RoSS Simulator Preps Surgeons to Use da Vinci Robot: Researchers from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and State University of New York at Buffalo, developed a surgical simulator to help train physicians to operate the da Vinci robot. The RoSS Robotic Surgical Simulator has been turned into a product and commercialized by a spinoff called Simulated Surgical Systems of Williamsville, NY. Practicing physicians and students can train on common tasks like suturing and knot tying, and even perform complete procedures like radical prostatectomies and hysterectomies.
Microwave Made Into Small and Cheap Plasma Sterilizer: Researchers at Glyndŵr University in Wrexham, Wales turned a common microwave into a plasma generating equipment sterilizer. By placing a vacuum vessel into the microwave, they were able to generate O and O3 rich plasma that is highly oxidizing and disinfecting. The system costs less than £2000 to manufacture and is small and mobile compared to current commercial plasma disinfection devices.
New Technology Stabilizes Viral Vaccines for Room Temp: Researchers from Oxford University and Nova Bio-Pharma Technologies out of Leicester, UK have been able to keep viral vaccines stored at relatively high temperature without losing their effectiveness. The technology is showing promise in being able to ship unrefrigerated vaccines to remote areas where they’re most needed.
Photoacoustic Method Screens Lymph Nodes for Cancer: University of Missouri researchers developed a laser induced ultrasound method to image the general consistency of lymph notes. If the technology becomes clinically useful, this can help oncologists, pathologists, and general surgeons to screen the progress of melanoma faster and less invasively than by doing sentinel node biopsies or by other current methods.