Expert review of medical devices
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2005
ReviewHeartMate II left ventricular assist device: a new device for advanced heart failure.
Since the initial use of artificial heart devices decades ago, advances in technology have yielded new artificial heart devices that can finally achieve the goal of providing life-saving treatment and good quality of life in terminally ill patients with heart failure. The HeartMate II left ventricular assist device is a new generation of device that is small, quiet and relatively easy to implant. A pilot study in the USA recently completed enrollment, and the pivotal trial is now underway to study this device in patients who are awaiting transplant and patients who are not candidates for transplant. To date, the results look promising that this device may be widely applicable to patients who have heart failure that do not respond to conventional treatments.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2005
ReviewDiaphragm pacers as a treatment for congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome is a rare syndrome present from birth, and is defined as the failure of automatic control of breathing. All patients with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome require life-long ventilatory support during sleep, although approximately a third of patients require ventilatory support 24 h per day. Diaphragm pacers offer a modality of ventilatory support that affords congenital central hypoventilation syndrome patients with maximal mobility for full-time ventilatory patients, and they may allow for a more normal lifestyle in the appropriate patient. ⋯ This stimulates the phrenic nerve resulting in a diaphragmatic contraction. Settings on the transmitter include respiratory rate and electrical voltage, and are adjusted to give enough tidal volume to allow for adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Therefore, diaphragm pacing is an attractive alternative mode of mechanically assisted ventilation for many patients with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2005
ReviewEdwards FloTrac sensor and Vigileo monitor: easy, accurate, reliable cardiac output assessment using the arterial pulse wave.
Edwards Lifesciences has recently introduced the FloTrac sensor and Vigileo monitor system for monitoring cardiac output continuously. It does not require thermodilution or dye dilution, but rather bases its calculations on arterial waveform characteristics in conjunction with patient demographic data. ⋯ Studies thus far indicate that it is robust and accurate over a wide range of cardiac output and clinical conditions. It will be valuable in the care of many patients, such as those with critical illness, cardiovascular dysfunction, trauma or undergoing major surgery.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2005
Computed tomography: important considerations for pediatric patients.
Computed tomography plays a central and increasingly important role in medical imaging. From the very beginning more than 30 years ago, computed tomography technology has continued to develop and provide a wide variety of applications for evaluation of disorders of virtually any organ system in both children and adults. ⋯ However, these benefits must be carefully weighed against the potential risks, which include a relatively high radiation dose. Current research efforts are directed at both further improvements in the diagnostic potential with computed tomography, as well as managing radiation dose.