Squiggle RV micromotor creates new possibilities in medical technology: New Scale Technologies of Victor, N.Y. released an ultrasonic Squiggle RV motor system that’s only 2.8mm wide and can drive a shaft at 10 mm/sec. And it does this at .5μm resolution (that’s half-a-millionth of a meter). It seems that where small size and precision are key, such as with invasive medical devices, a motor this small could open new possibilities in angio interventions, laparoscopy, drug delivery and therapeutic systems.
The market’s first RFID surgical sponge tracking system: ClearCount Medical Solutions of Pittsburgh finally released its RFID-based sponge tracking products, which won FDA approval back in June, 2007. Medline Industries of Mundelein, Ill., has been named as the sole distributor of the SmartWand-DTX and SmartSponge System. ClearCount’s technology tracks the history of every sponge or towel used during a procedure, guaranteeing that nothing is left behind by using dime-sized RFID chips sewn into the fabric. All to chase a relatively rare problem that’s typically solved by an old-fashioned nurse’s count.
IMRIS combination MRI-fluoroscopy systems for intraprocedural multimodal imaging: Winnipeg, Canada-based IMRIS recently received FDA approval to market the firm’s neurovascular and cardiovascular combination MRI/X-ray angiography systems. The IMRISnv and IMRIScardio systems feature MRI scanners that ride on rails attached to the ceiling and a complete fluoroscopy package that can be swung in and out of the surgical field. This combination allows clinicians to quickly evaluate the problem, perform a procedure and then check back with the MRI to see how it went, all without moving the patient.
FitnessBuilder monitors at-home physical therapy progress: A new iPhone application from PumpOne helps patients and physical therapists efficiently communicate during the course of an exercise regimen. Essentially, therapists use the FitnessBuilder to assign exercises and patients are notified via their iPhones. The messages include instructions of what routines need to be completed, along with photos and videos of how to properly do each exercise. Patients in turn mark off how much of the routines they have completed, the data for which is sent back to the therapist’s iPhone to monitor the progress of recovery.
A weekly roundup of new developments in medical technology, by MedGadget.com.