Better Health: Smart Health Commentary

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Researchers Make An Artificial Lung That Would Not Require A Mechanical Pump

July 31st, 2011 by Medgadget in News, Research

Tags: Ambient Air, Artificial Lung, Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Chemical Engineering, Cleveland Ohio, Extra Oxygen, Gas Diffusion, Joe Potkay, Lab On A Chip, Nanomedicine, Silicone Rubber, Thoracic Surgery

Researchers from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio made a prototype of an artificial lung which reaches gas exchange efficiencies almost equal to the genuine organ. The small device does not need extra oxygen, it works with normal air. Joe Potkay, a research assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science published the technique this week in the journal Lab on a Chip.

The scientists developed this prototype while keeping track of the natural design of our lungs. It is made of breathable silicone rubber acting as blood vessels that get as small as one-fourth of the width of a human hair. Because it works on the same scale as normal lung tissue, the team was able to shrink the distances for gas diffusion compared to current techniques. Tests using pig blood show oxygen exchange efficiency is three to five times better.

One of the big advantages of this system is that Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at Medgadget*

Tired Of Needles? Measure Your Glucose Levels With An iPhone

July 31st, 2011 by Iltifat Husain, M.D. in News

Tags: Blood Draw, Diabetes, Diabetic Patients, Glucose Levels, iPhone, Medical Apps, Metabolic Panel, Nanoparticles, Nanosensors, Nanotechnology, Noninvasive Modality, Sodium Levels, Technology

Researchers at Northeastern University are using nanosensors implanted into the skin — similar to a tattoo — and a modified iPhone to measure sodium and glucose levels in patients. The implications for this could be tremendous, but first, here’s how it works:

“The team begins by injecting a solution containing carefully chosen nanoparticles into the skin. This leaves no visible mark, but the nanoparticles will fluoresce when exposed to a target molecule, such as sodium or glucose. A modified iPhone then tracks changes in the level of fluorescence, which indicates the amount of sodium or glucose present.”

For patients who are diabetics, Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at iMedicalApps*

Mini-Interviews For Med School Applicants Focus On Social Skills

July 27th, 2011 by Elaine Schattner, M.D. in News, Opinion

Tags: Academic Requirements, Analytical Thinking, Education, Ethical Thinking, Interviews, MCAT, Med School Applicants, Medical Education, Medical Ethics, Medical School, Multiple Mini Interview, New York Times, Science

Recently the Times ran a leading story on a new med school admission process, with multiple, mini-interviews, like speed dating. The idea is to assess applicants’ social, communication and ethical thinking (?) skills:

…It is called the multiple mini interview, or M.M.I., and its use is spreading. At least eight medical schools in the United States — including those at Stanford, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Cincinnati — and 13 in Canada are using it.

At Virginia Tech Carilion, 26 candidates showed up on a Saturday in March and stood with their backs to the doors of 26 small rooms. When a bell sounded, the applicants spun around and read a sheet of paper taped to the door that described an ethical conundrum. Two minutes later, the bell sounded again and the applicants charged into the small rooms and found an interviewer waiting. A chorus of cheerful greetings rang out, and the doors shut. The candidates had eight minutes to discuss that room’s situation. Then they moved to the next room, the next surprise conundrum…

This sounds great, at first glance. Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at Medical Lessons*

Social Network Keeps Seniors Connected

July 26th, 2011 by Medgadget in News, Research

Tags: Care Innovations, CONNECT, GE, Geriatrics, Health Management, Information Sharing, Intel, Nursing Home, Senior Citizens, Social Isolation, Social Network, Telemedicine

Care Innovations, a joint venture between GE and Intel, has released Connect, a service designed to address social isolation in seniors.

Connect software runs on a touch screen device and features social networking, as well as health management and reporting tools. The system has been undergoing a successful user trial at a nursing home in Michigan since last year.

More about Connect from the announcement: Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at Medgadget*

The New Details About The FDA Regulation Of mHealth Apps

July 23rd, 2011 by Felasfa Wodajo, M.D. in News

Tags: CDRH, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Clinical Decision Support Software, Draft Guidance, Emergo Group, FDA, FDA Press Release, mHealth, Mobile Medical Devices, Mobile Medical Software, Proposed Rules, Regulation, Support Software, Wireless

Since the beginning of this year, there have been clues that the FDA will be heading toward clarification of the complex regulatory issues posed by mobile health devices and software. We have previously reported on testimony and public comments by Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director of the  FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) alluding to coming guidelines.

Today, the FDA finally released a detailed draft guidance of how it intends to regulate this rapidly exploding sector of mobile medical devices and software.

This is what the Emergo group, regulatory compliance consultants, has gleaned from today’s FDA press release: Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at iMedicalApps*