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First robot-assisted cystectomy in North Texas

UT Southwestern Medical Center surgeons completed the North Texas region's first robot-assisted bladder removal using the DaVinci system, a four-armed robot controlled by the surgeon via a joystick.

18 Feb 2010

Pediatric patients face number of cardiac conditions that can impact their health

While heart disease is traditionally associated with adults, pediatric patients face a number of cardiac conditions that can impact their health.

18 Feb 2010

Single test is not enough for making accurate diagnosis of disc herniation

While lower back pain ranks as a common cause of disability in the United States, determining what causes a person's back pain is often challenging. A new Cochrane review on diagnosing back pain finds that no single diagnostic test is good at discriminating between patients who have a herniated disc and patients who do not, according to lead author Danielle van der Windt.

18 Feb 2010

Study: Several types of treatment can provide relief for pelvic floor disorders

Pelvic health concerns in women are common -- yet how the issues impact sexuality and childbearing is not often discussed, according to Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.

18 Feb 2010

Olympus launches new medical devices for LESS surgery

A variety of new medical devices specifically designed for Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site surgery (LESS surgery) has been announced and introduced by Olympus Europa Holding GmbH and Olympus Medical Systems Corporation. LESS surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive operation technique by which an endoscope and hand instruments are inserted through an access port anchored in just one small incision, usually made in the navel. After developing all the medical devices needed to perform LESS surgery, Olympus has yet again proven its leadership in the field. The release of these innovative devices in Europe took place in autumn 2009.

From Evident Corporation - Life Sciences 18 Feb 2010

Some heart care costs stay outside insurance coverage, Lowe's does national comparison shopping for employees' heart surgery

MarketWatch reports that though many tout prevention in relation to heart disease, "chances are your insurance won't cover a trip to a dietician, a gym membership or other services that could help you reduce your risk factors."

18 Feb 2010

Researchers develop guidelines for assessment, treatment and management of lymphedema

Lymphedema, a chronic swelling condition that can appear after breast cancer surgery, is a risk for 1.3 million breast cancer survivors. Although lymphedema can cause lifelong swelling in the arms, back, neck and chest, there is no national standard of diagnosis or care.

18 Feb 2010

EGS announces performance of 3,500th NOS procedure

EndoGastric Solutions (EGS), the leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), today reported that the 3,500th Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS) procedure was performed in front of the over 110 surgeons from seven countries attending the first Advanced Techniques in Transoral Fundoplication CME course, held January 28-29 in Denver, CO.

18 Feb 2010

World's smallest ultrasound device could offer a new level of home therapy for painful ailments

It looks more like an iPod than a medical tool. But the latest miniature ultrasound device created by Cornell biomedical engineering graduate student George K. Lewis could one day introduce a whole new level of home therapy for arthritis, injury and other painful ailments.

18 Feb 2010

Sorafenib drug therapy can reduce the size of primary kidney tumors before surgery

More than 57,000 Americans face a diagnosis of kidney cancer each year. Now patients with advanced disease may soon have another treatment option. Physicians who conducted a pilot study at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that therapy before surgery with the drug sorafenib can reduce the size of large tumors and could be safely undertaken administered without adding significantly to the risks of surgery.

17 Feb 2010

FDA clears Otonomy's IND for clinical trial of OTO-104 in Meniere's disease patients

Otonomy, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance of the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the clinical trial of OTO-104 in patients with Meniere's disease, a debilitating disorder of the inner ear affecting balance and hearing.

17 Feb 2010

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results announced by Celsion

Celsion Corporation, a leading oncology drug development company, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Management also highlighted the progress made in clinical trials of ThermoDox®, Celsion's heat activated liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, including the Company's pivotal Phase III trial for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, and recurrent chest wall breast cancer.

17 Feb 2010

SBi introduces 10-minute new surgical technique DVD for hand surgeons

Small Bone Innovations, Inc., a leading, privately-held orthopedics company focused exclusively on technologies and treatments for the small bones & joints, is making available to hand surgeons a new 10-minute new surgical technique DVD showing an innovative volar approach to insertion of its SR™ PIP (Proximal Interphalangeal) implant.

17 Feb 2010

Role of surgery and subsequent need for RT in treatment of stage I SCLC

Research published in February's edition of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology investigates the utilization of surgery and the subsequent need for radiotherapy (RT) when treating stage I small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Traditionally, SCLC treatment regimes include chemotherapy and radiotherapy for limited stage disease; however, the study concludes that in selected patients with early stage disease a lobectomy (removal of lung) had an excellent overall survival without additional treatment.

17 Feb 2010

Novel composite foam could lead to new generation of biomedical implants

A "metal foam" that has a similar elasticity to bone could mean a new generation of biomedical implants that would avoid bone rejection that often results from more rigid implant materials, such as titanium.

17 Feb 2010

ICAP Ocean Tomo offers Medcanica's patent portfolio for sale

ICAP Ocean Tomo, the intellectual property brokerage division of ICAP plc (IAP.L), is offering for sale a patent portfolio relating to a cardiothoracic surgery system owned by Medcanica, LLC. The portfolio consists of 14 U.S. issued patents, 4 non-U.S. patents, and 1 U.S. patent application.

17 Feb 2010

FDA approves risk management program on ESA's for treating anemia due to chemotherapy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a risk management program to inform healthcare providers and their patients about the risks of a class of drugs called Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs). For patients with cancer, the program is also designed to help ensure the appropriate administration of these drugs, which they receive to treat anemia that can occur as a result of chemotherapy.

17 Feb 2010

Generx clinical development opportunities: bioRASI to assist Cardium

Cardium Therapeutics today announced that it has entered into an agreement with bioRASI, an international contract research organization, to assist Cardium in the evaluation of Generx clinical development opportunities within major newly-industrializing markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America, for patients with chronic coronary artery disease who are either not optimal candidates for or do not have access to costly angioplasty/stenting or cardiac bypass surgery procedures.

17 Feb 2010

New fluorescent probes improve tumor detection in mice

Building on his Nobel Prize-winning work creating fluorescent proteins that light up the inner workings of cells, a team of researchers led by Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Roger Tsien, PhD, professor of pharmacology, chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego and the Moores UCSD Cancer Center has developed biological probes that can stick to and light up tumors in mice.

17 Feb 2010

Special issue reviews current state of science in fetal therapy

Repairing birth defects in the womb. Inserting a tiny laser into the mother's uterus to seal off an abnormal blood flow and save fetal twins. Advancing the science that may allow doctors to deliver cells or DNA to treat sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases before birth.

17 Feb 2010