Angio-Seal Evolution Now on Market

St. Jude Medical announces the approval of their newest product in American and European markets. The new Angio-Seal Evolution, like the original Angio-Seal, makes it easier for physicians to seal punctures made in the femoral artery used for catheters. The Evolution, unlike its predecessor, can be used single-handedly to create a bioresorbable suture reducing complications and speeding patient recovery.

RNA-Based Logic Gate Invented

Caltech scientists have developed a new logic gate for use in vivo. They are able to make a NAND gate, the basis of computing, by having a ribozyme attached to an RNA segment which codes for a fluourescent green protein. In the presence of both inputs the green fluourescence is no longer produced.

FDA Clinical Trials for Blood Pressure Pacemaker Begin

Rheo Systems is beginning clinical trials for a small implantable device which promises to lower blood pressure without ill effects. The device is implanted in the upper chest cavity with electrical leads on the carotid arteries will influence the body’s response to changes in blood pressure.

X Prize: Now for Health Care Advancements

The X Prize foundation, best known for awarding Virgin Galactic $10M for building a Space Ship One, has announced plans to work together with the WellPoint foundation to create a similar prize for substantial changes in health care financing. Although the specific goal of the prize is set to be announced at the beginnning of 2009, it is expected that this will generate breakthroughs in the health economics field.

Fold it: Solving Puzzles to Save Lives

Proteins, essential parts of all life, are long chains of amino acids which fold only one way, creating compact molecules that catalyze reactions, sense light, and form the structure of most life. Scientists, with the aid of the most powerful computers in the world, are just now beginning to understand how they fold, and everyone’s invited to help. Fold it is a game which shows the player simplified protein structures and asks him to fold them to minimize interactions. By letting scientists observe how humans solve such puzzles, scientists can understand human pattern recognition and apply it to protein folding.

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Date: Thursday, November 6, 2008
Time: 5:30 - 6:30PM (reception to follow)
Location: CSEB Auditorium B17

St. Jude Medical was twice named as a “Top 50″ performing large company by BusinessWeek during Mark Kroll’s tenure as CTO (Chief Technology Officer) and Sr. VP. Now, he serves as corporate director of Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE), Taser International (NASD:TASR), NewCardio (BB:NWCI) and numerous private companies.

Serving on numerous faculty positions, Mark Kroll is also listed in the Who’s Who In Science And Engineering since 1992. He was awarded “Fellow” recognition by the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society. Co-editor of 3 books, and author of over 200 papers, invited presentations, book chapters, and abstracts.

Mark Kroll earned his B.S. Mathematics (University of Minnesota), M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (University of Minnesota), and M.B.A. (University of St. Thomas). His research specialty is the effects of electricity on the human body. Holding over 275 issued U.S. patents, Mark Kroll is honored by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as most prolific inventor of electrical medical devices in the world. Indeed, over 1 million human beings have his patents in their bodies.

The Hopkins Medical Device Network is proud to announce the inaugural issue of the Digest. In addition to our other endeavors, we will bring you updates on the world of medical technologies, pharmaceutical advancements, and medical research. By compiling a few short articles a week, we hope to keep you up-to-date on topics important to us and the Hopkins community at large. Feel free to share these digests with your friends and associates, including those outside Hopkins. Thank you, we hope you enjoy.

Baldness Gene Discovered

Reserachers have discovered two genes responsible for baldness in caucasian males which affects one in seven males. Their research has been validated in over a thousand men, showing that two unknown genetic variants on chromosome 20 are resposnsible for male pattern baldness.

HAL for Sale Now!

Cyberdyne, a Japanese company with an apparantly cruel sense of humor, has released the hybrid assistive limb (HAL) robotic suit. HAL is an electric exoskeleton which helps the elderly and disabled perform daily functions and offers heavy labor support in factories and disaster sites.

First Magnetic Mind Stimulator: FDA Approved

Neuronetics has developed the first FDA approved transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system for treating depression. TMS is a noninvasive method using magnetic fields to induce currents and excite sections of the brain. TMS is believed to be a possible treatment for depression, migraines, even parkinsons disease.

Video Games to Treat Cancer

Alright, the video games are not treating cancer themselves, rather they are being used in Kingston University to train radiological students in targeting cancer. A relative bargain at $500,000, the ‘overhead projector’ will minimize extra time the patients will spend in the operating room and trains students on using much more expensive radiological equipment.

target date for hmdn.org

Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Pre-Clinical Teaching Building (PCTB), West Lecture Hall.

Dr. David Hungerford invented the Duracon Total Knee Replacement technology, which has been implanted in approximately 3 million patients. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University. In his talk, entitled “Medical Device Innovation: Total Knee Replacement as a Case Study,” Dr. Hungerford spoke about the commercialization path that he pursued and also provided some pearls of wisdom regarding creativity and device innovation