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HelpMeSee, a not-for-profit global campaign to end cataract blindness, has introduced an Eye Surgery Simulator, representing a landmark achievement in medical simulation training.
Equipped with sensory touch feedback and realistic virtual graphics, the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator, incorporated within the HelpMeSee Training Program, supports the training of cataract specialists on the Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) procedure, a solution that could help end the global cataract blindness crisis.
Saro Jahani, HelpMeSee President and CEO, commented: “The HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator overcomes the traditional restraints of cataract surgery training with unlimited virtual practice opportunities. It also offers the benefits of remote simulation-based training during the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting the risks of exposure to coronavirus infection.”
The HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator encompasses an adaptation of an actual virtual microscope used in surgery, two haptic handpieces, a virtual syringe, the patient head and hand rest, and a touchscreen user interface, powerful visuals and simulation software, and everything required to simulate an MSICS surgery. The two handpieces and syringe represent the complete set of surgical instruments needed to perform an MSICS procedure. Programmed lessons with onscreen guides and error messages assist the student in mastering the MSICS technique and the instructor in providing objective feedback.
More than 60 million people across the world are blind or severely visually impaired simply because they cannot access cataract surgery, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The HelpMeSee Simulator and training program along with partners can develop a significant number of cataract specialists that public health experts say are needed to address the developing world ophthalmologist shortage, a factor behind the cataract surgery backlog.
The simulator was the innovative vision of Flight Safety International Founder Albert L. Ueltschi and his son, James "Jim" Tyler Ueltschi. In 2010, they founded HelpMeSee to end the backlog of cataract and visual impairment cases caused by the lack of access to high-quality, affordable cataract surgery.
Jim Ueltschi, Co-Founder and Chairman of HelpMeSee, said: “This achievement will truly change the world of ophthalmology. Every specialist we train on the Eye Surgery Simulator will treat thousands of people each year. Over time, millions will have their vision restored through the cataract surgery skills honed on the HelpMeSee Simulator.”
Siemens Healthineers showed their new fluoroscopy system, the Luminos Lotus Max, at the annual French JFR 2020 in early October. The system offers advanced technology in radiography and fluoroscopy.
The remote-controlled Luminos Lotus Max system offers versatility in clinical examinations by combining radiographic and fluoroscopic imaging with orthopedic studies such as long leg or spinal examinations and basic interventions. Users can quickly switch between the different imaging modalities because they are integrated.
Commenting on the new fluoroscopy system, Carsten Bertram, Head of Business Line X-ray Products, said: “Combining these state-of-the-art technologies poses one major challenge: ensuring efficient workflows and high system utilization. With our new device, healthcare professionals now benefit from a new level of integration for ‘uninterrupted flow‘ in radiographic and fluoroscopic exams. It’s all on one system and in one room.”
The Luminos Lotus Max also features automation aimed at ensuring ease of use and patient safety. This automation helps technicians apply the optimal radiation dose for each patient and examination type without compromising clinical results. Accordong to Siemens Healthineers, the device automatically encrypts all images and patient data. Combined with regular software updates to prevent new risks and an elaborate role-based access control, this ensures that the highest cybersecurity standards are met.
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Fujifilm Sonosite has recently introduced the new Sonosite PX ultrasound system – a next generation point-of-care ultrasound with the most advanced image clarity ever seen in a Sonosite system, a suite of workflow efficiency features, and an adaptable form factor. Rich Fabian, President and CEO of Fujifilm Sonosite said: “Every aspect of Sonosite PX was designed specifically for the clinicians on the front lines of medicine. We designed Sonosite PX as a tool to help clinicians in all fields of medicine to treat patients more effectively where it matters most – at the point of care.
“To optimize clinician ergonomics and improve efficiency, the system has an innovative and adaptable work surface that can be used in a horizontal or vertical position based on the situational needs of the exam. The exceptional image clarity is the result of a new proprietary imaging technology – seeing anatomy more clearly with Sonosite PX provides an unparalleled level of confidence for diagnostic and procedural applications.”
The ultrasound system and the new family of transducers are drop-tested to one meter and the work surface is sealed to the edge for simplified cleaning and disinfection. When mounted on the specialized stand, Sonosite PX has an adaptable work surface position for optimal clinician ergonomics while a small footprint and adjustable height allows for closer bedside access.
Information essential to completing an exam including patient information, reports, and worksheets, is intuitively placed in one location, saving clinicians time and effort when navigating the ultrasound system user interface.
Diku Mandavia, MD, FACEP, FRCPC, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Fujifilm Sonosite, said: “The system has two cardiac options that allow clinicians to choose between gathering targeted information about the heart to determine overall patient well-being, or investigate specific cardiac conditions with more comprehensive calculations that provide detailed analysis of the structure and function of the heart. This allows clinicians to select the cardiac exam type that best fits their individual workflow needs.
“Furthermore in keeping with our commitment to education, we have greatly expanded our 3D animation educational videos which are very important to new users. Sonosite PX has more than 100 onboard scan-along education tutorials; the most expansive library in any point-of-care system.”
Sonosite PX has been designed for onboard documentation of ultrasound findings at the bedside which assists in the efficient documentation to the electronic medical record.
For more information, visit: www.sonosite.com
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Telemis, the medical imaging, archiving and transmission specialist, has released a new version of the company’s widely-deployed Telemis-Medical platform. The company says that through the tech advances within Telemis-Medical Version 4.95, physicians will be able to perform functions much quicker – leading to considerable time savings and greater convenience.
The latest version of Telemis-Medical expands the array of possible configurations of diagnostic media (DICOM images, JPG and PDF files, videos, etc.) accelerating access, analysis, and sharing of vital data.
Among the major add-ons is access to an unlimited choice of user-defined mouse button combinations, which will speed up the image manipulation process. Users will also benefit from a swift and intuitive drag-and-drop tool that facilitates export of images to multiple destinations.
In relation to the treatment of cancer patients, specifically radiotherapy, this latest upgrade also offers new features. For example, with the help of the improved Dose Volume Histograms (DVHs), radiotherapists will be able to monitor radiation intensity and localization better.
In addition, the new version of Telemis-Medical has substantially bolstered security mechanisms in order to safeguard patient data. URLs randomization adds a level of security to the image distribution platform (TM-Publisher Web) in full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines. Furthermore, healthcare institutions can define their own ‘conditions of use’, which TM-Publisher Web users will be asked to accept before accessing any data.
For more information, visit: www.telemis.com
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The VeinViewer® from Greiner Bio-One helps doctors and healthcare workers with venous access for venipunture by providing a visualization of the veins beneath the skin.
The VeinViewer uses harmless near-infrared (NIR) light which is absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood and surrounding tissue and reflected back to the VeinViewer device, where the data is processed into an image; colour is added and the image is reflected back to the skin surface to provide a real time visualization of the blood vessels and patterns up to 10 mm below the skin. High Definition technology helps provide the clinician with clear, sharp imaging to support routine healthcare work when vein conditions are poor.
Two devices are available: VeinViewer Flex and VeinViewer Vision2
VeinViewer Flex is a portable device for use in emergency situations or in rooms with limited space. The VeinViewer Flex can be made static by using the flexible arm provided for attachment to a table or arm of a chair, for example.
The VeinViewer Vision2 is a mobile imaging unit with an arm reaching up to 135 cm. The VeinViewer Vision2 is attached to a trolley for easy transportation between beds or phlebotomy chairs.
VeinViewer is recommended for many application areas:
For more information, visit: www.gbo.com
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Biotech scientists have developed a new polymeric heart valve, called the PoliValve, with a life span potentially longer than current artificial valves.
The PoliValve will also prevent the need for the millions of patients with diseased heart valves to require life-long blood thinning medication.
There are two artificial valves currently available for patients with diseased heart valves; both have limitations either in durability or in biocompatibility. Biological valves are made from fixed pig or cow tissue and have good biocompatibility, but limitations in durability of 10 to 15 years. Mechanical valves have very good durability, but poor biocompatibility and patients must take daily blood thinning drugs to prevent blood clots.
The PoliValve, created by Prof. Geoff Moggridge, Dr Marta Serrani and Dr Joanna Stasiak at Cambridge’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and Prof. Raimondo Ascione, Head of the Translational Biomedical Research Centre (TBRC) at the University of Bristol, is made from a special co-polymer and is designed to resemble the flexibility, biocompatibility and durability of a natural heart valve. They have spent three years conducting developmental work and extra-vivo and in-vivo testing on the new PoliValve.
The device combines excellent durability with biocompatibility, addressing the limitations of current biological and mechanical artificial valves. It is made through a simple moulding process; hence it also reduces markedly manufacture and quality control costs.
Initial testing in animal has been undertaken at Bristol’s TBRC facility as a first mandatory in-vivo testing step to ensure safety. Long-term in-vivo testing is already planned and funded as a necessary additional step before bringing it to market.
According to the ISO standards a new artificial heart valve must withstand a minimum of 200 million repetitions of opening and closing during bench testing (equivalent to five-year life span) to be tested in humans. The new Cambridge- Bristol polymeric valve has comfortably surpassed this.
Prof. Ascione noted: “The transformational PoliValve results from an advanced Bristol/ Cambridge-based biomedical cross-fertilisation between experts in biomaterials, computational modelling, advanced preclinical development/ testing and clinical academics understanding the patient needs. The new valve could help millions of people worldwide and we aim to test in patients within the next five years.”
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April 2024
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