Amputations News and Research

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Researchers launch clinical trial on stem cells to prevent amputations in end stage PAD

University Hospitals Case Medical Center clinical researchers have launched an innovative clinical trial, unique in its design, which will evaluate the ability of a patient's own stem cells to prevent leg amputations in end stage peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

20 Jun 2013

Researchers to study benefits, side effects of four widely used therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers are seeking 150 adults with type 2 diabetes to take part in the local arm of a major national clinical trial that will compare benefits and side effects of four widely used therapies to lower blood-sugar levels.

18 Jun 2013

Researchers identify biochemical pathway that links nail growth to fingertip regeneration

Mammals possess the remarkable ability to regenerate a lost fingertip, including the nail, nerves and even bone. In humans, an amputated fingertip can sprout back in as little as two months, a phenomenon that has remained poorly understood until now. In a paper published today in the journal Nature, researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center shed light on this rare regenerative power in mammals, using genetically engineered mice to document for the first time the biochemical chain of events that unfolds in the wake of a fingertip amputation.

13 Jun 2013

Mayo Clinic research shows that revascularization has reduced need for amputations by 40%

Peripheral arterial disease is a common circulation problem in which reduced blood flow can lead to complications that jeopardize the limbs, possibly even requiring amputation. Procedures known as revascularization have reduced the need for amputations 40 percent over two decades, Mayo Clinic research shows.

1 Jun 2013

Subtle change to hospital data collection policies can prevent workplace injuries

A subtle change to hospital data collection policies could make a big difference in preventing occupational health and safety hazards, according to workplace safety researchers at the Drexel University School of Public Health.

7 May 2013

New FDA-approved method for detecting diabetic neuropathy

Details of a new method to detect diabetic neuropathy in patients in less than five minutes using their sweat glands was presented today at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 22nd Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress in Phoenix, Arizona by Aaron I. Vinik, M.D., Ph.D., F.C.P., M.A.C.P., F.A.C.E., Professor of Medicine and Director of Research and the Neuroendocrine Unit at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

4 May 2013

Roundup: Battles in five states become central to abortion fight; Calif. prison spending on anti-psychotics raises treatment questions

Five states have moved to adopt tighter abortion regulations, including North Dakota, where a new law prohibits abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected. Jeffrey Brown gets perspectives from Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life and Ilyse Hogue of NARAL Pro-Choice America (4/30).

2 May 2013

Avinger and PDL BioPharma close structured financing and royalty transaction

Avinger, Inc. and PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) (NASDAQ: PDLI) announced today the closing of a structured financing and royalty transaction on April 18, 2013, in which PDL will provide Avinger with up to $40 million of mezzanine financing.

22 Apr 2013

KineMed renews research collaboration with Pfizer for advancement of novel diabetes pathways

KineMed Inc. today announced the renewal of a non-exclusive research collaboration with Pfizer Inc. for the advancement of novel approaches towards metabolic disease, in particular Type II Diabetes.

From Pfizer, Inc. 28 Mar 2013

MiR-198 controls migration of skin cells necessary for wounds to close and heal

Patients with diseases such as diabetes suffer from painful wounds that take a long time to heal making them more susceptible to infections that could even lead to amputations. A*STAR's discovery paves the way for therapeutics to improve healing of such chronic wounds, which are a significant burden to patients.

11 Mar 2013

New technology for rehabilitation of amputees

For the first time an operation has been conducted, at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, where electrodes have been permanently implanted in nerves and muscles of an amputee to directly control an arm prosthesis. The result allows natural control of an advanced robotic prosthesis, similarly to the motions of a natural limb.

25 Feb 2013

NeuroMetrix fourth quarter total revenues decrease to $1.5 million

NeuroMetrix, Inc., a medical device company focused on the diagnosis and treatment of the neurological complications of diabetes, today reported business and financial highlights for the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

19 Feb 2013

Simple interventions can reduce amputations in diabetic patients by more than 50%

Every 30 seconds somebody in the world is amputated as a consequence of foot complication due to diabetes. A new study at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, confirmes that shoe inserts, podiatry, regular checkups and other simple interventions can reduce the number of amputations by more than 50%.

18 Jan 2013

Primary opponensplasty superior to osteosynthesis

Primary opponensplasty in toe transfers provides active restoration of thumb opposition and significantly better restoration of tripod pinch than does static opposition with osteosynthesis , research suggests.

20 Dec 2012

Gene therapy could represent new treatment option for severe orthopaedic injuries

Gene therapy involving modified stem cells obtained from fatty tissue and bone marrow could represent a new option for the treatment of severe orthopaedic injuries to the extremities.

7 Dec 2012

Loyola honors 45 extraordinary rehabilitation patients

Forty-five extraordinary rehabilitation patients were honored during Loyola University Medical Center's 2012 Annual Rehabilitation Patient of the Year celebration.

1 Dec 2012

Arginine and proline supplementation favor wound healing in diabetic rats

Chronic wounds such as foot ulcers are a common problem for diabetics and are the cause of more than 80 percent of the lower leg amputations in these patients. There is currently no effective way to improve healing of these types of wounds, but new research offers hope.

16 Nov 2012

ACOEM provides tools and resources to help employers manage diabetes

In recognition of November as National Diabetes Month, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) is providing tools and resources to help employers identify and respond to the impact of diabetes on worker health and productivity.

16 Nov 2012

Avinger receives FDA clearance for Ocelot System

Avinger, Inc., a medical device manufacturer of innovative, multi-functional catheters for crossing chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), announces its Ocelot System has been cleared for sale in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

9 Nov 2012

New index can help clinicians assess patients' prosthetic arm progress

Amputees with a new prosthetic arm must learn how to use their device to perform everyday tasks that were once second nature. Taking off a shirt becomes a conscious, multistep effort: grasp the shirt, lift the shirt over the head, pull arms through the sleeves, place the shirt on the table, let go of the shirt.

1 Nov 2012