Just transplanting an animal’s organ into a human will not work. The person’s immune mechanisms will immediately reject the transplanted organ. So, what is to be done? The key is to genetically engineer the animal to produce organs that are less likely to be rejected. In the last 20 years, there’s been substantial progress on the research front to produce genetically modified pigs. Why pigs? Pig organs are about the same size as human organs but also share many physiologic similarities.

Recent technologies, including CRISPR, have allowed more possibilities to genetically engineer the pig’s genome. A few specific genes have been identified that are critical. Some were modified and some inactivated, called “knocked out.” It’s not just a matter of changing the pig’s genetics, but it’s also having a very specific anti-rejection drug combination. This includes the standard drugs used to prevent rejection of human organs and a specially designed monoclonal antibody against a part of the immune system called CD 40. This monoclonal antibody has been found to be essential and critical to the successful transplantation of a heart in the nonhuman primate model with animals maintained without rejection for upwards of 900 days.

In September 2021, a xenograft kidney from a genetically engineered pig was placed in a brain-dead patient still on life support. It was observed for 58 hours at the New York University Langone Hospital Center with the family’s permission to study for evidence of function and rejection. As a result, the surgical and research team, led by Dr. Robert Montgomery, himself a donor heart transplant recipient, were able to obtain critical information about the pig organ after transplantation. “Whole-body donation after death for the purpose of breakthrough studies represents a new pathway that allows an individual’s altruism to be realized after brain death declaration in circumstances in which their organs or tissues are not suitable for transplant.”

On Friday, January 7, Bartley Griffith, MD, Muhammad Mohiuddin, MD, and an extensive team of multi-specialties successfully implanted a genetically modified pig heart obtained from the Revivicor company. Revivicor created the genetically modified pig and hence the heart to the investigators’ specifications. This included modifying ten genes with three knocked out that lead to antibody development and one knocked out that controls the pig organs’ growth. The patient will also receive various anti-rejection drugs plus the monoclonal antibody aimed at CD40.

The patient, a 57-year-old man, was on life support and not eligible for a human donor organ. His projected lifespan was in days to weeks. He understood the risks of the procedure and that it was a first-time human experiment. But as he said before surgery, “It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice… I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA,) having reviewed the research data, authorized the procedure “for compassionate use” on New Year’s Eve. As of Tuesday, January 12, the patient was doing well with no evidence of rejection. Only time will tell if he will make a full recovery and have his pig heart perform for many years.

Dr. Griffith is a cardiovascular surgeon with years of experience in transplanting human hearts and lungs. He has been working on xenotransplantation for over a decade. Dr. Mohiuddin joined with Dr. Griffith at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Medical Center about five years ago to further pursue his research from the National Institutes of Health. He and colleagues developed the initial techniques to prevent rejection by gene modifications and anti-rejection drugs.

Together Griffith and Mohiuddin established the Xenotransplantation Center with Griffith as clinical director and Mohiuddin as scientific director. But, of course, there is a large team, not just the two of them. The Center investigators received a $15.7 million sponsored research grant to evaluate Revivicor genetically-modified pig hearts in further baboon studies. Last week’s surgery was the current culmination of those studies with a first in human heart xenotransplantation.

A new dawn has likely arrived for organ transplantation. But, of course, this was only the first patient. It remains to be seen how effective it will be in this man or how effective it will be in others treated with other genetically engineered pig organs like kidneys, pancreas, or lungs. But without question, it’s an exciting time with transplant-waiting individuals having a new potential on the horizon for returning to a reasonably normal life.

Stephen C Schimpff, MD, MACP, is a quasi-retired internist, professor of medicine, former CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center, and author of Longevity Decoded — The 7 Keys to Healthy Aging and his co-authored book with Dr. Harry Oken BOOM — Boost Our Own Metabolism

The post A Pig Heart Was Transplanted Into a Human a Few Days Ago Is This The Future of Organ Transplantation? appeared first on Medika Life.

“It seems that the stars are aligned.  These glimmers of facts, figures, innovation and needs are converging on the year 2013. And the result promises to be an inflection point for digital health. The curve of innovation will shift and place us all on a new course for managing disease and wellness.”

#1—2013.  Explosive new technology

Think about the smart phone and how far it’s come in just a few short years.  Today, technology is the new intellectual playground that connects vision with application.  And the players are both big, well-funded companies as well as smart, adroit and nimble startups.

#2—2013. The pressing need to advance healthcare and the Affordable Care Act

There’s almost no scientific, political or sociological discussion that doesn’t find its way to health and healthcare.  The costs, access and resources are a key driver to seeking solutions to the health dilemma that exists right now and is projected to only get worse.  Technology has always been part of the answer in other areas.  Today, innovation and technology are poised to advance care in new directions that can drive new efficiencies and lead a course to self-care and wellness.

#3—2013. The caldron of connectivity

Ideas are promiscuous.  The profound interconnectedness of thinkers and ideas create a “neural-network” that powers our imaginations. Another important driver to the digital health revolution is the  increasing level of patient / caregiver connectivity.  The role of telemedicine will foster new connections for care and become essential, proving ground for new “tricorder-type” technology that makes the interaction more clinically robust.

#4—2013.  The power of cool

The advantage of the digital health movement is that carries “the stamp of cool” and takes clinical / social utility to a place beyond the practical—the emotional.  It’s not about taking a pill but living the life of innovation that is validated by science and medicine.

#5—2013. The empowerment of the “quantified self” in health

Our lives are quantified in many ways…tools to measure key clinical parameters (serum glucose, blood oxygen, etc.) will combine with mainstream devices used by joggers and athletes.  The result will become “full circle” data that will proactively inform us of issues and concerns. And all this data and knowledge will become less of burden and more of reassurance that all systems are go!

 #6—2013.  Pharma’s search for new meaning

The evolution of pharmaceutical science will move therapy to include preventative care, gene therapy and other innovations.  The pill, as it conventionally exists today, will have a role, but innovation (and digital health) will make conventional therapies a bit harder to swallow.

#7—2013. Big Data and the electronic medical record

New technology and the vast amounts of generated data come a rich source of information.  Research protocols, family history, medical records and large-scale epidemiological studies are a significant aspect of digital health.  These data may become the single biggest aspect of this new area.

#8—2013.  Money

Money is a key driver to innovation.  The increasing role of venture capital in digital health sends a clarion call of validation that this initiative is here to stay.  

#9—2013. The voices of brilliance

Science, medicine, genomics, electronics, analytics, etc.  The list of contributors to digital health is vast and smart as heck.  And the very nature of the mixed and varied voices coming together will result in a “critical mass” of brilliance rarely seen in the conventional business model.

#10—2013.  The moral imperative

There’s another simple, yet powerful driver at work here.  It’s the right thing to do.  The application of digital health to global health issues and the practice of medicine in developing countries can play a tremendous role in changing the very nature and quality of care that directly translates into life-changing and life-saving treatments.

So, there you have it.  Ten powerful reasons why 2013 was the “year of digital health” and it would reach its proverbial inflection point.  It didn’t.  But the interesting thing here is that we can just change the date from 2013 to 2022 and these predictions feel about right for this year.  Maybe I’m too good of a futurist.  But my sense is that there’s something more fundamental about this “failure” and why technological innovation have been stuck at the starting line.

The reason is both simple and complex: innovation is tough.  But the diffusion of innovation can be even more difficult.  The idea of just building a great solution that will simply be embraced and adopted is false. “Build it and they will come” isn’t a market-driven strategy, but a wish.

Prominent tech, consumer goods and pharmaceutical companies have failed to drive adoption of  new products hailed as big ideas and game changers. The same may be true for technology and digital health and how 2013 offers up many of the  same opportunities and challenges as 2022.

In many ways, medical innovation is part technology and part humanity. And driving adoption along one path can get many heads nodding, but few feet moving in the right direction. The healthcare system is driven by complex vectors of inertia.  From financial gain (companies and providers) to cognitive rigidity to the essential cautions that must be applied to clinical care, advances are often defined as “that same, but better” with concern for the status quo and even self-preservation.

Perhaps an essential fix to this dilemma is to take a page from the “patient centricity” play book that has captured the minds of many in 2022. Innovation, startups, accelerators, and incubators need to think past the big idea and consider the process of adoption as integral to success. Otherwise, we’re stuck in the quagmire of complacency.

My look back to almost a decade ago to the advances of technology and medicine was an eye-opener. Interestingly, it seems like the future is here now and has been for a while. And a key path, in many instances, is to focus on implementation of the brilliant ideas at hand today. Innovation is disruptive, but adoption is gradual. And recognizing this simple truth might just get things moving!

The post Tech Marches On, While Humanity Drags Its Feet appeared first on Medika Life.

An interesting fact to consider for new players entering this market. Only seven percent of healthcare and pharmaceutical companies claim to have gone digital, compared to 15 percent of companies in other industries.

How we’ve constructed the list

Primarily, we looked at how the business, software, or technology has affected the caregiver-patient relationship. For this reason, you may see obscure companies featured, many of whom work tirelessly, away from the spotlight of public medicine. to improve this relationship. Sustainability of models, impacts on disadvantaged sectors, disruption, and sheer genius have also been considered, Covid‘s’impact has mostly been ignored. Here’s why.

The businesses built around, catering to, and addressing our pandemic mindset have been amazing to watch. Do they however bear long-term relevance to the industry, or will they serve merely as fallback models for the next pandemic? Medika sees many of these as financially-inspired models, where business-orientated individuals have perceived a need in the market and have acted rapidly to fill it. That need will dissipate in the coming months. 

Arguably, none of these pandemic response innovators require any additional media attention, so our list has chosen to focus on the regular and more mundane functionality of day-to-day medicine and the companies that are addressing and changing, often in fundamental ways, the patient’s access to care.

We’ve also avoided listing companies like Apple, Samsung, Siemens, and others, who have made immeasurable contributions to the sector. Their work is well established and their brands are household names. It’s the up-and-coming stars we’d like to make you aware of and the older ones, many of whom are now coming good.

The list below is broken into sections and numbering is not an indicator of ranking. You’ll also notice we’ve created categories, five to be exact, to ensure a fair spread and to enable you to more easily find the players that affect your sector. There are overlaps, and where these occur we’ve used a wet finger and wind speed to determine which category is best suited.

Where possible, logos link to websites or Linkedin profiles, and founders’ names are linked to their Linkedin or Twitter profiles. We encourage readers to connect and expand their networks. It’s the reason we provide additional information, rather than a simple sequential list. So, to the list.

Medical Devices Category

At the top of our list, this category makes a real-world difference in an immediate and noticeable way for many patients, often in a life-saving fashion. We tip our hats to the combination of ingenuity, innovation, and foresight exhibited by these companies.

1. Pulsenmore

Founder: Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein
Sectors: Diagnostics, Radiology, Remote Care, Ultrasound, Prenatal Health
Established: 2014
Core Product/Service: At-Home Tele-Ultrasound for Pregnant Women
Country: Israel
Strategic Partners: Clalit Health 

This is a truly revolutionary device, enabling pregnant women to monitor fetal growth and development remotely. The small ultrasound scanner connects to a smartphone, boasts an instructional app to assist the user, and images can be shared or uploaded in real-time to point of care. Particularly useful for remote treatment and medical use in isolated areas. A simple, elegant, and well-designed tool that frees ultrasound technology from its traditional confines. Pulsenmore partners with Clalit Health.

2. Thinklabs One

Founder: Clive Smith
Sectors: Providers, Medical Devices, Technology
Established: 1991
Core Product/Service: Digital Stethoscope
Country: Englewood, Colorado, USA
Strategic Partners: Thinklabs

Coolest and most innovative change to the stethoscope we’ve seen, and given our pandemic climate, a perfect candidate for remote medicine. Advances in technology have chosen to ignore the stethoscope and that’s why we love this product. It’s bold and innovative. It changes our perceived ideas about the traditional stethoscope and in our opinion, improves dramatically on it by incorporating modern technology. Well overdue. Connect with Thinklabs on Twitter

3. Cala Health

Founder: Kate Rosenbluth
Sector: Bioelectric Medicine, Digital Health, Neuroscience
Established: 2014
Core Product/Service: Cala Trio™ Wearable to counter tremors
Country: USA
Strategic Partners:

Cala Health is a bioelectronic medicine company. The company’s wearable neuromodulation therapies merge innovations in neuroscience and technology to deliver individualized peripheral nerve stimulation, and its vertically integrated commercial model is reshaping the delivery of prescription therapies. Cala Health’s lead product, Cala Trio™, is the only non-invasive prescription therapy for essential tremor (ET). Truly life-changing use of technology in a novel and innovative way. Connect with Cala Health on Twitter

4. HumanOptics AG

Founder: Karl Klamann
Sector: Ophthalmology, Surgical Procedures, Technology
Established: 1999
Core Product/Service: The CUSTOMFLEX® ARTIFICIALIRIS
Country: Bayern, Germany
Strategic Partners: Please refer to the website

The CUSTOMFLEX® ARTIFICIALIRIS, a world-first and game-changer, is a unique and foldable iris prosthesis, for both medical and aesthetic reconstruction of eyes with complete or partial aniridia. This iris prosthesis for treating patients with injured or missing irides was awarded breakthrough device status by the FDA. This product offers a massive benefit to patients who suffer from aniridia

5. Butterfly Network Inc

Founder: Dr. Jonathan Rothberg
Sector: Diagnostics, Medical Technology, Digital Devices, POC
Established: 2011
Core Product: Butterfly single-probe, whole-body handheld ultrasound
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: ACC

More ultrasound, but this time in a professional setting and with Dr. Rothberg at the helm, expect fireworks. Developed specifically for doctors, visit Butterfly to find out why healthcare providers have fallen in love with this light and portable ultrasound scanner. It is the world’s first handheld, single-probe whole-body ultrasound system. It is quite remarkable and deserves the label “game-changer” in terms of how it simplifies the provision of care. You can connect with Butterfly on Twitter

6. UTILIMEDIC (Namsung Electronics Co Ltd)

Dual Corp Representative: Elena Thompson
Sector: Digital Electronics, Consumer Market, Healthcare Providers
Established: 1965
Core Product/Service: Utilimedic Cell Phone UV Sterilization Unit
Country: Florida, USA (Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea)
Strategic Partners: Namsung America (Dual Electronics)

While not strictly a medical device, this product fulfills a real need and practical solution to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Cellphones are one of the primary surfaces for the transmission of viruses. This product (CES 2021 Innovation award) offers a cost-effective solution to sterilizing your cellphone with UV light. Use it in your car and charge your phone while you sterilize it. A really useful deployment of tech in a healthcare setting. We love it. Connect with them on Twitter

7. ISABEL Healthcare

Founder: Jason Maude
Sector: Diagnostic Software, DDX, Remote Diagnostics, Telemedicine
Established: 1999
Core Product/Service: Differential Diagnostics Platform
Country: UK/USA
Strategic Partners:

Full disclosure, Medika uses this DDX as the backbone for the patient’s Self Diagnostic tool on the Medika website, so does WebMD. We’ve included it here because we feel the pandemic has finally highlighted the true benefits, accuracy, and simplicity this differential diagnostics tool offers the industry. More and more doctors are discovering the benefits Isabel can lend to their practices and she is the industry leader in the field. Isabel Healthcare is also socially active in emerging economies, enabling access to global health. If you haven’t yet, connect with Isabel on Twitter. 

8. REJOINT SRL

Founder: Gian Guido Riva
Sector: Orthopedics, BlockChain, Digital Health, IoT
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: 3D printed personalized joint implants
Country: Castel Maggiore, Italy
Strategic Partners: GE

Mobility matters. Lose the use of a knee joint and your life changes. REJOINT offers a combination of cutting-edge technology and joint implants to keep you moving. An industry leader and recognized as one of the foremost manufacturers of implants, their business directly impacts people’s lives. REJOINT combines validated Additive Manufacturing, IoT and wearables, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain technology to produce products that impact patient outcomes. Connect with them on Twitter

9. Saluda Medical

Founder: John Parker
Sector: Medical Devices, Digital Health, Technology
Established: 2013
Core Product/Service: Evoke®
Country: Australia, USA
Strategic Partners: None listed

The development of closed-loop spinal pain therapy is potentially life-changing for patients suffering from chronic pain. Saluda pioneered and developed the first closed-loop system. Evoke® is the only spinal cord stimulation technology designed to measure the spinal cord’s response to stimulation and make real-time adjustments intended to maintain a consistent level of pain therapy. Connect with Saluda Health on Twitter

10. Miach Orthopaedics

Founder: Martha Murray, MD
Sectors: Bio-Engineering, Surgical Implants, Orthopaedics
Established: 2017
Core Product/Service: Bridge-Enhanced® ACL Repair (BEAR®)
Country: Massachusetts, USA

Miach Orthopaedics is dedicated to developing bio-engineered surgical implants for connective tissue restoration. Their Bridge-Enhanced® ACL Repair (BEAR®) Implant is a revolutionary proprietary bio-engineered implant used to facilitate healing of the torn ACL The implant removes the need to harvest healthy tendon from another part of your leg and acts as a bridge between the two ends of the torn ACL, allowing the tendon to regrow. This is cutting-edge bio-engineering with real-world patient benefits. Connect with Miach Orthopaedics on Twitter

Patient Engagement Sector

Increasing patient’s access to care, empowering them in their own health choices, and simplifying the patient-caregiver relationship all lead to more seamless and effective care-based outcomes for patients. Here are the platforms to watch.

11. PocketHealth

Founders: Rishi Nayyar and Harsh Nayyar
Sectors: Patient Facing Solutions, Software, Applications, Radiology 
Established: 2016
Core Product/Service: Digital access to Patient Imaging Records
Country: Toronto, Canada

Medika Life loves practical, simple, and elegant solutions. That’s exactly what PocketHealth offers to patients and providers. Their goal was to build a Patient-Centric, Accessible & Supportive Image Sharing Platform, and early signs signal success. The platform offers seamless, secure infrastructure between diagnostic imaging centers and their patients across Noth America. Connect with them on Twitter

12. Qure4u

Founder: Dr. Monica Bolbjerg
Sectors: Patient Facing Solutions, Software, Applications, Provider solutions
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: A Holistic Patient Engagement Platform
Country: USA

Is this the App that finally simplifies patient access to services? It may be. Qure4u is a patient engagement platform ready to meet all of your patients’ needs by providing them with a Digital Health Key™. Simple and convenient access to care from patient self-scheduling to remote patient monitoring and everything in between. Patients are so impressed, the App has just won a Customer Satisfaction award from athenahealth. Connect with them on Twitter

13. XR Health

Founder: Eran Orr
Sectors: Patient Facing, XR, Therapeutics
Established: 2016
Core Product/Service: Extended Reality Therapeutics
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Allscripts and Pico Interactive

XR stands for Extended Reality and includes VR, AR and MR. Unlike other companies that seek to enable surgeons with XR, this company has integrated it into the life of the patient, offering virtual access to therapeutics in the comfort of your home. The technology offers treatment options for Stress Management, Pain Management, ADHD, Memory Training, Hot Flashes, Post-COVID Rehab, and VR Support Groups. Explore the options on their website and connect with them on Twitter.

14. Datos Health

Founder: Uri Bettesh
Sectors: Patient Facing Solutions, Software, Applications, Provider solutions
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: Datos Platform
Country: Israel, New York, USA
Strategic Partners: Consult their website for a full list of partners

Datos is a fully automated remote care platform designed to directly connect patients with medical sources of care from the comfort of their own homes, for improved quality of life. The platform makes it possible to safely monitor, detect, analyze and predict adverse events or other changes in patient conditions — enabling care teams to communicate and intervene in real-time, and to successfully manage even the most complex medical treatment protocols. Connect with Datos Health on Twitter

15. Epic, myChart

Founder: Judy Faulkner
Sectors: Patient Facing Software, Data, Provider Solutions
Established: 1979
Core Product/Service: MyChart® licensed from Epic Systems Corporation
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Epic, visit the website for more details,

One of the most successful patient-facing applications in the US. The myChart® app by Epic allows patients to see their medications, test results, upcoming appointments, medical bills, price estimates, and more all in one place, even if they’ve been seen at multiple healthcare organizations. With over 100 million users, Epic is a clear leader in patient-facing data and software and the recent facelift of myChart has brought it in line with new technologies. Sadly, while their UI is slowly catching up they don’t exist on social media.

16. Cedar

Founders: Florian Otto and Arel Lidow
Sectors: Applications, Payment Solutions, Patient Engagement, Software
Established: 2016
Core Product/Service: Cedar Pay. Medical Financial Engagement Solutions
Country: New York, USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

Simplifying payment for medical services, this platform allows for the patient to seamlessly pay for services and frees up the provider to focus on providing care. We love the concept and we’re certain patients and providers will adopt the solution with open arms. Cedar is the healthcare financial engagement platform that keeps patients happy and businesses healthy. Connect with Cedar on Twitter.

17. American Well

Founders: Ido Schoenberg, MDand Roy Schoenberg, MD
Sectors: Telehealth, Patient Engagement, Patient Outcomes
Established: 2006
Core Product/Service: Telehealth Platform
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

How can we ignore telehealth in 2021? Amwell is making huge inroads in the market. Amwell’s telehealth solution spans the care continuum from urgent care to acute care. Their technology combines a delightful experience for patients with best-in-class workflows for providers. Stability should be front and foremost for providers when selecting telehealth platforms and Amwell leads the field. Connect with Amwell on Twitter

18. SilverCloud Health

Founders: James Bligh, Dr John Sharry and Karen Tierney
Sectors: Telehealth, Mental Health, Software, Patient Care
Established: 2011
Core Product/Service: Digital Mental Health Platform
Country: London, United Kingdom
Strategic Partners: Please visit their website for details.

If the hype is to be believed, then we face a deluge of post-Covid mental health issues. SilverCloud is developing telehealth and provider solutions to keep pace with the increasing demand for care, SilverCloud Health is the trusted leader in on-demand digital behavioral health care, partnering with over 300 organizations to deliver virtual therapy. Increase your capacity and improve your patient outcomes. Connect with SilverCloud on Twitter

19. Cloudbreak

Founders: Jamey Edwards and Andrew Panos
Sectors: Telehealth, Remote Care, Patient Facing Solutions
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: In-Patient Virtual Care and Telehealth
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to the website

A total solution for remote care, both in and outside of the care environment. Cloudbreak helps you connect with your patients from anywhere. Process billing, manage your appointments, send prescriptions securely — everything you need for a traditional visit, done in a web browser. Provide your patients with equitable care available at any time, on any device. Equip a single patient room with telequarantine, teletherapy, telenursing, multi-party calling, medical interpretation, and more. Connect with Cloudbreak on Twitter

20. MomMD

Founders: Mimi Valenticand Sethina Edwards
Sectors: Support Networks, Software, Networking Platforms
Established: 1999
Core Product/Service: Web-based platform
Country: Texas, USA

While not strictly patient-orientated we decided to add this platform here as it supports mothers and women in Healthcare and offers a crucial and often absent support network for these care providers. MomMD offers the latest in Continuing Medical Education (CME) and also allows users to search for jobs and resumes. It offers discussions on work/life balance, pregnancy, diagnosis, debt and loan repayment, residency match, and various other subjects. Connect with MomMD on Twitter

Networking and Communication Channels

Enabling and connecting voices within the digital health sector helps to highlight systemic flaws and connects people who are able to address these issues. These companies enable solutions. Podcasts. PR, Think Tanks, and other networking tools like Clubhouse are proving an indispensable tool for networking, innovation, and as drivers for change. Here’s our watchlist.

21. PwC Singapore

Health Industry Leader: Dr. Zubin J Daruwalla
Sectors: MedTech BioTech, Digital Health, Networking, Venture Hub
Established: 2016 (PwC Singapore Venture Hub)
Core Product/Service: Digital Healthcare, Health Tech Ventures
Country: Singapore
Strategic Partners: Please refer to the website for additional info

Connecting emerging digital health technologies globally matters and companies like PwC Singapore provide you with a gateway into Asia and a detailed understanding of the healthcare markets and key trends. PwC Singapore connects the dots and bridges the Western/Asian health divide in ways you cannot afford to ignore. Connect with them and broaden your network and markets. Connect on Twitter.

22. Pharmacy Podcast Network

Founder: Todd Eury
Sectors: Pharmaceutical, Podcasts, Networking, Pharmacy Business
Established: 2009
Core Product/Podcast Network
Country: USA, PA
Strategic Partners: CEimpact and RphAlly

Providing a voice for the pharmacy industry since 2009, this company has gone from strength to strength and now boasts over 1,200+ episodes, 30 shows & 40 contributing pharmacists. As an influential voice and enabling force for the pharmacy industry, look no further than this network. Their broad reach and coverage of all issues relating to the pharmacy profession make them a powerhouse not to be taken lightly. Connect with them on Twitter

23. NOSTALAB

Founder: John Nosta
Sectors: Digital Healthcare, Business and Market Direction, Innovation
Established: 2013
Core Product/Service: Speaker, Thought Leader, Think Tank, Analysis
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Refer to the website

NOSTALAB was established by John Nosta in 2013 and serves as a platform to challenge existing health lore. John is regarded as a leading global strategic and creative thinker in the digital health area. He is a leading voice in the convergence of technology and health. Through NOSTALAB he helps define, dissect, and deliberate global trends in digital health. He is a hugely influential and respected voice within the health sector. Connect with him via his website and on Twitter

24. Faces of Health Podcast

Founder: Tjasa Zajc
Sectors: Healthcare, Industry Opinion, Podcast, Network
Established: 2017
Core Product/Service: Podcast /Video Interviews
Country: Republic of Slovenia

As a former healthcare journalist with a Masters degree in healthcare management and economics, Tjasa, the host and founder, features discussions with policymakers, doctors, nurses, and opinion leaders in the digital health space. Not to be missed. Connect and find out why industry professionals like John Nosta and Rafael Grossmann love this podcast. Connect with Tjasa on Twitter.

25. Unitypoint Health Ventures

Key Members: Matthew Warrens and Austin Duke, PhD
Sectors: Growth Accelerator, Strategic Partnerships, Venture Fund
Established: 2019
Core Product/Service: Innovation Venture Fund
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Unitypoint Health

Ensuring bright ideas become sustainable business models requires a combination of funding and strategic partnerships. Unitypoint Health Ventures goes beyond investments to accelerate tomorrow’s health care solutions. They focus their efforts in four key areas: Care Experience, Care Financing, Care Delivery, and Care Innovation. Connect with Unitypoint Health Ventures on Twitter

26. MHealth Israel

Founders: Levi Shapiro
Sectors: Non-Profit, Digital Health, Networking Platform
Established: 2013
Core Product/Service: Platform for Healthcare Voices and Opinions
Country: Israel

This listing is a little different as it focuses on a community rather than an individual corporate entity. If you’re involved in digital healthcare and would like your opinion to impact the industry, Levi’s group offers a route. Connect with thousands of like-minded industry professionals and engage across numerous platforms on important issues affecting the world of healthcare. Find out why some of the largest names in healthcare are using MHealth to communicate their ideas. You can hook up with the group on Linkedin or on Twitter

27. Physician Side Gigs

Founder: Nisha Mehta
Sectors: Networking Platform, Financial, Physicians, 
Established: 2016
Core Product/Service: Physician Side Gigs
Country: USA

One of our favorites. A Facebook group that took off and now offers physicians advice on how to hustle a side gig. The networking aspect is a clear benefit and the group has grown exponentially since its creation. It now boasts over 74000 physicians. Aside from the side hustle aspect, discussions in the group cover jobs, business skills, financial topics, life in medicine, and physician burnout. A great resource for physicians. Connect with them on Facebook and with Nisha on Twitter

28. FINN Partners Health 

Managing Partner, Global Health: Gil Bashe and Goel Jasper (FINN, Israel)
Sectors: Healthcare, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Brand Agency
Established: 2011
Core Product/Service: Digital Health Consultancy
Country: USA, Israel
Strategic Partners: The list is endless, consult their website.

It can be argued that FINN Partners boast one of the most experienced teams within the healthcare sector, thanks in no small part to Managing Partners, Gil Bashe and Goel Jasper who offer your business decades of experience in the industry. Their vast experience, broad network, and widely respected knowledge make FINN Partners Health an indispensable asset to any business looking to expand into the healthcare sector. Ensure your business enjoys the exposure it deserves. Connect with FINN Partners on Twitter

29. Startup Health

Founders: Steven Krein and Unity Stoakes
Sectors: Startups, Networking, Innovation Hub
Established: 2011
Core Product/Service: Funding and networking for Startups
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Please visit their website

If your Health startup is struggling to feel the love, then Startup Health may be the place for you. They connect Health Transformers into an organized, global community, leveraging network effects, trusted peer support, and collective intelligence. Since 2011, they have invested in over 340 innovative health companies, and boast a survival rate of over 80%, no easy achievement in a competitive market. If you need help ensuring your vision is fulfilled, why not reach out to the folk at Startup Health. You can connect with them on Twitter

30. Amend Health

Founders: Andrew RichardsandMarcelo Morales
Sectors: Think Tanks, Networking, Service Solutions, Social Good
Established: 2020
Core Product/Service: Connecting sectors and services to provide solutions
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Refer to their website

Helping connect the different sectors of healthcare. We love the ethic behind this new company and hope it goes from strength to strength. Amend helps to build affiliate-networks of critical access. By targeting large geographies they are able to leverage an economy of scale and the solutions they provide are able to rapidly scale across multiple affiliate partners. Follow this socially driven healthcare think tank on Twitter

AR, VR, XR, and Wearables Sector

The Tron’s of Digital Health, these geniuses create augmentation for human skills, pushing our abilities beyond the confines of our physical limits, proving that man and software really can function in harmony, for the betterment of medicine. Oh, then there’s the teaching element. It’s a virtual wonderland.

31. Fundamental VR

Founders: Richard VincentandChris Scattergood
Sectors: Surgical Training, Virtual Reality, Education
Established: 2012
Core Product/Service: Virtual Reality based training tools for Surgeons
Country: United Kingdom
Strategic Partners: Mayo Clinic

In their own words, FundamentVR builds flight simulators for surgeons. Their associated business, Fundamental Surgery is arguably the industry leader in the sector. Their state-of-the-art haptic (touch) VR solutions for training surgeons are unique and hugely innovative. Mayo Clinic has entered a joint development agreement with Fundamental VR for surgical VR simulation and education products. As multi-award winners, they are rapidly establishing the industry standard for VR in healthcare.

32. Varjo

Founders: Klaus Melakari, Niko Eiden, Roope Rainisto and Urho Konttori
Sectors: Education, Training, VR and XR, Simulations
Established: 2016
Core Product/Service: XR and VR headsets
Country: Helsinki, Finland
Strategic Partners: Unreal Engine and others. Refer to details on the website

Producers of the highest quality VR and XR headsets in the marketplace. The association with Unreal Engine should say it all, Games drive VR development. Varjo’s headsets are recognized globally as being the industry benchmark in quality and photo-realism. Immerse yourself in their VR world. Do visit the website to gain a true appreciation of what XR can do,

33. Anima Res

Founders: Pablo Olmos and Rodrigo Olmos
Sectors: Software, Virtual reality, VR Platforms, Education, Healthcare
Established: 1997
Core Product/Service: VR Worlds
Country: Bonn, Deutschland
Strategic Partners: An official Microsoft Partner

Any VR system is only as good as the immersive software that drives it. Meet Anima Res, a German company that provides the link between VR hardware and the user, by creating believable and fully immersive healthcare environments for users. We love this company. 3d Medical animations that rock from an unfunded powerhouse. Keep it up guys!

34. LEVEL EX

Founders: Sam Glassenberg
Sectors: Software, Gaming, Digital Health, Education
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: Android/ iOS games for Doctors
Country: Chicago, USA
Strategic Partners: Brainlab

Even doctors need to game. This entry is our favorite, hands down. Sleek and clever, doctors and medical students can select a range of medical games on Apple and Android focusing on cardiology, pulmonary, gastro, and more. Hook up your dopamine receptors for their daily fix and embed your learning. A winner, all the way. Connect with them on Twitter

35. Brainlab

Founders: Stefan Vilsmeier
Sectors: Technology, Software, Digital Health
Established: 1989
Core Product/Service: Software and Hardware solutions for Surgery
Country: Munich, Germany
Strategic Partners: Snke OS

To improve critical surgeries, radiosurgery treatments, and operating room efficiency, Brainlab software and hardware devices create and enhance data. Transpose realistic 3d images directly into your environment. Brainlab offers solutions for Surgery, Radio Surgery, and O.R. with Digital O.R. A stunning combination of real-world medical applications and technology, seamlessly integrated. Connect with Brainlab on Twitter

36. Elara Systems

Founders: Bob Dyce and Cameron Grant
Sectors: Creative Design, Software, XR Simulations
Established: 1999
Core Product/Service: Creation of XR environments and objects
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

Meet one of the companies that build the worlds and objects that inhabit the VR world. If you have a vision or project you need translated into an XR environment, Elara is the place to go. They offer vast libraries of immersive environments and predesigned simulations and can create whatever you can visualize. Reach out for 3D animation, interactive content, and XR solutions. Connect with them on Twitter

37. OSSO VR

Founders: Justin Barad and Matt Newport
Sectors: VR, Surgical Training, Education
Established: 2014
Core Product/Service: VR, Surgical Training and Assessment Platform
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

We love the vision of this VR platform that addresses a critical need within the industry. Their goals are to improve patient outcomes, increase the adoption of higher-value medical technologies, and democratize global access to the latest surgical techniques. Osso VR uses virtual reality to provide the platform, content, and tools to bridge the surgical training gap and are the industry leaders in this area. Connect with Osso VR on Twitter

38. Oxford Medical Simulation

Founders: Michael Wallaceand Jack Pottle
Sectors: Medical Training, VR, VR Simulations, Education
Established: 2016
Core Product/Service: VR Simulation for optimal Patient Care
Country: London, UK
Strategic Partners: Please refer here for more details

Another key player, translating VR technology into educational tools for the industry. Oxford Medical Simulation delivers award-winning virtual reality medical and nursing simulation. This helps educators save time and money in delivering quality, flexible, measurable training that improves patient care. VR and screen-based simulations train healthcare professionals in world-class patient management without risking lives. Connect with Oxford Medical Simulation on Twitter.

39. VISUALISE

Founders: Henry Stuart
Sectors: VR Environments, VR Modeling, VR, XR
Established: 20o6
Core Product/Service: VR creation for Healthcare
Country: London, UK
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

While not specifically a healthcare-focused company, Visualise contributes essential elements to the process of VR training environments. The importance of their role is highlighted in the linked page above. Visualise pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with immersive content. From VR, AR, and MR, to binaural audio and immersive apps. From CG VR production to 360 video, live streaming, and post-production. Connect with Visualise on Twitter

40. Medical Realities

Founders: Shafi Ahmed and Steve Dann
Sectors: VR, Medical Education
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: Immersive End to End VR Healthcare Platform
Country: London, UK
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

Medical Realities was founded by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and technologists with a mission to transform healthcare education. They have built the world’s first end-to-end Virtual Reality platform which is now used globally by students, doctors, and institutions. Visit their Covid-Med Ed platform to see how they integrate this technology. 

Data and Software Sector

This is where it all happens in healthcare. The most effective innovations and tools can be rendered obsolete without proper integration and management of data. Software connects and great software does it seamlessly and unobtrusively. Here are Medika Life’s top picks for 2021

41. Saidot

Founder: Meeri Haataja
Sectors: Data Transparency, Trust, AI
Established: 2018
Core Product/Service: Platform for Data Trust and Accountability
Country: Finland
Strategic Partners: Visit their website to view.

If you’re wondering why this company is included, think data. Think accountability, think ethics. It is going to be the greatest challenge of the digital health era. Accountability for people’s personal data and transparency for the systems dealing with that data. No one is better positioned in the industry than Saidot and it’s a natural connection for healthcare to develop. If you’re into AI, hook up with Saidot and get an ethical foot up for your data. Connect with them on Twitter

42. Nomad Health

Founders: Alexi Nazem, Ryan Grant, Dr. Maxwell Laurans, Kevin P. Ryan, and Zander Pease
Sectors: Networking, Employment, Nursing, Healthcare
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: Employment Platform for traveling nurses
Country: New York, USA
Strategic Partners: None listed

One for the nursing industry and this platform is a winner, for both nurses and employers. If you’re a nurse with an itch to see the world, welcome to Nomad. Nomad provides all the tools, information, and support to land the most rewarding travel nurse assignments, hassle-free. Get paid well for work you’ll love. A sleek, elegant, well-designed platform for enabling nurses. Connect with Nomad on Twitter

43. SNKE OS

Founders: Stefan Vilsmeier
Sectors: Development Platform, OS, B2B Development
Established: 2020
Core Product/Service: A development platform/OS purpose-built for health
Country: Munich, Germany
Strategic Partners: Brainlab

Yet another industry disruptor from the folk at Brainlab. If you’re not into software and scalable solutions, we’ll forgive you for not getting excited, but trust us, if you’re developing surgical and healthcare solutions, this platform is a massive deal. Snke OS is the first enterprise platform built with best-in-class DNA. Fueled by AI & big data analytics with the power to handle your next breakthrough, it goes way beyond med tech. An OS that is purpose-built for health and definitely one to watch. Connect on Twitter

44. Diameter Health

Founders: Eric Rosow and John D’Amore
Sectors: Software, Data, Digital Healthcare, IT
Established: 2014
Core Product: Fusion
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Check their website for their partners.

We love this company. Mismatched data sets currently cripple healthcare and that’s where Diameter Health comes in. Only Diameter Health cures clinical data disorder by normalizing and enriching clinical data using scalable and secure technology deployable in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional methods. Fusion enables intelligent data exchange, normalization, and integration with any certified Electronic Health Record (EHR). Connect with Diameter Health on Twitter

45. Foxo

Founders: Luke Fletcher
Sectors: Software, Data Solutions, Communication
Established: 2018
Core Product/Service: Foxo, communication platform for healthcare
Country: Australia
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

Foxo is an Australian company on a mission to connect a fragmented health system. Their SaaS platform is changing the way doctors, nurses, and allied health connect, communicate and collaborate. They’re focused on building a connected future for the Health industry. Their mix of technical and clinical-led team members ensures their solutions are applicable to the market. A much-needed solution to addressing data fragmentation in the industry. Connect with them on Twitter.

46. Komodo Health

Founders: Dr. Arif Nathoo and Web Sun
Sectors: Data, Software, Data Mapping, Data Solutions
Established: 2014
Core Product/Service: Data-driven Healthcare Map
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Mavens (acquired)

Perhaps the most ambitious project yet to aggregate disjointed data from across the entire spectrum of the American Healthcare system and to farm this data in a meaningful way to improve access to care and patient outcomes. Companies like Komodo are the future of digital healthcare and they will go from strength to strength. See what their Healthcare map can mean to your patients and your startup. A company that should be on everyone’s radar. Connect with Komodo on Twitter.

47. Innovaccer

Founders: Abhinav Shashank, Kanav Hasija, and Sandeep Gupta
Sectors: Data, Software, Data Management, Patient Care
Established: 2014
Core Product/Service: Data based Patient and Industry Solutions
Country: San Francisco, USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

Data-driven solutions from another up-and-coming player in the industry. Innovaccer is all about presenting you with a complete patient history, aggregating records from across the breadth of the industry to present you with the full clinical picture, Visit their website to see the tools they offer to enable appropriate and informed patient care. We love their focus and the company is growing exponentially. Another “must watch” for 2021. Connect with Innovaccer on Twitter

48. CareSignal

Founders: Avik Som, Blake Marggraff, Evan Huang, and Joe McDonald
Sectors: Data, Software, Patient Care, Applications
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: Deviceless Remote Patient Monitoring
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Please refer to their website

Wondering how to connect your applications and devices to care platforms that are accessible to providers? Visit CareSignal for solutions. Remote monitoring for value-based care organizations. CareSignal Deviceless RPM is accessible, scalable, and cost-effective. CareSignal offers an essential piece of the data puzzle. Remote monitoring that is accessible to any Patient. Connect with them on Twitter

49. John Snow Labs

Key Member: David Talby, CTO
Sectors: Software, AI, Natural Language Processing
Established: 2015
Core Product/Service: Spark NLP
Country: USA
Strategic Partners: Refer to their website

NLP and AI form an integral part of the evolution of seamless software in digital healthcare. Spark is the most widely used NLP library in the industry. John Snow Labs helps to bridge the gap between AI and human input with their Spark NLP platform. Reach out to them to learn how their products can improve your accuracy, speed, and scalability. Connect with John Snow Labs on Twitter.

50. Lisa Health

Founders: Ann Garnier and Giovanni Colella, MD
Sectors: Software, Women’s Health, Healthcare Platform
Established: 2017
Core Product/Service: Support network for Menopause
Country: USA

A hidden gem. We’ve included this last entry as a shout-out to an up-and-coming platform that focuses on women’s health, specifically menopausal women, and helping them through the phases of menopause. We’d love to see this rolled out to care providers. Connect with Lisa Health and support them on their journey. There is, in our opinion, insufficient focus placed on patient-facing tools for women’s health, and this application is exactly what the doctor ordered. Connect with Lisa Health on Twitter

Errors, omissions, and corrections

Please get in touch with editorial@medika.life to report any of the above or to flame us for not including you. We welcome all communication and our editors respond to all the emails we receive.

Biases

This list carries a distinctly western flavor. We are painfully aware of it.

This is largely due to the “network bubble” we function in and we are addressing this to make future lists more inclusive. If you are from distant shores, particularly Asia, India, and the Arabian peninsula, please do connect with us. Healthcare is a global issue and the efficacy and speed with which we address disparities are largely determined by the reach of our networks.

The post Fifty of the Most Impactful Tech Innovators in Digital Health in 2021 appeared first on Medika Life.

The pandemic proved new therapeutics and vaccines are able to navigate through the bureaucratic quagmire when there is the public will to make it happen. New antivirals therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and mRNA vaccines are now saving lives. 

These success stories are outliers. In reality, pharmaceutical and medical device innovations move through the system at a snail’s pace. 

A product must pass through a lengthy FDA approval process to verify safety and efficacy. Despite FDA approval, a new medical device still can not get into the hands of surgeons. New technologies run into a brick wall as they fight for acceptance as an approved product by third-party payers. 

Insurance companies hide behind the word “investigational” to justify the denial of care. An FDA-approved medical device has little value to doctors and patients if none of the third-party payers pay for its use. 

Every insurance company must accept and authorize a new medication or medical device into their approved formulary before it is considered a covered benefit. Even after CMS approval, each managed care Medicare and Medicaid plan also submit new products to this lengthy process.

Medical practices spend countless hours jumping through pre-authorization hoops and appealing denied claims. 

We invest this time and energy to get our patients the most effective options, but patient care does not have to be so hard. Patients want doctors to spend time in the exam room, not writing insurance appeal letters. 

Finn Partners manager of global health, Gil Bashe, summarizes the barriers stifling medical device innovation in his article “Investigational” Is Payer Code for “Coverage Denied”. 

It is time for insurance companies to tear down the walls, stop playing games and help doctors provide the best care to their patients. 

The post Nonsensical Processes Prevent Patient Access to New and Safe Treatments appeared first on Medika Life.

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus. Hysterectomies are performed for a variety of gynecologic conditions such as uterine fibroids, heavy periods, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, uterine prolapse, and gynecologic cancer.

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus. When the entire uterus is removed, this is called a total hysterectomy. If the entire uterus, tubes, and ovaries are removed this is called a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Sometimes the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left behind. This surgical technique is called a supracervical hysterectomy.

During hysterectomies, Obgyns often recommend fallopian tube removal (bilateral salpingectomy) to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Some women will also need the removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy). Hormonal changes only occur when the ovaries are removed.

Gynecologists perform hysterectomies through a variety of techniques. The size of the uterus, surgeon experience, the patient’s body type, and the prior surgical history help determine the proper surgical approach. Techniques include:

1. Vaginal hysterectomy
2. Abdominal hysterectomy
3. Laparoscopic hysterectomy (total or supracervical)
4. Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy
5. Robotic hysterectomy

What are the advantages of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy?

Many patients who need a hysterectomy are concerned about a long recovery and missing time off work. A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is an excellent option for hysterectomy candidates who do not have any cervix problems.

The cervix is the opening of the uterus at the back of the vagina. Some women are not candidates for supracervical hysterectomy due to a history of cervical dysplasia, HPV, or abnormal pap smears.

This minimally invasive technique allows faster recovery, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stay. Patients benefit from small incisions, a short hospital stay, and a quicker return to work, exercise, and everyday activities.

During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon places a camera through the umbilicus (belly button). This technique allows the surgeon to use small instruments to perform the surgery and monitor the surgical field through these tiny incisions.

How long will I be in the hospital?

Surgeons perform a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy as an outpatient procedure or inpatient surgery with an overnight stay. Various factors, such as the patient’s underlying health status, surgical complexity, and physician preference, help determine the surgical plan.

Most laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy patients can leave the hospital much faster after a traditional abdominal hysterectomy.

Can my family visit me?

A trusted family member should drive you to and from the hospital or ambulatory surgery center for a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. Families are welcome to stay with you before and after surgery. Hospital visitor policies for overnight stays vary from region to region due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Does my procedure require an anesthetic?

A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy requires general anesthesia. An anesthesiologist will temporarily put the patient to sleep so they will feel no pain during surgery. The surgeon may also inject a local anesthetic into the incisions to decrease postoperative pain.

What’s the procedure when I check-in?

Most surgeries will involve a preoperative visit with your surgeon to go over the procedure’s risks and benefits in detail. Your surgeon answers questions regarding your upcoming surgery. The surgical consent form is reviewed, signed, or updated with any changes.

Because any hysterectomy will eliminate the possibility of child-bearing, your doctor will ask questions to make sure you are confident you will not want children in the future.

In most settings, patients will receive a preoperative phone call by a nurse or medical assistant one to two days before surgery. If any blood work or preoperative testing is required, it will be scheduled and confirmed.

After arrival at the hospital or Ambulatory Surgery Center, the staff will guide you to the preoperative holding area to change into a surgical gown and store your valuables. You will meet the nursing team who will provide care during your stay. Your nurse will place an IV at this time.

The anesthesia team will come to interview you and answer questions. Typically your surgeon will also come and review any last-minute questions.

What happens on the day of surgery?

What happens in the operating room?

After the preoperative evaluation, the team will guide you to the operating or procedure room. You will move from the mobile bed to the operating table. Once you are positioned comfortably and safely, the anesthesiologist will give you medication through your IV to help you go to sleep.

The OR nursing team will cover your body with sterile drapes and prep the abdomen for surgical sterility. The team then performs a “surgical time-out.” The head nurse will read a surgical safety checklist aloud, requiring all surgical team members to be present and attentive.

The gynecologic surgeon will insert a speculum into the vagina to allow visualization of the cervix, the opening of your uterus located at the back of the vagina.

Once the speculum is in place and the cervix visualized, the surgeon inserts a device called a uterine manipulator into the cavity of the uterus. This step facilitates the surgeon’s ability to safely operate and avoid injury to surrounding tissue such as the bladder, rectum, intestines, and ureter.

The surgeon will mark the surgical sites with a small marking pin and insert a small camera through an incision in the belly button. Air inflates and distends the abdomen to allow visualization of the pelvis. My preference is to insert a specialized instrument called Gel point mini by Applied Medical. This type of port will enable me to use one incision to perform the procedure.

The surgical team positions the laparoscopic camera to show the pelvic anatomy. We pass small instruments through the additional ports.

Many surgeons recommend complete removal of the fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingectomy) at the time of surgery as this technique reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

The fallopian tubes are located and grasped with one instrument. Using the other hand, the surgeon clamps and cuts the fallopian tubes from the adjacent anatomy.

The surgeon travels down the sides of the uterus, freeing it from the connecting tissues. The round ligament and uterine/ovarian ligaments are clamped, cauterized, and then cut. At each step, the surgeon will take precautions to control and avoid bleeding.

Critical anatomy lies towards to lower end of the uterus. The surgeon will separate the bladder from the lower uterine segment to allow visualization of the cervix and avoid bladder injury.

The surgeon will focus careful attention on the uterine arteries, the main blood supply to the uterus. These two blood vessels travel over the ureters, which are the tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder.

At this point, we can separate the uterus from the cervix for removal. There are various techniques, but I prefer to use a product called the bipolar Lina Loop.

The surgeon lassos the loop over the uterus and positions it at the uterus and the cervical junction. We perform a safety check to make sure no other anatomy is in contact with the loop. Then the uterus is amputated from the cervix.

The uterus is now free but still needs to be removed. We place the uterus into a surgical bag for tissue retrieval.

The surgeon examines all of the surgical sites for bleeding. When safe, the Obgyn removes the uterus safely located inside the bag through the umbilical (belly button) incision. We removal the operative ports and sew the surgical incisions closed.

Once the procedure is complete, the surgical team completes a post-procedure review. All instruments and equipment are counted and verified. When finished, the anesthesiologist will begin to wake the patient up for transfer to the recovery room.

How long will I be in the operating room?

Once the patient enters the operating room, a series of safety steps must occur. This process takes about 20 minutes.

The operative time for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy varies. The surgeon’s experience, surgical technique, patient body type, uterine size, and previous surgeries are all factors. For example, a small uterus is a much easier surgery than a large, fibroid uterus.

In general, the patient should expect 1–2 hours of total operative time.

When can I go home?

Postoperative recovery time will vary from person to person. Some surgeons will recommend an outpatient procedure, while others prefer an overnight stay. The patients underlying health status, surgical complexity, and physician preference are all factors.

To be able to go home, each patient must meet specific discharge criteria. The patient’s vital signs must be stable. The patient must be alert, oriented, and able to walk with assistance. The recovery room team will control postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain and monitor for postoperative bleeding.

The nursing team will go over discharge instructions, and confirm postoperative pain management plans.

AFTERCARE AND RECOVERY QUESTIONS

What is the usual recovery time?

Most women should be able to return to normal daily activities within a few weeks of surgery. The nursing team will help patients walk and move around a few hours after surgery to reduce blood clots’ risk, improve lung function, and expedite bowel function return.

Most patients will require pain medication like NSAIDs and narcotics for a time. Many experience discomfort in the right shoulder due to air irritating the nerves of the diaphragm.

Light bleeding, spotting, and brown or black discharge is common and expected. Sanitary napkins are safe to use.

What aftercare is required?

You should speak with your physician regarding the resumption of exercise and sexual activity. Most can return to basic activities in one to two weeks. Sexual activity is typically restricted for 6–8 weeks to allow complete healing.

Your doctor will schedule a postoperative examination 1–2 weeks after the procedure to evaluate the incisions.

Danger Signals to look out for after the procedure

You should call your doctor if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, fevers, severe nausea or vomiting, worsening abdominal pain, or the inability to pass gas.

If you experience heavy bleeding, abdominal or pelvic pain, a fever, or pain that increases over 24 hours, call your physician. After any surgery, contact your physician if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Pain not controlled with prescribed medication
• Fever > 101
• Nausea and vomiting
• Calf or leg pain
• Shortness of breath
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain not controlled by pain medication
• Inability to pass gas

What preparations should I make for aftercare at home?

Laparoscopic procedures require very little postoperative care. Keep the incisions clean and dry. Patients should avoid sexual activity until cleared by their doctor. One may resume a normal diet the day of surgery and begin light exercise the day after the procedure or when you feel ready.

What information should I provide to my doctors and nurses?

It is very important to provide your doctor with an updated list of all medications, vitamins, and dietary supplements prior to surgery. All medication and food allergies should be reviewed. Share any lab work, radiologic procedures, or other medical tests done by other healthcare providers with your surgeon prior to your procedure.

Still have questions?

Read through any existing comments in the section below and if you still need information on this procedure please do leave your questions in the comments section.

The post Preparing for: Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy appeared first on Medika Life.

First Procedures Performed with the Symani Surgical System

Date of release: Oct. 28, 2020

CALCI, Italy /PRNewswire/ — MMI SpA, an Italian company dedicated to improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing microsurgery, announced today the CE Mark, launch and first human use of its Symani® Surgical System in Europe for open microsurgical procedures. The first four robotic surgeries were successfully performed in Florence, Italy, including three complex, post-traumatic lower limb reconstructions as well as a post-oncological reconstruction of the pharynx.

“There is a clear demand for robotics in microsurgery as the limits of the human hand have already been reached. We founded MMI to develop a robotic system designed for and with microsurgeons that will improve outcomes and address unmet patient needs, particularly through supermicrosurgery techniques which are required for lymphatic and other extremely delicate procedures. We are pleased to be at the forefront of a new era in robotic surgery as we launch our Symani System in Europe,” said Giuseppe Maria Prisco, co-founder and CEO of MMI.

The Symani Surgical System combines the benefits of tremor reduction and motion scaling (7-20x) with the world’s smallest wristed instrumentation, offering seven degrees of freedom and dexterity beyond the reach of human hands. The system’s NanoWrist® instruments are designed to overcome the challenges of free-flap reconstructions, replantations, congenital malformations, peripheral nerve repairs and lymphatic surgery, which together represent over one million procedures annually in the U.S. and Europe alone.

“Microsurgery and supermicrosurgery – as a tool, technique and discipline – continue to evolve. The use of robotics holds great promise to advance the specialty of microsurgery and improve care for patients affected by trauma, cancer, congenital malformations and even chronic conditions such as lymphedema,” commented L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, FAOA, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of the Plastic Surgery Division at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

“We are proud to bring this innovation to European patients and look forward to enabling surgeons worldwide to address challenging procedures on extremely small anatomy with increased precision, reproducibility and efficiency,” said Hannah Teichmann, co-founder and Vice President of Clinical Development of MMI.

About MMI

Medical Microinstruments S.p.A. (MMI) was founded in 2015 near Pisa, Italy to enhance surgical performance through the development of a robotic system that enables surgeons to achieve better outcomes in microsurgery. The Symani Surgical System combines proprietary innovations including the world’s smallest wristed microinstruments as well as tremor-reducing and motion scaling technologies. Together, these powerful capabilities allow more surgeons to perform microsurgery while expanding the field of supermicrosurgery. MMI is backed by international medtech investors including Andera Partners, Panakes Partners, Fountain Healthcare Partners and Sambatech.

Dr. Levin serves as a medical advisor to the company and has received financial compensation from Medical Microinstruments S.p.A. 

The MMI system for robotic microsurgery is currently only commercially available in the European Economic Area. www.mmimicro.com

SOURCE MMI SpA

The post MMI SpA Launches Breakthrough Technology in Robotic Microsurgery appeared first on Medika Life.

The CARTO® 3 System and THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® SF Catheter allow for a patient-tailored ablation approach, resulting in high long-term effectiveness in persistent atrial fibrillation patients*

Date of Release: Oct. 6, 2020

IRVINE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies^** today announced the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Biosense Webster, Inc.’s THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH^® SF Ablation Catheter for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (persistent AF).^† The approval is based on results of a prospective, multi-center study (PRECEPT) which met primary safety and effectiveness endpoints and demonstrated 80 percent of persistent AF patients experienced clinical success at 15 months after ablation therapy using the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter with the CARTO VISITAG™ Module.^‡1,2 In addition, patients experienced clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life and the study showed significant reduction in healthcare resource utilization post-ablation.^1,2

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant public health issue affecting the health of millions of people and placing a critical burden on healthcare systems. Persistent AF is defined as continuous AF that lasts for more than seven days and up to one year. The management of persistent AF aims to prevent AF recurrence and associated disabilities while reducing side effects from treatment.

“Every patient and every arrhythmia are unique,” said Dr. Francis Marchlinski***, Director of Electrophysiology, University of Pennsylvania Health System. “This approval and the PRECEPT data provide evidence to support a tailored approach using the CARTO^® 3 System and THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter to treat persistent AF patients, who are more at risk for stroke and other complications from their AF.”

The PRECEPT study is the first prospective, multi-center investigational device exemption study designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation in patients with persistent AF, and was conducted using the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter. Results of the PRECEPT study demonstrated 80 percent of persistent AF patients experienced clinical success at 15 months after ablation therapy and 86 percent experienced freedom from repeat procedures at 15 months.³ The CARTO 3 System and THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter allow for a patient-tailored ablation approach, resulting in high long-term effectiveness in a more advanced persistent AF patient group (continuous AF > 7 days < 1 year).^*2

Radiofrequency ablation with the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter led to a clinically meaningful improvement in Quality of Life (QOL), as well as a reduction in antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) use, cardioversion and hospitalization in persistent AF patients.^§3

“Persistent AF patients face a higher risk of complications such as stroke, heart failure, and death,” said Uri Yaron, Worldwide President of Biosense Webster, Inc. “This approval and data from the PRECEPT study help to further our commitment to advancing AF treatment, providing electrophysiologists with state-of-the-art options for their patients.”

The PRECEPT study enrolled a total of 381 patients with documented symptomatic persistent AF who did not respond or were intolerant of one or more AADs (Class I or III). The study was conducted at 27 sites across the United States and Canada.¹ The primary effectiveness endpoint was freedom from documented recurrence of atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia episodes of 30 seconds or longer and freedom from additional five failure modes: acute procedural failure, use of a non-study catheter, repeat procedures, use of new/higher dose antiarrhythmic drugs, surgical AF ablation.¹ A tailored ablation strategy was used, allowing for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and additional left atrial ablations (PVI+) at the operator’s discretion based on the patient’s disease state.¹ The study resulted in a 4.7 percent primary adverse event (PAE) rate which is comparable to PAE rates reported in paroxysmal AF studies using CF-sensing RF catheters.^4,5,6

About Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and affects nearly one percent of the population.⁷ During AF, the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, beat rapidly or in an uncontrolled manner, which can feel like a flutter. When the heart beats erratically, it does not pump blood as efficiently as it should. When oxygen is not being properly delivered to all parts of the body, the patient may feel ill or experience other AF symptoms. AF may not be life-threatening; however, it is important to seek treatment to control the symptoms, as AF can lead to stroke.

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a cardiologist or electrophysiologist can determine whether ablation is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks including bleeding, swelling or bruising at the catheter insertion site, and infection. More serious complications are rare, which can include damage to the heart or blood vessels; blood clots (which may lead to stroke); heart attack; or death. These risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.

About Biosense Webster, Inc.

Biosense Webster, Inc. is the global market leader in the science and technology behind the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, the specialized medical-technology company is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and works across the world to advance the tools and solutions that help electrophysiologists identify, treat, and deliver care. Learn more at www.biosensewebster.com and connect on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies

As the world’s most comprehensive medical devices business, we are building on a century of experience, merging science and technology, to shape the future of health and benefit even more people around the world. With our unparalleled breadth, depth and reach across surgery, orthopedics, vision and interventional solutions, we’re working to profoundly change the way care is delivered. We are in this for life. For more information, visit www.jnjmedicaldevices.com.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH^® SF Ablation Catheter. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Biosense Webster, Inc., any of the other Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in the company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither Biosense Webster, Inc., the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

*In a prospective, multicenter study (PRECEPT, n=333) protocol defined primary effectiveness was the freedom from documented AF/AT/AFL recurrence ≥30 s.
^† The THERMOCOOL SMARTOUCH® SF Catheter is indicated for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) (continuous AF > 7 days but < 1 year), refractory or intolerant to at least 1 Class I or III AAD, when used with the CARTO® 3 System.
^‡ In a prospective, multicenter study (PRECEPT, n=333) where clinical success is defined as freedom from documented symptomatic AF/AT/AFL recurrence.
^§ In a prospective, multicenter study (PRECEPT, n=333), improvements based on mean AFEQT composite and subscores seen from 6– 15 months, exceeding Clinically Important Difference (±5 points). Class I/III AAD use was reduced from 97% to 25%, incidence of cardioversion decreased from 62% to 10%, and the 15–month Kaplan–Meier estimate of freedom from hospitalization was 84%.
**Comprising the surgery, orthopedics, vision and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment
***Dr. Marchliniski is a paid consultant to Biosense Webster, Inc.

¹ Mansour M, Calkins H, Osorio J, et al. Persistent atrial fibrillation ablation with a contact force sensing catheter: the prospective multicenter PRECEPT trial. Presented at: Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session Virtual Meeting; May 2020.
² Mansour M, Calkins H, Osorio J, et al. Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation with Contact Force–Sensing Catheter. J Am Coll Cardiol EP. 2020 Aug, 6 (8) 958-969.
³ Natale A, Calkins H, Osorio J, et al. (2020). Positive Clinical Benefit on Patient Care, Quality of Life and Symptoms After Radiofrequency Ablation with Contact Force in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Analyses from PRECEPT. Poster presentation at the European Society of Cardiology Scientific Session, August 29 – September 2, 2020.
⁴ PRECEPT IDE G140102.
⁵ Natale A, Reddy VY, Monir G, et al. Paroxysmal AF catheter ablation with a contact force sensing catheter: results of the prospective, multicenter SMART-AF trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(7):647-656.
⁶ Chinitz LA, Melby DP, Marchlinski FE, et al. Safety and efficiency of porous-tip contact-force catheter for drug-refractory symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation: results from the SMART SF trial. Europace. 2018;20(FI_3):f392-f400.
⁷ Johan E.P. Waktare, MB, ChB, MRCP, Atrial Fibrillation, AHA Journals.org.

© Biosense Webster, Inc. 2020   151997-200904

SOURCE Biosense Webster, Inc.

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DATE OF RELEASE: Aug. 13, 2020

MOSCOW/PRNewswire/ — A bioactive polymer-ceramic composite for fixing implants and restoring bone defects in the skull was developed by an international group of materials scientists from the NUST MISIS Center for Composite Materials. An innovative composition of the material based on eggshell-derived bioceramic provides increased strength and biointegration of implants. The results of the work were published in the international scientific journal Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic polymer used by surgeons as a “bone cement” due to its self-curing and strength properties. But this material is bioinert by its nature, therefore it has weak chemical and biological interactions with living tissues and hardly integrates with bones.

Scientists are actively investigating PMMA to “optimize” it for wider application in various biomedical fields, for example, ensuring reliable fixation of artificial joints/implants, dental fixators, closure of cranial defects in various injuries, etc.

The team of the NUST MISIS Center for Composite Materials has solved this problem by modifying polymethyl methacrylate adding diopside, a material from the category of silicate bioceramics. It is known for such properties as lack of toxicity to living cells, biodegradability and the ability to stimulate osteogenesis – the formation of bone tissue on its surface.

“Eggshells have health benefits such as bone mineralization and growth, treatment of osteoporosis and are therefore used as a bone graft. We have adopted a cost-effective approach to recycling biowaste to improve the quality of life for patients with bone disease. For the production of composites, diopside obtained from eggshells was used,” says Inna Bulygina, co-author of the study, an iPhD student in Biomaterial Science at NUST MISIS.

The developers proposed to optimize the material by adding bioactive ceramics to the PMMA polymer matrix.

“As a result, we got a porous composite PMMA/diopside material, which was produced by the solvent casting method. During the experiments, we tried different proportions of diopside – 25%, 50% and 75%,” added Rajan Choudhary, one of the authors of the development, PostDoc at NUST MISIS.

According to the scientist, the process of bone formation and resorption is known to be regulated by several agents, including growth factors, proteins and hormones. At the same time, various ions, such as phosphorus, calcium, strontium, magnesium and silicon dioxide, are involved in the regeneration, mineralization and metabolism of bones, and it is these elements that ensure the introduction of diopside into the composite.

“The samples containing 50% diopside have shown the best result – they have demonstrated a 4-fold increase in compressive strength, and after 4 weeks of in vitro testing have shown a good ability to deposit bone minerals on their surface. At the same time, we have found that the mechanical properties of the obtained porous composites correspond to the properties of the spongy bone of the human body,” added Rajan Choudhary.

According to scientists, waste from agricultural and food industries can be used for the industrial production of surgical material. However, collection, cleaning and recycling will require separate waste collection.

Currently, the developers are completing a series of laboratory tests of the samples obtained.

Source: https://en.misis.ru/university/news/misc/2020-08/6889/

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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center, Los Robles Health System perform near simultaneous implantation of WATCHMAN FLX™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC)

DATE OF RELEASE: Aug. 7, 2020

AUSTIN, Texas /PRNewswire/ — On Aug. 5, 2020, physicians at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, and Los Robles Health System in Thousand Oaks, California, became the first in the nation to implant the only FDA-approved device for the reduction of stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (A Fib). The physicians at these hospitals, both HCA Healthcare facilities, performed near simultaneous implantation of the WATCHMAN FLX^TM Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC).

Andrea Natale, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C., F.E.S.C., cardiac electrophysiologist and executive medical director of TCAI, and Saibal Kar, M.D., interventional cardiologist at Los Robles Health System, performed the first procedure in Thousand Oaks, California, while Rodney Horton, M.D., cardiac electrophysiologist at TCAI, performed the first case in Austin, Texas. Additionally, Dr. Kar was the principal investigator for the preclinical PINNACLE FLX trial prior to FDA approval, which evaluated the performance of the WATCHMAN FLX device as an alternative to long-term, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and other oral anticoagulant medications.

“The new device is built upon the most studied and implanted LAAC device in the world as a treatment option for people with A Fib not caused by a heart valve problem, also known as non-valvular A Fib,” Dr. Kar said. “It allows us to help treat more patients safely and effectively to ensure the best outcomes.”

Up to six million Americans are estimated to be affected by A Fib, an irregular heartbeat that feels like a quivering heart. People with A Fib have a five times greater risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms.

“This device serves as a safe and effective alternative to reduce the risk of stroke for patients with non-valvular A Fib, especially those with a compelling reason not to be on blood thinners,” Dr. Horton said.

This technology is designed to reduce the risk of stroke by permanently closing off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the bloodstream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking blood thinners, such as warfarin.

“The rounded design allows us to safely enter, and maneuver within, the LAA, resulting in optimal placement and long-term stability,” Dr. Natale said. “It is also available in broader size options than the previous generation device, which allows us to treat a wider range of patients.”

The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.

Media Contacts:
Erin Ochoa
St. David’s HealthCare
EOchoa@EChristianPR.com
512-788-1616

Daphne Yousem
Los Robles Health System
805-390-7111
Daphne.Yousem@HCAHealthcare.com

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