouncing low voltage
radio waves off the heart, then translates the outcome
into audio and video signals.
|
