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1. Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre System

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre System is a glucose measuring system that eliminates the need for finger sticks or finger stick calibrations. It measures glucose levels through a small sensor that is applied to the back of a user’s upper arm. The sensor is the size of two stacked quarters and gives real-time readings for up to 10 days, according to the company. The sensor is also able to read glucose levels through clothes.

Each scan provides three pieces of data, including real-time glucose results, an eight-hour historical trend and a trend arrow showing the direction their glucose is headed. The accompanying touchscreen reader can hold up to 90 days’ worth of data to allow people to track glucose levels over time.

2. Boston Scientific’s SpyGlass

Boston Scientific’s SpyGlass is a direct visualization system that is used for cholangiopancreatoscopy. It is designed to optimize procedural efficiency and productivity because of its improved ease of setup, ease of use and image quality, according to the company.

It features a single-use scope that eliminates optical probe reprocessing and reduces risk of cross-contamination and image degradation over multiple uses. The integrated digital sensor features higher resolution image quality and 60% wider field of view for efficient evaluation of ducts with consistent articulation direction and accessory exit point. It also has a dedicated irrigation and aspiration connection that enables greater physician control to efficiently clear field of view. The tapered catheter tip has an atraumatic design that can assist with cannulation and traversing tight strictures, according to the company.

SpyGlass offers enhanced visualization and access for diagnostic and therapeutic applications like biliary system cancer, pancreatic cancer, bills duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, intraductal pancreatic mucinous tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas, gallstones, primary sclerosis cholangitis, pancreatitis, pancreatic stones/debris, biliary papillomatosis and indeterminate pancreatic strictures and masses.

3. BrainScope’s BrainScope One system

BrainScope’s BrainScope One system is an easy-to-use, non-invasive, handheld platform that allows physicians to assess head injuries at point-of-care.

The device is FDA-cleared and is based off of EEG technology. BrainScope One is non-invasive and painless and can be used on patients who are aged 18-85 years old within three days of a head injury. It measures and interprets brain activity and neurocognitive function to help physicians make clinical diagnoses.

4. KBCT 1000

The KBCT from Koning is a breast imaging device. It offers high-contrast, real 3D images of the breast with spatial resolution and no painful compression in a 10-second exposure with radiation levels that are the same as normal mammograms.

The real 3D image features isotropic images in a 3D display to allow clinicians to evaluate tissue from any angle while eliminating overlapping structures. KBCT’s 3D scan is non-contrast, contrast enhanced and shows blood vessels and calcifications.

5. Abilify MyCite

Abilify MyCite is a prescription medication with a sensor inside that is designed to treat a number of conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and major depression disorder.

The Abilify MyCite system tracks if the medication has been taken. Usually ingestions can be detected with 30 minutes, but it could take up to two hours for a smartphone app or web portal to detect if the medication has been taken.

6. Implantable system for Remodulin

The New Drug Application (NDA) for the use of Remodulin (treprostinil; United Therapeutics) Injection in the Implantable System for Remodulin (ISR; Medtronic) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Remodulin, a prostacyclin vasodilator, is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO Group 1), to diminish symptoms associated with exercise, or for patients requiring transition from Flolan (epoprostenol sodium; GlaxoSmithKline), to diminish the rate of clinical deterioration. The product was originally approved for administration by continuous subcutaneous and intravenous routes using external pumps.

The newly approved ISR is indicated for adult patients with Class I, II, and III PAH receiving intravenous delivery of Remodulin and is composed of the Medtronic SynchroMed II implantable drug infusion pump and a newly developed intravascular catheter. Approval of the ISR was based on results from the DellVery for PAH trial which involved 64 participants, of which 60 were successfully implanted. The study showed that the new delivery system effectively delivered Remodulin and was associated with a low rate of catheter-related complications. Complications were defined as events that required an invasive intervention.

“External infusion pumps have been used to deliver prostacyclins for PAH, but managing the therapy places a significant burden on patients, interferes with their daily activities, and runs a high risk of infections,” said David Steinhaus, MD, Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. “This fully implantable drug delivery system was designed to address these serious patient care concerns.”

7. Watchman

The Watchman from Boston Scientific is a left atrial appendage closure device that helps reduce stroke risk. It is an alternative to long-term warfarin therapy in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Boston Scientific’s Watchman device is delivered through a transfermoral approach that is designed to close the left atrial appendage to prevent migration of blood clots, according to the company. Because it prevents blood clots, the device reduces the risk of stroke and systemic embolism.

8. Axios: Stent and electrocautery enhanced delivery system

The Axios stent and electrocautery enhanced delivery system is designed to offer therapeutic endoscopists to safely and accurately access a pancreatic fluid collection from the gastrointestinal tract to place an Axios stent. The system uses a cautery-enabled access catheter with the therapeutic Axios stent for an exchange-free procedure.

The Axios catheter is energized and deployed through tissue walls and into target structures under EUS guidance. The catheter sheath is retracted which allows the stent to be deployed. Then, the delivery system is withdrawn.

9. Non-invasive migraine treatment device

                                   

ElectroCore launched its gammaCore Sapphire non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator in 2018. The device was the first non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator device to be cleared by the FDA for acute treatment of migraines and episodic cluster headaches.

The gammaCore Sapphire device is portable and easy-to-use and is able to be self-administered by patients as needed for pain. It offers no side effects, unlike pain medications. It is a small, handheld device that has an easy grip and smoother stimulation surfaces for easy placement over the vagus nerve. There are also intensity buttons on the side of the device that allow for therapy adjustments and a larger, brighter display to show status information.

For headache relief, users place the device on the neck over the vagus nerve to stimulate the nerve fibers and reduce pain.

The gammaCore Sapphire can be used for multiple years and has a rechargeable function with a reloadable refill capacity. It is activated monthly through a unique, prescription-only authorization code that is delivered through a radio-frequency identification (RFID) card sent through the mail to the patient.

GammaCore Sapphire is prescribed by a physician and allows for treatment of multiple headaches up to 24 stimulations a day.

10. VR Training System

Medical education, surgery, rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry, and psychology could all benefit from VR, and the field of nursing care could reap the fruits of the technology, too.

Virtual simulations could support the training phase of nurses, preparing them for emergency situations such as a cardiac arrest. For example, the Miami Children’s Hospital is using virtual technology to train employees on procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, nasal gastric tube insertion, starting an IV, wound care and others. They may use a similar platform as Virtual Education Systems’ VR training systems; new nurses can train with interactive patients in-hospital simulations making critical decisions in real-time.

Moreover, virtual reality could become a great tool for nurses to alleviate chronic pain for patients. Brennan Spiegel and his team at the Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles introduced VR worlds to their patients, and the Healthy Mind start-up founded by three students in France did the same to enable people to manage pain without drugs.