Tag: medical devices

Categories
MedTech

Early Cancer Detection: The Promise of Protein Biomarker Analysis

Cancer detection has seen a revolutionary transformation, thanks to the emergence of a technique known as Protein Biomarker Analysis using Proximity Ligation Assays (PLA). This novel approach is a game changer in identifying cancer at its nascent stages, improving the chances of successful treatment and recovery. But what exactly is PLA, and how does it contribute to early cancer detection? Let’s delve into this promising frontier of medical technology.

Understanding Protein Biomarker Analysis

At its core, Protein Biomarker Analysis is about studying specific proteins – called biomarkers – that are often associated with the presence of cancer. Unlike the conventional methods which rely on identifying genetic mutations, this analysis focuses on proteins, offering a real-time glimpse into the presence of cancer.

A proximity ligation assay identifies complexes (red) containing the Notch1 receptor and the heparan sulfate proteoglycan Syndecan-3 in skeletal muscle satellite cells stained for Syndecan-4 (green). Pisconti et al. show that Syndecan-3 is required for Notch1’s cleavage by the metalloproteinase ADAM17 and downstream signaling controlling satellite cell proliferation and differentiation.
 
This image is available to the public to copy, distribute, or display under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
 
Reference: Pisconti et al. (2010) J. Cell Biol.190, 427-441.
Published on: August 9, 2010.
doi: 10.1083/jcb.201003081

Some of the innovative approaches and technologies in Protein Biomarker Analysis are:

  1. Multiplexed Proximity Ligation Assays: A high throughput protein biomarker discovery tool has been developed that utilizes multiplexed proximity ligation assays in a homogeneous format. This innovative platform comprises four 24-plex panels profiling 74 putative biomarkers with sub-picomolar sensitivity, each consuming only 1 μl of human plasma sample​​.
  2. TaqMan® Protein Assays: TaqMan® Protein Assays represent an adapted form of PLA technology, invented by Ulf Landegren, Simon Fredriksson, and colleagues. This technology melds antibody-protein binding with real-time PCR-based detection of the reporter nucleic acid sequence. It’s an illustrative example of how PLA technology can be adapted and expanded for varied applications in protein analysis​.
  3. Multiplexed Protein Detection Procedure: A proximity ligation-based multiplexed protein detection procedure has been presented wherein several selected proteins can be detected via unique nucleic-acid identifiers. This method holds promise for a more comprehensive understanding and detection of protein complexes associated with cancer​​.
  4. Nanoparticle-Based Proximity Ligation Assay: This method enhances the traditional PLA by replacing antibody–DNA conjugates with nanoparticles. These nanoparticles create ultradetectable PCR templates by capturing biotinylated oligonucleotides and catalyzing ligation, thus potentially offering a more sensitive and quantitative assay for protein analysis​​.
Applied Biosystems™ TaqMan™ Protein Assays Core Reagents Base Kit; Source: fishersci.se
Applied Biosystems™ TaqMan™ Protein Assays Core Reagents Base Kit
Source: fishersci.se

The Role of Proximity Ligation Assays (PLA)

Proximity Ligation Assays are the tools that enable this intricate analysis. They help in measuring and visualizing protein complexes, which in turn, provide critical insights into the presence and progression of cancer. The beauty of PLA lies in its ability to offer real-time information, which is crucial for early detection and subsequent treatment of cancer.

Advantages Over Traditional Methods

  1. Early Detection: As mentioned earlier, one of the standout benefits of PLA is its potential for early cancer detection. By identifying protein biomarkers, it’s possible to spot cancer long before symptoms surface.
  2. Real-Time Analysis: Unlike genetic mutation tests that might not provide a current status of cancer, PLA offers real-time information, which is invaluable in determining the most effective treatment plan.
  3. Enhanced Accuracy: By honing in on specific protein complexes, PLA tends to have a higher degree of accuracy compared to traditional testing methods.

The Future of Cancer Detection

Integrating Proximity Ligation Assays in routine cancer screening could herald a new era in oncology. By enabling early and accurate detection, PLA empowers healthcare professionals and offers hope to individuals and families affected by cancer.

Concluding Thoughts

The journey towards a cancer-free world is laden with numerous challenges, yet with innovative technologies like Protein Biomarker Analysis via Proximity Ligation Assays, we are inching closer to that goal. As research advances, there’s an optimistic outlook that PLA will become a cornerstone in cancer diagnostics, offering a beacon of hope for millions affected by this dreaded disease.

This exploration into the world of Protein Biomarker Analysis is a testimony to the relentless human endeavor to combat cancer. It’s a significant stride towards not only understanding this complex disease better but also combating it with more precision and effectiveness.

Note: this content has been created using experimental Generative AI features.
While edited, authored, and reviewed by humans it may include some biased or incorrect statements.

Categories
Digital Health MedTech

Bigfoot Medical: Pioneering Diabetes Management Solutions & Their Future Prospects

BigFoot Unity (www.bigfootbiomedical.com)
BigFoot Unity (www.bigfootbiomedical.com)

Beginning of March 2023 Bigfoot Medical announced it has FDA clearance for the Android version of the Bigfoot Unity® Mobile App, a necessary component of the Bigfoot Unity® Diabetes Management System. Given that 41 percent of U.S. smartphone users choose Android devices, this clearance enables expanded access to a large group of people with Type 2 diabetes. Bigfoot Unity has been compatible with iOS devices since May 2021. 

The medical device landscape is continuously evolving, with companies like Bigfoot Medical revolutionizing diabetes care through cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence. In this post, we explore the history, achievements, and future prospects of Bigfoot Medical, an industry leader in diabetes management solutions.

Early Days: Laying the Groundwork for Success

Founded in 2014 by Jeffrey Brewer and Bryan Mazlish, Bigfoot Medical was driven by a personal connection to the challenges of diabetes management. Their goal is to create an integrated system that simplifies and enhances diabetes care using advanced technology and AI.

From day one, Bigfoot Medical focused on patient-centric solutions, which has been instrumental in their success and significant progress in the diabetes care sector.

Achievements: Transforming Diabetes Care with Bigfoot Unity™

Bigfoot Medical’s flagship product, the Bigfoot Unity™ Diabetes Management System, is an innovative solution that combines a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), insulin pen caps, and a mobile app to provide a seamless, data-driven experience for those living with insulin-requiring diabetes.

Key achievements of Bigfoot Medical include:

  1. FDA Approval: In 2021, Bigfoot Medical received FDA clearance for the Bigfoot Unity™ System, a major milestone in their journey.
  2. Enhanced Patient Outcomes: The Bigfoot Unity™ System has demonstrated improved glycemic control, reduced hypoglycemic events, and enhanced quality of life for users.
  3. Strategic Partnerships: Bigfoot Medical has formed alliances with industry leaders like Abbott, ensuring technology integration and broader patient reach.
  4. Awards and Recognitions: The company has garnered numerous accolades, such as being named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021.

Competition and Market Size: Navigating a Dynamic Industry

The global diabetes care devices market is substantial, with a value of $20.0 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $38.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2021 to 2030. This significant market size is attributed to the increasing prevalence of diabetes, the need for better management solutions, and rising awareness about diabetes care. In such a dynamic industry, Bigfoot Medical faces competition from various established and emerging players, such as Medtronic, Dexcom, Insulet, and Tandem Diabetes Care, which offer insulin pumps, CGMs, and other diabetes management solutions.

Despite the competitive landscape, Bigfoot Medical differentiates itself through its unique, integrated approach to diabetes care, focusing on providing a seamless, data-driven experience for users. Additionally, the company’s commitment to leveraging AI and machine learning for personalized treatment plans offers a competitive edge that could attract patients seeking tailored solutions for their diabetes management. By continuing to innovate and staying ahead of the curve, Bigfoot Medical aims to secure a significant share of this growing market, providing millions of diabetes patients worldwide with advanced, user-friendly, and effective diabetes care solutions.

Future Prospects: Embracing Continued Innovation

With a strong foundation and proven success, Bigfoot Medical is poised to keep transforming diabetes care. Their future prospects encompass:

  1. Diversified Product Line: Bigfoot Medical plans to expand its product offerings, addressing a broader range of patient needs.
  2. Global Market Reach: The company aims to make its groundbreaking solutions accessible to patients worldwide.
  3. Personalized Medicine: Bigfoot Medical is committed to harnessing AI and machine learning to develop tailored treatment plans for diabetes patients, further enhancing outcomes and quality of life.
  4. Research and Collaborations: The company will continue to work with research institutions, healthcare providers, and industry partners to drive innovation and uncover new ways to improve diabetes care.

Bigfoot Medical’s dedication to enhancing the lives of diabetes patients is evident in their history of innovation and promising future. As they continue to evolve and expand, Bigfoot Medical will undoubtedly remain a leader in the medical device industry, shaping the future of diabetes management for millions around the globe. With a unique approach to diabetes care and a commitment to delivering personalized solutions, Bigfoot Medical is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives and redefine the standards of diabetes care in the years to come.

Categories
Digital Health MedTech

The Top 10 Medical Devices Types Revolutionizing Digital Health in 2023

man woman internet connection
Photo by Darlene Alderson on Pexels.com

Digital health in 2023 continues to advance rapidly. Medical devices that utilize digital technology are becoming increasingly popular and offer a wide range of benefits, including improved accuracy, increased convenience, and greater efficiency. In this post, we’ll take a look at the top 10 medical devices revolutionizing digital health in 2023.

Smart Inhalers

Smart inhalers are innovative medical devices that can help patients manage their asthma and other respiratory conditions more effectively. These devices are equipped with sensors that can track the usage of the inhaler, monitor patient symptoms, and provide feedback to help optimize treatment plans.

Wearable Glucose Monitors

Wearable glucose monitors are becoming increasingly popular for individuals with diabetes. These devices provide continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels and can alert the wearer when their levels are too high or too low, allowing for more timely and effective management of the condition.

Remote Patient Monitoring Systems

Remote patient monitoring systems enable healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely, reducing the need for in-person visits and improving patient outcomes. These systems typically involve wearable devices that can track vital signs, medication adherence, and other health metrics.

Virtual Reality Therapy Devices

Virtual reality therapy devices are a new and innovative way to treat a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety and PTSD. These devices allow patients to immerse themselves in a virtual environment, providing a safe and controlled space to address and overcome their fears.

Portable Ultrasound Machines

Portable ultrasound machines are an exciting development in medical imaging technology, allowing for easier and more accessible imaging in a range of clinical settings. These devices are also more cost-effective than traditional ultrasound machines, making them valuable tools for healthcare providers.

  • Philips CX50
  • Chison Sonobook 9
  • Mindray M7
  • GE Logiq e

AI-Powered Diagnostics Tools

AI-powered diagnostics tools are changing the game when it comes to early disease detection and diagnosis. These devices can analyze large amounts of data to detect patterns and anomalies that may indicate a health condition, enabling earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Smart Pill Bottles

Smart pill bottles are an excellent tool for medication adherence, particularly for patients with chronic conditions who need to take multiple medications. These devices can track medication usage, remind patients to take their medication and alert healthcare providers if medication is missed

Robotic Exoskeletons

Robotic exoskeletons are a new and exciting development in the field of physical therapy. These devices can assist patients with mobility issues, providing support and assistance with movement and helping to reduce the risk of falls and other injuries.

Wireless ECG Monitors

Wireless ECG monitors are a convenient and effective way to monitor cardiac health. These devices can be worn for extended periods, providing continuous monitoring of heart rate and rhythm, and alerting healthcare providers to potential issues in real time.

Smart Contact Lenses

Smart contact lenses are an exciting new development in digital health, allowing for continuous monitoring of a range of health metrics, including glucose levels, intraocular pressure, and other vital signs. These devices could have a significant impact on patient outcomes, particularly for those with chronic conditions. We have seen early pioneers (Alcon+Verily, Mojo) failing to deliver on their promises, but the platform has its potential and the research continues. The most recent advance was when the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) scientists led by Dr. Seol Seung-Kwon and Professor Lim-Doo Jeong made a significant step forward in 3D-printed smart lenses.

Medical devices are revolutionizing digital health in 2023, offering patients and healthcare providers new tools to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase access to care. From wearable glucose monitors to smart inhalers and AI-powered diagnostics tools, the future of digital health looks bright. Are you working on any of the trends above? Do you have a new disrupting healthcare technology in mind? Let us know!

Categories
MedTech

What is MedTech all about?

You can read a lot about MedTech. There are websites (like disrupting healthcare), news resources, and companies focused on one thing. MedTech. But what is MedTech? What does a MedTech company do? Is Medtech in a hospital or can you have it at home, on your wrist, or inside your body?

To make your journey into the world of MedTech easier, let’s discuss basic facts about MedTech.

Photo by Natanael Melchor on Unsplash

What is MedTech?

It is just an ugly abbreviation. MedTech stands for medical technology. And as you can guess there are very many technologies in the medical sector.

What are medical technologies?

MedTech is a very wide subject, but it can be categorized into three categories.

  1. Medical Devices
  2. In-vitro Diagnostics (IVDs)
  3. Digital Health Solutions  and Digital Therapeutics (DTx)

What are Medical Devices?

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Medical Devices is yet another very wide term in the MedTech world. It covers any product, service, or solution used to prevent, diagnose, monitor, or treat people. As you can now understand, it can be literally anything, an instrument, appliance, software, implant, reagent, material, or even a service for processing some vital data. Under Medical Devices, you will find all known gadgets of the medical profession, syringes, needles, stethoscopes, big machines to perform X-Ray or MRI, or the special chair in your dentist. Wheelchairs and canes, and hospital beds are also medical devices. And of course, everything that can be put on or in your body in medical procedure – sensors, cardiac pacemakers, and so on.

To become a Medical Device and be used in a healthcare setting, an object or service has to meet certain regulations to ensure its safety and reliability.

What is In Vitro Diagnostics?

Photo by Testalize.me on Unsplash

In vitro means literally in the glass. In vitro diagnostics (IVD) is any diagnostic procedure taken outside of the patient body. It is a non-invasive test made on a sample taken from your body, used to determine the status of a patient’s health. The sample can be blood, urine, tissue, or saliva. COVID-19 tests are IVDs. IVD never comes into direct contact with a person, they provide information based on scientific measurement of the sample. IVDs are not used for treatment, they are supposed to inform patients and healthcare professionals to make decisions.

What is Digital Health?

Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash

Digital Health covers all tools and services that combine information and communication technologies in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Digital Health plays an increasingly important role in healthcare. It allows for gathering and analyzing health data on an unprecedented scale, allowing scientists to discover patterns and insights. Digital Health speeds up and facilitates research and development of new therapies. It also allows remote monitoring of vital signs, early prevention and diagnosis, and at-home or ambulatory treatment. Finally, there are specific Digital Health solutions called Digital Therapeutics (DTx). Digital Therapeutics is usually Software as Medical Device – or in layman’s terms software application, that can be prescribed and used as medicine. There are more and more such DTx available, we have been covering examples such as Deprexis and NOCD.

What is MedTech – summary


Now, you know what is MedTech! It is any technology that is used in healthcare. MedTech covers Medical Devices, In vitro Diagnostics and Digital Health Solutions. On disrupting.healthcare we discuss MedTech with a focus on Digital Health on the exciting journey to improve the health and well-being of patients around the world.  

Categories
Digital Health

Meet Troy Tazbaz, a new director of the FDA Digital Health CoE

Troy Tazbaz Linkedin profile. Source: Linkedin

Troy Tazbaz has been appointed as a Director of the Digital Health Center of Excellence at the FDA. Mr. Tazbaz combines a long career in IT with long and personal involvement in healthcare.

Most media outlets focus on Mr. Tazbaz’s recent career as a cloud infrastructure at Oracle and earlier at social software Ning. For us, however, the most important is his voluntary and very personal engagement in patient care, especially in Hematology and Oncology.

Since 2010 Troy Tazbaz has been involved in campaigning for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a Patient Advocacy Group, and the largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting blood cancer. Since 1949, the LLS has donated over $1.6 billion to support research on leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma.

Mr. Tazbaz has very personal experience in oncology treatment and care. He was supporting his wife, Brynn Fowler in her patient journey as documented on her blog, The Millenial with Cancer. Mrs. Fowler was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer at the age 37. Now, after Mrs. Fowler has passed away, the website is still maintained by Mr. Tazbaz as The Continuum Diaries.

FDA DHCoE Infographics. Source: FDA.gov

FDA Digital Health Center of Excellence is part of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). It is responsible for envisioning a future of safe and effective healthcare delivery with a focus on advancing public health goals with the use of technology. It performs technology evaluation, policy development, and strategic partnerships, as well as maintains a network of Digital Health experts.



Categories
Digital Health

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) in Medical Devices

Do you know that FDA already approved 521 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)-Enabled Medical Devices?  

PAPNET. The failure of the pioneering AI/ML-enabled test.

Five hundred apps may not surprise you in January 2023, given the noise around Open AI and its GPTChat. However, the first such device, PAPNET Testing System, was approved over 28 years ago. In 1995, the year of Johnny Mnemonic and Ghost in the Shell movies!

Fig.1 Neural net-based (PAPNET, Neuromedical Systems, Suffern, NY) display of squamous cells (Papanicolaou stain) from a balloon smear showing effects of radiotherapy. Marked cell enlargement and vacuolization of cytoplasm are easily recognized.
Source: Koss, Leopold & Morgenstern, Nora & Tahir-Kheli, Naveed & Suhrland, Mark & Schreiber, Katie & Greenebaum, Ellen. (1998). Evaluation of Esophageal Cytology Using a Neural Net–Based Interactive Scanning System (the PAPNET System): Its Possible Role in Screening for Esophageal and Gastric Carcinoma. American journal of clinical pathology. 109. 549-57. 10.1093/ajcp/109.5.549.

PAPNET was using a neural network to analyze and interpret cytology from Pap smears. While this early system generated a lot of interest and Google Scholar lists 217 peer-reviewed articles on PAPNET results, the business side of it was not that great. The cost-effectiveness of the system in comparison to manual screening by cytotechnician was not there. Neuromedical Systems Inc, the company behind PAPNET went bust in 1999, and now its intellectual property is a part of Becton, Dickinson and Company portfolio.

List of FDA-approved Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)-Enabled Medical Devices

If you look at the list of approved AI/ML-enabled medical devices, you will notice that the vast majority (392 medical devices, 75% of the whole) are for Radiology. Cardiovascular (57,11%), Hematology (15, 3%), and Neurology (14, 3%) are the remaining three significant categories.

Fig. 2: Split of approved AI/ML-enabled medical devices by Specialty Panel.
Source: FDA.gov, graphics by disrupting.healthcare

There are only 15 companies that have more than five AI/ML-enabled medical devices approved. Five of those companies are actually subsidiaries of GE, which in total owns 42 AI/ML-enabled medical devices. Then there is Siemens with 27 devices, Canon with 15, Aidoc Medical with 13, and Zebra Medical Vision with 9 devices. Philips, which also submitted its devices via different subsidiaries has in total 10 approved AI-enabled devices

Table 1. Companies with over 5 approved AI/ML-enabled medical devices
CompanyAI/ML-enabled medical devices
GE Medical Systems42
Siemens Healthineers27
Canon17
Aidoc Medical13
Philips Healthcare10
Zebra Medical Vision9
Quantib BV6
Arterys Inc.5
Clarius Mobile Health Corp.5
HeartFlow, Inc.5
RaySearch Laboratories AB5
Viz.ai, Inc.5
Source: FDA.gov, disrupting.healthcare

The future of AI-enabled and data-driven MedTech

The market for Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning – enabled Medical Devices seems to be poised for growth. At a recent HLTH 2022 conference in Las Vegas, Michelle Wu, CEO of NyquistData, a company offering an AI-supported intelligence platform dedicated to MedTech companies discusses the advantages of using AI to unlock the potential of unstructured data from medical devices.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Data to Improve Medical Devices
Source: Xtelligent Healthcare Media

Cleerly. An example of an AI-enabled medical device for a heart-attack-free future.

A good example of upcoming Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning – enabled Medical Device may be Cleerly. The startup has raised $279 million from investors including Fidelity, T. Rowe Price, Novartis and Peter Thiel.

Founded by cardiologist James Min, former professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of the Dalio Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging at New York-Presbyterian, Cleerly uses AI to improve diagnostics cutting down on the time it takes to flag patients at risk.

Its proprietary AI algorithms analyze CCTA images to generate a 3D model of patients’ coronary arteries, identify their lumen (the cavity or channel within a tube or tubular organ such as a blood vessel) and vessel walls, locate and quantify stenoses, as well as identify, quantify and categorize plaque.

Source: Cleerly