Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Medical Devices / Diagnostics News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/medical_devices/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171686.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171686.php High irradiances of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) should not be used over melanomas. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Cancer studied the pain relieving, anti-inflammatory 'cold laser', finding that it caused increased tumour growth in a mouse model of skin cancer. Jan M. Bjordal from Bergen University College, Norway worked with a team of Brazilian researchers to carry out the in vitro and in vivo experiments. Melanoma / Skin Cancer Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171649.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171649.php At the RSNA 2009, the congress of the Radiological Society of North America, Siemens Healthcare presents "Healthcare Lighting", a concept for lighting design in medical facilities, aimed at creating a friendly and colorful environment instead of the common bland hospital atmosphere. Medical Devices / Diagnostics Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171617.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171617.php WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WGBS), a leading developer of state-of-the-art genetic analysis systems, announced a new, innovative service for gene-expression profiling of thousands of genes using the SmartChip(TM) Real-Time PCR System. By taking advantage of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR system, WaferGen will offer universities, pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies a service that utilizes pathway-specific gene panels to discover and validate new biomarkers. Genetics Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171591.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171591.php Roche Applied Science announces the availability of the new CIM-Plate 16 for their xCELLigence System for cell analysis, for use in cancer research. The 16-well culture plate features electronic sensors for the direct study of cell migration and invasion on the xCELLigence RTCA DP Instrument. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171543.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171543.php To help bring greater certainty to the measurement of medication levels in a patient's bloodstream for three drugs with narrow therapeutic ranges, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is releasing new certified reference materials (CRMs). Medical Devices / Diagnostics Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171544.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171544.php Just as fly paper captures insects, an innovative new device with nano-sized features developed by researchers at UCLA is able to grab cancer cells in the blood that have broken off from a tumor. These cells, known as circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, can provide critical information for examining and diagnosing cancer metastasis, determining patient prognosis, and monitoring the effectiveness of therapies. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171553.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171553.php In an advance with overtones of Star Trek phasers and other sci-fi ray guns, scientists in Canada are reporting development of an internal on-off "switch" that paralyzes animals when exposed to a beam of ultraviolet light. The animals stay paralyzed even when the light is turned off. When exposed to ordinary light, the animals become unparalyzed and wake up. Their study appears in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). Neurology / Neuroscience Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171554.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171554.php Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology is experiencing a surge of interest and rapid expansion as a result of advances such as instrumentation that pushes capacity to 1,536 wells and optimization-free multiplexing, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN). The technique's ability to both detect and simultaneously quantify specific DNA sequences is increasing its use in basic research and diagnostics, according to the November 15 issue of GEN. Genetics Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171541.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171541.php St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced that a 62-year-old man from Shenzhen, Guangdong province has become the first patient in China to be implanted with the Eon™ neurostimulator, a rechargeable device used to help manage chronic pain. Despite prior back surgeries, the patient suffered from chronic back pain for more than a decade. Pain / Anesthetics Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171503.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171503.php "Senator Charles E. Grassley wrote to 10 top medical schools Tuesday to ask what they are doing about professors who put their names on ghostwritten articles in medical journals - and why that practice was any different from plagiarism by students," The New York Times reports. Medical Students / Training Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171450.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171450.php Endologix, Inc. Vascular Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171419.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171419.php Needle! For some people, the word-almost as much as the sight of one sliding into skin-is enough for people to cringe, cry, even swoon if they're standing in line waiting for one. Experts believe fear of needles may be preventing people from rolling up their sleeves for the H1N1 vaccination. Medical Devices / Diagnostics Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171359.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171359.php OmniComm Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: OMCM), one of the fastest growing companies in the EDC marketplace, announced today that a leader in the medical device industry has selected OmniComm's TrialMaster EDC solution for the data capture of a Phase IV cardiovascular study. The 24-month, 7-site study will enroll 100 subjects. "We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with this device company," remarked Stephen Johnson, COO of OmniComm Systems. Medical Devices / Diagnostics Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171374.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171374.php A new generation of implanted devices that help a failing heart function properly is significantly more effective than the previous version, making these new devices an appropriate permanent therapy for many of the more than 5 million Americans who suffer from heart failure. A research team led by a University of Louisville cardiac surgeon published data to support these conclusions in the November 17, 2009 Online First edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171285.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171285.php A new, continuous flow heart pump, or left ventricular assist device (LVAD), delivered better two-year survival in advanced heart failure patients than the current pulsatile model, researchers reported in a late-breaking clinical trial presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2009. Heart Disease Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171288.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171288.php Thoratec Corporation (Nasdaq: THOR), a world leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, said that data released from the Destination Therapy (DT) pivotal trial for the HeartMate II left ventricular assist system (LVAS) demonstrate Heart Disease Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171304.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171304.php An international team of scientists who took CT scans of mummified bodies of people who lived in Egypt up to 3,500 years ago found evidence to suggest that hardening of arteries, a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, is not a modern disease and may have been quite common among ancient Egyptians of high socioeconomic status. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171256.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171256.php Stroke researchers at the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston are the only ones in Texas to offer a novel device that might extend the acute stroke treatment window from three hours to 24. The miniature neurostimulator, about the size of a staple, is implanted near the sphenopalatine ganglion, a nerve located in the roof of the patient's mouth, within 24 hours of the onset of acute ischemic stroke. Stroke Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171260.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171260.php In a study that promises to improve diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease, scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed a fast and accurate method for quantifying subtle, sub-regional brain volume loss using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study is published the week of November 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Alzheimer's / Dementia Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171211.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171211.php A first-of-its kind inhalable measles vaccine for developing countries, where the disease remains a scourge. A "nanogenerator" that could recharge iPods and other electronic devices with a shake. And for Fido and Fluffy, a long-awaited once-a-month pill for both ticks and fleas. It's list season, the time to prepare inventories of what stood out in 2009 and holds promise for the year ahead. Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171189.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171189.php A comprehensive analysis of various mammography screening schedules suggests that biennial (every two years) screening of average risk women between the ages of 50 and 74 achieves most of the benefits of annual screening, but with less harm. The results represent a unanimous consensus of six independent research groups from various academic institutions. Their findings are published in the November 17, 2009 Annals of Internal Medicine. Breast Cancer Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171191.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171191.php Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition most often caused by a blood clot breaking off from a vein and entering the circulatory system. While evidence-based guidelines exist to help physicians safely and efficiently evaluate patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, testing often differs from what is suggested. Researchers sought to determine if a computer program for use on a mobile, handheld device could improve diagnostic decision-making. Vascular Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171164.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171164.php Changes Planned For Ugandan HIV/AIDS Campaign "The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) is revamping its national HIV information campaign after HIV prevention messages were less successful than hoped," PlusNews reports. HIV / AIDS Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171170.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171170.php Acute heart attack patients received an average total dose of ionizing radiation equal to 725 chest X-rays from medical tests during their hospital stay, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2009. In the first large study to examine total radiation dosage in heart attack patients, researchers found those admitted to academic hospitals had a cumulative effective radiation dose of 14. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171174.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171174.php The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is launching a new programme focusing specifically on the evaluation of innovative medical technologies (including devices and diagnostics). This new programme will both compliment and operate in conjunction with NICE's existing technology appraisal capacity, which will continue to evaluate new pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Medical Devices / Diagnostics