Data Boosts Support for Abbott, Gore PFO Closure Tech
Data published this week could draw respect for and reduce skepticism over devices designed to lower the risk of stroke by closing a common heart defect.
R&D
Can Fitbit Help Millions of People Fight Diabetes?
The king of wearables is stepping into the diabetes arena through a collaboration with DexCom.
Is BioSig for Real This Time With Its Pure EP?
The company is once again angling to bring its technology to the U.S. market.
Soft Robotics Bring Increased Dexterity to Surgery
Harvard researchers create a hybrid rigid-soft robotic arm for endoscopes that lies flat while it snakes through the body, before popping up to assist in surgical procedures at the desired location.
‘Nanotransfection’ Turns Animal Skin into Blood Vessels and Brain Cells
The research has implications for people with diabetes-induced ischemia and stroke.
Q&A: Meet University of Minnesota’s Nanotech Expert
James Marti, the senior scientist at the Minnesota Nano Center, speaks about some of the small but mighty materials that could lead to big advances in the medtech market. Kristopher Sturgis When it comes to the future of medtech, there's no denying that the impact that materials at the micro and...
How Missile Defense Technology Is Fighting Cancer
A missile defense algorithm developed for President Reagan's "Star Wars" program is used in the WATS3D biopsy system for detecting pre-cancerous esophageal conditions. Nancy Crotti A study found the WATS3D (Wide Area Transepithelial Sampling with 3D Tissue Analysis) system, made by CDx Diagnostics...
Bionik’s Robotic Exoskeleton Gains Powerful Voice Command Capability
Two futuristic technologies combine in the form of an Amazon Echo/Alexa voice-controlled robotic exoskeleton from Bionik Laboratories.
How Shark Skin Inspired an Antibacterial Surface Technology
Sharklet Technologies has been acquired by a Chinese medical device firm, as it prepares to bring its surface technology into clinical trials. Kristopher Sturgis When it comes to truly unique surface technologies, you needn't look any further than the innovative design introduced by Sharklet...
Is This the Key to Better Condoms and Catheters?
MIT engineers are working on a new hydrogel that could improve a diverse range of medical devices, including condoms and catheters. Kristopher Sturgis MIT engineering students created a gel-like material to coat standard plastic tubes and rubber devices to ease patient comfort. When it comes to...
Could This Bring Epilepsy Surgery into the 21st Century?
Researchers from Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Campinas in Brazil, will use a $3.4 million NIH grant to develop a comprehensive risk calculator to determine which patients will most benefit from epilepsy surgery. Amanda Pedersen Researchers are working on a risk calculator,...
Researchers Take a Softer Approach to Wearable Robots
Clothing-like exosuits represent a new class of wearable robots for people with mobility challenges, including stroke survivors. Kristopher Sturgis ReWalk Robotics , a manufacturer of exoskeleton technologies, debuted the latest prototype for a soft suit exoskeleton device that aims to assist...
The Power Struggle behind Wearable Medical Device Design
Device designers must balance several factors in selecting the best battery for their specific device design.
Will an Ultrasound Drill Solve Deep Vein Blood Clots?
Researchers are developing a tool that uses low-frequency intravascular ultrasound waves to break down blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis. Kristopher Sturgis */ This ultrasound "drill" can be aimed straight ahead to better target clots. The tool also incorporates an injection tube that...
3 Considerations for an Effective Embolic Protection Device Trial
Taking these three steps for a sound clinical trial design strategy will allow device makers to successfully demonstrate the effectiveness of an embolic protection device.
Smarter Rehab with Robotics and Machine Learning
Rehabilitation for patients with neurological disorders may be best achieved with support from both robotic and human therapists. Here's what that therapy looks like.