Expert review of medical devices
-
Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2014
ReviewNew autoinjector technology for the delivery of subcutaneous methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and is widely used both as first-line therapy and as an important component of long-term therapy. Although subcutaneous MTX is typically delivered orally, parenteral administration offers benefits with respect to tolerability and systemic exposure, and may be an underutilized treatment option. ⋯ A novel MTX autoinjector (MTXAI) was recently introduced, which is designed to facilitate subcutaneous MTX self-administration among patients with RA. Here we review the development and utility of the MTXAI in the treatment of RA, and discuss how this technology may facilitate the use of subcutaneous MTX.
-
Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2014
ReviewThe lung volume reduction coil for the treatment of emphysema: a new therapy in development.
Lung volume reduction (LVR) coil treatment is a novel therapy for patients with severe emphysema. In this bilateral bronchoscopic treatment, approximately 10 LVR coils per lobe are delivered under fluoroscopic guidance in two sequential procedures. The LVR coil reduces lung volume by compressing the most destructed areas of the lung parenchyma and restores the lung elastic recoil. ⋯ The LVR-coil treatment has been evaluated in several European clinical trials since 2008 and received CE mark approval in 2010. Currently, two large multicenter randomized controlled trials are underway in Europe and North America to assess the efficacy and safety of the LVR-coil treatment at 12 months compared with usual care. In this review, we share our experience with the LVR-coil treatment.
-
Evaluation of: Hampton DA, Lee TH, Diggs BJ, McCully SP, Schreiber MA. A predictive model of early mortality in trauma patients. Am. ⋯ This was incorporated with haemoglobin level, international normalized ratio, Glasgow Coma Score and the presence of penetrating injury to form their five-variable mortality prediction model. Hampton et al. conclude that the correlation between r-TEG measurements and trauma mortality makes it a useful tool in mortality prediction. The report highlights the importance of using this point-of-care coagulation assessment machine in mortality prediction for trauma patients.