Other Headlines

Advocacy groups applaud passage of bill that would permanently repeal and replace SGR.
The medical community pays tribute to a dedicated crew.
DOTmed discusses the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) program for public awareness with ASTRO's assistant director of communications, Beth Bukata.
Thanks to a European grant for the HyperIMAGE project, a consortium of scientists across Europe have worked with Philips to develop a proof-of-concept, pre-clinical combined MR-PET scanner that could one day lead to improved radiation therapy and cardiology treatments.
The "germ theory" of schizophrenia got a mild boost this week as scientists discover that recently afflicted schizophrenics show higher levels of inflammatory proteins in the brain.

Have News for Us?

Submit your news on the industry, people, or companies.

Forward to a Friend

More Industry Headlines

House Passes Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act Advocacy groups applaud passage of bill that would permanently repeal and replace SGR.

Clinical PET-MRI Moves Closer to Reality Thanks to a European grant for the HyperIMAGE project, a consortium of scientists across Europe have worked with Philips to develop a proof-of-concept, pre-clinical combined MR-PET scanner that could one day lead to improved radiation therapy and cardiology treatments.

Scientists Find Unusual Immune System Activity in Brains of Schizophrenics The "germ theory" of schizophrenia got a mild boost this week as scientists discover that recently afflicted schizophrenics show higher levels of inflammatory proteins in the brain.

Aural Trumps Oral for Ear Treatment A novel microfluidic drug delivery system makes it possible to reach parts of the body poorly served by oral and injectable medications.

Senate Health Care Reform Bill Unveiled Legislation may go to cloture vote this weekend. Read the details.

RSNA 2009 Preview This year's RSNA should provide a very interesting look at the effects of the economy on the major OEMs. As always, vendors are whipping up the hoopla, and inside this story are great previews of what's being debuted. But DOTmed reporters will also be there to get the real buzz. Look for video interviews in our Online News direct from the show.

Interview With Fred Robertson, President & CEO of TomoTherapy TomoTherapy president and CEO Fred Robertson talks with DOTmed about his perspective on ASTRO's 2009 annual meeting, changes in the radiation oncology industry and two important TomoTherapy product launches that occurred at the show. Watch the HD video.

Health Care Reform Round-Up: CBO Pegs Senate Bill at $849 Billion The numbers are in on the Senate's version of reform. Also read about the wide-ranging impact that the legislation would have.

Pen-Sized Microscope Aims for Precise Brain Surgeries A confocal microscope picking up brain-safe fluorescent dyes could result in more accurate and streamlined surgeries to remove tumors from the brain.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Has Stunning New Guidelines on Mammography Agency recommends no routine screening for women 40-49, no self-examination. Read the details.

Robots and people team
in research effort

Robotics Research Is Improving Lives of People With Disabilities

August 12, 2008
by Joan Trombetti, Writer
Robotics may be the answer for people with disabilities who are fighting the battle to once again regain the use of their limbs. A research team made up of students and engineers from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech and Georgetown University are lending a "robotic" hand. The project is funded through the National Science Foundation Computer, Information Science and Engineering.

The team is utilizing physiological information, or bio-signals, produced by the human body, to improve the performance of external assistive devices, called orthoses, which aid individuals with physical disabilities, such as strokes or major spinal cord injuries, regain the use of their arms and legs.

According to Edward Brown, assistant professor of electrical engineering at RIT and director of the Biomechatronics Learning Laboratory, the data collected through this project will assist designers and engineers in developing more sophisticated assistive aids for individuals suffering from various neuromuscular diseases and musculoskeletal injuries. He says that people with these types of ailments, such as muscular dystrophy, have extremely weak muscles that waste away over time. They experience difficulties in the simplest of physical tasks, for example, picking up a cup or holding a spoon. A robotic orthosis that takes advantage of the individual's residual strength and any remaining physiological information in their limbs, such as an electromyographic signal produced in muscles, could ultimately assist muscular dystrophy patients regain significant use of there limbs.

Researchers in the Biomechatronic Learning Laboratory are studying individuals with healthy muscles to develop a baseline, and then plan to test their robotic system on patients currently suffering from muscular dystrophy. The results from the project will be used to enhance the development of orthotics technologies and also contribute to the broader field of rehabilitation robotics, including the creation of better prosthetic limbs. For more information see http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=CISE

Interested in Medical Industry News? Subscribe to DOTmed's weekly news email and always be informed. Click here, it takes just 30 seconds.

Please Send us your Comments.

Printable Story
Access and use of this site is subject to the terms and conditions of our LEGAL NOTICE & PRIVACY NOTICE
Property of and Proprietary to DOTmed.com, Inc. Copyright ©2001-2009 DOTmed.com, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED