More than an expander: Special system for strengthening muscles
The Canadian exhibitor, Vitality Depot (Toronto), is celebrating his trade fair debut at the MEDICA by presenting an innovative patented system for muscle strengthening or also for correcting faulty posture. On the one hand, “Posture Medic” be used for exercises like a type of expander, but also serves as a shoulder strap at the same time – suitable even for use under clothing. The product has already been available on the North American market for a short while now (for approx. 40.- USD). For the launch in Europe, Vitality Depot hopes to be able to make conversation with a considerable amount of potential sales partners at the MEDICA.
Vitality Depot/ Ontario Canada Pavilion; hall 4, stand E10; telephone +1 800 461-0100 ext. 250
More practical than a cooling element: Tape with integrated cooling effect
In the case of joint injuries, rapid cooling is often required in addition to compression in order to reduce swelling. Conventional cooling elements do not adapt sufficiently to the contour of the body and, by the way, should never come into direct contact with the skin. In this case, a compression effect does not take place at all. This is not the case when “Arctic Tape” is used which will also be presented at the MEDICA by Vitality Depot from Canada. Thereby, it has to do with a flexible compression bandage that contains a hydrophilic gel. As soon as the tape comes in contact with the air and naturally with the afflicted part of the body, the cooling effect takes place (by means of evaporation). The tape is reusable, self-adhesive, non-toxic and latex-free. Sales partners for this product are also being sought out at the MEDICA. Price in the USA: approx. 20.- USD.
Vitality Depot/ Ontario Canada Pavilion; hall 4, stand E10; telephone +1 800 461-0100 ext. 250
“Rolling practice” ensures healthcare on the countryside.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain basic medical care in rural areas. Young physicians are rather driven into cities. Therefore, travel distances for patients “on the countryside” are longer and take more time. In light of this initial outset, over 40 project partners in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim and in Emsland under the umbrella of the `village society 2.0´ are developing appropriate responses for high-quality and affordable medical care on the countryside. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The “rolling practice” represents one of the initiative’s components for location flexible implementation. Thereby, it has to do with a vehicle concept, which the special vehicle manufacturer, WAS from Wiethmarschen, is going to be presenting at the MEDICA 2014. It is something foreign markets particularly have their eyes on. The visual appearance and facilities of the mobile practice are similar to an ambulance vehicle, but can be individually configured ranging from general medical facilities all the way to applications for dentistry. In addition to the “rolling practice”, WAS will furthermore be presenting a special vehicle to transport highly contagious patients (e.g. suspected of having Ebola).
WAS GmbH; grounds near hall 5; telephone +49(0)5925-991-170
A “wearable” inconspicuously measures vital signs in the ear
Also in the field of medical science, measurement devices that come into close contact with the body to read vital signs, so-called “wearables” are continuing to be on the rise. An overview of current product developments and presentations is going to be given by the Wearable Technologies Joint Stand located in hall 15. Here, for example, Cosinuss is presenting a wearable to record body parameters such as heart rate, body temperature or oxygen saturation in the ear. This type of heart rate measurement without a chest harness may certainly be of particular interest to athletes. The light and compact measurement device is clipped on to the ear just like in-ear headphones: Data transfer to a smartphone takes place wirelessly, where the data can be evaluate via an app. A high-performance battery provides for up to 10 hours of running time. Price according to the provider: 149 euros (including charging cable, transport bag and app).
Cosinuss/ Wearable Technologies Stand; hall 15, stand A 23; telephone +49(0)89-122 993 78
Track down potentially harmful elements with “CliMate”.
Always being able to measure UV radiation, humidity and temperature anywhere in your immediate vicinity in an uncomplicated manner? This is exactly what “CliMate” by Rootilabs makes possible. The small device in the form of a stylistic cloud is either set somewhere or stuck onto clothing and connect to smartphones automatically via Bluetooth to evaluate data using an app (iOS and Android). The app can also be set in such a practical manner that it encourages you to apply sun protection lotion at certain time intervals depending on UV radiation intensity.
Rootilabs/ Wearable Technologies Stand; hall 15, stand A 23; PR contact: Telephone +49(0)8152-90 99 047
Mobile isolation station – the “Galileo Ebola Bed”
Savion Industries from Israel is presenting the “Galileo Ebola Bed” at the MEDICA. The hospital bed has been equipped with a fitted transparent isolation chamber. A battery operated pump ensures that disinfected air from inside of the isolation chamber is diverted and filtered by means of a replaceable carbon filter. Pure air is fed in from outside. The treatment takes place using safe access channels. A special advantage of the bed exists in its mobility. The infectious patient can be transported in it without any great difficulty, including the isolation chamber.
Savion Industries; hall 14, stand E 28; telephone +972-8-8565959
Networks in OP – fully digitalised and with “plug & play”
Modern operating theatres are high-tech “equipment pools”. With reference to medical technology, too often, it seems like the technology that we know from our living rooms at home: There are a lot of devices that can do plenty of things, but each has its own way of operating and its own remote control. Often, the individual devices cannot “communicate” with one another nor be connected. What is simply aggravating in the home ends up costing valuable time and is distracting within the scope of operating procedures. To remedy this, there is the OP management system “core nova” by Richard Wolf. It doesn’t just provide a central control system for all equipment in the operating theatre as well as digital, safe, and authorised access to all pre-operative patient data, it also considerably facilitates the installation and integration of all OP devices. Ranging from the endoscopic camera to OP lighting and the surgical table all the way to several operational stations – everything is automatically recognised by the software (“plug & play”). It does not only make the work of surgeons easier, but also makes it easier for people in charge of IT in hospitals and out-patient OP practices.
Richard Wolf GmbH; hall 10, stand C 41; telephone +49(0)7043-4305-4305
Improved view of heart valves
Thanks to new ultrasound technology, surgeons can better assess live blood flow during heart valve procedures in order to ensure that the repaired valve or valve replacement works properly. This can reduce the necessity of further corrective interventions. In the case of heart valve operations, a flexible ultrasound probe (transducer) that is inserted into the oesophagus (transoesophageal echocardiography /TEE) provides close-up detailed images of the heart. These images help the physician performing the treatment to assess the functionality of the heart valves. If a heart valve does not close correctly, allowing blood to flow back into the heart chambers, or if it does not open properly to allow a sufficient amount of blood in, then under certain circumstances, the valve has to undergo operation in order to be “repaired” or replaced by a prosthesis. In the case of heart procedures to correct valve disorders, TEE helps to position “MitraClips” (clamps that are used to support the human heart valves) or synthetic heart valves. The new Siemens premium heart ultrasound system, Acuson SC2000, provides for the display of spatial elements in real time with three-dimensional images of the heart valve anatomy and blood flow using a new TEE transducer – also used for patients with ECG abnormalities.
Siemens AG Healthcare; hall 10, stand A 20; telephone +49(0)162-2433492
Mobile foetal monitoring with a cordless cardiotocograph.
No possibility of confusion: The new wireless cardiotocograph, Avalon CL by Philips, offers more freedom of movement for mothers-to-be and recognises possible confusion with regard to heart frequencies of the mother and child during pregnancy and birth. Both during routine and also in the case of high-risk births, Avalon CL enables the constant monitoring of all required parameters without the bother of cables and offers mothers-to-be the freedom of being mobile during the birth process. Thereby, for example, sensors can be submersed into water for up to five hours. The solution takes advantage of Smart Pulse Technology by Philips. This allows for automatic detection of possible mix-ups (coincidences) of the heart frequencies of mothers and children – also in the case of twins and triplets.
Philips Healthcare; hall 10, A 22 and B22; telephone +49(0)40-2899-2190
Fighting psoriasis with a blue LED light.
Being portable and wireless as well, there is a new therapy device, Philips “BlueControl” with a blue LED light for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic skin disease that cannot be healed. It is associated with a rapid division of skin cells (keratinocytes) associated with painful inflammation. The battery-operated device uses blue pulsing LED light to treat mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris and can be used everywhere at any time. With an adjustable support strap, it is worn on the afflicted area such as on the arms, legs, elbows or knees. Its effectiveness and safety were able to be verified in a four-month study held at the Aachen University Hospital: The blue LED light had relieved the symptoms of psoriasis vulgaris plaques by an average of 50 percent.
Philips Healthcare; hall 10, A 22 and B22; telephone +49(0)40-2899-2190
Compact, precise and mobile – the best support for physicians
Under the motto “Strong Competences with Samsung”, the medicine technology manufacturer is presenting systems in the field of digital radiography and ultrasound to support the competencies of physicians and hospital personnel. The Samsung devices help to provide diagnosis quickly, safely, and with precision, in addition to making the every-day routine in practices even more efficient. The mobile digital x-ray system, GM60A, offers the possibility of x-raying patients directly at their beds – especially for A & E departments and intensive care units. The system combines a high level of image quality with a high level of mobility, thereby improving hospital workflows. With the ultrasound unit, WS80A Elite, Samsung is presenting a new version of its premium system for especially complex gynaecological fields of examination. An enhanced 3D image display and an S-Vue transducer offer physicians improved views of the areas examined by ultrasound and a higher level of reliability concerning diagnosis. Furthermore, Samsung is going to show the future of medical technology with mobile healthcare applications.
Samsung Electronics HME; hall 9, stand B 60; PR contact: Telephone +49(0)40-67 94 46-6186 (Factor 3/ Dr. Karl Donau)
Diagnosing prostate cancer quickly and reliably
Differentiating between benign and malignant prostate tissue is difficult. A new device, which has already successfully passed its first clinical trials, is going to make it easier for physicians to make this diagnosis in the future: By means of visual analysis, they can reliably determine within a minute and half if malignant growth is present. As part of the supplier trade show, COMPAMED (12 to 14 November/ parallel to the MEDICA 2014) Fraunhofer researchers are presenting the device prototype. Up to now, the process of making the diagnosis is difficult: Physicians perform a biopsy on prostate tissue. Laboratory staff prepare tissue sections from it and afterwards, these are passed on to a pathologist for further analysis using a microscope. In the future, everything will be much easier with this device that researchers have developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Dresden. “The doctor lays the tissue sample on a supporting platelet, inserts this into the device, presses a button, and quickly obtains a reliable indication if the tissue in the sample is benign or malignant,” explained Dr. Jörg Opitz, scientist at IKTS. “The analyses are based on the auto-fluorescence emitted by human tissue,” Dr. Jörg Opitz further explained. Tissue molecules light up for a short time if they come in contact with a certain type of light. In the case of this newly developed analysis device, this happens within the scope measuring procedures using an intermittent laser pulse. The fluorescent molecules in the tissue emit light when animated by the laser pulse – and its intensity varies in the case of benign and malignant tissue.
COMPAMED 2014/ Fraunhofer Institute IKTS; hall 8a, stand K 38; telephone +49(0)351-2553-7720