Tag

Medicalinnovation

All articles tagged with #medicalinnovation

science-and-technology1 year ago•3 min saved

Squid-Inspired Device Offers Needle-Free Drug Delivery Solution

Bioengineers have developed a new drug delivery device inspired by cephalopods, such as cuttlefish, that can be swallowed to deliver drugs typically requiring injections. The device uses jets to inject drugs into the digestive tract lining, improving bioavailability compared to traditional oral methods. This innovation aims to combine the convenience of oral delivery with the efficiency of injections, potentially transforming how medications like insulin are administered. While promising, further testing and human trials are needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety.

via STAT|

#bioengineering #cephalopods #drugdelivery

science-and-technology1 year ago•2 min saved

Revolutionary Neural Interface Enables Brain Access Without Surgery

Researchers from Rice University and the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a minimally invasive neural interface technique called endocisternal interfaces (ECI), which allows access to the brain and spinal cord without opening the skull. This method uses cerebral spinal fluid as a pathway for electrical recording and stimulation, reducing surgical risks. The technique, tested in human and sheep models, could revolutionize treatments for neurological disorders by providing broader access to neural targets without the need for antithrombotic medication.

via Medical Xpress|

#brainresearch #medicalinnovation #minimallyinvasive

obituary2 years ago•2 min saved

"Pioneering Transplant Surgeon Sir Roy Calne Passes Away at 93"

Prof Sir Roy Calne, a pioneering British surgeon known for performing the UK's first successful liver transplant in 1968, has passed away at 93 due to heart failure. He was a key figure in the development of immunosuppressive drugs, such as Cyclosporine, which are crucial for preventing organ rejection. Sir Roy's illustrious career included starting a kidney transplant program, being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, and receiving a knighthood. He leaves behind a legacy of medical innovation and inspiration to many in the field.

via BBC.com|

##livertransplant #medicalinnovation

health-and-medicine2 years ago•1 min saved

"MIT Develops Breathable Sensors for Early Detection of Lung Cancer"

MIT scientists have developed a new method for early lung cancer detection that involves inhaling nanoparticle sensors and then taking a urine test. This technology is particularly beneficial for low- and middle-income countries with limited access to CT scanners, offering a simpler and potentially faster diagnostic alternative. The innovation is expected to have a significant impact in regions where lung cancer is prevalent due to pollution and smoking.

via Interesting Engineering|

##earlydiagnosis #health-and-medicine

health-and-science2 years ago•4 min saved

"Breakthrough 'Molecular Jackhammer' Yields Near-Perfect Cancer Treatment Success in Lab Tests"

Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel cancer treatment method using "molecular jackhammers," small dye molecules that, when stimulated by near-infrared light, vibrate intensely and rupture cancer cell membranes. This technique has proven effective in lab cultures and in mice, killing 99% of human melanoma cells and curing half of the treated mice. The method offers a highly selective and potentially less toxic alternative to traditional treatments, as it targets only the cells exposed to the specific light. While promising, this approach faces several hurdles before it can be used in patients, including FDA approval and the development of appropriate light-delivery instruments.

via KOMO News|

##cancerresearch #chemotherapyalternatives

health-and-medicine2 years ago•3 min saved

"Artificial Wombs Show Promise for Premature Babies Amidst Feminist Debate"

Scientists at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed an artificial uterus, known as EXTEND, which has shown promising results in over 300 tests with preterm lambs, potentially offering a life-saving solution for the 15 million infants born prematurely each year. The device, which mimics the in-utero environment by connecting the fetus' umbilical cord to an oxygenator within a fluid sac, has led to normal development in the lambs, including healthy lung and brain growth. The FDA is considering the approval of human trials, with a decision expected later this year. The technology aims to support premature infants through critical developmental stages, rather than replace pregnancy.

via Daily Mail|

##artificialwomb #health-and-medicine

health-and-medicine2 years ago•0 min saved

"Infant Thrives After Groundbreaking Partial Heart Transplant Marks First Successful Year"

Duke Health has successfully performed the world's first partial heart transplant on a baby, a groundbreaking procedure that allows the transplanted heart valves and arteries to grow with the child. This innovative approach could significantly reduce the need for multiple, risky heart surgeries in children with heart valve defects, offering hope for improved long-term outcomes in pediatric heart care.

via Interesting Engineering|

##dukehealth #health-and-medicine

health-and-medicine2 years ago•2 min saved

"Infant's Milestone: World's First Successful Partial Heart Transplant at Duke"

The world's first partial heart transplant, performed on infant Owen Monroe at Duke Health in 2022, has been declared a success as the transplanted valves and arteries are growing with the child, potentially eliminating the need for repeated surgeries. This innovative procedure also requires less immunosuppression medication and opens the possibility for domino heart transplants, where one donor heart can save two lives. Following 13 successful partial transplants worldwide, researchers are planning a clinical trial to further assess the procedure's efficacy and potentially increase the availability of donor hearts for children with heart disease.

via Deseret News|

##dukehealth #health-and-medicine

healthscience2 years ago•0 min saved

"Breakthrough Antibiotic Targets and Kills Drug-Resistant Superbugs"

A new drug has been developed that shows promise in the battle against antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs' in hospitals. This advancement could be a significant breakthrough in healthcare, offering a potential solution to the growing problem of infections that are difficult to treat due to resistance to existing antibiotics.

via Financial Times|

##antibioticresistance #healthscience

health-and-medicine2 years ago•3 min saved

"Revolutionary Ultrasound Bra Aims for Early Cancer Detection"

Canan Dağdeviren, an assistant professor at the MIT Media Lab, has developed a wearable ultrasound patch that fits inside a bra to detect breast cancer more frequently and effectively than traditional mammograms. The patch, which is designed to conform to the shape of the breast and can be connected to an app, aims to provide a more comfortable and accessible way to monitor breast health, especially for women with dense breast tissue or those at high risk. After overcoming funding and technical challenges, Dağdeviren's team published a proof-of-concept paper and is preparing for larger trials, with the ultimate goal of FDA approval and widespread accessibility for high-risk and underserved populations.

via WIRED|

##breastcancerdetection #canandagdeviren

health-and-medicine2 years ago•2 min saved

"Infant Thrives After World's First Growing Heart Transplant Procedure"

Doctors at Duke Health have successfully performed a partial heart transplant on a baby with a congenital heart defect, using living valves and arteries from a donor heart. The procedure, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows that the transplanted parts can grow with the child, potentially reducing the need for future surgeries. This innovative approach also introduces the concept of a domino heart transplant, where one donor heart can save multiple lives by providing healthy valves to other patients. The success of this procedure, which has been performed 13 times worldwide, could significantly impact pediatric heart disease treatment and organ donation efficiency.

via WRAL News|

##dukehealth #health-and-medicine

health-and-medicine2 years ago•8 min saved

Innovative Heart Repair Technique Grows with Pediatric Patients, Study Reveals

Owen Monroe underwent a pioneering partial heart transplant at 18 days old, which involved using living tissue that can grow with him, potentially reducing the need for multiple surgeries as he grows. This innovative procedure, documented in a JAMA study, has been performed on 12 other children since Owen's surgery and could benefit hundreds annually in the U.S. The technique also allows for "domino transplants" and "split-root transplants," maximizing the use of donor hearts. Owen's successful surgery and development mark a significant advancement in pediatric heart surgery and offer hope for children with similar conditions.

via CNN|

##congenitalheartdefect #health-and-medicine

health-and-medicine2 years ago•0 min saved

"Revolutionary Nanodrones: A New Frontier in Precision Cancer Therapy"

Researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have developed NK cell-engaging nanodrones (NKeNDs) that offer a potential new method for targeted cancer treatment. These nanodrones are designed to specifically target and destroy cancer cells, representing a significant innovation in oncology.

via Interesting Engineering|

##cancertreatment #health-and-medicine

health-and-science2 years ago•1 min saved

"Breakthrough 'Molecular Jackhammer' Technique Destroys 99% of Cancer Cells, May Replace Surgery"

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new cancer treatment method that uses aminocyanine molecules, which are activated by near-infrared light to act as "molecular jackhammers," effectively destroying 99% of cancer cells in lab tests and eradicating tumors in half of the treated mice. This approach, which leverages the molecules' ability to attach to cell membranes and the penetrative power of near-infrared light, could potentially treat hard-to-reach cancers without surgery. The findings, adding to recent advances in cancer therapy, were published in the Nature Chemistry journal.

via indy100|

##aminocyaninemolecules #cancerresearch