Next-Generation Endoscopic Ultrasound Histology Needle from Cook Medical

A new histology needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) from Cook Medical is now on the market, giving physicians the ability to retrieve tissue samples from hard-to-reach regions within or adjacent to the GI tract with a minimally invasive procedure. 

The EchoTip® ProCore™ High Definition Ultrasound Biopsy Needle from Cook Medical is developed to allow the targeting of small lesions with increased sampling yields and potentially fewer needle passes compared to what was previously available, which could minimize patient trauma and may improve the accuracy and efficiency of core biopsies. The EchoTip ProCore needle incorporates proven EUS technology developed by Cook, a pioneer in EUS needles and accessories and the only full-line supplier of endoscopic devices.

“With the EchoTip ProCore needle, there is no real learning curve involved in using the needle,” say Dr. John Deutsch, St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic. “It is designed to be easy to use, and the sharpness and accuracy of the needle could be beneficial to patients. I’ve had good tissue samples in my initial experience with the needles.”

“The design of the EchoTip ProCore needle assists the physician in consistently obtaining histological samples through endoscopic ultrasound,” said Dr. Sri Komanduri, interventional gastroenterologist, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. “In our early experience, the ProCore needle has improved our diagnostic yield over standard fine needle aspiration and has already impacted patient outcomes.”

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Wireless device can cut heart failure-related hospitalizations

Researchers report that a wireless implanted device monitors fluid build-up in the lungs of heart failure patients and alerts doctors when intervention is needed.

As a result, the device reduces hospitalizations and improves quality of life for these patients, they added.

"It is the build-up of fluid pressure in the lungs that causes symptoms such a shortness of breath and leads to fluid leaking into the lung, which is the major cause of hospitalization in heart failure patients," explained study author Dr. William T. Abraham, director of the division of cardiovascular medicine at Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus.

By monitoring the fluid pressure in the lungs, the doctor can adjust the patient's medication to bring the pressure levels down and keep the patient out of the hospital, he noted.

"This promises to revolutionize the way we manage patients who have moderate or severe heart failure," Abraham said. "Prior to this, the tools that we could use to evaluate how heart failure patients were doing were not very revealing and so we have failed to keep patients out of the hospital."

The report is published in the Feb. 9 online edition of The Lancet. 


Source: Bloomberg


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First 3-D mammography X-ray device approved

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have approved the Selenia Dimensions System, the first X-ray mammography device that provides three-dimensional (3-D) images of the breast for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose X-ray of the breast that is the best tool for early detection of breast cancer. However, with the limitations of conventional two-dimensional (2-D) imaging, about 10 percent of women undergo additional testing after the initial screening exam for abnormalities that are later determined to be noncancerous.

The Selenia Dimensions System, an upgrade to Hologic's existing FDA-approved 2-D system, can provide 2-D and 3-D X-ray images of the breasts. The 3-D images may help physicians more accurately detect and diagnose breast cancer.

"Physicians can now access this unique and innovative 3-D technology that could significantly enhance existing diagnosis and treatment approaches," said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Mobily launches new Mobile Baby m-health service

Saudi Arabian telecoms company Mobily has launched the first mobile medical imaging service that enables ultrasound stills, 3D images and video clips to be sent directly from an ultrasound machine to a mobile device.

Mobile Baby is a new service offered to Mobily network subscribers, as well as a pioneering initiative to enhance pre-natal healthcare through immediate availability and low-cost transmission of high-quality images and video clips from the womb.

Mobily is the first mobile operator to make the pioneering Mobile Baby mobile health (m-health) service available to subscribers. The application is compatible with any ultrasound machine and enables high-quality, 2D and 3D images and video to be delivered to any mobile device via MMS and email.

In addition to offering a useful service for parents-to-be to share images with family and friends, this application will also enable doctors and specialists to analyse sonograms within seconds, from wherever they are in the world.

Medtronic receive approval for first MRI compatible pacemaker

Medtronic announced on Tuesday that the FDA have approved its Revo MRI™ SureScan® pacing system, the first and only pacemaker in the U.S. specifically designed for use in an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment and approved as MR-Conditional. Shipments of Revo MRI will begin immediately.

Until now, MRI procedures had been contraindicated for patients with implanted pacemakers due to the potential for serious adverse events.  Each year, an estimated 200,000 pacemaker patients in the United States have to forgo MRI scans, which are critical for making a wide range of health diagnoses.

“The new Revo MRI pacemaker is a major technological breakthrough for patients who need access to MRI,” said Dr. J. Rod Gimbel of Cardiology Associates of East Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. “Providing pacemaker patients with access to MRI allows detection and treatment of serious medical conditions such as stroke, cancer, and a wide variety of important neurologic and orthopedic conditions.”

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New single-use ear wax remover

Joining the ever expanding Propulse® family of ear care products Mirage Health Group have recently launched the Propulse® ProScoop and the Propulse® ProTect Shoulder Cape, with deliveries commencing January 2011.

Designed specifically for the removal of ear wax and not an adapted surgical instrument, the ProScoop is single use, for reduced risk of infection. A Mirage spokesman said, “The benefits for distributors of both new products is that the Propulse® brand is synonymous with quality ear care products".



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Cygnetic by Swann-Morton – Easy to attach, easy to detach and easy to clean

At MEDICA last November Swann-Morton launched their new “Cygnetic “range which has been in development for the past two years. For use within rigorous Orthopaedic and General surgical procedures 'Cygnetic' ® provides the surgeon with additional strength and stability through the patented combination of its specially designed blade and handle.

Its functionality will assist the nurse with safe and easy blade attachment and removal whilst the simple disassembly for cleaning will be welcomed by the decontamination department.

Initially the range will include four instantly recognizable stainless steel blade shapes the CYG 10, CYG 11, CYG 15 and the CYG 20 available in boxes of 50, sterile and individually wrapped in foil packets which can be used in conjunction with the unique Cygnetic ® Stainless Steel handle.

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Complete flexibility – TRUMPF's new ceiling-mounted supply units

A true high point of TRUMPF’s product innovations are the TruPort ceiling-mounted supply units. This world innovation, which will set new standards in the OR and ICU, will be introduced to a wider audience at MEDICA. TruPort can keep pace with changes in everyday work in clinics as well as with the individual demands of their users. TruPort ceiling-mounted supply units enable quick and convenient workstation design, even without tools in some cases. Hospital staff can make adjustments at any time according to safety, ergonomic and economic requirements, which makes TruPort well-suited for a broad range of uses and a secure long-term investment for hospitals.

I had one of these demonstrated to me on the TRUMPF stand at MEDICA 2010, the system has some really innovative features such as the and the ablility to attach equipment at any height convenient for the patient or user.

Philips new PET/MR imaging system

Philips recently received CE marking for the industry’s first commercially available whole body PET/MR imaging system, the Ingenuity TF PET/MR**.  This new system, launched as the first new Philips modality in ten years, integrates the molecular imaging capabilities of PET (positron emission tomography) with the superior soft tissue contrast of MR (magnetic resonance) to image disease cells as they proliferate in soft tissue. Since the Ingenuity TF PET/MR scanners are placed only three meters apart and the patient table rotates to allow the patient to be scanned by each modality, the system can also acquire separate PET and MR images. Clinicians anticipate using the Ingenuity TF PET/MR to screen patients at high-risk for heart disease to ultimately treat diseased cells prior to the formation of dangerous coronary plaques. The system may also be used to scan patients to detect tumour formation/recurrence.  Studies on the system are ongoing at the University of Geneva, Switzerland; Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York; and FZD, Dresden, Germany. The system is pending 510(k) clearance and is currently not available for sale in the U.S.