Almost exactly 100 years ago in 1920, hot on the heels of the discovery of x-rays by German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, a new machine was introduced into shoe shops across the globe. Called the Fluoroscope or Pedosscope(UK) the device was essentially a portable x-ray machine with a singular and rather ingenious purpose.

The idea was brilliant. Customers could try on a new pair of shoes and pop their freshly shod feet into the Fluoroscope box. The device would then produce an x-ray image of your feet inside the shoes. People were obviously fascinated by the technology and the novelty aspect of the machine made it an overnight winner. After all, no one wants to buy shoes that don’t fit properly. An estimated 10,000 machines were sold in the US, 3,000 in the UK, 1,500 in Switzerland, and 1,000 in Canada before authorities began discouraging their use.

Today we know the dangers of continued exposure to x-rays. In the 1920’s we didn’t. What we had instead, in the 1920s, was a new breakthrough in technology that we bravely (foolishly) embraced with little or no concern for the wider safety implications of the technology. If history is anything to go by, the lessons we should have learned from the Fluoroscope and numerous other then-emergent technologies which now litter scientific literature, were lost. 

Even after the dangers of the Fluoroscope and exposure to radiation were highlighted, the devices persisted in many shoe shops in the US until the mid-1970s, with many choosing to ignore the health warnings associated with prolonged exposure to x-rays. To this day, shoe companies deny any liability for the introduction of the machines.

In reality though, how dangerous was the Fluoroscope? This breakdown of the radiation provided by the devices, courtesy of Wikipedia, offers some insight.

Large variations in dose were possible depending on the machine design, displacement of the shielding materials, and the time and frequency of use. Radiation surveys showed that American machines delivered an average of 13 roentgen (r) (roughly 0.13 sievert (Sv) of equivalent dose in modern units) to the customer’s feet during a typical 20-second viewing, with one capable of delivering 116 r (~1 Sv) in 20 seconds. British Pedoscopes were about ten times less powerful. A customer might try several shoes in a day, or return several times in a year, and radiation dose effects may be cumulative. 

For perspective, a dose of 300 r can cause growth disturbance in a child, and 600 r can cause erythema in an adult. Hands and feet are fortunately relatively resistant to other forms of radiation damage, such as carcinogenesis, but spare a thought for the operators of these devices who were effectively exposed to massive doses of daily radiation.

What does this have to with my DNA?

Great question and if you haven’t joined the dots yet, allow me. Science has been seriously experimenting with DNA-based medications for well over a decade and in many ways, these medicines are seen as a holy grail by the medical community. With good reason. Many diseases stem from gene combinations gone wrong and our ability to deliver treatment at this level will quite literally revolutionize medicine.

Identifying and isolating faulty genes and our ability to turn on or turn off switches in our genetic coding could mean the end of many diseases we have been previously unable to treat effectively. Most promising in the emergent field of DNA-based medicines is the ability of science to produce treatments specific to an individual. No more hit and miss, but something that’s been built and designed just for you. A treatment that can be deployed within a few days, and that, most importantly, is cost-effective. 

In the above scenario, the patient is the clear beneficiary. Covid accelerated the development and deployment of exactly these types of medicine. mRNA vaccines deliver nano-particle encapsulated genetic instructions directly to our cells. For many patients with co-morbidities and the aged, these vaccines were, and remain, a god-send. 

There is however a need to embrace our newfound mastery of the body’s DNA with extreme and urgent caution. Unlike the Fluorscope that may have caused cancerous lesions in a few feet and rendered a few operators barren, DNA is universal and our current understanding of the technology and its encompassing risks rival that of the early x-ray. We are at the dawn of new technology, and if history has taught us anything, circumspection and caution are called for.

Currently, there are no DNA overlords. There is no national or global oversight of the impacts of these medicines on us, no specific guidelines, or rigorous safety mechanisms to ensure that we are not exposed to the devastating side effects of future treatments gone wrong. 

As of now, we are celebrating our initial medical successes and as I write this, new medications are being prepared or have already been released into the market. Medicines that target our cell structures and DNA and as with the Fluoroscope, we are assured the whole process is completely safe. In fact, why not get your child to try it out? 

I for one, would rather my child were barefoot for a while.

The post The Fluoroscope Serves as a Warning for New Medical Technology 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.

How does mRNA work and what is it?

mRNA medicines are sets of instructions and these instructions direct cells in the body to make proteins to prevent or fight disease. The m stands for messenger and RNA is ribonucleic acid, a part of our DNA. mRNA is a single-stranded molecule that carries genetic code from DNA in a cell’s nucleus to ribosomes, the cell’s protein-making machinery.

Without mRNA, your genetic code would never get used by your body. Proteins would never get made and your body wouldn’t (actually couldn’t) perform its functions. mRNA plays a vital role in human biology, specifically in a process known as protein synthesis. Rather than subjecting you to a long-winded explanation of exactly how mRNA functions, this video provides an excellent overview. 

What really matters is what these mechanisms have to do with medicine and how our mastery of nanoparticles has enabled science to manipulate processes at a level hitherto unachievable. The following is an overly simplified explanation to enable you to appreciate the potential of these new medicines. We don’t know how our cellphones work, but we appreciate the benefits they offer.

mRNA, DNA, and your body

Our DNA is ground zero for our bodies. Everything that happens inside us arguably originates in our DNA. It is the machine that powers our bodies and like all machines, is subject to breakages and manufacturing flaws. These can exhibit as diseases later in life, cancer, etc, or conditions that are genetic and affect a person at birth.

mRNA medicines provide us a mechanism to access the actual DNA machinery that regulates our health. Targetted solutions that can repair and address problems right at the source, at ground zero. 

mRNA medicines depend on really small nanoparticles to deliver the medicine’s payload or instructions. Solid lipid nanoparticles provide transport and measure anywhere from 1 to 1000 nanometres. To give you an idea of their scale, imagine this. 

In the International System of Units, the prefix “nano” means one-billionth; so one nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. It’s difficult to imagine just how small that is, so here are some examples: 

•  A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick. 
• A strand of hair is 80,000 –100,000 nanometers in diameter. 
• There are 25,400,000 nanometers per inch. 
• Your fingernails grow about one nanometer per second!

It turns out these solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNP’s) are hugely important to the development of mRNA medicines and we’ve been tinkering with them since the early ’90s. The body easily accepts them without risk of rejection as companies now focus on the use of physiological lipids. They offer the perfect carrier.

The first drug using SLNP’s as a delivery mechanism, Onpattro was approved in 2018. You can read more about their delivery system for this drug here and as we all now know, in late 2020, several life-saving mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 were released. Moderna’s mRNA-1273 and Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2, also use lipid nanoparticles for their drug delivery system.

mRNA medicines have finally truly “arrived”. Their development over nearly three decades is a testament to open scientific collaboration, innovation, and sheer perseverance. The question now is what else can we use this novel technology for, and how can we use it to address disease?

Looking to tomorrow

Imagine the potential for being able to address diseases and genetic “glitches” at their root. Unborn children with identified genetic abnormalities could be born as healthy infants, thanks to early interventions made possible with these medicines.

Cancers and other diseases are currently being explored, to see how we can apply these drugs. High on the list are autoimmune disorders, a natural starting point after the success of the vaccine, and the technology’s established ability to impact the immune system. Recently, a team led by Ugur Sahin has designed an mRNA vaccine that can restore tolerance to myelin proteins in mice, reducing the severity of multiple sclerosis-like symptoms, while maintaining the immune response towards other antigens.

On the subject of mRNA Cancer Vaccines, a recent article in PubMed suggests another novel application for mRNA. Apart from being used directly to vaccinate patients, mRNAs can also be used in cellular therapies to transfect patient-derived cells in vitro and infuse the manipulated cells back into the patient. The technology is so rapid and cost-effective that it can be tailored to individual patients and their particular genetic code.

mRNA may be on course to do for modern medicine what Flemming’s penicillin did for healthcare in the early twentieth century. It holds out huge promise that may, for now, only be limited by existing technology and our ability to innovate. Watch this space.

The post Is mRNA Technology the New Penicillin? appeared first on Medika Life.

We’ve got vaccines. Getting vaccinated is another matter.

It is amazing how one aspect of our response to COVID-19 appears fueled by light-speed technology, while another seems to be powered by a spinning hamster wheel. It’s curious that we can do great things in the lab to save lives, but we can’t effectively or efficiently coordinate the delivery of information, care, or medicines to consumers.

It’s part of a pattern that shows not enough thought has been given to the most basic coordination of information. After almost 11 months of dealing with the virus, we are still scrambling. At the outset of the pandemic, it was a mad dash to secure personal protective equipment for our frontline healthcare providers, essential workers, and households. Then we saw a run on toilet paper and other supermarket supplies, with the images of empty store shelves a stark reminder of how demand could quickly outstrip the capacity of our supply chains. Now, we are confounded by the frustration of scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments or having them canceled when there isn’t enough vaccine to administer.

Bottom line: our health information and delivery systems are not structured to prioritize consumers. Trying to secure a vaccine appointment is like swimming upstream, a tension-generating reminder of the fact that the health system isn’t set up to cater to patients.

Health system communications aren’t even modern. “It’s no secret that many providers and payers relied heavily on the use of fax machines and printed documentation,” said Paul Joiner, chief operating officer of health information network Availity, in a recent interview with Healthcare IT News. As the pandemic “disrupted operations for payers and providers, with many employees and staff members working from home, the willingness to collaborate advanced significantly,” Joiner added. “The old way of sending transactions, clinical documentation, and policy changes transformed overnight.”

And yet, many doctors continue to defend the use of the fax machine, citing HIPAA regulations and concerns of malware or ransomware. This continues to act as a stumbling block in an ailing system, where information needs to be put to active use directing and supporting action as part of an interventional medical care movement that people with health risks desperately need. People are at risk of dying, yet fax machines putt-putt along, alive and well.

What keeps consumers and patients from life-extending essentials is a failure of coordinating and communicating information; in a sense, weaponizing it against disease. Effectively sharing information helped power the innovation that resulted in novel vaccines. However, failing to coordinate how information is inputted, accessed, and applied fuels the anxiety we’re all feeling right now as people who should be protected from Covid-19 — those with life-threatening medical conditions, schoolteachers, people 65 and older, and others — struggle to get vaccinated.

Driving innovation is not the underlying problem; it is organizing information.

Most product shortages are created by poor planning colliding with public need, or worse, people panicking. Forget about moving pills, ampules, or devices on massive pallets from around the world to patients’ hospital bedsides. We have to reimagine how we move people’s medical information off paper charts and onto cloud-based systems so that health professionals — from providers to epidemiologists — can better serve patients with the needed level of coordination and urgency.

Now, as we rebuild our economic system, we have the opportunity to revisit how we coordinate the organization and delivery of healthcare that comprises 18 percent of the United States gross domestic product (GDP).

If we rally our information, tech muscle, and energies toward this one public health challenge alone, it will translate into billions in savings from reduced hospital costs, physician visits, and insurance bills, lifting the burden on taxpayers — both employers and families. It will also save people’s lives.

Remove the Information Sword of Damocles From Patient Care

To incentivize overhauling our health information systems, we need to make medical information available to consumers. That means upping the ante on cybersecurity to protect consumers and advance their health needs. It does not mean using data against them by denying consumers long-term care and coverage.

Many people shy away from confronting health challenges or sharing their personal data for fear their medical records will be held over them like the sword of Damocles. Is penalizing people for being unhealthy at one stage in their life journey worth punishing them in the future? Isn’t helping them to get healthy the ultimate win-win-win, reducing costs and waste and keeping them alive longer?

Information cannot be a vehicle for medical exclusion but should be a means to create healthier people and provide them with better, well-coordinated care.

Let us look at COVID-19 as a wake-up call. At some point, employers and insurers will find that encouraging self-care and disease intervention is a savvy, responsible business model. Digital health tools are readily available to support this. Telemedicine, health apps, remote monitoring tools, and other AI-based technologies contribute to healthier people who can access targeted medicines and individualized dosing.

It may be anathema to the holders of the system’s information keys to place consumers in the driver’s seat of wellness and self-care by giving them access to their own information. That’s got to change. “You cannot deliver on the promise of digital transformation with traditional IT,” reminds Edward W. Marx, chief digital officer, Tech Mahindra Health & Life Sciences, who also served as the chief information officer at Cleveland Clinic.

While we remember our supermarket runs for toilet paper, continue to stockpile masks and gloves, and struggle to set up our appointments for vaccination, we need to look beyond these snafus at what drives the system — information. COVID-19 reinforces that information technology is the foundation for countless public health solutions. It’s time we acted on that realization.

The post Reimagining the Healthcare Economy Through Information appeared first on Medika Life.

Not unlike how the Internet we use today outpaced dialup. But if you work in the medical field in America, chances are fairly likely that even if you haven’t used a fax machine yourself in the last decade, that you have at least walked past one on your daily rounds.

If you’re asking yourself why that is, you’re not alone. It is a question that has asked by many over the decade. Especially if we consider the massive evolutions in medicine in the past few years, such as using computer vision to detect melanoma or Artificial Intelligence to diagnose breast cancer, it is reasonable to wonder why these emerging technologies co-exist with ones that have been gathering dust in other industries.

The benefits outweigh the costs of going digital.

Depending on who you ask, the fax machine is still relevant in medicine for a number of reasons — from IT security to HIPAA compliance and other regulations. The same argument could be made for going back to paper for all medical records. While it may be a lot harder to conduct a widespread ‘hack’ of a patient’s paper records than an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), it is safe to say that the benefits have outweighed the costs of going digital.

No system is perfect, of course, but the introduction of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and EMRs has provided numerous benefits to both medical professionals and patients. EHRs help support improved patient outcomes — from improved safety to error reduction, the gains are many. A survey of medical providers found that 94% found that EHRs make records more readily available. The survey of patients found further benefits in improved care, from increased access to medical care to a reduction in prescription error.

For all of the arguments in favor of fax as a more ‘secure’ and ‘private’ means of transferring clinical data, there are probably as many points of evidence pointing to the flaws in the system. The list of data breaches associated with medical records being sent to the wrong fax number, for example, probably outnumbers the number of pages in the fax machine at your local provider.

Legacy systems are still en vogue in the healthcare sector in the United States and may still be for some time. Regulatory systems and the judicial system advance at a much slower rate than the fast-paced industry that is technology. However, given the recent constraints on the medical field brought on by the pandemic, we are overdue for the widespread adoption of newer technology.

Telemedicine makes medicine more accessible for Doctors and their patients. It is important we utilize technology, of course, after accounting for the potential risks and doing our due diligence to mitigate them. This is no easy task, but its one we must undertake to help improve the industry, for everyone’s sake.

The post Why Do We Still Use Fax Machines In Medicine? appeared first on Medika Life.

6. Can your Smart Watch do this?

Researchers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and the Stanford School of Medicine have developed a smartwatch that uses electrochemical analysis to track levels of a drug in the body by analyzing a patient’s sweat.

The watch works by stimulating sweat glands in the underlying skin through an electric current. The device can then analyze the sweat and can identify the electrochemical signature of specific drugs using a voltammetric sensing interface. The result is real-time continuous measurement of drug levels.

“This technology is a game-changer and a significant step forward for realizing personalized medicine,” said Ronald W. Davis, aresearcher involved in the study.

“Emerging pharmacogenomic solutions, which allow us to select drugs based on the genetic makeup of individuals, have already shown to be useful in improving the efficacy of treatments. So, in combination with our wearable solution, which helps us to optimize the drug dosages for each individual, we can now truly personalize our approaches to pharmacotherapy.”

You can read more about the research behind the project here.  Noninvasive wearable electroactive pharmaceutical monitoring for personalized therapeutics

5. Meet Thinklabs One. a Covid friendly Stethoscope

We’re not too sure about this one. Nothing says, “Trust me, I’m a Doctor” quite like a stethoscope dangling around your neck. It is however pandemic season and given that, this redesign of the classic stethoscope may just take off. It also kicks some serious butt when it comes to amplification and the Thinklabs One is a lot more than just a stethoscope.

One of the devices patients immediately associate with check-ups is the stethoscope – a tool not only for assessment, but for bringing a sense of connection between doctors and patients. Thinklabs Medical has created leading electronic stethoscope technology, which the company believes has helped mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Clive Smith, the CEO and Founder of the company, was the inventor behind designing the electronic stethoscope: Thinklabs One, the company claims, is the smallest and most powerful stethoscope in the healthcare industry with over 100X amplification, compared to a typical acoustic stethoscope. Since it has a standard headphone jack, small off-the shelf Bluetooth transmitters can be used to connect to it and beam auscultation sounds from the patient to the doctor’s headphones.

During the ongoing pandemic, the two can stay at a distance from each other while the physician guides the patient where to position the puck-like stethoscope on the body, all while wearing headphones and listening to the results. The product is obviously perfect for telemedcine and pandemic scenarios and even hooks into your smartphone via an app. Brilliant.

In terms of specifications, this high end piece of simplified tech really delivers.

• Amplification: More than 100x
• Audio Filters: 5 bandpass filters
• Display: Volume, filter, battery LED scale
• Output signal level: Low impedance headphone driver, 3V p-p
• Power input: 5V DC (USB charger compatible)
• Power source: Internal lithium ion cell
• Battery Capacity: > 120 patient exams per charge (2 minutes per patient)
• Transducer: Thinklabs’ patented electromagnetic diaphragm
• Connector: 4-conductor 3.5 mm jack
• Dimensions: 46mm x 28mm
• Weight: 50 g

This post is too short to do the Thinklabs One justice and we highly recommend stopping off at the Thinklabs site to learn more or to order the stethoscope. It is one of the few items in this list that is already commercially available.

4. With Baby? An at home Ultrasound Device for moms

If you’re an Obgyn this one’s for you! PulseNmore At-Home Tele-Ultrasound for Pregnant Women has just launched and we love it. How are you not going to spend the entire day on the couch at home taking ultrasound selfies? Obviously, there are a huge range of medicla benefits to the product as well.

A new device has just been unveiled by PulseNmore, an Israeli firm, that allows patients to perform ultrasound exams themselves and share the results immediately with their sonographers or physicians.

The device is a dock for a smartphone, the bottom being the ultrasound transducer. An app on the smartphone provides training and guidance to the patient so that a scan is performed to achieve high-quality results. Captured images are then shared with the patient’s clinical team and those can be used to guide further decisions.

The people behind PulseNmore hope that the new tele-ultrasound will help clinicians to provide optimal care for their patients while reducing the chance of viral transmission. Israel’s largest HMO, Clalit Health Services, which has over 4 million members, has signed a contract to provide tens of thousands of PulseNmore devices to pregnant women under its management.

To see just how cool this product is, watch the video below.

“At home tele-ultrasound scanning is a major leap forward in digital medicine and prenatal health,” added Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein, Founder and CEO of PulseNmore. “We have successfully miniaturized the traditional ultrasound system to create a solution that is both affordable and accessible for expectant families. According to Clalit, pregnant women pay “false” visits to the emergency room more than twice on average with concerns about their baby’s well-being. Our solution provides vital information to healthcare providers to determine if a baby is healthy, helping expectant mothers have peace of mind at home and avoid unnecessary visits to the ER.”

It doesn’t seem as though the product is commercially available yet outside of Israel, but here’s the link to the PulseNmore website that offers email for inquiries.

3. Tron 2.0. Never mind wearing tech, now we can embed it on the skin.

Okay, so you cant buy this to use at home, not yet anyway, but if you don’t think this is awesome, then you probably shouldn’t be reading this article. Drawing Biomedical Electronics directly onto skin is rapidly becoming a reality and will be lifesaving for some patients.

A team of researchers at the University of Houston has developed a way to simply write electronic circuits, including different kinds of body sensors, directly onto the skin. Using this approach, the scientists have created fully functional sensing systems that can measure, with great accuracy and few artifacts, things such as skin hydration, electrophysiological signals, and body temperature.

Other sensors still need to be developed using this technique, but once they’re designed there should simply be a template that the user can follow to generate new ones.

The data obtained using the new sensors seem to be almost completely unaffected by movement, potentially allowing, for the first time, the gathering of highly accurate biomedical data when individuals are performing strenuous physical activities.

One more potential use of this technology is on and around wounds. Running electricity through the inks helps to speed up healing, something the University of Houston researchers have already demonstrated in experiments. Color us impressed.

Follow the progress of this amazing team via the University of Houston website

2. Nothing says you’ve arrived quite like own portable CT Scanner

Wheel this bad boy into a patients room to really make an impression. Siemens’ Somatom On.site portable CT head Scanner has just been FDA cleared.The device can be easily brought directly into patient rooms thanks to its powered wheels and an on-board battery. It evens features inbuilt cameras for parking and hallway navigation!

Normally, patients have to be moved to the CT scanner, wherever it may be in the hospital. With the SOMATOM On.site, patients that need head scans do not have to be unnecessarily disturbed, reducing the potential for injury and further aggravation of a condition during transport. Moreover, since only one person is required to move the new CT scanner from room to room, fewer clinical staff are tied up than when moving a bedridden patient.

On the front of the scanner there’s a built-in camera that lets the person moving it see what’s ahead, helping to avoid people and objects on the way.

Once ready for scanning, the headboard under the patient can be removed and the head positioned inside the scanner. A head holder and shoulder board on the scanner assist in getting the proper alignment for scanning. No cables or tubes that are attached to the patient need be removed for a successful scan.

After the exam, scans are automatically passed to the hospital’s radiological image database and a radiologist can review them right away.

“The SOMATOM On.site transforms the delivery of care for critically ill patients who require a CT head scan,” said Douglas Ryan, VP of Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthineers North America, in the announcement. “The system delivers reliable and consistent image quality demanded by healthcare professionals in the ICU, neurology, and radiology departments. Additionally, bedside imaging helps to reduce patient transports, thereby reducing the risk of infection while improving workforce efficiency.”

Got to have one? You can order it right here from Siemens. SOMATOM On.site

1. If you’re going Mask up, this is how you do it!

They’re annoying, butt ugly, uncomfortable, itchy, sweaty and did we mention ugly? If you’re tired of relying on your eyes to attract a date in public, there is now finally hope. Leaf has come to our rescue with a stylish new range of N99 Masks that are not only transparent, they’re also so cool you wont want to take them off.

Leaf – Self-Sterilizing, Transparent N99+ Mask; face unlocks smartphones and so much more.This mask is our number 1 choice for new tech. It shows how a combination of tech, design and great marketing can add value and we absolutely love it.

From a medical point of view, if you’re engaged with Covid patients, then Leaf is the obvious choice, without a doubt, in terms of the protection it offers. They don’t just make the mask Leaf has also got you covered in terms of sterilizing your goodies, from your laptop to your cell phone, using the Leaf Dock shown below.

 Leaf’s shell is made of optical grade, soft, fire-retardant, Reusable, self-defogging and UV proof Silicone. LEAF comes in different transparent, translucent and solid colors with 3 variants HEPA, UV and PRO. LEAF-HEPA has the patent pending signature “Leaf” design coupled with U-Series HEPA-filtration, known as the Gold standard of HEPA filtration as small as 0.3 Micron (with 99.9997% Filtration)

LEAF-UV is high performance contained UV-C sterilization built into the rechargeable filter housing destroying pathogens at DNA level at “light” speed and Active-Carbon filtration to eliminate odors & organic substances. With disposable masks raising an impending threat to nature, active sterilization makes the filters to last for up-to a month.

LEAF-PRO adds active ventilation & air quality sensing. LEAF-PRO actively senses, user’s metabolism, particle count on included Air-Manager, Smartphone app, which automatically commands the Sterilization and Ventilation system. Deploying all that cutting-edge tech allows the LEAF PRO to deliver a paramount safe breathing experience. Indeed,the private jet of Face masks

UPDDATE: 19 Dec, 2020. Leaf has now achieved FDA approval and the masks are available to order. Follow the link below. Medika does not profit from or refer readers for financial remuneration.

To learn more about Leaf or to order visit their website. www.leaf.healthcare.

The post I want one! Six of The Coolest New Medical Gadgets on the Market appeared first on Medika Life.