ReleaseWire Connect

Prevalence of vestibular disorders is highly perceptible worldwide, whereas associated diagnosis and treatment procedures currently available are ineffective. Considerable interest has been observed in the development of novel ways for identifying central and peripheral vestibular abnormalities. This has consequentially resulted in the advent of new therapeutic options have the potential to benefit numerous patients who continue to be symptomatic, despite optimizations in treatment measures.

Tubal obstruction devices are micro-insert devices used for prevention of pregnancy and maturation of egg in ovaries. Tubal obstruction devices are used in birth control and working two principles namely tissue ingrowth and mechanical obstruction. Tubal obstruction devices is a minimally invasive method for birth control. Mostly these devices are made up of polyethylene, ceramic, nylon, and silicone. The first FDA approved tubal occlusion device is Essure permanent birth control system. In recent times, it has become popular because of its minimally invasive nature with the high degree of effectiveness. This device consists of two coils namely: inner coil and the outer coil. Inner coil is made up of polyethylene terephthalate fibers and stainless steel and outer is made up of nitinol. It is used for permanent birth control by inducing benign tissue ingrowth. The success rate of this device is 83% to 94.1% and it offers advantages like avoidance of incisions, general anesthesia, and general narcotics.

The endorectal balloon is single-use, inflatable, disposable, non-powered rectal device used in immobilization of prostate in patients. These devices are intended to be used in patients undergoing radiotherapy and it can be used in all stages. The endorectal balloon is traditionally used in the treatment of prostate cancer with benefits like consistent rectal filing & prostate stability. The endorectal balloon is used to move posterior wall away from the prostate and helps in reduction of radiation to the rectum and mucosal wall. It can be well tolerated in over 95% of patients. While, they are contraindicated in patients with severe hemorrhoids, anal fissures, peri-rectal/peri-anal abscess, rectal fistula, anal canal stricture and prior low anterior resection. When it comes to technical information, endorectal balloon contains two radiopaque markers and they are located in the catheter shaft. It is equipped with a valve and it controls inflation and deflation. Advantages of the endorectal balloon include infra-fraction motion control, limit radiation dose to the wall, controls late toxicity, increases visibility and increases patient compliance.

Alexandrite laser uses alexandrite crystals as the source of the laser. Laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) works on the principle of light emission and it is focused on particular body region to destroy diseased cells. Alexandrite laser is used to produce the specific wavelength of infrared light. It produces wavelength of 755 nm and it can also produce high-intensity beam in short pulses. Alexandrite laser works on the principle of light emission by laser and it is converted into heat energy. This process is called photothermolysis and heat energy is used to treat the wide variety of disease conditions. US FDA has approved alexandrite laser for various skin disorders. Alexandrite laser is used to treat vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, hair removal and tattoo removal. In case of vascular lesions, light pulses of alexandrite laser target red pigments of a body. In case of pigmented lesions, alexandrite laser target melanin at variable depth on or in the skin. In hair removal cases, pulse durations of 2 to 20 milliseconds are used to targets hair follicles, causing the hair to fall out and reduce the further growth.

Recent years has been observed with the advancements in surgical intervention for treating spinal deformity. Current surgical techniques for scoliosis treatment yields positive results but limits postoperative spinal motion due to the spine fusion. For overcoming these negative consequences, there exists the development of techniques for scoliosis correction without fusion. There has been an increasing traction of fusionless scoliosis surgery via minimally invasive techniques among the spine surgeons. Fusionless scoliosis is a less invasive surgical procedure that has been followed by many surgeons for the past 10 years. This involves the placement of titanium pedicle screws and cord for correcting the curvature of scoliosis. Fusionless scoliosis surgery is usually recommended for patients having a curvature of over 40 degrees. As compared with the fusion surgery, fusionless scoliosis surgery aims to support spine growth and movement. The conventional treatment also diminishes growth in height as lengthening proceeds. There are currently two techniques being used for fusionless scoliosis surgery: Vertebral body stapling and vertebral body tethering. Vertebral body stapling is employed for smaller and more flexible curves in younger patients whereas, vertebral body stapling is performed in patients having growth reaming in flexible thoracic curves measuring 35°-70° and lumbar curves measuring 30°-70°.

Nowadays, obesity is seen as a serious health concern which leads to several other health problems. One in three adults in the U.S. is suffering from the problem. Diet Pills are the medications used to lose weight and slim down along with the diet and exercise. With the increasing trend of losing weight and becoming fit, there is a rising demand for these medications. These medications don't replace the healthy eating habits or physical exercise for losing weight. Diet pills may improve person's health by loosening their weight and thus lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglycerides. These diet pills work by increasing body metabolism, blocking your body from absorbing fat, increasing fat burning and reducing appetite. Some of the diet pills contain a stimulant medication and thus are classified as controlled substances by U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Researchers are currently studying several new compounds to identify safer and more effective approach to treat the problem of obesity in patients. Some of the FDA approved medications include orlistat, lorcaserin, phentermine-topiramate, naltroxine-bupropion, liraglutide etc. These diet pills have the capability to reduce 5% to 10% more of their initial weight when used as part of diet or exercise plan over the year. Several factors are considered before going on to the diet pills such as body mass index, severity of obesity and other health-related problems.

The presence of biomaterials in orthopaedic surgery leads to high risk of developing deep infections. Adhesion of bacteria to the biomaterials and the production of a biofilm is of a major concern. Antibiotic-loaded Bone Cement is the pre-fabricated cement which passes certain regulations and is approved by FDA. Antibiotic-loaded bone cement was developed in view of the infections occurring in the orthopaedic surgery. This concept was first introduced in 1970. This is considered only as a support strategy in preventing the onset of infections and not the solution of bacterial prevention. The antibiotic selection is also a fundamental issue for the preparation of antibiotic-loaded bone cement. The antibiotic selected should be a broad spectrum having a low percentage of resistant species. The most regularly used antibiotics in the development of antibiotic-loaded bone cement include gentamycin, tobramycin and vancomycin. These antibiotics can be used alone or in combination. The effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded bone cement is hugely dependent on the choice of antibiotics and their proper mixing of antibiotics with the cement. The addition of antibiotics may play a role in weakening the structure and the mechanical properties of the cement. Many studies demonstrate the antibacterial effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded bone cement for the treatment of deep infections following hip and knee arthroplasty.

Targeted intravascular temperature management is typically recommended for critically ill patients who are in intensive care or surgical setting and for the ones with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Unlike any other traditional method of warming or cooling, a patient is kept cooler or warmer from inside using advanced intravascular temperature management systems and upgraded technology such as proprietary catheter-based technology. The advanced intravascular temperature management systems enables to rapidly, safely, and effectively manage the core body temperature of a patient within fraction of time. Intravascular temperature management systems have proved to be highly effective during induction of mild hypothermia and are invasive devices. One of the most common technology used to regulate core body temperature of a critically ill patient is catheter-based technology. In this, a standard central venous catheter is inserted into the central venous system of target patient. A saline solution is passed into the catheter where it circulates in the closed loop. The intravascular temperature management system then controls the temperature of saline flowing within the catheter tubes, thereby regulating the body temperature of patient. The intravascular temperature management system is highly preferable over conventional temperature controlling techniques owing to facts such as high accuracy, highly responsive system, automatically updating system and ability of the system to identify change in temperature as small as 0.01°C from the body of a patient. When compared with the traditional methods of temperature maintenance, an intravascular temperature management system is much safer and highly controllable, thereby allowing health care providers to focus on critical patient care.

Nipah virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae. It was initially isolated in 1999 in Malaysia and Singapore, during an outbreak of encephalitis and respiratory illness in pigs and people closely associated with them. Flying foxes are the reservoir for these viruses and it spreads through direct contact with infected bats, pigs and people. When pigs are infected with the Nipah virus they represent relatively mild symptoms when compared to humans. The incubation time in humans is 5-14 days followed by fever and headache for 3-14 days, further followed by drowsiness, disorientation and mental confusion.

Lip augmentation is a procedure used to alter the appearance of the lips. The procedure can be either surgical or non-surgical. Fat injections and implants are alternatives to lip fillers for lip augmentation. However, these methods are not used much presently as their results vary and have a greater risk of side effects. The non-surgical lip augmentation is achieved by the use of injectable lip fillers. The most common types of dermal fillers used for lip augmentation are collagen and hyaluronic acid. Collagen only plumps the lips while hyaluronic acid works by not only plumping the lips but also traps water within the lips and gives a more natural plum appearance. Hyaluronic acid has one of the greatest advantage over the collagen lip filler that its effect can be reversed. This is done with the use of an enzyme called hyaluronidase that removes the hyaluronic acid. Some of the risks involved if the lip filler is improperly injected includes, bruising, redness, pain and itching.