10 of the most innovative medical devices (2017)

Abbott: CardioMEMS heart failure monitoring system

The CardioMEMS heart failure monitoring system is designed for comprehensive heart failure care. It is the only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring system. It has been proven as being free of 98.6% freedom of device or system complications and has reduced heart failure admissions by 33% over an 18-month period. The system is also personalized and can directly monitor PA pressure and titration of medications.The system’s implantable sensor draws inspiration from the types of sensors used to measure pressure inside jet engines.

Boston Scientific: SpyGlass DS direct visualization system

SpyGlass DS direct visualization system from Boston Scientific is used for cholangiopancreatoscopy – the examination of the bile ducts using an endoscope. It is designed to optimize procedural efficiency and productivity with improved setup, ease of use and image quality. A single operator can perform a procedure, and guide devices that can examine, diagnose and treat pancreaticobiliary conditions.

Boston Scientific: Watchman left atrial appendage closure device

Boston Scientific’s Watchman left atrial appendage closure device can potentially reduce the risk of stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. It has been proven to be safe and an effective alternative to oral anticoagulants. It also reduces the risk of bleeding with warfarin use. The device is designed to reduce the risk of thromboembolism from the left atrial appendage in patients who have NVAF and who have an increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism.

BrainScope Co.: BrainScope One

BrainScope One is an FDA-cleared comprehensive head injury assessment device developed by BrainScope Co. The device enables urgent care physicians to objectively assess brain injuries, including concussions. It is handheld, easy-to-use and is based off EEG technology. It is non-invasive and painless and can be used on patients aged 18–85 years old within three days of a head injury. The device measures and interprets brain electrical activity and neurocognitive function for physicians to make clinical diagnoses.

Insightec: Exablate Neuro

Insightec’s Exablate Neuro is an ultrasound device that has been approved the by FDA to treat medication refractory essential tremor patients using non-invasive MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy. It targets and treats deep within the brain through the skull. Exablate Neuro ultrasound transducers focus 1024 ultrasound waves to create enough heat to be able to ablate a targeted tissue. When performed, there has been shown to be an immediate and significant reduction in hand tremors.

Integra LifeSciences: Omnigraft dermal regeneration matrix

The Omnigraft dermal regeneration matrix from Integra Lifesciences is an advanced bilayer dermal regeneration matrix that treats diabetic foot ulcers. It is the only FDA-approved product that can regenerate native dermal tissue. The patch has a built-in silicone layer that serves as a temporary epidermal layer and provides immediate coverage for wound protection. It can be removed between two and three weeks. Under the silicone layer is a collagen/chrondroitin-6-sulfate matrix that acts as a dermal replacement layer. It is a bioengineered scaffold that promotes dermal regeneration and is designed with a controlled porosity and degradation rate.The Omnigraft dermal regeneration matrix is designed to be used for treating partial and full thickness neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers that are more than six weeks old with no capsule, tendon or bone showing.

Johnson & Johnson – DePuy Synthes: Attune knee system

The Attune knee system is a total knee reconstruction system that has a high level of stability and motion. It features technologies from DePuy Synthes to help patients regain full movement in their knees. It uses Attune Gradius Curve to reduce femoral radius and give a smooth transition from stability to rotational freedom through a range of motion with the patient. It also uses GlideRight articulation to accommodate to a patient’s variation and soft tissue interaction while optimizing patella tracking and maintaining bone coverage. The total knee system also uses LogicLock tibial base as a central locking design that helps the architecture of the system optimize kinetics and reduce backside micromotions. Intuition instruments are also featured in the total knee system. The intuition instruments combine the surgical process with efficient instruments to help the surgeon balance soft tissue and control the implant position in patients.

Johnson & Johnson – Ethicon: Evarrest fibrin sealant patch

The Evarrest fibrin sealant patch from Ethicon is a flexible sealant patch designed for general hemostasis. It has a durable mechanical structure for integrated clot formation and has hemostatic efficacy upon first-use attempt. It doesn’t require preparation, mixing or moistening – and is ready right out of the box. It has a shelf life of 30 months as well. Thousands of woven fibers and active human biologics work together to stop bleeding in tumor bed, liver resection and aortic reconstruction in 3 minutes. When applied, blood passes through the patch and clot formation begins at the bleeding surface and within the patch. The adhesives on the patch form a tight physical seal with tissue and the patch keeps its flexible barrier to bleeding. The patch is fully absorbed in eight weeks.

Koning Corp.: Koning Breast CT 1000

Koning Breast CT 1000 is a system that takes 3D images of the breast with spatial resolution and without painful compression. It is designed to help diagnose breast cancer. The patient is exposed to radiation levels in the range of diagnostic mammograms in a rapid 10-second exposure. Unlike MRI and CT scans, Koning Breast CT is not claustrophobic. It also has a low false-positive rate and a low false-negative rate. The Real 3D technology provides isotropic images for the evaluation of tissues from any angle, eliminating overlapping structure.

Biosense Webster: Thermocool SmartTouch SF Catheter

It is the only approved device that pairs contact force technology with a porous tip. The catheter is delivered in a minimally invasive fashion into the heart with the help of the CARTO 3 system that lets clinicians visualize the live location and orientation of the catheter, and so minimize the patient’s radiation exposure from fluoroscopes. The THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF has a deflectable porous tip with contact force activation that helps to make sure the device is pressed securely against the targeted tissue before ablation can begin. The evenly distributed cooling coupled with contact force technology helps surgeons to position and activate the device faster, and lead to more consistent ablations and shorter procedure times.

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