MDB Newsletter 9-23-2009
Posted in Newsletter on
Wednesday, September 23 2009
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In this edition, sponsored by Servometer, COMSOL and Protomold:
• Tech Briefs Blog -- Live From Midwest Design & Manufacturing Event• Space Radiation Research May Reduce Fractures in Cancer Survivors
• Nanotechnology Burn Treatment Reduces Infection and Inflammation
• Stumble Detection System Helps Improve Safety of Prosthetic Legs
• Computer-Assisted Laser Treatment Using Real-Time Retinal Tracking
• Medical Information Network Decision Support System
Tech Briefs Blog
Follow Tech Briefs editorial director Linda Bell's posts as she blogs live this week from the show floor of the Medical Design & Manufacturing Midwest show and five other co-located events in Rosemont, IL: Design & Manufacturing Midwest, Green Manufacturing Expo, Quality Expo, Assembly Technology Expo, and Electronics Midwest. Get daily updates on the latest product and technology introductions for design engineers. The Tech Briefs Blog is sponsored by Autodesk.Click here to view the blog.
Sponsor Message
Free Acoustics Simulation Kit CDLearn more about multiphysics simulation of acoustics.
This CD, brought to you by COMSOL, features several animated, narrated tutorials which guide you through the modeling process to:- analyze a loudspeaker
- examine the aeroacoustics of an aircraft engine
- visualize the acoustic waves in an automobile interior
- study acoustic-structure interactions
Space Radiation Research May Reduce Fractures in Cancer Survivors
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| Dr. Ted Bateman (standing) and Dr. Jeff Willey discuss data collected for the space radiation-induced bone loss project. (Photo: Patrick Wright/Clemson University) |
Bateman discovered in experiments with mice that bone loss begins within days of radiation exposure through activation of bone-reducing cells called osteoclasts. Under normal conditions, these cells work with bone-building cells, called osteoblasts, to maintain bone health.
Even though the research is being performed to protect the health of NASA astronauts, cancer patients, especially those who receive radiation therapy in the pelvic region, could benefit from the research.
The mice used in the research received the amount of radiation exposure that is expected to occur during a lengthy mission to the Moon or Mars. The amount is much less than what cancer patients receive during treatment.
Click here for the full story.
Sponsor Message
Every process has its guidelines and limitations, injection molding is no exception. However, with this white paper you can learn how to get real plastic molded parts made for your project faster than your competitors. Download this free 14-page guide from Protomold to learn how to get the best possible results!Click here to download the guide today.
Nanotechnology Burn Treatment Reduces Infection and Inflammation
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The nanoemulsion is made of soybean oil, alcohol, water, and detergents emulsified into droplets less than 400 nanometers in diameter. It has proved effective at killing a variety of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in previous research. Researchers used the nanoemulsion to treat second-degree burns. Such burn victims typically require aggressive treatment in intensive care, both to prevent infection and prevent vital fluids from leaking from blood vessels into the damaged skin, a dangerous situation caused in part by excessive inflammation within the body.
The nanoemulsion appears to reduce the action of two inflammatory agents or cytokines that play a role in cell signaling during this critical post-burn period. Slowing this action may prevent initial burn damage from becoming worse, and thus reduce the severity of the burn and extent of skin grafting needed.
Click here for the full story.
Stumble Detection System Helps Improve Safety of Prosthetic Legs
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The participants were hooked up to dozens of electrodes, wore shoes containing 99 pressure sensors, and 40 light-reflective markers on their bodies were tracked by eight cameras surrounding the room to collect the data necessary for the research. Data was collected from able-bodied individuals and those using prosthetic legs to determine what kind of physiological signals can be detected for use in developing a stumble detection system. Once the data is analyzed, the team hopes to develop an algorithm that can be used in computer-controlled artificial limbs to provide active stumble recovery.
"If we can detect the stumble reaction fast enough, then there may be time to react to it," said He Huang, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at URI. "Hopefully we can develop a system that can mimic the normal human reaction to stumbling."
Click here for the full story.
Tech Briefs
The Army Research Lab (ARL) has developed a computerized system that accurately guides laser shots to diseased retinal areas. The system captures and processes the retinal images, and determines the correct positions for the laser shots, eliminating the need for multiple treatments.Click here for the full story.
Also from the ARL is a Medical Information Network Decision Support (MINDS) system that stores and fuses medical data, and provides probabilistic diagnostic and treatment decisions for doctors in treating diseases. The system evaluates prior and existing clinical decision support systems, as well as existing standards and protocols.
Click here for the full story.
Sponsor Message
Precision Electroforms for Medical Applications Servometer®/PMG, LLC precision electroforms are found in a variety of non-invasive, invasive and implantable applications. These precise, thin-walled, metal components can be made as small as .020" (0.5 mm) in diameter, with walls as thin as .0005" (.013mm) out of nickel alloy, copper, gold, silver, or a combination thereof. Click here for a downloadable brochure. |
Event AlertsAdvances in Conformal Coatings: Enhancing Reliability of Innovative TechnologiesLive Presentation: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 2:00 PM EST Conformal coatings have been used in the electronics, automotive, military, aerospace and medical device industries for many years for a variety of surface modification functions. As devices and components become smaller and increasingly complex, they present unique challenges for many conformal coatings. Parylene, is an ultra-thin, inert, transparent coating that meets these challenges. This webinar will focus on the Parylene's unique properties, how the coating is applied, examples of applications that benefit from Parylene's properties, and advances that have been made in adhesion technologies. Speakers: Lonny Wolgemuth, Sr. Medical Market Specialist, Specialty Coating Systems, and Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Vice President of Technology, Specialty Coating Systems, Inc. Click here to register for the live Webcast. Free Podcast: Thin-Film Plate Polarizers: A New Polarization Option While there are many types of polarizers and polarizing beamsplitters available today, none of them solves every problem. This podcast with Dr. Turan Erdogan, Chief Technology Officer of Semrock, discusses the company's thin-film plate polarizers as a new option. Click here to download the podcast. |
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