Reviews and News on Medical Equipment

Thanks to recent advancement in data security, medical electronics are poised for a future of portability, accessibility and remote connectivity. Systems that are able to leverage these technologies will connect doctors and patients from clinical settings to homes, allowing caregivers, doctors and family members to monitor biological trends and changes in real time.

These rapid developments blend well with the increased use of electronic medical records (EMRs), which will eventually become universally accessible throughout the medical community in the form of electronic health records (EHRs).

One medical equipment supplier on the cutting edge of portable medical devices is Texas Instruments. Their broad portfolio of digital and analog solutions is evidence of the company’s continued investment in new technology. Manufacturers of medical devices and equipment are already taking advantage of these solutions to optimize their newest designs.

Telehealth and telemedicine are seeing the fastest growth as more systems are equipped with remote patient monitoring systems. Using wireless and Ethernet interfaces, hospitals can now network all of their equipment as well as connect directly to a patient’s home. As a result, caregivers can remotely monitor patients via wireless sensors that are worn on the body.

In 2010 and beyond, we can expect to see even more advances in the remote connectivity of hospital medical equipment, providing exciting innovations in system flexibility and mobility, the most important factors for advanced patient monitoring systems.
As more healthcare systems are able to adopt Bluetooth technology, the quality of patient care will continue to improve, as well as the quality of life for chronically ill patients.

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Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a new diagnostic tool for detecting Type 1 Diabetes in patients. Their new sensor is fueled by nanotechnology and can instantly tell doctors whether a patient is diabetic. Without a single blood test or related lab work, it can also recognize a related complication of Type 1 Diabetes known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

So, how does this new test work? Similar to a breathalyzer test, it can detect high levels of acetone in the breath of a patient, which is a key indicator of Type 1 Diabetes. If a patient has an especially high level of acetone, it is very possible that they also suffer from ketoacidosis, a serious buildup of acetone levels in the blood which occurs when the level of insulin falls too low.

A breakthrough in the medical equipment industry, this new sensor can identify the properties of nanoparticles as they are laid into a thin film between the device’s gold electrodes. Normally, these particles act like an electrical resistor, but that resistance is immediately diminished when acetone touches the sensor. Only a significant level of acetone will alter the resistance enough to cause the sensor to raise the red flag. However, it is sensitive enough to detect acetone at only 20 parts per billion, so its results are extremely reliable.

This innovation is certain to provide key lifesaving information when used to detect ketoacidosis in an ER setting, but it can also be used as intervention at home to determine if a diabetic should be taking more insulin.

Medical equipment researchers expect to see even more new applications for nanotechnology appear in medical devices over the next decade.

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As more and more patients take advantage of advances in medical devices, the market for home medical equipment now includes monitoring devices once reserved for the doctors’ office only. Some patients have been able to synchronize their home monitors to interface directly with their electronic medical chart and keep their physician’s records current.

Buying home medical equipment is relatively simple. Most equipment requires a doctors’ prescription in order to be reimbursed from their insurance company for the needed equipment. Some equipment, like oxygen, must be prescribed by a physician whether the patient is seeking reimbursement or not, because it is regulated by the FDA.

In many cases, the physician will recommend the best source for buying home medical equipment, but many patients will want to research this on their own. Supply companies vary in size and scope, from very large retailers like Apria, Walgreens and LinCare, to small local proprietors. However, many patients are looking to the Internet for the best prices. Because ecommerce companies operate with much lower overhead; they can offer some of the best prices for consumers.

Once the medical equipment is delivered, it is important that the patient or caregiver is properly trained in using and maintaining the equipment. When a device is covered by Medicare or Medicaid, some strict laws govern the suppliers who can sell this equipment. Customers who are using Medicare/Medicaid can only purchase from suppliers who have attained the mandated third-party accreditations, as outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Home medical equipment suppliers are obligated to provide proper delivery and setup of the equipment, and they must also ensure the home is suitable for the safe and proper use of the equipment. Family and caregivers should be trained in the proper use of home medical equipment, and thereby informed of their rights and responsibilities as users, as well as the instructions about periodic maintenance services.

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