Prosthetic News and Research

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Prosthetic (Prosthesis) devices, such as an artificial leg, that replace a part of the body. Prostheses are typically used to replace parts lost by injury (traumatic) or missing from birth (congenital) or to supplement defective body parts. Inside the body, artificial heart valves are in common use with artificial hearts and lungs seeing less common use but under active technology development. Other medical devices and aids that can be considered prosthetics include artificial eyes, palatal obturator, gastric bands, and dentures.

CosmosID announces $6M in Series B funding round

CosmosID, the leading genomic big data company focused on microbiome research, outbreak investigations, and infectious disease diagnostics, using next-generation DNA sequencing, announced $6M in Series B funding.

28 Jan 2016

LivaNova receives FDA approval for Perceval Sutureless Heart Valve

LivaNova PLC announced that, on January 8, 2016, the Company received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the Perceval Sutureless Heart Valve.

18 Jan 2016

Interpretation of images starts in the retina

Tübingen researchers have shown that image processing in the eye is more extensive than previously thought. They investigated the channels that transmit information from the eye to the brain.

7 Jan 2016

Australian researchers develop new technique to combat chronic bacterial infections in hospitals

One of the scourges of infections in hospitals – biofilms formed by bacteria that stick to each other on living tissue and medical instruments, making them harder to remove – can be tricked into dispersing with the targeted application of nanoparticles and heat, researchers have found.

21 Dec 2015

Virginia Governor speaks at ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network Health Fair in Chantilly, VA

As ACHN Chairman Dr. Yahya Alvi explained, "Local and state officials have called the ADAMS Free clinic a model for healthcare to community members who could not otherwise afford that care. We are delighted Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe will attend and speak at the Fair on Saturday, along with many other County and State Civic Leaders who will join us. This is a perfect way for our officials to tell their constituents about our Clinic services."

14 Dec 2015

New prosthesis brings hope to patients with hearing loss

A new prosthesis for a traditional ear surgery is bringing hope to patients diagnosed with a hereditary disorder that causes hearing loss. After 63-year-old Diane Duncan was diagnosed with otosclerosis in her thirties, she transitioned into an isolated world where conversations with other people became limited, everyday noises like car engines running and cell phones ringing became almost inaudible.

10 Dec 2015

Coating implants with certain 'activator' can prevent S. aureus infection

Biofilms frequently coat the surfaces of catheters, and of various medical implants and prostheses, where they can cause life-threatening infections. New research at the Sahlgrenska Academy show that coating implants with a certain "activator" can prevent Staphylococcus aureus, the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, from forming biofilms.

18 Nov 2015

Common ingredient in sunscreen can prevent infections related to medical implants

A common ingredient in sunscreen could be an effective antibacterial coating for medical implants such as pacemakers and replacement joints.

11 Nov 2015

Coating implants with tissue plasminogen activator can prevent biofilm-related infections

Biofilms--mats of bacteria similar to the plaque that grows on teeth--frequently coat the surfaces of catheters, and of various medical implants and prostheses, where they can threaten lives or lead to failure of the implants. Antibiotics are impotent against biofilms.

31 Oct 2015

High-resolution X-ray method can predict risk of re-operation in patients who receive new hip prosthesis

Between 5 and 30 percent of those who receive a new hip prosthesis will require a re-operation during their lifetime. New research shows that a high-resolution X-ray method can predict which patients have the greatest risk of re-operation.

22 Oct 2015

Boehringer Ingelheim announces FDA approval of Praxbind (idarucizumab)

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval of Praxbind (idarucizumab). PRAXBIND is indicated for patients treated with Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate), when reversal of the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran is needed for emergency surgery/urgent procedures or in life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding.

16 Oct 2015

NC State scientists take a giant leap closer to understanding locomotion from the leg up

Using an "Avatar"-like bio-robotic motor system that integrates a real muscle and tendon along with a computer controlled nerve stimulator acting as the avatar's spinal cord, North Carolina State University researchers have taken a giant leap closer to understanding locomotion from the leg up.

13 Oct 2015

Researchers create on-screen models of patient's beating heart

With the patient's heart displayed on a screen, cardiac specialists and engineers can run simulations of a variety of surgical procedures and predict their effects prior to an operation. This will save lives.

8 Oct 2015

Novel prosthetic heart valve developed for treatment of mitral regurgitation

A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a novel prosthetic heart valve, known as VeloX, which can be implanted through a small incision for the treatment of a serious heart valve disorder called mitral regurgitation. This is a condition in which the mitral valve on the left side of the heart does not close properly. The device is particularly beneficial to patients who are of high surgical risk or are unsuitable for existing clinical interventions.

6 Oct 2015

New software allows powered prosthetics to tune automatically while walking

When amputees receive powered prosthetic legs, the power of the prosthetic limbs needs to be tuned by a prosthetics expert so that a patient can move normally - but the prosthetic often needs repeated re-tuning.

29 Sep 2015

NUS scientists develop novel device suitable for electronics, robotics and healthcare applications

A team of scientists from the National University of Singapore Faculty of Engineering has developed a wearable liquid-based microfluidic tactile sensor that is small, thin, highly flexible and durable. Simple and cost-effective to produce, this novel device is very suitable for applications such as soft robotics, wearable consumer electronics, smart medical prosthetic devices, as well as real-time healthcare monitoring.

24 Sep 2015

Surgeons use 3D printed implant in patient diagnosed with chest wall sarcoma

After being diagnosed with a chest wall sarcoma, a 54-year-old Spanish man's surgical team made the decision to remove his sternum and a portion of his rib cage and replace it with an implant.

14 Sep 2015

IV drug abusers who undergo infective endocarditis surgery face higher risk of reoperation or death

Injection drug users who undergo surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) have a significantly higher risk of reoperation or death between 3 and 6 months after surgery compared to patients who develop endocarditis who are not IV drug abusers, according to an article in the September 2015 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

1 Sep 2015

Physio announces acquisition of Therapy Plus, debt restructuring through GE Capital's HFS

Physiotherapy Corporation announced today that it has acquired Therapy Plus, a seven-facility physical and occupational therapy provider in Milwaukee, WI. This follows its recent integration with the Anderson Orthopedic Clinics in northern Virginia and a joint venture with Central Iowa Healthcare in Marshalltown, IA.

28 Aug 2015

Sandia researchers develop nerve-like polymer network using biological mechanisms

Using a succession of biological mechanisms, Sandia National Laboratories researchers have created linkages of polymer nanotubes that resemble the structure of a nerve, with many out-thrust filaments poised to gather or send electrical impulses.

25 Aug 2015