Video scout mini camera for endoscopy: BC Tech of Santa Cruz, Calif., released a tiny video camera targeted at integration into small, and even disposable, endoscopic devices for high quality image transmission. At only 3mm in diameter and featuring four LEDs for lighting the scene, the camera has a 400 x 400 resolution CCD streaming at 30 frames a second. Perhaps this camera can be embedded into a cable that plugs into a device like an iPhone to make an endoscope straight out of Star Trek.
Cook’s Zilver biliary stent compares favorably to Boston Scientific’s Wallstent: Cook Medical is touting a recent study comparing the effectiveness of its Zilver biliary stent to the most commonly used device, the Wallstent from Boston Scientific Corp. Essentially, the conclusion of the international, multi-center study, published in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, is that the two stents have very similar performance (patency) characteristics, both exhibiting stent occlusions in the low 20 percent of cases. (The Zilver stent in a smaller, 6mm diameter was found to exhibit a higher, 39.1 percent, rate of occlusion, hence that arm of the study was closed earlier than anticipated.)
Rheos system for hypertension tested in new clinical trial: Over the last few years, our friends at MedGadget have been covering the testing of a blood pressure management system from CVRx of Minneapolis. The Rheos Baroreflex Hypertension Therapy System is an implantable device that monitors the patient’s blood pressure and, based on the readings, electrically stimulates the carotid baroreceptors. Located inside carotid sinuses, these baroreceptors are partially responsible for blood pressure regulation. Now a new clinical trial has been initiated to test the system’s effectiveness for management of diastolic hypertension, and a Florida man is the first person implanted with the Rheos to deal with this condition. The device has already received European approval, and this latest trial may earn it Food & Drug Administration clearance in the U.S.
Britain’s NHS conducts a large trial of at-home health telemonitoring: The U.K.’s perpetually struggling National Health Service is testing a telemonitoring system from Philips in hopes that it will help moderate the cost of providing care to the elderly. The Philips Motiva is a device that hooks up to a television and displays interactive prompts for patients to perform certain tasks, like measuring blood sugar. Via a broadband connection, readings are then sent out to the clinic for review by a healthcare professional. NHS is hoping that the system will help it reduce the number of in-person patient visits to the hospital, freeing up time for more pressing cases.
A weekly roundup of new developments in medical technology, by MedGadget.com.