the Medical Technology community of South Africa

Future for magnetic nanoparticles appears even brighter

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:21:00 +0200

Whether it's magnetic nanoparticles (mNPs) giving an army of 'therapeutically armed' white blood cells direction to invade a deadly tumour's territory, or the use of mNPs to target specific nerve channels and induce nerve-led behaviour (such as the life-dependant thumping of our hearts), mNPs have come a long way in the past decade.
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Robotically assisted minimally invasive bladder reconstructive surgery on children performed

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:53:00 +0200

For the first time, a surgical robot has been used to perform minimally invasive reconstructive surgery on five children whose bladder was dysfunctional because they were born with spina bifida [incomplete formation of the spine or spinal cord].
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Inaugural PACS and RIS Conference to address educational aspects

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:50:00 +0200

Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and Radiology information system (RIS) is being used throughout the medical profession worldwide. This technology, enabling digital storing and transfer of x-ray images, has radically transformed imaging departments and has recently been implemented throughout Africa.
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Ground-breaking surgery leaves no unsightly scar

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:23:00 +0200

Surgeons at The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre and McGill University used a novel approach for the first time in Canada to remove a tumour embedded in the upper face of Jayden Cambridge, an 18-month-old child. Using a new endoscopic technique, the surgeons entered from the toddler's scalp, above his hairline, to retrieve the tumour located in the middle of his forehead. Thanks to this new procedure, the little boy will be spared an unsightly scar, and instead has a tiny one hidden by his hair.
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New method found for the diagnosis of cartilage disease

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:33:00 +0200

In its quest to find new strategies to treat osteoarthritis and other diseases, a Boston University-led research team has reported finding a new computer tomography contrast agent for visualizing the special distributions of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) - the anionic sugars that account for the strength of joint cartilage.
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Scientists cultivate multiple types of retina cells from human stem cells

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:18:00 +0200

A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has successfully grown multiple types of retina cells from two types of stem cells — suggesting a future in which damaged retinas could be repaired by cells grown from the patient's own skin.
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MRI boosts chances of more extensive surgery over conservative approaches in breast cancer diagnosis

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:05:00 +0200

A new review says using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery to assess the extent of early breast cancer has not been shown to improve surgical planning, reduce follow-up surgery, or reduce the risk of local recurrences.
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Emerging technology the focus of Healthtech Africa 2010

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:56:00 +0200

The main focus of the Health Technology Exhibition to be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre on 18, 19 & 20 February 2010, will be emerging technology and its role in health care, not only in South Africa, but globally. Endorsed by CEASA, it will underline the importance of technological developments in the health-care industry.
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New technique captures bacterial infection on film

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:52:00 +0200

Researchers have developed a new technique that allows them to make a movie of bacteria infecting their living host.
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The Virtual Physiological Human

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:05:00 +0200

It could mean the end of animal testing and eventually even clinical patient drug trials. The Virtual Physiological Human is a 21st century pan-European project that's gaining momentum and takes a major step forward this week at The University of Nottingham.
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