Medical gadgets are in the news often, and cutting-edge manufacturers continue to bring exciting inventions to many areas of medicine. Let's take a look at some recent innovations in the medical world.
We'll start in the realm of additive manufacturing. 3-D printers have made a significant impact not only in creating organs for transplantation, but also for prostheses.
In Florida, a 10-year-old girl who was born without part of her right arm received a custom-made prosthetic limb created using 3-D printing technology (see video above). As she grows, a new bigger limb can be created using this same technology. A nonprofit Orlando-based company staffed by engineering students created the limb at a cost of only about $350, but gave it at no cost to the recipient.
There is more progress in "bionic" medicine. In the area of artificial limbs, a new study aims to use electronic signals to control an entire length of a knee-to-foot prosthesis. Until now, control from the user's brain was never available for that entire distance.
An article in Ophthalmology recently reported the promising results of a three-year trial on a "bionic" eye retinal implant called Argus II. The device restores vision in those blinded by the rare, degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa.
Speaking of vision, the FDA has recently approved a device called the BrainPort V100 — a battery-powered, noninvasive device that allows people who are blind to sense visual images using their tongue. It works by converting images to electrical impulses, which are fed by wire to a tiny video camera mounted on a pair of sunglasses worn by the user. Users are apparently able to determine size, shape and position of objects in front of them and even discern if they are moving.
Image: Wicab Inc.
The FDA has approved the Brainport V100, which helps people who are blind sense visual images using their tongue.
The search for innovation in the care of diabetes has led to a smart patch that may eliminate the need for insulin injections and finger pricks. The skin patch has sensors that can detect the level of glucose and deliver the correct amount of insulin when necessary.
Finally, with the continued advances in technology, surgery will see customized medical devices become an integral part of healthcare now and in the future.
And it is not surprising that the GoPro HERO 3+ Black Edition camera is being reviewed by surgeons at the Chicago Medical Center. Surgeons recorded four procedures from the point of view of the surgeon, two fat graft procedures and two breast reconstructions.
"When set to a narrow field of view and automatic white balance, the camera is able to sufficiently compensate for the contrasting light environment of the operating room and capture high-resolution, detailed video," the researchers concluded.
