ImpriMed Presents New Research Findings at The Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) Mid-Year Conference
CooperVision Research Advances Understanding of Contact Lens Comfort at ARVO 2022
How Purdue biomedical engineers innovate health care
National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match Implements Comcast Business Wavelength Services to Help Match Cancer Patients With Donors
Emotional bonds with AI digital therapeutic Wysa are equivalent to human therapist relationships
VectorBuilder to expand with $500 million ‘Gene Delivery Research and Manufacturing Campus’
Students Around the Globe Use OcuBall’s Polymer-Based Eye Model to Gain ‘Real Feel’ Practice of Foreign Body Removal
The BA.2 subvariant is a reminder that hygiene can’t fall by the wayside
INTEGRA’s ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot helps to streamline sample pooling for arbovirus testing
SightGlass Vision Joint Venture Begins Operation
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Latest Contact Lens Update Focuses on Wear and Care Compliance
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published Issue 64 of Contact Lens Update, which explores risks associated with lens wear non-compliance and insights to improve patient behaviors. The latest edition and all past issues are available for free at ContactLensUpdate.com. “Practitioners are all too aware of patients who wear their lenses beyond when they should be replaced. Whether due to forgetfulness, an attempt to save money, or otherwise, the challenge is widespread,” said CORE Director Lyndon Jones. “This issue of Contact Lens Update provides evidence that eye care practitioners can use to discuss potential unwelcome impacts with their patients, and provides a new tool to encourage correct replacement schedules.” Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo Desmond Fonn writes the opening editorial. He provides a comprehensive review of the background behind frequent replacement and disposable lens development and evidence on the risks associated with stretching the life of a lens. A feature article from Debarun Dutta, lecturer at Aston University’s School of Optometry, discusses key findings from a paper investigating soft contact lens compliance. He offers valuable insights for clinicians on patients’ perspectives of lens wear and instructions received for aftercare, including advice on how to translate the findings into practice. John Gialousakis, Associate Professor at Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry, recaps his poster presented at a recent American Academy of Optometry meeting. His work investigates whether providing appropriate education to contact lens wearers—including re-education—regarding handling and hygiene may ultimately result in fewer adverse reactions and bad habits. Alison Ng, Clinical Scientist at CORE, provides a useful patient handout that summarizes the clinical impact of stretching lens replacement times. The talk tool, appropriate for in-chair counsel or online use, helps practitioners speak with wearers about how to follow the replacement schedule most appropriate for the lenses they wear. Published six times per year, Contact Lens Update provides a global platform for unbiased clinical insights based in current research. Since 2011, each issue has provided dependable and up-to-date ocular health information for more than 60,000 leading eye care professionals. In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues. The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
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INTEGRA’s VOYAGER offers effective pipetting for plant-based transient expression and bacteriocin testing applications (858-21)
Researchers at NOMAD Bioscience GmbH, a German R&D company specializing in plant biotechnology, are taking advantage of the remarkable liquid handling capabilities of INTEGRA’s VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette for the preparation and dispensing of media and gels. Research scientist Birgit Koch explained how she uses the VOYAGER in her work: “My research is focused on molecular cloning, to generate plant virus-based expression vectors that are transferred using agrobacteria into the host plants, and activity testing of the antimicrobial bacteriocins produced via transient transformation. The preparation and dispensing of samples, media and gels are everyday tasks in the lab, and this is where we benefit from the VOYAGER.” “The VOYAGER’s ability to automatically adjust the tip spacing at the press of a button was our main reason for choosing it. The electronic pipette allows the NOMAD team to efficiently pipette volumes between 5 and 125 µl for up to eight channels simultaneously, reducing the number of transfer steps required. Antimicrobial activity testing is where the VOYAGER has helped the most, to decrease the transfer steps. We do a ‘spot-on-lawn’ assay where we pipette drops of our peptide solutions onto bacteria grown on agar gel in square petri dishes (12 x 12 cm) and, if the bacteria are killed, then we know our bacteriocins are active. We also do it the other way around, pipetting bacteria onto an agar containing the bacteriocin, to see whether or not they grow. I used to work a lot with manual single and multichannel pipettes, and it would take me 40 minutes to finish a plate for an activity assay. Now, with the VOYAGER, I’m done within 10 minutes!”
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First cohort of Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute fellows will help plug gaps in hygiene research
The Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute, a not-for-profit foundation launched in 2020 to generate and fund high-quality, scientific research that addresses the links between hygiene and health, today announced the four recipients of its first RGHI Fellowship Program. The fellows’ research will, over the next three years, contribute to filling the current void in health and hygiene research and help to generate better hygiene practises that could save lives. Hygiene, according to the World Health Organization, “refers to conditions and practises that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.” So far, evidence and research on this topic has been lacking, resulting in significant information deficits that have come to the fore amid COVID-19. Handwashing and sanitisation have been key components in the fight against COVID-19, but how often and for how long has been disputed, as has the investment needed to remedy the deficits in hygiene resources. According to the WHO, 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services and 3 billion lack basic hand washing facilities. “Hygiene is foundational to health and the way we consider hygiene measures needs to be realigned. An increase in evidence around hygiene would help to change policy and prevent people from contracting other diseases,” said Simon Sinclair, Executive Director, RGHI. Poor sanitation and hygiene can lead to other infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. Over 525,000 children under five die each year as a result of diarrhoea. Generating information on the intersection between health and hygiene, Simon Sinclair said, is vital to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of populations worldwide both amid COVID-19 and beyond. RGHI is focussed on plugging a significant gap in the health research space and improving access to information that will bridge epidemiology, public health, and behaviour change. The aim is to help inform the global health agenda while leading to the adoption of better and more sustainable hygienic practises globally. Selected through an open competitive process, the Institute will support the Fellows as they research topics from how to improve hygiene norms in health care facilities, communities, and schools to how a poultry management intervention in Bangladesh might reduce exposure to poultry faeces. The four fellows will receive up to three years full time salary, $150,000 in research costs, $15,000 for travel expenses and $15,000 for training and capacity building. Ian Ross, Research Fellow in WASH Economics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine commented: “It is fascinating that behaviours which seem so simple, such as handwashing with soap, are actually quite hard to encourage. For economists, a key question is how to invest scarce resources to most efficiently improve outcomes. Efficiency depends hugely on whether uptake and adherence to behaviours are achieved. The fact that so little attention has been given to economic evaluation of hygiene interventions made me want to investigate this.” Applications are already open for the 2022 fellowship. Those with up to five years of experience post-PhD and researchers already employed by a university or academic research institute are encouraged to apply. Research topics of interest to RGHI include basic research, clinical investigation, epidemiology, behavioural science, sociology, health economics and engineering. https://www.rghi.org/fellowships-2/
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EHS Executives ‘Must Ensure They are Operationally Ready for AI’
Environment, health, and safety executives should ensure they are operationally ready to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects as the benefits of adoption become too great to ignore, a new report from leading independent research and advisory firm Verdantix says. Interest in AI projects is growing as a rise in successful deployments of AI de-risks the technology in the eyes of executives while greater use of cloud infrastructure reduces barriers to entry and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic accelerates companies’ plans. AI can help EHS executives to cut costs and improve performance while offering the opportunity to prioritize value-added initiatives such as preventative safety, Verdantix says. However, executives still face a myriad of challenges in gaining approval for projects. Verdantix’s report Strategic Focus: Improving Health And Safety with AI outlines best practices for getting AI projects off the ground to support EHS teams in implementing AI and understanding the potential of its deployments. It recommends building a business case which comprehensively quantifies all cost benefits which may include environmental impacts, reputational risk, legal repercussions, and insurance premium benefits. Verdantix advises EHS executives who are contemplating AI implementation to fully leverage vendor expertise, supporting material and connections with past customers which may include asking for case studies and learning from previous customers that experienced a similar AI journey. EHS executives need to establish governance from the start of any project including possible remediation and to collect high quality data from a diverse range of sources. They should consider a phased rollout of projects to mitigate risk and gain internal support. Verdantix report author Bill Pennington wrote: “EHS decision-makers can struggle to prove to C-suite executives that EHS technology projects deserve priority in the capital allocation process. This may be due to insufficient quantitative proof that a project is worthwhile, a lack of familiarity with the benefits of the deployment or EHS budgets competing against other departments such as sales, HR, or finance.” The report urges EHS executives to look beyond sales and marketing messaging and warns that artificial intelligence has become a highly misused term within the technology industry. Verdantix Analyst Chris Sayers writes: “This cuts both ways. On the one hand, executives should question whether AI really the best answer to their problem and on the other, whether the solution they’re being sold really does make significant use of the AI, or whether it has just been packaged that way.”
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Study Shows Significant Impact of Novel Omega-3 and Omega-6 Supplement for Severe Dry Eye Disease
A newly-published study conducted by the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) indicates that a novel combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ingested as a dietary supplement significantly improves symptoms in people who suffer from severe dry eye disease. Essential fatty acids are an established therapy, yet this is the first clinical trial to demonstrate the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and γ-linoleic acid in such a population. Effect of a Novel Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Supplement on Dry Eye Disease: A 3-month Randomized Controlled Trial (Ng A, et al) appears in the January 2022 edition (Volume 99, Issue 1) of Optometry and Vision Science, the peer review journal of the American Academy of Optometry. The prospective, randomized, double-masked parallel group study assessed daily use of a supplement containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (1200 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 300 mg docosahexaenoic acid, 150 mg γ-linoleic acid) or the placebo (coconut and olive oil) for three months. Participants with baseline Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores >52 demonstrated a substantial improvement in symptoms with the treatment at the study’s conclusion, averaging a 20.8 point reduction. That compared to a 7.8 point reduction in the similarly-symptomatic placebo group. “These study participants were far more symptomatic than other published trials involving omega-3 supplementation, allowing for additional analysis,” said Alison Ng, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO, CORE clinical scientist and the paper’s first author. “The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop II (TFOS DEWS II) report recommended dietary supplementation with omega-3 as the first stage of management for dry eye disease. Our findings suggest that even the most severe sufferers can benefit from a meaningful improvement in symptoms with omega-3 and -6 supplementation.” Approximately one in eleven people experience dry eye disease. Its prevalence is on the rise, owing to lifestyle changes including increased use of digital screens. Besides the impact on their daily activities, patients with dry eye disease may further experience changes to their vision and quality of life. The paper’s authors recommend that future studies examine the effects of early dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 fatty acids in patients presenting with mild-to-moderate dry eye disease to understand potential benefits. They also advise that further research among highly symptomatic participants is warranted. The study was supported by Nature's Way of Canada.
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Canadian Association of Optometrists Endorses World Council of Optometry Myopia Management Standard of Care Resolution
The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) has endorsed the World Council of Optometry (WCO) myopia management as standard of care resolution. In a position statement, the CAO said that it supports the WCO resolution and endorses evidence-based myopia management as a standard of care for all at-risk patients. The CAO recognizes that myopia is a global public health issue and cannot be considered merely an inconvenience of uncorrected vision. CAO President Dr. Harry Bohnsack said, “Since the World Health Organization’s release of the World Report on Vision in 2019, CAO’s Council has been concerned about the increasing prevalence of myopia globally. The World Council of Optometry’s standard of care for myopia management provided CAO with a foundation upon which to build our position to ensure that all those who are at risk of myopia receive the best preventive and curative eye health and vision care from Canadian optometrists. We are appreciative of Dr. Debbie Jones, clinical professor at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, for her visionary leadership in conceptualizing and drafting this position statement.” The World Council of Optometry and myopia management category leader CooperVision introduced the resolution in April 2021 defining evidence-based standard of care as comprising of three main components: Mitigation : Optometrists educating and counseling parents and children, during early and regular eye exams, on lifestyle, dietary, and other factors to prevent or delay the onset of myopia. Measurement : Optometrists evaluating the status of a patient during regular comprehensive vision and eye health exams, such as measuring refractive error and axial length whenever possible. Management : Optometrists addressing patients’ needs of today by correcting myopia, while also providing evidence-based interventions (e.g., contact lenses, spectacles, pharmaceuticals) that slow the progression of myopia, for improved quality of life and better eye health today and into the future. WCO President-elect Dr. Sandra Block said, “The Canadian Association of Optometrists statement of support reinforces the importance of addressing the shift in how we, as optometrists, address and treat the myopia epidemic. The World Council of Optometry is grateful for CAO’s leadership in bringing this message to Canada and hope similar organizations around the world follow. We are so excited to see that our standard of care resolution is reaching so many and look forward to continuing to address the vision and eye health needs of the world together.” The World Council of Optometry and CooperVision host “Putting It into Practice,” a global virtual event, February 12 featuring professionals in optometry sharing their perspectives on myopia management. Register for the free event at https://worldcouncilofoptometry.info/event/myopia-management-putting-it-into-practice-virtual-event/
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CooperVision Showcases Myopia Control, Ortho-K, and Scleral Contact Lens Leadership at GSLS 2022
Committed to advancing new technologies that improve how eye care professionals (ECPs) deliver clinical care, CooperVision and its Specialty EyeCare unit will present a comprehensive portfolio of products, services and resources at the 2022 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS). Several professional educational sessions will champion the company’s latest contact lens innovations and evidence-based research in myopia control, myopia management, and irregular cornea. The annual event takes place in Las Vegas from January 19-22. “CooperVision is dedicated to creating greater access to life-changing eye care technologies that address even the toughest vision challenges,” said J.C. Aragón, President, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. “Our unmatched portfolio of innovative lens designs for myopia management, irregular cornea, and presbyopia management, empowers eye care professionals to differentiate themselves while positively impacting the lives of their patients.” - Innovations in Myopia Management and Myopia Control With exponential growth in attention surrounding myopia progression in children, CooperVision will emphasize its extensive portfolio of leading contact lenses at GSLS. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about MiSight® 1 day for myopia control*, and Paragon® CRT and iSee® ortho-k lenses for myopia management. The company will also share the recently announced seven-year results from its international MiSight® 1 day clinical study. Mean axial elongation showed no evidence of rebound, meaning that myopia control treatment gains were retained after treatment was ceased over a 12-month period.†1,2 With these results, ECPs can more confidently prescribe MiSight® 1 day contact lenses for age-appropriate* patients with myopia. On Thursday, January 20, and Friday, January 21, CooperVision will lead multiple discussions surrounding myopia management, including: Act Today, Change Tomorrow: MiSight® 1 day Certification Lunch & Learn Thursday, Jan. 20 | 12 – 1:30 p.m. PT Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO, CooperVision and Debbie Jones, BSc, FAAO, Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) Perspectives on Myopia Management Treatment Options | A Dialogue with your Colleagues Thursday, Jan. 20 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. PT Moderator: Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE). Panelists: Andrew Neukirch, OD, Carillon Vision Care, and Christopher Gee, OD, Iron Horse Optometric Group. Improve your Ortho-K Fitting Game | Rapid Fire Case Series with Dr. Maria Liu Friday, Jan. 21 | 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. PT Maria Liu, OD, FAAO, PhD, UC Berkeley School of Optometry, Leah Johnson, OD, FAAO, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare - Growing Momentum for New Optimized Pupil Optics (OPO) On Friday, January 21, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare will lead a breakout session on its new Optimized Pupil Optics (OPO) for its Onefit™ Med and Onefit™ MED+ scleral contact lenses, led by Justine Siergey, OD, FSLS, Manager of Professional Affairs, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare, and M.C. Blanchard, Global Lead, Irregular Cornea. Evan Kauffman, OD of UVA Health will share his experiences with the recently-launched design, which is being rapidly adopted by scleral-fitting practices across the U.S. and worldwide. The innovative lens design—which is supported by a user-friendly online fitting tool—enables ECPs to reposition the multifocal optics to align with the visual axis to achieve superior results and subjective vision for patients with presbyopia. OPO lenses incorporate several markings, including a six o’clock dot indication to help patients orient the lens correctly on their eye, a circle of eight small dots at 6 mm to indicate the new center of the optics for pupil centration, plus toric hash marks notating the flat meridian as seen in other Onefit™ MED toric haptic designs. For additional information about the company’s products, please visit CooperVision.com and CooperVisionSpecialtyEyeCare.com
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World Council of Optometry Releases Professional Guidance on Childhood Myopia Management
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and CooperVision have partnered to release “A Practical Guide to Managing Children with Myopia”. The professional article is authored by four experienced ocular health and science professionals from around the world. It complements the WCO Standard of Care for Myopia Management by Optometrists Resolution, which embraces evidence-based approaches focused on the three pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management. The work is available at myopia.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/professional-article-english/ The authors collaborated to share their insights on what the WCO Standard of Care entails and how eye care professionals can incorporate it in their fight against the worldwide myopia epidemic. They include Dr. Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso of the Philippines is an Asia Pacific Council of Optometry representative for the WCO, and who operates her private practice, Abesamis Eye Care; Dr. Rufina Chan, who is a visiting lecturer at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Optometry and in private practice; Dr. Kate Gifford of Australia, who works in clinical practice and is co-founder of MyopiaProfile.com; and Dr. Fuensanta Vera-Diaz of Boston, who serves as a reviewer for multiple journals and leads the New England College of Optometry’s Myopia Control Clinic. Dr. Fuensanta Vera-Diaz said, “I strongly recommend that eye care professionals start myopia management today. Do not wait any longer. Start today. The WCO article is a great starting point. You should start educating your patients and their parents about lifestyle considerations, spending more time outdoors, having frequent breaks during near work and keeping the materials further away. You should also educate them on the myopia management options available. If you have the resources and skills to implement myopia management options, go ahead. If you cannot offer these options yet, you should still educate your patients about the options for myopia management and refer them to someone who can help manage their myopia. You would be doing a disservice to them if you did not educate every child with myopia on the available options.” Dr. Kate Gifford said, “My advice to eye care professionals through this article is just do something, or just do one more thing. We all come from different starting points. Instead of just talking about myopia correction, start talking about myopia management and control. Take the next steps in getting involved with the cutting edge of research and science. Discuss myopia, discuss visual environment, and determine the best optical correction that will control myopia progression.” Dr. Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso said, “We all have to become myopia doctors eventually. This is what optometry is all about. We care about patients and their families because of where they may be five or ten years down the line without myopia management. Correction alone is now not a very good route to take. Control is the answer. Eye care professionals, wherever they are, should be proactive and take the plunge into myopia management because at the end of the day, it is the patient and the community that we serve.” Dr. Rufina Chan said, “Myopia is a growing epidemic that may affect up to 50 percent of the world's population in the next few decades. One-fifth of those impacted may develop sight threatening complications associated with high myopia. As optometrists, we are responsible to incorporate evidence-based myopia management in our practice for the benefit of our clients.” Article authors Dr. Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso and Dr. Kate Gifford speak at a global myopia management virtual event presented by the World Council of Optometry and CooperVision February 12, 2022. Register for the free “Putting It Into Practice” event at http://Myopia.WorldCouncilOfOptometry.info. Click on “Events”. The World Council of Optometry and CooperVision partnered in early 2021 to raise awareness of myopia progression and embrace a standard of care to manage the condition. The joint initiative is centered around evidence-based approaches without bias toward any management methodologies. The partnership includes a global multi-lingual myopia management resource, http://Myopia.WorldCouncilOfOptometry.info In addition to “A Practical Guide to Managing Children with Myopia”, the World Council of Optometry Standard of Care Resolution and online myopia management resources are available at http://WorldCouncilOfOptometry.info. Join the conversation on social media including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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Intrex Partners with Wirepas to Bring Real-Time, Actionable Data to Senior Living Communities
Intrex, a medtech company developing next generation solutions for senior living, today announced its partnership with Wirepas, a company on a mission to democratize IoT connectivity. Wirepas Massive, a unique connectivity software, enables the Rythmos® platform, an intelligent, personalized system designed around the individual to monitor for safety and manage chronic conditions, ensuring residents can remain safely independent longer. The goal of the partnership is to bring the most advanced technology available to the senior living communities, connecting all facets of care, resulting in improved senior safety and wellness. The gap between safety and wellness systems is a real and growing problem facing senior living communities and the healthcare facilities at large. Assisted living providers have an electronic medical record (EMR) system in place, but it is almost always completely separated from their nurse call system. This means a resident's needs data (button presses, falls) and activity data (steps, sleep quality, location and historical positioning) is not tied to their health data (care plan, therapies, medications, etc.) “Having worked in these communities, we saw firsthand the issues that this siloed approach to healthcare was causing. We knew there was a way to innovate however, administrators were hesitant or unable to take action because of the high costs associated with large traditional network providers, ” says Ted Tzirimis, CTO of Intrex. “With Wirepas, we’re able to bring the most cutting-edge solutions to administrators and residents, powered by reliable, easily deployable solutions in a cost-effective form that enables communities of all sizes and means to have access to this life saving solution.” Rythmos® is a 4-in-1 platform that combines an advanced nurse call system with wander management and integrated access control all in one device. It allows for integration with telehealth devices for chronic care management, facility management, integrations with emerging technologies, and powerful predictive analytics that help keep residents safe and healthy. You can also easily monitor residents’ precise location to mitigate elopement risk and receive alerts for emergency button pushes and falls from any web-enabled device. Nurse call systems are typically quite expensive if they support real-time positioning. They also require an additional investment in cables, wires, Wi-Fi, and other infrastructure. For legacy nurse call systems that do not have real-time positioning, it can be costly and complicated to extend and maintain. Rythmos®, with Wirepas Massive, enables better coverage throughout any type of building, both new construction and retrofits. The costs are also dramatically lower and the Rythmos® system can be kept running on batteries only, even if power and internet is lost. “At Wirepas, we champion doing things differently and value partners that think outside the box to bring the very best, cutting edge solutions to their industries. We’re happy to be Intrex’s reliable network on which they build and innovate in an industry that touches all of us in some way,” says Teppo Hemiä, CEO of Wirepas.
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Wristband tracks before & after-meal glucose level changes
Quantum Operation Inc., a Tokyo-based healthcare IoT startup, will present the world's first noninvasive glucometer in the form of a wristband that is capable of nonstop monitoring. The device, which uses the company's patented spectrum sensing technology to accurately measure glucose in a person's bloodstream through the skin, eliminates the need -- and pain -- of daily needle use for diabetic patients. The company is also adding a new function to the device to monitor changes in pre- and post-meal blood glucose levels -- an important indicator for diabetic patients to keep track of to prevent progression of the disease. Quantum Operation's technology won a CES 2022 Innovation Award in the ”Health & Wellness” category. ”Although checking one's blood glucose level both before and after a meal is important, that adds to patients' already taxing daily routine of sticking a needle into their fingers or arms so many times a day. We are thrilled to be able to make this all pain-free and effortless for them,” Quantum Operation CEO Kazuma Kato said. “Diabetes affect 463 million people worldwide, causing 1.5 million deaths from it each year. We are thrilled to demonstrate at CES 2022 how our technology can revolutionize the patients' daily disease management.” CES Unveiled -- Jan. 3 -- Mandalay Bay L2 (booth #608) CES 2022 -- Jan. 5-8 -- J-Startup Pavilion, Eureka Park (booth #62102) Showstoppers -- Jan. 5 -- Wynn Las Vegas, Cristal Ballroom (booth TBD) The noninvasive 24/7 monitoring is made possible by Quantum Operation's core technologies that include the novel spectrometer materials -- one of which is designed to emit an optimal spectrum, and another that is highly responsive to target spectra -- as well as the innovative firmware that efficiently extract targeted data by canceling noise. These technologies can be used to measure all types of vital signs, ranging from heart rate to oxygen saturation (SPO2). The technologies enable healthcare businesses to compile accurate big data and provide better solutions for disease control and management. Features: Noninvasive, accurate and continuous glucose monitoring Monitoring of pre- and post-meal glucose level change Enables healthcare providers to monitor patients' conditions remotely Can serve as an effective tool for collecting big data
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Revolutionizing the Way We Pay for Healthcare: Can Tech Give You Freedom from Health Insurance?
Every year, a quarter million Americans declare bankruptcy due to medical bills despite having health insurance. Recently, Andy Schoonover, Founder and CEO of CrowdHealth, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media to discuss how leveraging technology can help you get your healthcare freedom back without breaking the bank. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: Every year, 250,000 people declare bankruptcy due to medical bills despite having health insurance For 30 years, the middle class has experienced no real income growth due to the increasing costs of health insurance. Research shows inadequate health insurance accounts for nearly 67 percent of all bankruptcies. This statistic is staggering and illustrates a difficult reality for the many American families navigating today’s insurance market. Technology is being used to build a new, community-powered solution for all. CrowdHealth is an app and technology platform that allows you to make a monthly contribution to the Community and those funds are used to fund the community’s health care bills. Crowdfunding models of paying for health care maximize the probability that all members’ eligible bills will be paid in full each month. These models come without the burdens of skyrocketing premiums and deductibles. Unlike traditional models, members aren’t chained to yearly contracts and have more flexibility and autonomy with crowdfunded models. CrowdHealth provides app-based tools such as: The latest innovation in fintech, allowing their members to aggregate crowdsourced funds to pay doctors quickly and directly. A nationwide doctor quality and cost database that empowers their members to make informed decisions about their care without the limitation of restrictive networks. Highly engaged, personalized Care Advocacy to help their members navigate their health journeys. Negotiation and legal services that fight for patients when dealing with outrageous bills. Access to deeply discounted prescription drugs. By eliminating insurance plan middlemen, reimagining the healthcare payment system and empowering doctors to direct care choices, CrowdHealth will help their members significantly reduce their out-of-pocket expenses when compared to healthcare.gov plans. To learn more about CrowdHealth go to joincrowdhealth.com
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Toray and 3SBio File New Drug Application with Chinese Regulator for Orally Disintegrating Antipruritus Tablets
Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it and 3SBio Inc. jointly lodged a new drug application for TRK-820 (see note 1) with China’s National Medical Products Administration on November 24. Toray exclusively licensed the orally disintegrating tablets formulation of that proprietary antipruritic drug to 3SBio, a Chinese integrated biotechnology company, in December 2017. TRK-820 is the Toray development code for that medicine, whose international nonproprietary name (INN) is nalfurafine. The licensing agreement grants 3SBio the exclusively right to develop and market this tablet formulation in China (excluding in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). 3SBio has conducted clinical development in China. The drug approval application filing was based on results of a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, multicenter bridging study (see note 2) in China. The bridging study assessed the efficacy of TRK-820 in improving pruritus in hemodialysis patients whose ailment responds inadequately to existing therapies. In July this year, the study confirmed that efficacy results were consistent with those in Japan. It identified no new safety concerns for TRK-820. Pruritus in hemodialysis patients is a generalized, intense itch without inflammation. Histamine commonly causes itching among people but is less of a factor in such cases Antihistamines and other regular treatments for itching thus may not offer sufficient efficacy. The number of patients with end-stage kidney disease is rising around 12% annually in China, fueling a great need for hemodialysis treatment. The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (see note 3), which evaluated hemodialysis practices based on samples in more than 20 countries, found that moderate or severe pruritus afflicted 39% of Chinese dialysis patients. The pruritus reduced quality of life from itching and led to anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders in some individuals. China has nothing to offer hemodialysis patients for whom existing pruritus therapies provide no relief. Toray and 3SBio hope that TRK-820 can contribute to dialysis treatment progress in China and help enhance the quality of life for patients there. Contributing to better medical care and hygiene for people worldwide is one of the four priorities of the Toray Group Sustainability Vision. Toray will continue to leverage advanced materials and innovative technologies to develop high-value-added pharmaceuticals in keeping with its corporate philosophy of contributing to society by creating new value while attaining sustainable growth. [Application details] Title : Application for Class 5.1 imported drug approval Application Receipt Number : JXHS2101099国 Indication : Improving pruritus in hemodialysis patients (use only when sufficient efficacy is not obtained with the existing therapies or treatments) [Notes] 1. TRK-820 This agent debuted in Japan in 2009 as in a soft capsule formulation named REMITCH* Capsules 2.5μg to improve pruritus in hemodialysis patients (use only when sufficient efficacy is not obtained with the existing therapies or treatments). The marketing authorization holder is Toray, with Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., distributing it through a tie-up with Japan Tobacco Inc. Toray domestically launched an orally disintegrating tablets version of TRK-820 in 2017. This tablet can be taken with or without water, making it convenient for people finding it hard to swallow or needing to limit their fluid intake. The tablet can also encourage more people to take medication as directed. *Toray developed REMITCHTM as the world’s first highly selective kappa opioid receptor agonist. Torii Pharmaceutical distributes this agent in Japan to improve pruritus in dialysis patients and patients with chronic liver disease (use only when sufficient efficacy is not obtained with the existing therapies or treatments). 2. Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, multicenter bridging study A placebo-controlled trial allocates clinical trial subjects to a control group receiving placebos and a treatment group. A randomized trial is a study that randomly divides the subject population into multiple groups to compare drug efficacies. In double-blind studies, neither physicians nor patients know group assignments. A multicenter study entails amassing clinical trial cases at multiple sites. A bridging study confirms that overseas clinical trial results are replicable in domestic patients. 3. The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study draws on observational data for dialysis patients around the world in a drive to help improve patient treatment and outcomes. See the following website for details: https://www.dopps.org/OurStudies/HemodialysisDOPPS.aspx
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World Council of Optometry to Host Global Myopia Management Virtual Event
Advancing ongoing efforts to establish a global myopia management standard of care, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) is partnering with one of the world’s myopia category leaders CooperVision to host a virtual event on February 12, 2022 focused on myopia management. WCO has gathered an impressive roster of industry leaders so far to share their perspectives on myopia management, including: Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso, OD (Philippines), Optometrist and recipient of the IACLE Educator Fellowship Program, University of Waterloo (Canada), School of Optometry. In addition to her private practice, she has lectured extensively both locally and internationally on myopia management. Thomas Aller, OD (United States), Optometrist, Visiting Scholar and Practice Owner of Dr. Thomas Aller Optometrist, Inc. Aller is an expert in myopia control and orthokeratology, and a regular contributor to the field of vision science and the development of innovative treatments. Philip Cheng, B Optom FIAOMC (Australia), Optometrist and Clinical Director of Eyecare Concepts, The Myopia Clinic Melbourne. Cheng’s specialties include orthokeratology, myopia control, children’s optometry, specialty contact lenses and dry eye management. Kate Gifford, BAS Hons Optometry, PhD (Australia) earned her graduate degree in contact lens optics in myopia from Queensland University of Technology. A clinician-scientist and peer educator and a co-founder of Myopiaprofile.com, she holds a visiting research fellow position at QUT and is the committee chair and lead author on the International Myopia Institute’s Clinical Management Guidelines. Nicola Logan, BSc Hons Optometry, MEd, PhD (United Kingdom), Optometrist and Professor, Aston University College of Health and Life Sciences. Logan researches the development, progression and management of myopia in children and runs a clinical service in myopia management. Sara McCullough, BSc Hons Optometry, PhD, (United Kingdom), Optometrist and Research Associate in Optometry and Vision Science at Ulster University (Northern Ireland). She is currently working on the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) study investigating the progression of refractive error in children and young adults. “We are delighted to bring together this dynamic group of industry leaders to discuss the importance of myopia management as a global standard of care,” said Paul Folkesson, president, World Council of Optometry. “Their keen insight will bring clarity and perspective to this multifaceted issue facing millions of adults and children around the world.” Earlier this year, WCO and CooperVision announced their global partnership to raise awareness of myopia progression and encourage optometrists to embrace a standard of care to manage the condition. Shortly thereafter, the WCO Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution advising optometrists to incorporate a standard of care for myopia management within their practices. The launch of the myopia management online resource is the next step to provide eye care practitioners with the information, knowledge and guidance needed to establish a standard of care in their practice. WCO and CooperVision launched an easy-to-use online resource in September that provides multilingual assets and approaches that will enable busy eye care professionals—regardless of geographic location—to apply a standard of care to manage the condition. The myopia online resource was developed to serve as a valuable point to provide information that has not been easily accessible and provide a forum to encourage the exchange of knowledge and experiences within the global optometric community.
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New Contact Lens Update Addresses Top Pandemic-Related Eye Issues
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published Issue 63 of Contact Lens Update, which explores the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on five clinically relevant ocular conditions. The latest edition and all past issues are available for free at ContactLensUpdate.com. Highly pertinent for eye care practitioners worldwide, the issue examines and summarizes how mask wear, home schooling, and remote working may impact patients presenting to clinical practice—and potential prevention and mitigation approaches. CORE Director Lyndon Jones’ opening editorial provides a thorough review of five possible pandemic-related ocular complications. These cover a potential increase in myopia and dry eye complaints linked to increased digital device use, along with a discussion around whether mask wearing has increased rates of hordeolum and chalazion, dry eye, and dissatisfaction with spectacle wear. The article includes several clinical pearls to help practitioners investigate and manage these conditions. In the feature article, CORE’s Rosa Yang discusses key findings from a paper investigating the progression of myopia in a large sample of school-aged children after COVID-19 home confinement in China. As remote education continues, the findings should interest any practitioners who examine young children and are employing or considering myopia management. The final two contributed pieces discuss the impact of mask wear on the ocular surface and on spectacles fogging. Carole Maldonado-Codina, associate director of Eurolens Research at the University of Manchester, is the author of a recent poster that investigates patient preference between spectacles and contact lenses while wearing a mask. Keyur Patel, clinical director at Tompkins Knight & Son Optometrists in the U.K., presents a compelling case study looking at the impact of inappropriate mask-wear on the break-up time of tears over the ocular surface. He then provides highly relevant and timely advice on how this can result in increased symptoms of dry eye that patients may not even vaguely link to their mask use. “Almost exactly two years after the first reports of a deadly respiratory illness started to emerge out of China, the pandemic continues to dominate our daily lives,” said Dr. Jones. “These changes include children being educated at home, adults working remotely, an increase in digital device use, and mask wearing and social distancing become widespread globally. “How do these factors impact our eyes? Modifications to our daily lives appear to have a much greater impact than we could have imagined. Contact Lens Update has consolidated and examined the most pronounced changes in detail using an evidence-based approach to provide practitioners with sound, timely clinical advice on how to look for and manage related complications.” Published six times per year, Contact Lens Update provides a global platform for unbiased clinical insights based in current research. Since 2011, each issue has provided dependable and up-to-date ocular health information for more than 60,000 leading eye care professionals. In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary. Industry professionals can access the latest issue directly from ContactLensUpdate.com or quickly sign up for email receipt of future issues. The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
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New Paper Explores Connection Between Vision and Cognitive Function
Neuroscience company Cognivue, Inc. has partnered with St. Paul, Minnesota optometrist Solomon Gould on a paper exploring the connection between vision and cognitive function. In the paper, Dr. Gould makes the case for eye care practitioners and other healthcare professionals to consider vision as one of the top modifiable factors for the potential of cognitive decline and dementia along with hearing, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Sharing stories from his practice, Scenic Eye Care, Dr. Gould details how he uses the Cognivue Thrive device to assess patients’ cognitive function. Cognivue Thrive provides a five-minute, self-administered computerized screening of cognitive function. The full paper is available at https://www.cognivue.com/news/cognitive-vision-testing-in-optometry-precision-medicine-for-eye-care/ Dr. Gould said, “Cognivue Thrive has been a game changer for both clinical care and my practice's performance. I have used this technology with more than 750 patients over the past year and its utilization is growing by the day. It allows me to not only quantify my patients' vision but to also quantify the processing of their vision. The reality is that we look with our eyes, but we see with our brain.” The paper aligns with Cognivue’s goals of elevating the cognition standard of care, reducing the stigma of cognitive issues, and enabling early detection. Cognivue Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Fred Ma, M.D., Ph.D. said, “Study results published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology show that visual impairment is associated with an increased risk of dementia, especially in patients with worse visual acuity. These findings underscore the importance of visual screening and effective treatment for visual impairment along with implementation of a screening procedure for cognitive function. What Dr. Gould and other eye care professionals are doing in their optometry clinics seeks to explore the relationship between visual impairment and dementia with a practical, meaningful, and routine practice of assessing patients’ cognitive health.” Cognivue adviser J. Bradley Oatney, OD said, “It makes sense that as an optometrist I screen my patients for cognitive function like checking their blood pressure or examining their retina for diabetes, especially with the rising impact of cognitive decline on vision. Cognivue Thrive provides me with another “vital sign” or health marker that fits into my holistic approach to patient care. Optometry is well suited to play a vital role in the education and early detection of cognitive decline." The company is preparing to launch a real-world data collection study led by nationally recognized optometrists and neuro-optometrists to deepen the understanding of the connection between cognition and vision. Eye care professionals interested in participating may contact medicalaffairs@cognivue.com Cognivue technologies are designed to provide healthcare providers a useful tool for cognitive evaluation and diagnosis of various neurodegenerative and neuropsychological disorders. Cognivue Thrive evaluates three cognitive domains: memory, visuospatial, and executive function. The device utilizes the same FDA-cleared technology used by neurologists and other physicians to test for cognitive function. The screening is simple to implement in any clinical environment and requires minimal staff involvement. The device folds up like a laptop and weighs less than eight pounds for easy portability, so it can be taken to various locations inside and outside of the clinic.
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Detection Technology goes big on image-guided surgery with X-Panel 2222s
Detection Technology, a global leader in X-ray detector solutions, announced today that it is going big on image-guided surgery by debuting the X-Panel 2222s to enhance C-arm X-ray systems. The X-Panel 2222s is a digital X-ray flat panel detector series that includes application-optimized variants for mobile and mini C-arms. For greater patient and healthcare professional experience and safety, the X-Panel 2222s equips C-arms with premium quality, low-dose imaging at fast scanning speeds. “We have designed the X-Panel 2222s to be a new trendsetter for dynamic, ultra-low dose imaging in its target markets. Switching from the still widely used image intensifiers to digital flat panels is an attractive option with our CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology-based solutions. We can guarantee improved imaging performance, yet system integration is straightforward for faster time-to-market and notable total cost savings. The X-Panel 2222s comes with a mechanical outline that suits existing X-ray system designs, and strong worldwide service,” says Jyri Tolonen, Product Manager in the Medical Business Unit. “Mobile C-arm X-ray systems are used for a variety of diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgical procedures in the operating rooms. The segment’s smaller systems, called mini C-arms, are used in clinics for sports medicine, orthopedic and podiatric imaging. In both use cases, small system form factors that take less space and a larger field of view (FOV) that is unaffected by geometrical distortions are highly appreciated in addition to imaging quality. This is something that only flat panel detectors provide for image-guided surgery.” The X-Panel 2222s features a high-resolution zoom mode with native 100 μm pixel pitch, ultra-low noise with close to 1 ADU (analog-to-digital unit) temporal dark noise (@14bits), and a large active area of 222-by-216 mm. It makes grayscales clear with its true 16-bit analog-to-digital conversion. It is equipped with a fast sensor that provides up to 60 full frames per second through 5 GigE (Gigabit Ethernet). The X-Panel 2222s is proven to be inherently ultra-stable, even in cases of longer scans. However, stability has been further enhanced with an in-built feature that virtually cancels the drift. A complete developer aid kit is available for speeding up system designs. The X-Panel 2222s engineering samples will be available in the first half of 2022. The X-Panel 2222s is featured on the company’s virtual stand at the RSNA 2021, and the company’s sales representatives are available for in-person introductions during the show.
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Detection Technology unveils X-ACE to set a new industry standard in value and mainstream medical CT imaging
Detection Technology, a global leader in X-ray detector solutions, today unveiled the industry’s first off-the-shelf detector series optimized for value and mainstream medical CT (computed tomography) imaging needs. The plug-and-play-type series, branded as X-ACE, is available as stand-alone detector boards, X-ACE 16, and X-ACE 32, and alternatively as complete subsystems that include ready-made detector boards, controllers, software libraries, and all the necessary accessories. The investment-free X-ACE series brings notable total cost savings and speeds up the time-to-market of advanced CT systems in the highly competitive medical imaging segments. The X-ACE product family is built on the well-proven and modular platform. The platform covers a wide imaging area and features the highest level of integration, as a scintillator, a photodiode, analog-to-digital converters (ADC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) are assembled to a single printed circuit board (PCB). This means simplified system designs, straightforward integration, minimized risks, a streamlined supply chain, and detector solutions that are mechanically more robust and digitally enhanced. The platform easily scales up from 16-slice to 32-slice system configurations to cover a wide range of set-ups, and provides 20-millimeter coverage at the isocenter. “Once again, we have set a new industry standard in medical CT imaging. We introduced the world’s first off-the-shelf, tileable CT detector module, named X-Tile, for the highest-tier volumetric CT systems in 2017. Today, we rolled out our latest innovation in the field. The X-ACE completes our offering for medical CT applications. We are proud to state that our company is the only one in the market to enable one-stop shopping. We have available standard medical CT solutions for all medical CT imaging modalities, from the value to the premium segment,” says Tuomas Holma, Director of Product Management in the Medical Business Unit. “The X-ACE stands for all-in-one CT imaging experience as well as achieving cost effectiveness in this fast-paced, fiercely competitive marketplace. The key features are a perfect fit for the requirements of the target market. For example, the X-ACE 16 has already proven its importance in the value segment during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the market witnessed a renaissance of 16-slice X-ray imaging systems used for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID patients. This trend is here to stay and will intensify, especially in the emerging economies.” The X-ACE provides high image quality with low doses at fast scanning speeds for enhanced patient safety and experience. State-of-the-art performance is achieved by a pixelated, ultra-fast ceramic scintillator, coupled with a high-performance frontside-illuminated (FSI) photodiode. The characteristics of the most sensitive and ultra-low dark current photodiode are made possible by utilizing Detection Technology’s proprietary FSI photodiode manufacturing process. “We have a comprehensive track record as the most trusted provider of customized detector solutions for medical CT applications, and now we have positioned ourselves as a pioneer of the standard offering. Our off-the-shelf CT detector solutions enable rapid and cost-efficient system development, yet meet the most stringent medical standards and regulation. For us, providing total cost savings does not mean sacrifices in image quality. By rethinking and simplifying detector designs, we have achieved win-win gains.” To facilitate and accelerate the system design phase and detector integration, Detection Technology provides global engineering support and a complete developer kit. Engineering samples of the ACE series are available, and inquiries about the developer kit can be directed to the company.
