medical device asia, july-august 2015

Vol.7 No.4 | July-August 2015 | New Delhi

thehealth

issue!

Compamed 2015MEDICA &

FIGHT AGAINSTcancer!

AMAZINGdevices!

Welcome to Essex Industries offers a wide range of medical oxygen regulators, integrated

regulators, conservers and portable LOX systems engineered to be safe, durable and

easy to use in home care, hospital, clinic and emergency response applications.

Medical Device ASIA | July-August 2015 | 3

Published, Printed and owned by: World-Wide Publications, D-182, PR House, Anand Vihar, New Delhi-110092, India and printed at Technical Press Inc. D-182, PR House, Anand Vihar, New Delhi 110092 - India.

The publisher does not necessarily agree with the views expressed by the contributors, in this issue, nor do accept any responsibility for any errors or interpretation in the publication.

Vol.7 No.4 | July-August 2015 | Annual Subscription: India: Rs.2000 ; Overseas: US$250

Medical Devices & Equipment | Healthcare | Pharmaceutical Journal

Editorial Advisory BoardAlex & Lilly - NetherlandsAndy McCourt - Australia

UK RepresentativeMike Steele, MJ Marketing

Thailand RepresentativeNopparat Khongbua

For advertising, subscribing or to submit a press release, write to :D-182, PR House, Anand Vihar, New Delhi - India. Tel : +91 11 22141542 / 4309 4482 Fax: +91 11 22160635Email: [email protected]

Managing Editor Sarvjit

Associate Editor & Public Relations Director

Reny

Joint EditorsVishwapreet

Amrita

ProductionRakesh

Marketing & CommunicationsLovleen

Web EditorRavindar

CirculationSurekha

Secretary & Legal AdvisorSurinder

China CorrespondentsYing Wei / Adrian Liu

h i g h l i g h t s

e d i t o r i a l

4 STARLED3 NX Surgical led lamp

6 Future of Thailand’s Healthcare Industry in Tier 2 Cities

10 Life Saving Devices for Medical & Healthcare Industries

15 MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND returns for its biggest and

most influential edition!

29 Thailand’s largest medical and healthcare event sells

out one month ahead with 50% increase in floor space

34 From Medical to Lifestyle Products: The Evolution of

Spectacles Has Been Revolutionary

36 Clean your glasses regularly to ensure clear vision

38 SAVE THE DATE: MEDICA AND COMPAMED

46 MEDICA EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2015: Medical

Expertise Meets Technical Know-How

48 Does radiation from X-rays and CT scans really cause

cancer?

50 Launch of National Health Innovation Portal

52 First-ever possible treatments for MERS

Ebola is a preventable disease, and yet a safe and effective vaccine has not been deployed. As with many vaccines,

financial barriers persist: pharmaceutical companies see high costs with limited market potential, and government support is lacking.

But there may be a solution to this vaccine crisis with the ability to save at-risk populations, according to a perspective piece written by physicians based at Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and the Wellcome Trust.

The article, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, proposes the creation of a $2 billion global vaccine-development fund - supported by governments, foundations and pharmaceutical companies - that would carry promising vaccines through development to deployment. With initial support, the global vaccine fund could help make vaccines available for emergency use.

In the case of Ebola, vaccine candidates were

available well before the time of the outbreak, but there were no funds to test them. Had one been tested, public health workers could have vaccinated people from the start, saving thousands of lives.

“Preventing infectious diseases should not be held back by a lack of funds. And the economic reality today is that strategic support from government and other investors is needed to address the most difficult infectious disease problems,” said essay author Adel Mahmoud, professor at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Molecular Biology.

The writers - who also include Jeremy Farrar, director of the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust, and Stanley Plotkin, emeritus professor at the University of Pennsylvania - liken their proposal to that of the antibiotic-resistance fund supported by President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget. The two funds could work in tandem to address some of the world’s most pressing global health issues, the authors

write.

“The fundamental challenges facing the discovery and development of new vaccines are growing in significance and can no longer be ignored,” Farrar said.

In their perspective piece, the physicians examine the barriers related to vaccine development. First, the complexity of a disease often requires substantial funding for a vaccine, and there are now only four vaccine manufacturers in the developed world: GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer and SanofiPasteur. Likewise, pharmaceutical companies must also grapple with a vaccine’s market potential. In the case of many vaccine-preventable diseases, the vaccine reach is low. This causes manufactures to be less eager to invest in a vaccine’s development.

Perhaps above all else, cost is one of the biggest obstacles to vaccine development. Depending on the disease, a vaccine costs between $500 million and $1. This includes research and development, and three phases of clinical trials - the last being necessary for licensure and the most costly. Given the substantial capital needed at the onset, few companies are willing to buy in.

“So many vaccine ideas have been shelved due to a lack of funding,” Mahmoud said. “In

the case of Ebola, there have been numerous vaccine discoveries over the past few decades, and yet no vaccines were deployed until very recently.”

But a global vaccine-development fund could help shoulder the financial burden. The $2 billion needed at the onset would cover what the authors label “death valley,” the phases between vaccine discovery and late-stage development.

“Our proposal has received a positive response so far, but I cannot predict what will happen. We still need to have a conversation with philanthropists and governments regarding funding for such an initiative,” Mahmoud said.

The authors conclude that the Ebola crisis should serve as a lesson for other infectious diseases and global health crises.

“Vaccine development is presently in a crisis,” Mahmoud said. “In the case of Ebola, a relatively modest, strategic investment could have saved thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Going forward, we cannot let financial burdens stand in the way of solving deadly global health crises.”

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs

Global vaccine-development fund could save lives and money

STARLED3 NX grants a homogeneous and shadowless light thanks to its special LED optics created by ACEM Medical Company that directs light beams at best according to the needs. The visual area is perfectly illuminated assuring both excellent visual comfort and working conditions. Its next generation LEDs produce an unparalleled quality of light with a colour temperature (CCT) of

4.500 °K and a colour rendering index (CRI) of 95.

STARLED3 NX has a light intensity of 130.000 lux with a low energy consumption of 69W. The life cycle of its LEDs is about 50.000 hours.

STARLED3 NX is composed by three reflectors that produce a well-blended and intense cone of light focusable through the automatic adjustment of the light spot diameter. Its slim, practical and compact design makes it perfect for several uses. The lamp is ergonomic, easy to move and to position and suitable for the laminar flows of the operating room.

Its ENDO function (light for endoscopy) gives the possibility to use STARLED3 NX for minimal- invasive surgery too. The easy -to-clean shape and material of STARLED3 NX as well as its removable, sterilizable and easy-to-grip handle assure an excellent cleanliness.

Functions are adjusted by its innovative easy-to-read, ergonomic and easy-to-clean I-SENSE® control panel. With a simple touch it can manage easily and accurately:

• ON/OFF function

• Light intensity adjustment• DoF - Depth of Field - for a deep light• ENDO - Light for endoscopy ideal for

minimal-invasive surgery• SIZE - Light spot diameter

adjustment to focus the operating area• SYNC - Function (optional) useful to

synchronize controls of the combined lamps: STARLED3 NX double (twin dome configuration) and STARLED3 NX together with STARLED3 NX or STARLED7 NX.

STARLED3 NX is available in the following versions:Ceiling mounted, (Single, double configuration or together with other STARLED NX lamps) , Wall mounted, Trolley mounted ( ABPS battery on demand) .

ABPS is a rechargeable battery powered system made by ACEM Medical Company dedicated to power surgical lamps as by European Directive 93/42/EEC.

STARLED3 NX with ABPS has the same performance and appearance, since the structure containing the battery is within the trolley base. The structure which covers and protects the battery is made of resistant plastic, and its dimensions are: 550 x 340 x 240 mm. The control panel on the structure allows managing all fundamental parameters, such as residual charge, type of power supply, recharge status and electrical power supply presence, amongst others.

ABPS:• has an electronic control which allows for automatic switch from electric power supply to battery power supply so that STARLED3 NX can be used as a high performance mobile unit.

• is recharged by an automatic charger and requires no specific maintenance. Its autonomy may vary depending on the battery model, which can be from 12 Ah to 28

Ah with maximum charging time of about 8 hours.

For more information, please write to: Acem Medical Company Via della Tecnica 29, 40050 Argelato - Bologna – ITALY Phone + 39 051 721844, [email protected], www.acem.it

STARLED3 NX Surgical led lampSTARLED3 NX is a lamp manufactured by ACEM based on the Next generation LED technology, assuring cold light, long life and low energy consumption. The lamp is suitable for countless applications both for surgery and operating room. It is ideal for diagnosis, dental sector, gynecology, dermatology, general medicine and surgery.

4 | July-August 2015 | Medical Device ASIA

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Thailand healthcare overviewHealthcare expenditure in Thailand is still very low in comparison to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and China; but slightly higher than its peers in AEC. The government has been increasing their healthcare spending to strengthen the universal coverage scheme for the past 10 years. Total government budget for the scheme increased from THB 51 billion in 2002 (USD 1.6 bn), THB 91 billion in 2007 (USD 2.9 bn) and up to THB 106 billion in 2009 (USD 3.4 bn).

While Thailand is among other AEC nations whose numbers of hospital beds stand is lower than global median, the country’s number of hospital beds is significantly higher than AEC median. Despite having relatively advanced economies in comparison to other

AEC nations, Thailand’s number of doctors per 10,000 population is below average, hampering the growth of its healthcare industry.

Key trends in healthcare industry in Thailand (and Tier 2 Cities)A large portion of the population live in Thailand’s Tier 2 cities, which include Chiangmai, Khonkaen, Udonthani, Ubonratchathani, Nakhonratchasrima, Chonburi and Songkhla. These cities are categorized under the same characteristics such as among top 20 in terms of population size (>1 million) / number of medical institutions / number of inpatient beds (>2,500). Approximately 19% of Thailand’s total population lives in these Tier 2 Cities, compared to 13% in Bangkok -- and here are several main trends in the healthcare we have observed within these regions :

Future of Thailand’s Healthcare Industry in Tier 2 CitiesThailand is one of the Southeast Asian countries with the most advanced economic development and healthcare infrastructure. Bangkok no longer equates to the sole Thai healthcare market, according to a report on the Future of Thailand’s Healthcare in Tier Two Cities by Solidiance, a corporate strategy consulting firm with focus on Asia Pacific. Tier Two cities in Thailand like Hat Yai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, are increasingly expanding with the growth of private and public sectors. As these cities have been urbanized, their population has grown more affluent and accustomed to better living standards. Healthcare services are among the many services that those in these cities with better income and education are now willing to pay for. Given the rapid change of this market, it is crucial for healthcare companies to better understand healthcare business opportunities in the tier two Thailand cities.


services in private hospitals equipped with faster and better services.

3. Growing medical tourismMedical tourism in Thailand grew by 17.5% CAGR from 2007- 2011. In 2012, the number of foreigners seeking medical treatment in Thailand reached 2.53 million and brought THB 121.6 billion (USD 4 billion) to the country. The Medical Tourism Promotion project highlighted Thailand’s high quality medical services at relatively more competitive prices compared to medical services in developed countries. Moreover, the government is promoting the country as a medical hub and medical tourism is expected to be one of the main drivers for private hospital investment in the future.

4. AEC 2015 to further boost urbanization, and healthcare demands accordinglyAEC is expected to encourage “Ribbon Development” of urbanization in Tier 2 cities and border provinces, as it happened in Bangkok and vicinities over the past decade. It is expected to accelerate the urbanization in Thailand Tier 2 cities and border provinces, resulting in higher number of patients who could afford premium medical care. However, better connectivity with neighbouring countries could lead to influx of labours. This puts stress to the government’s plans of transmitted disease control. Moreover, scarcity of medical personnel, especially specialist, outside Bangkok will be more critical in border provinces.

1. Thailand to be aged society by 2020Life expectancy of Thailand population has increased as healthcare services improve. This would accordingly push up Thailand’s aging population which is expected to account or 19% of total population and drive demand for healthcare services by 2020, with treatment and care for chronic diseases will be among the primary focus for maintaining elder citizens. WHO also forecasts that aging population will account for 30% of the population by 2050. Aging population boom puts pressure for the government to plan for facilitating the change by improving medical facilities and personnel in public hospitals.

2. Urbanization boosts local purchasing powerTier 2 Cities have experienced the explosion of urbanization in the last decade, with an average of 57% growth in urbanized population compared to a single digit growth in Bangkok vicinities.

In line with the urbanization, Thailand Tier 2 Cities have also experienced significant growth in household income. And as these urban population generally possess higher purchasing power and more affordability for healthcare, they demand better standards with more affordability to pay for


On the 15th of July Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich chaired the meeting of the forum’s Organizing committee where the concept of the forum

and exhibition were approved. The away meeting took place at the 75th pavilion of the All-Russian Exhibition Centre (VDNH) - the future venue of the forum. After the meeting Arkady Dvorkovich together with representatives of the Organizing committee inspected the event location. The forum, centered around the main topic of Humanity in the Center of the Technological Revolution, will last for five days. Each day will be devoted to one of five specific spheres of the human life, dramatically changing under the impact of technologies – productivity, habitat, education, health and entertainment. The updated Open Innovations is a shirtsleeve forum that counts on bright interactive formats of presentation and discussion typical for the global technology congresses: public interviews, debates, presentations, lectures, master classes, workshops, pitches. The plenary session hall as a room for performances of the key speakers will operate for five days of the forum. The organizers place special emphasis on the youth program where leaders of technology world will pass their ideas and skills required for efficient development in new technology reality to the most promising students and schoolboys from Moscow and regions of Russia. Daily 3-4 thousand participants will take part in the congress following their professional interest. The exhibition promises to become the significant event in culture

and entertainment calendar of the Moscow fall. It will intelligibly introduce the key tendencies of the global technological revolution to the visitors: from new materials, energy and artificial intelligence to transport technologies, robotization and game industry. Around 200 exhibitors will present their technology solutions at Technology Show – from the biggest global corporations to startups. “This year the forum will be for the first time truly open. Anyone can attend the exhibition with just a ticket, no special accreditation is required. The event will be the highlight of the Moscow life in October and a business site for communication of everyone who deals with innovations in different industries - from computer games to serious medical developments and robotics. We hope that this year the forum will become a really remarkable event in the global innovation environment – interesting speakers, experience

exchange, involvement of those specialists who make decisions in innovative activities. Turning the forum into the informal shirtsleeve site is a great step forward”, - said Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. Open Innovations Forum has been hold in Moscow since 2012 according to the Regulation of the Government of the Russian Federation. The event is co-organized by Moscow City Government, Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO), Russian Venture Company, Skolkovo Foundation, Vnesheconombank, the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises at Science and Technology. The operator of the Forum is the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum Foundation. For three years Prime Minister of Russia, heads of governments of some foreign countries, representatives of the largest global corporations, leaders of Russian business have taken part in the forum.

Future is here now: Russia is preparing the 4th Open Innovations Forum 2015From October 28 to November 1, 2015, Moscow will host for the fourth time the annual Open Innovations Forum – the largest event in Russia that focuses on technology entrepreneurship and innovation-driven development. For the first time Open Innovations 2015 will comprise a five-day international professional congress and a popular exhibition for general public performed as Technology Show.


India’s definitive exhibition & conference on products & services that aid the inclusion of differently abled

19-20-21 November 2015Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (E)Mumbai, Maharashtra

Highlights150+ exhibitors from across the world

Eminent speakers at 2 day Asia Rehab Summit

Knowledge support from leading sectoral associations

Intensive skill development workshops for professionals in the sector

Training sessions for the differently abled and their families

www.IndiaRehabExpo.com

For more details, contact :Japesh Thakur +91 [email protected]

Since 1947, Essex Industrieshas provided engineeredsolutions for its customers’

application problems. With an Initialfocus on the Aerospace andDefense market, Essex supplies LifeSupport and Ground SupportEquipment, as well as PlatformControls and Aircraft Componentsto military and commercial custom-ers worldwide. Through the years,Essex applied their technologies toother demanding, commercialindustries so that today thecompany is also a leading manufac-turer of equipment and compo-nents to the Medical, First Responseand Safety markets.

As an example of this appliedtechnology, Essex extended itsexpertise in flow controls and liquidoxygen (LOX) converters forAerospace applications to theMedical industry, establishing asignificant presence in the US homehealthcare market by supplyingoxygen regulators and portable LOXsystems for patients who requirerespiratory therapy in residential carefacilities, hospitals and clinics.

Essex was a member of the ASTMG4 Committee which, at the requestof the FDA, developed a standardto test the integrity of oxygenregulators when exposed to a fire.Essex was the first manufacturer tomeet this rigorous standard, settingan example for other medicalregulator manufacturers to follow.Essex Premium Oxygen Regulatorsremain the industry standard for

reliability, durability and precisedelivery of oxygen in flows thatrange from 1/32 to 25 liters perminute.

This high standard for quality hasmade Essex regulators a preferredproduct for major OEMs and gascompanies throughout the world.

INTERNATIONAL REGULATORS

In response to international marketdemand, Essex recently expandedtheir product offering with a line ofInternational Regulators. Essex CGA870 Pin-Index Regulators feature twooutlet ports: a barbed outlet fittingand a high flow DISS 1240 demandoutlet. These units provide flowrates of 0 to 25 liters per minute,with operating pressures of 500 –2000 PSI / 138 BAR.

Manufactured in the Unites States,the body on Model 1531872400-6is manufactured of anodizedaluminum, while the body on Model1539113800-2 is nickel plated brass.Internal components are the sameand include a brass oxygenpathway, brass flame arrestor and asintered bronze filter at the inlet.

These regulators comply withnumerous standards and certifica-tions, including ASTM-G175-03;CGA E – 4:2010, CGA V – 1:2005;EN 738 – 1:1997 as well as specificsections of ISO 10524 – 1 and CGAE – 7:2006. Both models comewith a five year warranty againstdefects in workmanship and

materials. In addition to traditionalmedical customers, Essex regulatorshave also attracted the attention ofgroups such as the InternationalMountain Guides (IMG). InternationalMountain Guides lead climbing,trekking and mountaineeringexpeditions around the world, fromthe classic climbs of the Alps andAndes to the peaks of theHimalayas. IMG needed a companythey could rely on to provide anoxygen regulator that wouldfunction fully in the high altitudesand subzero temperatures withenvironmental elements that include

ice and rough terrain. For over 20years, the guides at InternationalMountain Guides have successfullyused Essex Medical Regulatorswhen climbing oxygen is required.

MRI COMPATIBLE REGULATORS

MRI Compatible Regulators areanother segment of new productsreleased by Essex for sale world-wide. Designed for use by patientswhile undergoing MRI scans, EssexMRI Compatible Regulators exceedthe industry standard for safety andare the only medical regulator

Essex Industries offers a wide range of medical oxygen regulators, integratedregulators, conservers and portable LOX systems engineered to be safe, durable andeasy to use in homecare, hospital, clinic and emergency response applications.

Life Saving Devices for Medical& Healthcare Industries

10 | July-August 2015 | Medical Device Asia

actually tested for performanceinside the bore of an MRI machine.Essex also offers IntegratedRegulators that are compatible forstandard MRI use and MRI MedicalAir applications.

INTEGRATED REGULATORS

Essex Integrated Regulators combinea post valve, regulator and carryinghandle into a single unit. Whenused with a medical cylinder, theycreate lightweight, transportabledelivery systems for oxygen andother medical gases to patients inhospitals, clinics, medical transpor-tation and emergency situations.Widely used in the United States,this product is now availableworldwide from Essex.

Essex Integrated Regulators aremanufactured of nickel plated brassfor increased safety and durability.UL listed pressure gauges arecovered with patented heavy dutyprotectors to minimize impactdamage. Vinyl dipped handles areangled to protect the regulator andcolor-coded to identify theapplication.

The Essex Integrated Regulator isavailable for oxygen, heliox andmedical air at flow settings from 1/64to 25 liters per minute. Severalconfigurations are available,including pediatric, MRI and EMS foreasy ambulance transport.Tested to ASTM-G175-03, the EssexIntegrated Regulator has a five yearwarranty.

THERMAL MOLECULARINFUSION (TMI)

Essex Industries has recentlyannounced a process which bringsadded value to medical cylindersand oxygen therapy products.Thermal Molecular Infusion, or TMI,enables Essex to customize oxygencylinders with a permanent means ofidentification. This sublimationprocess replaces the need foradhesive-backed labels, providing amore professional look to theequipment. TMI labels can becustomized with full-color logosand designs, enhancing acompany’s brand recognition in themarket.

Information applied with the TMIprocess is easy to read and lastslonger than paper labels, which cantear or peel off, causing importantinformation to be lost. This couldpotentially cause problems orconcerns for those using theequipment. A more lasting means toidentify the equipment can alsoimprove asset control and helpprevent loss or theft which ultimatelymay improve operations andprofitability.

NEW CATALOG

Essex Industries has introduced a

new Medical Catalog featuring their full line of oxygen therapy products,parts and accessories.

The catalog provides detailed information on Essex International Regulators,MRI Compatible Regulators, Integrated Regulators, Premium Oxygen Regula-tors, Heliox Regulators and Conservers in a variety of configurations to meet awide range of application requirements. The catalog also features liquidoxygen products and accessories including cylinders, bags, carts, racks,stands and mounts as well as regulator replacement parts.

Essex Industries designs and manufactures products in their four facilities,which are all located in Saint Louis, Missouri.

For more information on Essex products, please visitwww.essexindustries.com or contact us at [email protected]

Medical Device Asia | July-August 2015 | 11

Contact us.Exhibition & SponsorshipGABRIEL SIMBusiness Development [email protected]+65 9299 0802

Program ContentSARAH GRANTEducation [email protected]+65 6664 1183

Registration AGNES HOWCoordinator, Administrative & Meeting [email protected]+65 6664 1189

General EnquiriesSIMON LIN, CEMGeneral [email protected]+65 6664 1188

Media MELISSA LEONGManager, Marketing & Strategic [email protected]+65 6664 1182

HOW AGED WILL SOUTH EAST ASIA LOOK IN 2030?

SINGAPORE

MALAYSIA

THAILAND

PHILIPPINES

INDONESIA

Over 14 million (~11% of its population) will be 60 and above

Over 13 million (~19% of its population) will be 65 and above

2 working citizens supporting 1 elderly (2015: 4.9 workers to one elderly)

With pressing challenges bearing

down on Asia such as rapidly

ageing populations, shortages of hospital

beds in acute care settings as well as low accessibility to

care in rural regions, SMART homes and

Intermediate and long-term care (ILTC)

services enable remote care and take pressure off hospitals

by expanding the care continuum

through services such as step-down

care. They are emerging trends that

are here to stay.

50% of the World’s Population Live in Rural Areas, but Fewer than 38% of Nurses and 25% of Doctors Work There

– UN World Health Organization

CHINA: In China, it is very common to see people waiting for hours in hospitals to see doctors. Now four provinces are introducing medical reforms to help deal with long wait times. For example, top hospitals in Anhui have cut registration numbers by half and are sending experienced medical staff to smaller institutions in order to reduce workload, prevent overcrowding and provide better service for patients. (Source: CCTV-America)

GREAT BRITAIN: A&E waiting times in England are the worst in a decade. While the government has set a target of 95% of patients to be treated or discharged within four hours, the latest figures for Q1 2015 show that this target has been missed by the biggest margin in a decade at 91.8%. (Source: The Guardian)

AUSTRALIA: Canberra Hospital’s emergency department has reported in March 2015 that they have close to 28 people waiting for treatment at one time, with some being treated in nursing corridors. ACT Health’s first quarterly report for 2014-15 also found that the waiting times at Canberra and Calvary hospitals’ emergency departments have increased on an average from 39 minutes to 49 minutes. (Source: Canberra Times)

China: 80% of government health expenditures go to urban areas, but only 45% of China’s population lives there.

Myanmar: In rural areas – where 70% of the country’s 58 million people live – patients travel hours and sometimes an entire day to reach hospitals or clinics in towns.

Philippines: Twenty-four babies die for every thousand infants born in the urban areas, while the infant-mortality rate in rural areas is higher by 50 percent: 36 babies die for every thousand live births.

Will become an ageing population country, with 4.9 million (~15% of its population) 60 and above

SHORTAGE OF HOSPITAL BEDS AND LONG WAIT TIMES IS A GLOBAL ISSUE

LOW ACCESSIBILITY TO CARE IN RURAL AREAS

6.4 working citizens will support one elderly. (2010: 13 workers to every older person)

Expanding the Care Continuum through SMART Homes and Intermediate and Long-Term Care (ILTC) Services

Attend the HIMSS AsiaPac15 Conference to learn about how these problems are being solved! Visit www.himssasiapac.org/15 for more information.

ART Healthcaretransforming how we manage health

ARTHealthcare

ARTHospital

ARTData

ARTHome

ARTConsumerARTExchange

ARTCareSingaporeby

Dr. Suriya Wongkongkathep Deputy Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Public Health, Thailand

Dr. Shinsuke Muto, PhD, EMBA President, Tetsuyu-Kai Institute Medical CorporationExecutive Advisor for Information Policy, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Japanese Government Dr. Fazilah Shaik Allaudin Deputy Director TelehealthMinistry of Health, Malaysia

Russell P. Branzell, FCHIME, CHCIO President & Chief Executive Offi cerCollege of Healthcare Information Executives (CHIME), USA Dr. Jack Cochran, FACS Executive DirectorThe Permanente Federation, LLC

Find out if you are eligible for the HPF fund by AIC.Save up to 90% of your conference fees today through

the Healthcare Productivity Fund (HPF) by AIC. Visit aic.sg/hpf to fi nd out more.

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6 September: CPHIMS Exam 7-9 September: Conference & Exhibition 10 September: Masterclasses & Hospital Tours

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Supported by:Organized by: Held in: In support of:

Contact us.Exhibition & Sponsorship

GABRIEL SIMBusiness Development [email protected]+65 9299 0802

Registration

AGNES HOWCoordinator, Administrative & Meeting [email protected]+65 6664 1189

AP15_Mktg_Advert_AHHM_V02.indd 1 15/4/2015 1:02:22 PM

Rehabilitation, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities is one of the major social and economic goals, pursued by any country. The key components

being defining and constant up gradation of healing expertise, cohesive attempts on building products and services that make life easier for the differently-abled and last but not the least, imparting them skills that help them, to not only earn a living but also contribute to the economic activity of the country.

Indian medical fraternity and the equipment manufacturing industry have worked shoulder to shoulder in helping the country rise up to this challenge. However keeping in mind the size of our country there is not adequate awareness on the options available. In an endeavor to create a first ever international platform to showcase the products and services available to the differently abled in India, Infinity Exhibitions is organising the “India Rehab & Care” show from 19 – 21 November, 2015 at Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), Mumbai.

The rationale of the show would be to bring together strong Indian brands and their international counterparts, on one platform, to connect and build linkages with three important

members of the value chain - the specifying community of doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, paramedics, rehab specialists, the distribution community of traders, clinics, dealers, distributors and the end users, their families and even NGO’s who are working with the disabled.

A number of leading associations who have done phenomenal work within their respective areas of speciality have all joined hands with the organizer – Infinity Expo, to strengthen this event. They are as follows :-

• Indian Orthopedic Association • Indian Association of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation • Indian Physiotherapy Association • Orthotic & Prosthetics Association of India • Indian Spinal Cord Society • Indian Federation of Neuro Rehabilitation • Indian Association of Occupational Therapists• Mental Health Foundation

For the manufacturers and suppliers of the following types equipment and devices, it would be an unique opportunity to get maximum mileage and also direct access to prospective buyers/specifiers.

• Rehabilitation Aids • Aids For The Speech Impaired • Mobility Products • Aids For Visually Impaired • Aids For Hearing

Impaired • Prosthetics & Orthotics • Telecommuncation Aids • Hospital Furniture • Occupational Therapy Equipment • Physiotherapy Equipment • Institutions involved in rehabilitation services

The event is being promoted extensively by each of the supporting associations and every single professional, institution and individual working in the rehabilitation segment or with the disabled, would be approached, to visit this unique international exhibition and conference.

A concerted and extensive visitor promotion campaign has been unleashed which is covering direct mailers, ads in medical publications, tele-calling, direct presentations, websites, social media (facebook, twitter, linked-in etc). Closer to the event newspaper ads and outdoor media would also be used to get wider coverage across the country.

For further details contact :-Japesh ThakurDirector – Business Development

Infinity Exhibitions & Conferences Pvt. Ltd.A5/16 Ground Floor, DLF City Phase-I, Gurgaon, HaryanaM: +91 9599389544E: [email protected]: www.infinityexpo.in


MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015, the exhibition is set to provide the regional medical and healthcare sector with an impressive showcase of innovative technologies, solutions and

services. At present, more than 30 countries will be represented by a diverse range of industry primes and small and medium-sized companies covering all aspects of hospital, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, medical and rehabilitation equipment and supplies.

The global footprint of the 7th edition of MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND will include national pavilions and country groups from Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK and USA. The region’s largest medical and healthcare exhibition will be the No.1 meeting place for some 600 exhibitors committed to bringing the latest medical products, technologies, solutions and services to more than 8,000 medical and healthcare professionals and practitioners from Thailand, neighboring ASEAN countries and beyond. MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 comes against a dynamic industry backdrop that sees Thailand growing its medical and healthcare sector exponentially due to drivers such as the globalization of the healthcare industry, an ageing population; greater consumer expectation and rising health spend and demand for medical procedures and healthcare products.

Explore the future of healthcare:

On the Pulse of the Latest Industry Trends - See the best in medical and healthcare as

MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND returns for its biggest and most influential edition!

At a Glance

Date: 10 – 12 Sep 2015

Opening hours: 10.00am – 6.00pm

Venue: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC)

Dress Code: Office | Work attire

Admission: Admits business and trade visitors by registration only.

Pre-register your visit now at www.medicalfair-thailand.com and stand a chance own the latest iPhone in our daily lucky draw.

• Discover new, more cost-effective solutions and latest innovations• Network with the best from the industry across the country and around

the world• Gain new ideas and insights to grow your business at conferences,

seminars and workshops• Stay up-to-date with emerging medical and healthcare trends because life

matter and so does your business

“As the medical and health care market in Southeast Asia sees unprecedented growth due to rapid population growth rates and an ageing population, healthcare spending is estimated to reach US$18.7 billion by 2018 in Thailand alone. Against this landscape, MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND has steadily been increasing its floor space over the years to meet the growing exhibitor and visitor demands. Now in its seventh edition, the trade fair has affirmed its leadership position as the region’s benchmark event for the medical and healthcare industry offering the latest solutions, equipment and supplies for hospitals, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, medical and rehabilitation sectors across an increased floor space to feature its biggest line-up yet, with more than 600 companies from around the world. MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 will also see 15 country national groups and country pavilions from Austria, Belgium, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK and USA”- Gernot Ringling, Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf Asia


Concurrent Events

The Next Era in HealthcareOrganized by Thai Medical Informatics Association (TMI)

Join industry peers, healthcare practitioners and key thought leaders convening under one roof at the Digital Healthcare conference. Discuss innovations in public and private healthcare facilities, proven personal healthcare tools and technological breakthroughs in home and personal diagnostics.

ARTeC 2015 A New World In Rehabilitative CareOrganized by Thai Rehabilitation Medicine Association

This multidisciplinary academic conference is focused exclusively on rehabilitation technology and emerging trends in physical and rehabilitation medicine. The theme is “Advanced Interventions in Musculoskeletal Pain”. The program will cover diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for the musculoskeletal pain and hands on workshops to provide an insight into the practical considerations of the condition.

Seminar on “Can Electro-magnetic Wave Affect Human Health?”Organized by Thai Association of Advanced Instrumentation (AMI)

This seminar aims at providing a better understanding of electromagnetic waves, its applications relating to cell phone signals, radio broadcast and WIFI signals for wireless internet connections and uncovering whether these electro-magnetic waves can really affect human health.

Technical PresentationsOrganized by MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 exhibitors

Benefit from exclusive Technical Presentations, conducted by exhibitors and experts in their field. Expand your expertise and network with industry leaders! Presentations by SHENYANG CHANGJIANGYUAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO LTD, SCHRACK SECONET AG, HHC TIBBI MALZEME LTD STI, ZHENGZHOU FEILONG MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO LTD on Day 1 as well INFOPIA CO LTD, PSP CORPORATION, NETTURUL RESOURCES (S) PTE LTD, MELTEN CORPORATION and WUHAN GIGAA OPTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD on Day 2.

For more detailed descriptions on the technical presentations please visit www.medicalfair-thailand.com or contact [email protected]

Business MatchingPre-register and take advantage of the Business Matching service to connect with relevant key exhibitors prior to your visit. Find out more at www.medicalfair-thailand.com

Stand a chance to win a FREE trip to MEDICA** Terms and Conditions apply

What you will see?• Accident & Emergency Equipment • Building Technology & Services• Catering & Kitchen Equipment • Communication & Information Technology • Dental Equipment & Supplies • Diagnostics • Disinfection & Disposal Systems • Electromedical Equipment/ Medical Technology • Fabrics/Laundry • Medical Furniture & Equipment • Laboratory Equipment • Medical Consumables • Ophthalmic Supplies • Rehabilitation Equipment/ Orthopedic Supplies • Pharmaceutical Supplies • Services & Publications

Who should visit?- Health Ministry Officials - Hospital Managers and Employees - Doctors (Surgeries and Hospital) - Nursing Officers - Hospital Technicians - Biologists, Biochemists, Technicians - Dispensing Chemists, Pharmacists- Physiotherapists - Rehabilitation Organizations, Nursing Homes - Organizations for the disabled - Care Services & Self-help groups - Visitors from Industry and Commerce and more ...


MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 reaffirms its leadership position as

Thailand’s benchmark event for Southeast Asia’s medical and healthcare

industry as it welcomes some 600 companies from 30 countries, as

well as a stellar record line-up of 15 national pavilions and country

groups including Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,

Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United

Kingdom and United States of America. With a 50% increase in floor

space, the biennial trade fair is already fully sold out one month ahead

of its staging at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from 10 to 12

September 2015 in Bangkok.

Mr Gernot Ringling, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Asia said: “Now into its 7th edition, this is the biggest edition of MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND to date. As a comprehensive platform, the trade fair features a full suite of equipment and supplies for the hospital, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, medical and rehabilitation sectors, and continues to expand its coverage to a wider range of medical and healthcare innovations. We are delighted that MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND has reaffirmed its position as the must-attend trade event for manufacturers and suppliers from the medical and healthcare sectors to showcase technology and innovation whilst remaining at the forefront of a competitive marketplace.”

“Over the years, there has been a significant increase in the trade fair’s size and international profile of exhibitors and visitors. With the launch of new focus themes such as Digital Healthcare and Rehabilitative Care, along with conferences addressing related issues, these will ensure that the trade fair continues to present the latest medical technology for the industry whilst delivering a rich visitor experience for the region’s medical and healthcare

professionals as well as an ideal business platform for manufacturers and distributors,” he added.

The number and spread of the many countries that will be participating in MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 will provide a genuine international stage for medical and healthcare companies. Reflected strongly on the show floor are cost-effective and high-performance solutions, from an impressive list of exhibitors that extend from manufacturers to suppliers, processors and technology producers.

Having attracted 35% of its visitors from outside of Thailand in its 2013 edition, MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 is expecting more than 8,000 trade visitors, not only from Thailand, but also from the whole ASEAN region.

“The global footprint of MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 will include exhibitors from countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, and the traditionally strong representations from the North American and

European markets. There are currently over 280 first-time exhibitors from around the world,” said Mr Gernot Ringling.

Special highlights at MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015:• The 2nd edition of ARTeC 2015 Advanced Rehab Technology Conference is organized in collaboration with the Royal College of Physiatrists of Thailand, Thai Rehabilitation Medicine Association and Messe Düsseldorf Asia. The multi-disciplinary conference with the theme ‘Advanced Interventions in Musculoskeletal Pain’ will include presentations on diagnostics and therapeutic interventional spine care as well as hands-on workshops on musculoskeletal sonography.

Taking place on 10 and 11 Sept 2015, the 2-day conference features an impressive line-up of speakers including: Dr David J Kennedy, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Stanford University, and Dr Matthew Smuck, Chief Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Stanford University, as well as a

Thailand’s largest medical and healthcare event sells out one month ahead with 50% increase in floor space


About Messe Düsseldorf Asia (MDA)

MDA is a subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf in Germany, one of the

world’s leading trade fair organizers, responsible for organizing

more than 20 global No. 1 exhibitions in industries including

plastics, printing and packaging, and medical and health care -

specifically K, drupa, interpack, MEDICA, COMPAMED and A+A held

in Düsseldorf, Germany. Since 1995, MDA’s portfolio of trade fairs

in Southeast Asia includes: for the plastics and rubber sectors

in Thailand (T-PLAS), Vietnam (PLASTICS & RUBBER VIETNAM)

and Indonesia (INDOPLAS), the printing and packaging sectors in

Thailand (PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL) and Indonesia (INDOPACK

and INDOPRINT), the wire, cable, tube and pipe sectors in Thailand

(wire Southeast ASIA and Tube Southeast ASIA), the medical and

health care industries in Thailand and Singapore (MEDICAL FAIR

THAILAND, MEDICAL FAIR ASIA, MEDICAL MANUFACTURING ASIA)

the Workplace Safety & Health sectors in Singapore(OS+H ASIA)

and the metal and steel trade industries in Indonesia (indometal).

host of prominent local and regional industry leaders and experts in their fields.

• Organized by the Thai Medical Informatics Association, the Digital Healthcare Forum will see a global high-level attendance by 400 Chief Information Officers (CIO) and Director-level delegates. The closed-door forum provides an integrated mindshare platform focusing on the latest technological developments and innovations in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for the healthcare sectors, presenting new options in personal healthcare such as remote, wireless and mobile healthcare, tele-health, telemedicine and other applications and software developments.

• Trade visitors can also expect a high-powered series of technical presentations during MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015, conducted by exhibitors. The line-up include presentations on Next-Generation Pack Systems for efficient work-flows by PSP Corporation, products for intensive care and bedridden patients by HHC TIBBI MALZEME and non-surgical spinal decompression systems by Zhengzhong Feilong Medical Equipment, and many more

With these comprehensive offerings of the latest medical technologies and insightful co-located events, healthcare providers can look forward to a holistic medical and health care experience at MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015. The success of the exhibition is attributed by numerous factors including a dynamic backdrop of booming medical and health care sectors. Healthcare demand in Southeast Asia is increasing rapidly, driven by population growth rates; Thailand’s health care spending is estimated to rise by 8% a year through to 2018 to reach US$18.7 billion. Other key growth factors include a growing private health care market with increased demand for quality medical products and services and Thailand’s growing position as

one of Asia’s most prominent medical tourism hot spots. Thailand’s ability to attract medical tourists with its affordability and high quality of services as well as its natural attractions, which lets patients combine medical treatment with a vacation, is a winning combination.

For more details on MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2015 please visit www.medicalfair-thailand.com


EKF Diagnostics, the global diagnostics company, announces that it has introduced the Stanbio Chemistry Procalcitonin (PCT) LiquiColor® Assay. This new test enables the quantitative determination of PCT in serum samples, EDTA or lithium heparin plasma samples by latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric methodology. Procalcitonin is a marker for bacterial infection and sepsis and has been recognized as an important adjunct marker in the diagnosis of sepsis*.

The new Stanbio Chemistry Procalcitonin (PCT) LiquiColor® Assay is fast, accurate and convenient. The test provides a precise result, which correlates well with established methodology, within 10 minutes and requires just 20 µL of sample. The reagents may be used on almost any liquid-based chemistry analyzer with open-channel capability. In addition, the reagent kit, calibrator and control sets are all available separately.

Commenting on the cost-effectiveness and convenience of the Stanbio Chemistry Procalcitonin (PCT) LiquiColor® Assay, Al Blanco, Business Unit Director – Central Laboratory at EKF Diagnostics said, “This assay can be performed on a customer’s existing chemistry analyzer with the same collection tube used for analysis of other chemistry tests. Therefore, it will provide optimized lab workflow by eliminating the need to split a sample or have a dedicated off-line workstation. These features will provide any lab with a cost-effective solution for PCT testing.”

*References:1. Müller B, et al., Ubiquitous expression of the calcitonin-i gene in multiple tissues in response to sepsis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86(1):396-404.2. Meisner M. Procalcitonin (PCT) – A new, innovative infection parameter. Biochemical and clinical aspects. Thieme; Stuttgart, New York, 2000; ISBN 3-13-105503-0.3. Christ-Crain M, et al., Procalcitonin in bacterial infections – hype, hope or more or less? Swiss Med Wkly 2005; 135: 451-60.

For more information on Procalcitonin and sepsis testing, the Stanbio Chemistry range or EKF Diagnostics, please visit www.ekfdiagnostics.com.

EKF introduces specific biomarker test for early sepsis identification

The EKF-Stanbio Procalcitonin LiquiColor® Assay aids in viral and bacterial infection differentiation

How intracellular signaling regulates growth factor production

Cancer cells need life-essential molecules to proliferate. These so-called growth factors are activated by ectodomain shedding of precursor proteins on the outside of the plasma membrane, mainly carried

out by three human cleavage enzymes. A pharmaceutical blocking of these enzymes could hinder cancer from growing but would also inhibit other life-essential processes.

Now, researchers from German Leibniz Institute for Age Research (FLI) and Harvard University, US, showed that the factor-precursor-producing cells themselves determine if and when cleavage may occur. This is decided by intracellular signaling. Interfering with defined signaling in cells producing cancer growth factors could be developed into a new way of cancer treatment.

As cancer cells proliferate in an unlimited way, they need to be supplied with oxygen and nutrients. For their growth and the formation of blood vessels, so-called growth factors are required. These hormone-like proteins are activated by the shedding of transmembrane precursor proteins that have to be cleaved on the outside of the plasma membrane by specialized enzymes. In the human body, mainly three “cleavage enzymes” are responsible for ectodomain shedding of hundreds of growth factors. Hindering one of these enzymes from cleaving would certainly suppress the production of growth factors related to tumorigenesis, but would have severe side-effects: a lot of life-essential molecules would also be inhibited. Since ectodomain cleavage is highly important for homeostasis of the organism, it needs to be tightly regulated with respect to both its overall abundance and time course.

Now, in a collaborative project, researchers from German Leibniz Institute for Age Research (FLI) in Jena and renowned Harvard University in Cambridge, US, showed that obviously the precursor proteins themselves dictate if and when the “scissor”-enzymes may cut. Signal processing in the intracellular domain of the precursor-protein-producing cells is responsible for modifications that likely induce a relative positional change of the dimerization partners and, in the end, allow cleavage. This is individually different for each precursor protein. The collaborators from Jena and Cambridge already found many details of the mechanism to explain how the intracellular domain modification communicates with the ectodomain of the substrate to allow for cleavage to occur, e.g. releasing growth factors linked to breast cancer (Epidermal Growth Factor family) and Neuregulin which is important for neuro-regeneration, as well as cleavage of a protein relevant for metastasizing of cancer cells. The latest publication in the Journal of Biological Chemistry now was nominated as one of the best 50 out of this year’s 6.000 publications.

“Our research results offer a new way of suppressing growth factors related to cancer cell proliferation”, Prof. Peter Herrlich, former scientific director and now associated researcher at FLI, explains. Instead of blocking the cleavage enzymes and condoning side-effects, the intracellular signal processing for single precursor proteins may be inhibited in order to specifically knock out the growth factors required by individual cancer types.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Leibniz Institute for Age Research – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI)


“One of the greatest benefits offered by our on-floor educational programming is the opportunity for a ‘cross pollination’ of ideas,” says Maria Ferrante, vice president, Education & Workforce Development,

PMMI. “This enables attendees to tap the potential of practices and applications proven in one industry but unexplored in their own.”

The presentations are a valuable opportunity to understand cutting-edge technologies, with subject matter experts, including industry consultants, exhibitors and association partners, describing specific applications and benefits. Subjects range from explorations of the latest innovations and regulations in flexible packaging to ways to engage the workforce. Other topics include:

• Impact of serialization on the pharmaceutical industry• Advanced simulation software for packaging lines• Anti-counterfeiting technologies for packaging• Transforming automated packaging with reusability• Roadmap for creating a highly engaged workforce• The latest snacking trends and their impact on packaging• The next evolution of metal detection

The OpX Leadership Network will also be among presenters, discussing the latest in one voice solutions for workforce engagement, total cost of ownership and factory acceptance testing. OpX Leadership Network is a dynamic community of manufacturing, engineering and operations professionals dedicated to operational excellence.

PMMI Releases Innovation Stage Schedules for PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015 and Pharma EXPO More than 40 free, educational sessions address flexible packaging, OEE and workforce engagement and more critical topics in processing and packaging

PACK EXPO owner and organizer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, has released the preliminary schedule for Innovation Stage at PACK EXPO Las Vegas and the co-located Pharma EXPO 2015 (Sept. 28–30; Las Vegas Convention Center). More than 40 sessions will give visitors a glimpse of cutting edge technology presented by industry leaders. The education sessions — on the show floor at PACK EXPO and Pharma EXPO — provide free, convenient access to insights into processing and packaging trends as well as challenges in food safety regulatory compliance, workforce development and measuring line efficiency.


“PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Pharma EXPO is where the industry will go this fall to find winning solutions from top-tier suppliers,” Ferrante says. “The value of the Innovation Stage presentations is that they provide context attendees need to put those solutions into action at their plants.”

The 30-minute long presentations will run hourly between 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29; sessions end at noon on Sept. 30. There will be three adjacent locations of the Innovation Stage on the PACK EXPO Las Vegas show floor, in Booths C-1041, C-1045 and C-1049, and a fourth stage in Booth N-559 on the Pharma EXPO show floor.

The preliminary schedule of Innovation Stage presentations is available at packexpolasvegas.com andpharmaexpo.com.

This year marks Pharma EXPO’s first year in Las Vegas. PMMI owns and produces Pharma EXPO in partnership with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE). PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Pharma EXPO will bring together more than 2,000 exhibitors showcasing their processing and packaging innovations to 30,000 attendees in over 800,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Prospective attendees are encouraged to register early by visiting packexpolasvegas.com. Registration is $30 through Sept. 14, 2015, and includes admission to both PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Pharma EXPO. After September 14, registration increases to $100. In addition to the Pharma EXPO Innovation Stage, attendees can register for Pharma EXPO Conference sessions, curated by ISPE. Separate fees apply, ranging from $90 per session to $350 for access to all 15 sessions until September 14th. Following this date, fees will increase. Visit pharmaexpo.comto find a registration option that works for you.

About PMMI

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is a trade

association representing more than 700 companies that provide a full range of

processing and packaging machinery, materials, components and containers. PMMI

actively brings buyers and sellers together through initiatives such as packexpo.com,

educational programs and world-class events, connecting participants in the processing

and packaging supply chain with their customers around the world. PMMI produces the

PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows that include PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2015 (Sept.

28–30, Las Vegas Convention Center); Pharma EXPO, co-located with PACK EXPO Las

Vegas 2015; EXPO PACK México 2016, May 17–20, (Mexico City, Expo Bancomer Santa

Fe); PACK EXPO International 2016, Nov. 6–9 (McCormick Place, Chicago, Ill.); Pharma

EXPO, co-located with PACK EXPO International 2016; PACK EXPO East 2017, Feb. 27–

March 1, (Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia) and EXPO PACK Guadalajara

2017, June 13–15, 2017(Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico). PMMI owns the PMMI Media

Group, a market-leading B2B media company that produces information for processing

and packaging professionals, bringing together solution providers and end-users and

facilitating connectivity throughout the supply chain. Its world class media brands -

Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Packaging and

Packaging + Processing OEM- are proven leaders in covering this diverse and dynamic

marketplace, and its digital products incorporate leading edge media technologies to

deliver informed, actionable business intelligence to the industry. PMMI Media Group

also produces The Automation Conference, an annual education and networking forum,

taking place in Chicago each spring.

More information at PMMI.org

and Packexpo.com and pmmimediagroup.com.


From Medical to Lifestyle Products: The Evolution of Spectacles Has Been Revolutionary

be customized toyour individual requirement.

Spectacles for working professionalsThe digital revolution of the 1990s has not only accelerated the pace of our lives and changed the communications paradigm, it also radically shifted the way we work and live. Ten years back, mobile phones were just meant for talking, the concept of Smartphone was yet to catch up; laptops were not a common accessory and most of us searched for cyber cafes to send mails.

As per findings of American Optometric Association (AOA), more than 70% of ~143 million Americans complain of the computer eyestrain due to their daily work. While we do not have such a consolidated figures for India, clinical evidence does suggest an increasing number of people suffering from visual fatigue. Today

Article by Mr P Ramachandran, Group COO Essilor brands

Are you a technology addict who spends most hours of his waking time in front of digital screens, or an active outdoor enthusiast, a busy

mom whose rough lifestyle needs strong spectacles, a senior citizen or a student? No matter what your job profile is or what kind of lifestyle you lead, today your vision correction needs can be customized for you.

The much-in-demand spectacles have evolved tremendously over the past few decades to graduate from just being vision correction devices to lifestyle products and now even prevent harm to the eye. There is no one-fits-all approach to spectacles today. Not only have spectacle lenses evolved into better looking, far from once geeky eye accessories, they have also evolved in terms of usage and need. In fact, people today shop for spectacles that suit not just their eye correction needs but also their personality and some go further and choose spectacle lenses that prevent eye disease.

In developed countries, the percentage of spectacle-wearers ranges from 30 to 50 per cent of the population. The availability of new lens designs, new technology and innovation not only help people see better and appear more attractive but also protect the eyes and prevent eye diseases. New age lenses are thinner and can be fitted in any type and size of designer frames, and can

life revolves around digital devices tablets, smart phones, LED screens – these devices emit UV and blue light - this light causes a lot of stress and fatigue to our eyes. If you calculate your daily activities, you would be surprised to find how much time your eyes spend gazing at digital devices and therefore the fatigue and strain your eyes are subjected to. Essilor Even people who do not need correction or have power but spend a lot of time in front of the computer often experience eye fatigue symptoms such as red eyes, itching, burning, headaches. Essilor has developed Crizal anti fatigue lenses to combat digital eye strain. s. The optical design of these lenses result in increased visual comfort, less eye fatigue and a more positive workday. Crizal Anti fatigue lenses help in removing the effort in focusing on screens. These glasses are designed to give you optimum comfort through the day.


Spectacles as a style statementIf 20 years back, people avoided wearing spectacles because of the geeky look they inspired, today people readily opt for stylish and smart spectacle lenses. While they offered the precise visual correction needed, glass lenses were heavy, breakable and were not equipped to provide additional benefits such as protection from UV radiation. For people with high prescriptions, glass lenses also had the effect of magnifying the eye, giving what is often referred to as the ‘coke-bottle’ look. The new age polycarbonate material lenses have made such inconvenience and aesthetic concerns a thing of the past.

For professionals who wish to avoid full frames, rimless and three-piece mountings are readily available alternatives. More than ever before people today use spectacles as a style statement to add character to their personality. Apart from innovation in lenses, a lot of design and technical innovation has also been made to make frames more versatile and colorful. A number of people today keep more than one spectacle to complement their different looks, much like people keep more than one pair of shoes.

Spectacles as Preventive DevicesNewer discoveries in the field of ophthalmology have also propelled innovation in lens designs and construct. For example, the breakdown of light spectrum into its components and the analysis of the effect of each on the eyes is a recent phenomenon. The harmful effects of UV radiation on the eyes are well-known. Long-term exposure to UV radiation is linked to carcinomas as well as cataracts. Essilor in association with the Paris

Vision Institute also deeply analyzed the effects of blue light. This light emitted by the sun, by artificial light sources such as LEDs and computers or smart phones, –is in the range of the visible light spectrum with wavelengths between 380-500 nm – some of this blue light plays a beneficial role in your health, in particular by regulating the internal biological clock that controls, sleep , hunger, moods. However, a specific band of this light might have a harmful effect on the eyes, this harmful blue lights will lead to retinal cell death. Crizal Prevencia, the revolutionary new age lens is the first lens to offer selective protection against harmful blue light and UV rays. It preserves your overall well being by letting essential visible light to pass through and provides optimal vision and durable transparency.

Spectacles as fashion accessoryWith spectacles becoming the most incredible accessory, the shape of the frame and color can truly date you to an era. Bringing back the era of 70s and 80s, the fashion of large frames is one of the latest trends. Be it for vision correction or establishing

a style statement, different shapes and size of spectacles play a major role in carving the personality. The retro and vintage styles are the latest hot picks. Selecting a pair from the available multi-colored laminates can also help in expressing your creative side.

Spectacles for Outdoor EnthusiastsOften, the spectacle lenses that serve you very well indoors may not be of utmost use when you are engaged in high impact outdoor activities. Spectacles for outdoor should be capable of protecting your eyes from the harmful effects of UV, , providing protection against glare of sun or traffic lights, providing you an unmatched clear vision, giving you a true color along with great eye comfort. This has given rise to a new range of advanced lenses Essilor Optifog lenses – that protect your lenses from fogging, Xperio polarized lenses that reducing reflections and protect you from glare and give you true color perception. With over 400 designs and combinations of lenses to choose from, certainly there is no dearth of spectacles for outdoor activities with Xperio.


Have you ever wondered from where did those scratches come on your

spectacles despite you keeping them safely? A typical scenario with people wearing spectacles is them removing their glasses and wiping them from the corners of their dresses, shawls or any visible pieces of cloth. Most of the lens wearers use their shirt’s tail, handkerchief, wet towel or tissue paper to clean their spectacles. Some even wash their lenses roughly under water without realizing the impact such rash behavior can have on the delicate glass or polycarbonate. Resultantly, they have thin and minute fabric stuck on the glasses. In addition, this is how they put scratches on the glasses, unknowingly.

While such cleaning devices may appear smooth and clean, they actually contain small dust particles and fibers, which not only scratch your glasses but also make it difficult to see through them. Scratches are the biggest enemies of clear vision and can even put stress on your eyes when you regularly use scratch hit spectacle lenses.

Rash usage makes lenses unfit for use early and forces consumers to replace spectacles more often than needed. Yet, there is little awareness about the fact that following certain basic rules can ensure clean and scratch free glasses for a longer term. Yes, there are certain rules for cleaning the lenses, as lens cleaning is important for clear and uninterrupted vision!

The world over, eye spectacles continue to remain the main choice of people who need visual correction. As much as 86 per cent of the vision correction across the world still happens through spectacles, as compared to other alternatives such as contact lenses and Lasik surgery. However, a major mistake people make while cleaning their lenses is by using ordinary cloth or tissue paper.

Cleaning clothEvery pair of spectacles is assisted with a piece of cloth that is specifically meant to clean the glasses on regular basis in case of superficial layer of dust and stain. The cloth is made up of microfiber and does not leave fiber stain after cleaning. Although, high quality polycarbonate lenses such as from Essilor or Crizal are designed to remain dust ad scratch free, however, rough use of the spectacles can leave unwanted scratches on them. Additionally, facial oils and humidity in surrounding environment can cause a sticky layer to stick to the glasses that quickly attracts dust and dirt particles. Cleaning these dust particles in an incorrect manner can cause microscopic scratches. These scratches remain invisible initially but when this trauma to the lens keeps piling up, the scratches start manifesting in the form of visible lines and blurry areas on the lens. These scratches are irremovable in modern plastic or mineral spectacle lenses.

Therefore, the best way to clean the glasses is using the cleaning cloth which is soft and made up of microfiber. Occasionally, you can also clean your glasses by first rinsing them under running warm water. The force of the water will

drag out the dust particles. Dry the lenses with soft cotton cloth and by polishing your lenses with the Crizal cleaning cloth to give a shining texture. Alternatively, you also directly wipe with the cleaning cloth. You can also use dishwashing soap incase of stubborn stains. But never use a surface that can cause scratches.

Cleaning solutionsAnother method to ensure clean spectacle lenses is using commercially available lens cleaning solutions. These solutions are prepared using advanced formula that helps in keeping the glasses pristine clean and dust free. These solutions are also available as sprays. Stubborn soiling or deposition of dust layer on the spectacles can be easily addressed using the cleaning solution spray in conjunction with a lens microfiber cloth.

Cleaning wipesMedically designed lens cleaning wipes are an alternative for lens cleaning clothe. While for using clothe you need to moisturize the glasses with water, cleaning wipes are pre-moistened tissues that helps in cleaning the glasses. Unlike the normal tissues or facial wet tissues, lens cleaning wipes have micro tissue to ensure effective and fast spectacle cleaning. With an exceptionally fine structure, these wipes work even on glasses with quality coatings. Free from any artificial fragrance

and aggressive cleaning substance, cleaning wipes are moistened with a unique combination of active cleaning agents.

Maintaining your spectacles is not a herculean task, rather such with such simple measures in place, cleaning lenses is convenient and easy. It is important to keep the spectacles safely under proper care to ensure a long life. Given the fact that high quality lenses incur a substantial investment vis a vis money, it is only but practical to ensure all steps needed for a longer life. It is always advisable to take a good care of your lenses by keeping them inside their cover when not in use. Also, you should not clean the lenses when they are completely dry. Do make it a point to never leave your spectacles face down. Always avoid keeping your spectacles near excessive heat or under direct sunlight as it can damage the lenses.

Clean your glasses regularly to ensure clear visionArticle by Mr. Shivkumar J, CEO, Essilor India

Mr. Shivkumar J, CEO, Essilor India


Bosch highlights complete systems capabilities for pharmaceutical applicationsSeamless System for product handling and packaging• Gentle product handling and accurate placement with feed placer• Horizontal flow wrapper with hermetic sealing ensures product protection• Flexibility to suit different layout and production requirements

To meet pharmaceutical and medical manufacturers’ needs for increased

productivity, Bosch Packaging Technology, a leading provider of processing and packaging solutions, highlights its complete line capabilities at Achema 2015. As part of its Seamless Systems portfolio, Bosch will exhibit the Sigpack LDF feed placer for flexible handling of products such as blow-fill-seal (BFS) cards, blister packs, ampoules, syringes, inhalers or medical devices. At the show, the BFS robotic handling will be combined with the Sigpack HSL horizontal flow wrapper for hermetically sealed packaging at production speeds of up to 300 packages per minute.

Precise placement for continuous production flowThe Sigpack LDF feed placer

Hermetic sealing for a wide range of productsAt Achema 2015, the BFS vial cards are hermetically packaged by a Sigpack HSL flow wrapper equipped with long dwell heat sealing technology. Different sealable compound materials qualify for usage. Products packaged in aluminium compound film offer optimum protection from water vapor and light exposure. The wrapper can be easily adjusted to accommodate a wide range of sizes, counts and product shapes. Alternatively, the machine can be fitted with ultrasonic sealing technology. Also, a hybrid version using e.g. heat cross sealing and ultrasonic length sealing is available. This suits specifically well to high packaging speed as well as sensitive pharmaceutical products.

Broad range of options to suit every requirementBosch’s Seamless Systems for pharmaceutical packaging offer a wide range of features to ensure specific demands can be easily met. The Achema line features a vision system for enhanced quality control. The cameras monitor data such as inline-printed lot numbers, expiration dates, manufacturing dates, 2D code bar which ensures the correct product orientation into the flow wrapper infeed. The flow wrappers can also be expanded to accommodate modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). All components

in contact with the product, such as belts and grippers, can be cleaned quickly and easily. Moreover, all line configurations can be combined with additional inspection devices, handling equipment and secondary packaging solutions.

Layout flexibility and productivity with a single-source solution provider“Every manufacturer has different needs with regards to layout and production goals. This is why we customize solutions to offer the flexibility and capabilities needed to cater for even the most complex applications,” said Joerg Kleiner, product manager at Bosch Packaging Technology. “In addition, our Seamless Systems meet the need for a single-source solution supplier and streamlines processes, eliminates bottlenecks and optimizes line productivity. This ensures that our customers have the optimized technology that will help them achieve business goals.”

Thanks to a single HMI for the whole system, operators can easily and safely use the production line. The uniform design and philosophy allow for additional components to be easily integrated, ensure optimum accessibility throughout the line and provide a good system overview for line clearances. The robust and flexible design allows for quick changeover and maximum uptime while providing consistently high product protection.

displayed at the show will demonstrate the gentle handling and accurate placement of eye drop vial cards by picking and placing them into the infeed chain of the Sigpack HSL flow wrapper. Based on proven Delta robot technology, the Sigpack LDF features an advanced gripper design that can be adapted to suit different production requirements. Products arrive in an upright position and are then laid flat, get verified by a vision system and stacked in sets of twos, ready to be wrapped. The precise placement ensures the correct product orientation, closes gaps and enables continuous production for maximum uptime. With optimized gripper technology, the feed placer offers high flexibility for different product sizes and applications and can be implemented with single or multiple robots cells.


CONTINUING ITS INTERNATIONALCOURSE AND WITH WORLDWIDEUNIQUE INNOVATIONS AND VARIETYFor the MEDICA 2015 and COMPAMED 2015 beingheld in parallel, planning is already running at fullblast. In addition, what applies to the MesseDüsseldorf MEDICA team and the teams of partnerswith regard to devising the subject matter for theaccompanying conferences and the forumsintegrated into specialist trade fair will also apply to

the many expected exhibitors andvisitors at the MEDICA and theCOMPAMED. This is because a newset of dates has to be marked onthe calendar for the world’s largestmedical trade fair, MEDICA, and theleading international trade fair forsuppliers of the medical technologyindustry, the COMPAMED. From thisyear on, both events will run inDüsseldorf of the course of fourdays in parallel to each other,

meaning on the new weekdays fromMonday to Thursdays, this year from16 to 19 November.

“This significant change is the resultof the intensive evaluation ofexhibitor and visitor surveys as wellas coordination with industryassociations. Focusing on the“normal” working days of the week– instead of Wednesday to Saturdayas was the case up until now – will

FROM 16 – 19 NOVEMBER 2015 WITH A NEW SET OF DATES

SAVE THE DATE:MEDICA AND COMPAMED

Welcome


make it possible to provide betterguest distribution for the profes-sional audience across the entirerunning time in the future, enablingexhibitor presentations as well astheir stand infrastructure to beutilised in a more consistentmanner,” explained Joachim Schäfer,managing director of MesseDüsseldorf.

A central strength of the MEDICA isthat it not only deals with solutionsfor individual medical specialistdisciplines at a single place and asingle time, but for the complete“workflow” of patient treatment. Thisyear, once again, 4,800 exhibitorsfrom more than 60 nations will usethe MEDICA in order to present theentire range of new products,services and processes for inpatientand outpatient care. No other eventworldwide even offers close to thisabundance of innovations.

For example, a noticeable increase inbooking with regard to theexhibition space has been recordedfrom the USA, China, the Nether-

lands, France, Spain, South Korea,and Turkey or also from SaudiArabia.

Clearly structured according to hall,focuses of the MEDICA trade fairinclude: Electromedicine/medicaltechnology (more than 2,500exhibitors), laboratory technology/diagnostics, physiotherapy/orthopaedic technology, commodi-ties and consumables, informationand communication technology,medical furniture and specialistfurnishings for hospitals anddoctors’ offices.

CONFERENCES CLOSELYASSOCIATED WITH THE TRADEFAIR

The high degree of internationalityon the provider side is reflected onthe visitor side at the MEDICA. Fromthe almost 130,000 specialist visitorsthat visited the MEDICA in theprevious year, more than everysecond was an international visitors(from a total of around 120 nations).In recent years, to also meet the

needs of the professional public inthe future, the programme of theaccompanying conferences and theforms integrated into the trade fairhave been radically restructured andaligned at a more international levelwith many highlights in the Englishlanguage.

Also this year again, the MEDICAEDUCATION CONFERENCE that wasfirst organised in 2014 by theGermany Society for InternalMedicine (DGIM), is offering animpressive interdisciplinary program.Key topics for the individualconference days provide for aclearly arranged content-relatedprofile. Going by the conferencemotto “Science Meets MedicalTechnology”, the four daily topicshave been selected in such a waythat they result in a close integrationwith the trade fairs’s medicaltechnological innovations.

Key topics at this year’s MEDICAEDUCATION CONFERENCE include:Surgery and new operationaltechniques (16/11), imaging,

endoscopy and interventions (17/11), geriatrics, nutritional medicineand palliative care (18/11) as well asinfectiology, infection and laboratorymedicine (19/11).Custom-made offers for trends andinnovations

With reference to the conferenceprogramme, being oriented towardthose interested, belonging toimportant target groups, MEDICA isalso ensuring that what is beingfurther offered will also be linked tothe topics of the trade fair. Anexample of this includes the 38thGerman Hospital Day, a leadingevent for the directors andmanagement of German hospitalsthat, in addition to current politicaltopics, sheds light on the topic of“practical issues”, e.g. aspects ofhospital IT and human resourcemanagement.

This year, the German Hospital Daywill be complemented by theEuropean Hospital Conference,which takes place every two years,being a gathering for top decision-


makers from European hospitals forthe purpose of exchanging theirexpertise.The conference for disaster andmilitary medicine, DiMiMED, as wellas the MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTSCONFERENCE (respectively on 17 +18 November 2015/ CongressCenter Düsseldorf South), concern-ing prevention issues and sportsmedical treatment concepts mustbe noted. It has to do withconferences held in the Englishlanguage that are geared for aninternational audience.

For high-level representatives frommilitary ranks, MEDICA exhibitors are,for example, offering an abundanceof solutions for very special issues –ranging from equipment foremergency treatment, telemedicineapplications for the secure transferof data between vehicles andmilitary hospitals to a complete arrayof surgery equipment all the way tocustomized turnkey buildingmodules.

The same is true of the “bridgebuilding” between the MEDICAMEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCEand the innovations being pre-sented as part of the trade fair. Thisis because modern performancediagnostics can make use oftechnology that is more compactand used in close contact with thebody. So-called wearables andsmartwatches are on the rise.Sensors detect a great variety of vitalsigns that could be of relevance forsports medicine specialistsproviding treatment from a therapeu-tic point of view. Those making around in hall 15 at the MEDICA will,for example, be quite convincedthat the uncomfortable chestharness for collecting bodyparameters will soon already beobsolete in light of the exhibitorpresentations at the WearableTechnologies Show. Heart rate,oxygen saturation or body tempera-ture can also be determined usingfine sensors integrated into textiles,ear clips or plug-in attachments for

smartphones. The MEDICA PHYSIOCONFERENCE organised by theThieme Publishing House is alsodedicated to trend topics. With itstreatment oriented presentations, itis directed toward the professionalscene of physiotherapists, sportsmedicine specialists andorthopaedists and is taking placethis year on 18 + 19 November /Congress Center Düsseldorf South).

Forums directly at the trade fairIn addition to the MEDICA confer-ence programme, the numerousforums integrated directly into thetrade fair convey significantdevelopments. In hall 15, theserespectively include the MEDICAHEALTH IT FORUM (innovations intelemedicine) and the MEDICACONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM(solutions for the digital networkingof healthcare players + the MEDICAApp Competition) as well as theMEDICA TECH FORUM (medicaltechnology industry innovations aswell as political, economic and legal

framework conditions for the field ofhigh-tech medicine/hall 12).Furthermore, a great deal ofsignificance has been given to theMEDICA ECON FORUM (hall 15),jointly initiated by Messe Düsseldorfand the "Techniker Krankenkasse"(TK), a German health insurancecompany, on issues of benefitassessment and funding innovation,primarily from the perspective ofpatients and cost bearers.

COMPAMED – suppliers asinnovation drivers

Modern diagnostic and therapeuticprocedures do not only require ahigh level of product developmentexpertise on the part of the medicaltechnology industry, but also on thepart of its suppliers that are beingpresented as part of theCOMPAMED 2015. From 16 to 19November, in halls 8a and 8b, morethan 700 exhibitors are againpresenting their technologicalsolutions and service offers for


various requirements profiles andtasks of medical technologyproviders – from new materials,components, primary products,packaging and services such asspare parts handling for example allthe way to complete custommanufacturing. Here, microsystemtechnology solutions for mobilediagnosis, monitoring, and therapysystems are particularly trendy,whereby currently the field of opticalprocesses is particularly beingdeveloped on a dynamic level. Forexample, microcomponents forminimally invasive diagnostics mustbe mentioned or also opticalcomponents for use with laboratoryequipment. This unique combina-tion allows MEDICA andCOMPAMED to represent the entireprocess chain and the full range ofmedical products, devices, andinstruments. Together, they fill thewhole Düsseldorf trade fair complex(19 halls). As in previous years, it ispossible to visit both events with asingle ticket.


Light as a universal tool in the field ofmedicine technology

For many years, light has been anaid in the field of medicine thatcannot be done without.

Photonic procedures today in thefields of endoscopy, laser surgery,lab-on-a-chip systems, biomedicaloptical sensors, as well as otherfields, are indispensable. Against thisbackground, the 9th COMPAMEDSpring Convention (7 May inFrankfurt am Main), which the MesseDüsseldorf has organised togetherwith the microtechnology associa-tion, IVAM, took place this year

under the motto “Glimmer of hopefor medical technology – photonicapplications for diagnosis andtherapy procedures”, thereby givinga first outlook regarding the trendsof the COMPAMED 2015 inDüsseldorf. With more than 700exhibitors, for the first time, theinternationally leading trade fair formedical technology suppliers istaking place completely parallel tothe world’s largest medical trade fair,MEDICA 2015 (approx. 4,800exhibitors), from 16 to 19 Novem-ber. From now on, it will be held onthe new days running from Mondayto Thursday.

In particular, the fields of applicationof modern lasers are becoming evermore numerous. Lasers cut with agreat deal more precision than anyscalpel and they are additionallycapable of fusing tissue together.This focused beam of light is alsothe tool of choice for removingstones in the body. In addition,lasers are superior to othertechnologies such as electrosurgeryand sound-wave techniques, whenit comes to cutting and removingsoft tissue. Photonics have madeparticular progress in the case ofminimally invasive operations. Inaddition, endoscopy entailing

viewing into the body with specificinstruments has been successfullyimplemented and continuouslyoptimised for years. Thereby, thecontinual improvement of lightsources, the guiding of light, andcamera systems are decisive factorsfor being able to operate ever moregently, quicker and with anincreasing level of precision.

In the field of medicine, there arealso great hopes of being able tosee directly into a cell. This objectiveentails understanding and verifyingbiological processes at a molecularor cellular level. In doing this, it offers

The COMPAMED Spring Convention gives alittle taste of the trend topics in the run-up tothe COMPAMED 2015


the chance to recognise and betterdiagnose diseases at an early stage,and provide more specific treatmentfor them – with a method forrecognising cancer early on, amongother things. In the meantime, withthe fluorescence microscopedeveloped by Max Planck re-searcher, Stefan Hell from Göttingen,resolution is so high that individualmolecules are visible. For thisgroundbreaking work on thefluorescence microscope thatprovides super resolution, hereceived the Nobel Prize forChemistry in 2014 together with hisAmerican colleagues, Eric Betzigand William Moerner – as well as adistinction in the field of medicinefor “using light as tool”.

There is no question about it;biophotonics, laser applications andmicro-optics are becomingincreasingly more popular in the field

of medicine because thesemethods are low in risk and patient-friendly. In his keynote speech at theCOMPAMED Spring Convention,“Beyond White Light – new imagingmodalities for optimising diagnosisand therapy in the field of minimallyinvasive surgery”, Thorsten Jürgens,the coordinator of technologydevelopment at Olympus SurgicalTechnologies Europe, reported onnew imaging procedures thatconsiderably improve possibilitieswithin the scope of microsurgery.“With Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), itis, for example, possible to identifyfine structures and capillary patternson the surface of mucous mem-branes. Human tissue absorbs lightused here at shorter wavelengthsvery good. NBI successfully makesuse of this characteristic, thusproviding additional information thatcannot retrieved by means of normalendoscopic images. A filter creates

two 60-nanometre-wide spectrumswithin the wavelength range of 415(blue light) and 540 nanometres(green light). The absorbingcharacteristics of haemoglobinimprove the contrast of bloodvessels. Due to the variouspenetration depths of the blue andgreen light, the anatomical layerwhere a blood vessel is running canbe identified.

Photodynamic Diagnosis (PDD) isalso very promising. This methodprovides in-vivo data that canidentify special tumours and isalready being used in the field ofdermatology and urology. Initially, aphotosensitiser is applied that isaccumulated in or on the tumourcells. By exposing to light, the dyesfluoresce and the light which isemitted is then detected. Broad-band Xenon light sources are usedand a filter zeros in on the required

wavelengths from their spectrum. Inrecent years, new and specific dyeshave been developed. “NBI andPDD are already being regularly usedin the field of clinical care.” In thefuture, alternative dyes and colouringagents will make the precisedemarcation of risk structures anddisease possible,” Thorsten Jürgensexplained.

Functionalised nanorods for the earlydetection of cancer

The Austrian Institute of Technologyin Vienna (AIT), the largest non-university research institute in Austria,has developed several photonicplatforms. In this connection, the AITis participating in the project,NAMDIATREAM (NanotechnologicalToolkits for Multi-Modal DiseaseDiagnostics and Treatment Monitor-ing) that is being financed by the EUand should contribute to the early


detection of cancer based onnanotechnology. Possessing apatent for innovativeimmunodiagnostics, the AIT createdfunctionalised core-shell nanorodsthat are very simple to use.“Readings can already be taken froma patients’ saliva in an ambulance,the best medium for point-of-careapplications,” explained Dr. GiorgioC. Mutinati from AIT. The procedureis based on optical changes in therotational dynamics of magneticrods that have a magnetic core anda stainless-steel shell. Specialmolecules from the sample bind tothe nanoparticles and by means ofthis process, alter their physicalcharacteristics and this can bemeasured. The method has manyadvantages: Only small quantities ofsamples are required that are in noneed of preparation. The manage-ment of “mixing and measuring” issimple and the time required foranalysis is short.

Optical microsensors are increas-ingly becoming more popular in thefield of medical technology. Theresearch institute for microsensortechnology, CiS, has developed anin-ear sensor that takes pulse andblood oxygen saturation readings ina non-invasive manner and cantransmit the data to a recordingdevice. The system for long-termmonitoring of vital parametersconsists of a miniaturised lightsource with dimensions of only 0.6x 0.7 x 1.4 millimetres and laser-Doppler sensors. “The measurementprinciple is based on detecting afrequency shift when laser light isscattered by the components ofblood due to the Doppler effect,with the frequency shift being relianton the flow rate and direction,”explained Dr. Hans-Georg Ortleppfrom CiS. By superimposing this onthe original wave, interferenceeffects within the measurable rangeof frequency occur at the detector.

There are endeavours being madeto establish a point of measurementat the entrance of the ear canal. Thesensor should be integrated in anearmould so that the measuring unitcan be worn like a hearing aid.

Hearing with light

Seeing thanks to light is normal,hearing by means of light is a newapproach that the CSEM centre(Centre Suisse d’Electronique et deMicrotechnique) located in CentralSwitzerland is pursuing. This isbecause light is not only being usedin the field of diagnostics but also inthe field of therapy. Up until now,cochlea implants have functionedvia electrical simulation that is,however, limited in many perspec-tives, such as poor spatial resolu-tion, the so-called crosstalk, forexample. With “optical acoustical”stimulation, the CSEM is participatingin the EU project entitled ACTION

(ACTive Implant for OptoacousticNatural sound enhancement). “Theproject should strengthen the levelof hearing of severely hearing-impaired patients by eliminatingconstraints of spatial and temporalstimulation of cochlea implants thatare based on electrical stimulation,"emphasized Dr. Stefan Mohrdiekfrom CSEM. ACTION builds on thediscover that pulsed infrared laserlight is capable of triggering auditoractivity in hair cells. The primarycomponents of the opticalmicrosystem include lasersproviding optical stimulation, forwhich semiconductor laser diodesare favoured, response electrodesas well as connection elements withprinted electronic circuits. There arestill a lot of challenges to overcomeuntil the implementation of suchsystems can be achieved. Thisincludes a rigorous levelminiaturisation, sophisticated VCSELlasers for long wavelengths,


biocompatibility, the production ofmicro-lenses on a wafer basis aswell as the possibility of manufactur-ing them in small batches.

Today, laser radiation is already beingused intensively in order to achievevarious therapeutic effects rangingfrom acupuncture to the vaporiza-tion of tissue all the way to theremoval and disruption (e.g. skin,cartilage and stones).

Furthermore, targeted laser beamsare also being used in the field ofphotodynamic therapy and thermalcoagulation. Particularly good effectscan be achieved with processesthat laterally separate light from glassfibres by means of scattering it inorder to irradiate larger surfaces.Laser- und Medizintechnik BerlinGMBH (LMBT), a laser and medicaltechnology company, has devel-oped related rigid and flexiblediffusers for field of laser therapy.

“We have established a newmanufacturing technique forpolymer diffusers in connection withquartz glass fibre optic cables, forwhich laser induced scatter centres,so called micro-dots, are insertedinto the diffuser material,” explainedDr. Jürgen Helfermann, seniorproject manager for BiomedicalOptics at LMTB. With this, variousactive lengths between 5 and 30millimetres can be produced withlateral emission of up to 90 percent.By means of this, very high levels oflaser output higher than 10 watts canbe achieved. The wavelengths rangefrom UV to almost infrared. Rigiddiffusers have already beenestablished; flexible designs are stillin the stage of development.

Laser surgery with real-time control

At the COMPAMED Spring Conven-tion, Dr. Alexander Krüger from theLaser Centre in Hannover (LZH)

showed what possibilities areoffered by laser surgery under real-time control via optical coherencetomography (OCT).

The laser for cutting tissue can belinked directly to the optical accessfor imaging. The fully integratedsolution jointly uses lasers, scannersand an objective.

As an alternative to this, there areversions that are modularly inte-grated (joint scanners) andextensively separated. Today,femtosecond and excimer lasers arediversely used instruments in thefield of ophthalmic surgery. Withthese, vitreous bodies in the eyecan be specifically changed withoutinjuring the retina or nerves in theprocess. Today, by means of ultra-rapid lasers, innovative cataract, age-related hyperopia and retinatreatments are possible, wherebyOCT serves for direct examination. In

the future, it can be expected thatlaser therapy supported by imagingwill conquer other fields ofapplication – all the way to tumourremoval, endoscopic brain lasersurgery, cutting bones and larynxlaser operations.

“Without a doubt, the use of lightoffers magnificent possibilities in thefield of medical technology,”commented Dr. Thomas Dietrich,managing director of the IVAM,summarising the knowledge fromthis year’s COMPAMED SpringConvention.

Therefore, this extraordinarily diversetopic that contributes to both thefields of diagnostics as well astherapy will also be playing asignificant role as part of theCOMPAMED 2015 being held from16 to 19 November in halls 8a and8b of the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds.


The connection betweenscience and medicaltechnology produces

fascinating results that are of greatbenefit to patients. These results willbe the focus of the MEDICAEDUCATION CONFERENCE takingplace November 16 to 19 inDüsseldorf, in parallel with MEDICA,the world´s largest trade fair formedical technology. Like last year,the German Association for InternalMedicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft fürInnere Medizin DGIM), together withMesse Düsseldorf, is organizing theconference, which is intended as aprofessional development event forall medical fields and for representa-tives from both academia andindustry.

This year, the MEDICA EDUCATIONCONFERENCE offers unique,interdisciplinary insight into medicaltopics and an even stronger focuson innovations from medicaltechnology and engineering. Thephysical and timely proximity to theMEDICA trade fair is deliberate andallows for exchange betweenphysicians, scientists and industryrepresentatives. Numerousinternational and national speakers

will help conference participants tolook beyond disciplinary borders.The events present future visionsand current standards in a diversifiedand compact way.

Each of the four days of the MEDICAEDUCATION CONFERENCE focuseson a different theme - this makesselective participation at theconference easier for day visitors:

• surgery and new operativetechniques (November 16, 2015)

MEDICA EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2015:Medical Expertise Meets Technical Know-How

• maging, endoscopy andinterventions (November 17, 2015)• geriatrics, palliative medicine andnutritional medicine (November 18,2015)• infectiology, inflammation andlaboratory medicine (November 19,2015)

Day tickets for visiting the confer-ence can be purchased.

Each day, the MEDICA EDUCATIONCONFERENCE offers participantsthree parallel events taking place atthe same time (meetings) and twocourses that fit the theme for the dayand that will last the whole day.Because of this time structure,visitors will be able to compile apersonal conference program.

The MEDICA EDUCATION CONFER-ENCE day ticket entitles the holderto visit the MEDICA trade fair on thesame day. After attending aconference day, participants thus

have the opportunity to letthemselves be inspired aboutfurther innovations in the fields ofscience and medical technology inthe MEDICA trade fair halls. Theconference time structure is createdin such a way that the final eventsend at 4:00 pm for all four days.Then it is just a short walk to theneighboring fair halls to take in thefascinating world of technology. TheMEDICA EDUCATION CONFERENCEtakes place this year for the first timefrom Monday to Thursday.

On April 20 at the 121st Conventionof Internists in Mannheim, the pressconference for the MEDICAEDUCATION CONFERENCE willprovide an outlook on the confer-ence and its four key topics.Interested persons can find furtherinformation on the conference and avideo with images from the MEDICAEDUCATION CONFERENCE 2014 atwww.medica-tradefair.com/mec2


Danish researchers from theUniversity of Copenhagenhave discovered what

controls the enzyme that aids thegrowth of cancer tumours. Thesefindings could be of great value tocancer treatments; ©panthermedia.net/JovancheVitanovski

Researchers from the University ofCopenhagen have discovered whatregulates an enzyme that is central tothe growth of cancer tumours. Thiscould be of great value to futurecancer treatment. The findings havejust been published in the journal,Nature Communications.

The enzyme is called ADAM17 andit aids growth in cells.

"ADAM17 is very important to the

growth of cancer tumours. Itfunctions as a molecular pair ofscissors, separating molecules fromthe cell's surface which thenincreases cell growth. The problembeing that in cancer cells this growthis over-activated and so the cancertumour grows rapidly and uncon-trollably," Postdoc SarahDombernowsky explains. She is partof Associate Professor MarieKveiborg's research group at theDepartment of Biomedicine &BRICK, at Copenhagen Biocenter.

Researchers from all over the worldhave long been interested in findingways to restrict ADAM17 and thusinhibit the growth of cancertumours. Among other things, theyhave tried to impede the processwith different drugs. However, thesedrugs also obstructed other

Researchers map important enzyme inthe FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

important scissors, which led to patients suffering severer side effects.

This is why it is of such great importance that Dombernowsky and hercolleagues have now located a mechanism that controls ADAM17. "Wehave discovered that the protein PACS-2 plays a big part in the transporta-tion of ADAM17 in cells. ADAM17 moves in and out of the cell, but it has toremain on the surface to be able to cut off molecules and thus furthergrowth. We have showed that without the PACS-2, ADAM17 returns lessregularly to the surface; it's broken down instead," Dombernowsky elabo-rates.

Thus ADAM17 is rendered incapable of helping the cancer tumour growand it provides us with fundamental knowledge, which may be used toimprove future cancer treatments. "There have been attempts at developing apill to inhibit ADAM17, only the patients became ill due to side effects,because other, similar enzymes were also affected. But if you inhibit PACS-2,you can, in principle, obstruct only ADAM17, which would enable us toinhibit the growth of the cancer tumour," Dombernowsky states. "We'recurrently experimenting on mice to see if the cancer growth slows down,and it is our distinct expectation that it will. In the long-term, we would like todevelop something that through PACS-2 allows us to fine-tune ADAM17,which could then eventually become part of a more targeted cancertreatment," Dombernowsky concludes.


Studies purporting to show cancerlink are badly flawed, researchersfind

In recent years, there has beenwidespread media coverage ofstudies purporting to show that

radiation from X-rays, CT scans andother medical imaging causescancer. But such studies haveserious flaws, including their relianceon an unproven statistical model,according to a recent article in thejournal Technology in CancerResearch & Treatment.

Corresponding author is LoyolaUniversity Medical Center radiationoncologist Dr. James Welsh.

"Although radiation is known tocause cancer at high doses andhigh-dose rates, no data have ever

unequivocally demonstrated theinduction of cancer followingexposure to low doses and doserates," Welsh and co-authorDr. JeffrySiegel write.

Studies that have found a cancer linkto medical imaging typically employa model called "linear no-threshold"(LNT). In LNT, the well-establishedcancer-causing effects of highdoses of radiation are simplyextrapolated downward in a straightline to low doses. The LNT modelassumes there is no safe dose ofradiation, no matter how small.

But although LNT is used byregulators around the world, themodel "is of questionable validity,utility and applicability for estimationof cancer risks," Welsh and Siegelwrite.

Contrary to the LNT model, there iscompelling evidence that the humanbody has evolved the ability torepair damage from low-doseradiation.

For example, the mutation ratecaused by low-dose backgroundradiation in the environment is 2.5million times lower than the rate ofspontaneous mutations in the body.So even if the LNT model were true,the small increase in mutationscaused by low-dose radiation frommedical imaging would be unlikelyto overwhelm the body's defenses.

Studies purporting to find a cancerlink to medical imaging radiationhave other flaws besides thequestionable LNT model. Forexample, two recent studiessuggested possible increased

Does radiation from X-rays and CTscans really cause cancer?

cancer risks from low-radiationdoses associated with pediatric CTscans. But these cancers likely aredue to the medical conditions thatprompted the CT scans, and havenothing to do with the radiationexposure, Welsh and Siegel write.

While many people focus on the

purported risks of radiation in

medical imaging, "the more

significant and actual risks associated

with not undergoing an imaging

procedure or undergoing a more

invasive exploratory surgery are

generally being ignored in both the

scientific literature and the popular

media," Welsh and Siegel write.


Tel Aviv University researcherharnesses pulsed electric fields torejuvenate epidermal function andappearance.

A team of Tel Aviv Universityand Harvard Medical Schoolresearchers has now

devised a non-invasive techniquethat harnesses pulsed electric fieldsto generate new skin tissue growth.

According to their research, thenovel non-invasive tissue stimulationtechnique, utilizing microsecond-pulsed, high-voltage, non-thermalelectric fields, produces scarlessskin rejuvenation and may revolu-tionize the treatment of degenerativeskin diseases.

The study, published recently inScientific Reports, was led by Dr.Alexander Golberg of TAU's PorterSchool of Environmental Studiesand the Center for Engineering inMedicine at Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Harvard Medical School,and Shriners Burns Hospital inBoston, in collaboration with Dr.William J. Austen, Jr. from theDepartment of Plastic Surgery atMassachusetts General Hospital andDr. Martin L. Yarmush at the Centerfor Engineering in Medicine atMassachusetts General Hospital,

Harvard Medical School, andShriners Burns Hospital in Boston,along with other prominentresearchers.

"Pulsed electrical field technologyhas many advantages, which havealready proved effective, forexample, in food preservation,tumor removal, and wounddisinfection," said Golberg. "Ournew application may jumpstart thesecretion of new collagen andcapillaries in problematic skin areas.Considering that, in the modern eraof aging populations and climatechange, degenerative skin diseasesaffect one in three adults over theage of 60, this has the potential to

'Pulse' technology may replenishskin's collagen

be an healthcare gamechanger."

Current therapies to rejuvenate skinuse various physical and chemicalmethods to affect cells and theextracellular matrix, but they induceunsightly scarring. Pulsed electricfields, however, affect only the cellmembrane itself, preserving theextracellular matrix architecture andreleasing multiple growth factors tospark new cell and tissue growth. Byinducing nanoscale defects on thecell membranes, electric fields causethe death of a small number of cellsin affected areas. The releasedgrowth factors increase themetabolism of the remaining cells,generating new tissue.

"We have identified in rats thespecific pulsed electric fieldparameters that lead to prominentproliferation of the epidermis,formation of microvasculature, andsecretion of new collagen at treatedareas without scarring," saidGolberg. "Our results suggest thatpulsed electric fields can improveskin function and potentially serve asa novel non-invasive skin therapy formultiple degenerative skin diseases."

The researchers are currentlydeveloping a low-cost device foruse in clinical trials in order to testthe safety and efficacy of thetechnology in humans.


Launch of

National Health Innovation Portal as a platform to boost the innovation sector in public health

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India launched a national initiative for innovation on 2nd of July 2015. Inaugurating the National Summit

on Healthcare Innovations at Shimla, JP Nadda launched the national innovation portal. The national innovation portal has been made to facilitate the innovators to boost the innovations in public healthcare.

National Health Innovation Portal is being launched to serve as a platform in public domain to facilitate collection and dissemination of good practices and innovations that are found to be replicable. This portal would serve as a gateway for integrating innovations into mainstream healthcare and has potential to bring about transformative improvements in healthcare delivery by accelerating the uptake of successful innovations of products, processes and programs.

The National Healthcare Innovations Portal is an attempt to pool-in and showcase innovative programs designs, practices, technology solutions and products across public and private healthcare sector of India. These solutions have either demonstrated abilities to address health systems challenges in specific contexts or hold a promise for future. This platform will act as an inspiration to health entrepreneurs as well as provide newer program designs, devices and approaches to cover those in greatest need of healthcare.


Heart attack treatment hypothesis ‘busted’Basic research seriously challenges a long-standing hope that blocking calcium from entering energy-making mitochondria inside heart cells could prevent heart attack damage.

Researchers have long had reason to hope that blocking the flow of calcium into the mitochondria of heart and brain cells could be one way to prevent damage caused by heart attacks and strokes. But in a study of mice engineered to lack a key calcium channel in their heart cells, Johns Hopkins scientists appear to have cast a shadow of doubt on that theory.

A report on their study is published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“We confirmed that this calcium channel is important for heart function,” says senior investigator Mark Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “But our results also showed that this is almost certainly not going to be a good pathway to exploit in a long-term therapy, at least for heart attacks.” The experiments by Anderson and his team grew out of increased understanding in recent years of the role of calcium in heart function. With each beat of the organ, molecules of calcium whiz in and out of tiny compartments called mitochondria that are powerhouses of heart and other cells.

Inside the mitochondria, calcium is generally a good thing - it helps generate energy that the cells use to stay alive. But for almost half a century, researchers have also known that too much mitochondrial calcium can overwhelm and cause cells to die. And after a heart attack or stroke, a sudden rush of calcium into the organelles sets off this cell death pathway, leading to long-term damage. Thus, the possibility of saving heart and brain cells by blocking this influx of calcium, Anderson says, has long been a hope, one fed a few years ago when scientists discovered the specific channel that allows calcium to pass in and out of the mitochondria, known as the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU).

With the new knowledge, Anderson and colleagues set out to test the effects of blocking calcium from mitochondria by generating genetically altered mice with a mutation that disabled heart MCU function over the entire lifetime of the mice and blocked calcium flow to mitochondria in heart muscle cells.

Although almost no calcium passed into the mitochondria of their cardiomyocytes, Anderson says, their hearts still beat and developed normally. But when his team stressed the mice in a way that would normally cause an increase in heart rate, the mice’s heart rates only barely rose, and their heart muscles lost efficiency, requiring extra oxygen to function.

In further experiments, when the scientists cut off oxygen to the cardiomyocytes and then restarted it - mimicking what happens during some heart attacks - the cells still died, even though calcium in the mitochondria clearly wasn’t causing the cell death, Anderson says.

Instead, the cardiomyocytes, Anderson’s group discovered, were compensating for the lack of calcium by activating other cell death pathways and turning on a host of new genes to get that job done. Blocking calcium from the mitochondria, it turned out, just changed the way the cells died after a heart attack.

Has sitting at the computer leftyou with an aching lowerback? Some occupations

require long hours of computer use.It’s not unusual for office workers,from medical billing and codingspecialists to data entry personal, tosuffer from repetitive workplaceinjuries, which have increased inrecent years. Lower back pain is acommon one. In this video, acertified massage therapist andinstructor from Carrington Collegedemonstrates how to ease tensionin your lower back throughstretching and massage techniques.

3 Stretches for Lower Back Pain

What causes lower back pain? Ingeneral, the static position of sittingnaturally leads to poor posture andstrains the lower back. If you’rewondering how to relieve the painin this area, lower back stretches area good place to start. Here are

three: Knee to Chest – Lie on a flatsurface with your legs stretched outin front of you. Bring one kneetoward your chest, using your handsto help gently pull the leg and hold itin position. Repeat with the otherleg.

Crossed-Leg Stretch – While lyingdown on your back, cross the leftleg over so the left foot rests justabove the knee on your right leg.Bend and lift the right leg toward thechest. Grab the back of your rightthigh as you lift to help extend thestretch and pull the leg as close tothe chest as possible. If you havedifficulty reaching the thigh, you canwrap a towel or strap around thethigh and pull the ends toward you.Remain flat at all times during thisexercise, without lifting the head orshoulders.

Cross and Twist – Lying flat on yourback, cross the right foot over the

HOW TO RELIEVE LOWER BACK PAINWITH STRETCHES AND MASSAGE

left knee, resting the foot flat on thefloor. Gently twist the lower body tothe left while the shoulders stay flatto the floor. Use the left hand to pullthe right knee forward and downtoward the floor for a completestretch. Repeat on the other side.Massage Therapy Techniques

In addition to lower back painstretches, specific types of massagecan be extremely effective in lowerback pain relief. If you’re unable toreceive a professional massage, youcould show a loved one how toapply some of the lower backmassage techniques that a certifiedmassage therapist would use. Andthen return the favor!

These two techniques are com-monly used during a massage forlower back:

Circular friction motions along thesides of the spine and around the

hip (sacrum)Compression, kneading and frictionmotions on top of the gluteusBelow are some of the musclestreated by these techniques:

Erector SpinaeQuadratus LumborumGluteal musclesPiriformisStretching and Massage Tips:

Stretches can be done at least onceper day, more if needed.Hold stretches for 15–20 seconds.Receiving a massage every 2–4weeks is recommended formaintaining healthy tissues.For chronic pain, massage isrecommended 1–2 times per week.How to Maintain a Healthy LowerBack

In addition to lower back painstretches and massage therapy,other home remedies for lowerback pain include good postureand frequent breaks from sitting. Allit takes is a few minutes per day tomaintain back health and avoidrepetitive workplace injury.

Massage Therapy Training Program

Massage therapists are trained andrespected health care providerswho work closely with patients andother health care professionals.While attending the CarringtonCollege massage therapy trainingprogram, students study a widerange of massage therapy tech-niques as they prepare for a careerin the healthcare field. If you’reinterested in learning more abouthow you can help others feel betterthrough massage therapy, pleasecontact us today. Carrington Collegeoffers massage therapy programs, aswell as other healthcare degreeprograms, at campuses throughoutthe country.


As the South Koreanepidemic of Middle EastRespiratory Syndrome

(MERS) continues unabated,researchers have raced to findtreatments for the deadly virus,which has killed more than 400people since it was first discoveredthree years ago in Saudi Arabia.

Now, scientists at the University ofMaryland School of Medicine havediscovered and validated twotherapeutics that show early promisein preventing and treating thedisease, which can cause severerespiratory symptoms, and has adeath rate of 40 percent. Thesetherapeutics are the first to succeedin protecting and treating animalmodels of the MERS virus. The study

appears in the journal Proceedingsof the National Academy ofSciences (PNAS).

"While early, this is very exciting, andhas real potential to help MERSpatients," says a lead researcher onthe study, Prof. Matthew B. Frieman,an assistant professor of microbiol-ogy and immunology at theUniversity of Maryland School ofMedicine. "We hope that clinicalstudy will progress on these twoantibodies to see whether they caneventually be used to help humansinfected with the virus."

The two antibodies, REGN3051 andREGN3048, showed an ability toneutralize the virus. This research,done in collaboration with a

First-ever possible treatments for MERS

biopharmaceutical company, usedseveral of the company's proprietarytechnologies to search for andvalidate effective antibodies targetingthe virus.

MERS was first discovered in 2012 inSaudi Arabia. It appears that thedisease spread to humans fromcamels, who may themselves beeninfected by bats. Research hasshown that it is similar to Severeacute respiratory syndrome (SARS);both are caused by Coronaviruses,both cause respiratory problems,and both are often fatal.

The paper also announced thedevelopment a novel strain of mice,which will help scientists understandthe disease and look for treatments.

This work relied on Regeneron'sVelociGene technology to createpartially humanized mice that can beinfected with MERS. "Mice aretypically not susceptible to MERS,"said Frieman, who is an expert onboth MERS and SARS, as well asother emerging viruses. "This newmouse model will significantly boostour ability to study potentialtreatments and help scientists tounderstand how the virus causesdisease in people." The SouthKorean outbreak began last monthwhen a traveler returned from SaudiArabia, and infected many peoplebefore officials realized he had thedisease. So far, around 180 peoplehave been infected in South Korea,and nearly 30 have died.


The international 2015Consumer Electronics showtook place in Las Vegas on

January 6, and there were manyinnovative new products that mayprove beneficial to the medicalcommunity. Bluetooth andsmartphone technology now allowsmedical professionals to monitor thehealth of their patients from afar, andhelps us all to lead healthier lives.Here are just a few of the best newproducts that are bound to make asplash in healthcare.

BewellConnect

BEWELL CES 2015 CuffA subsidiaryof Visimed group, Bewell is a Frenchcompany that has created numerousproducts for the health and wellnessmarket utilizing Bluetooth technol-ogy. Among their products areMyThermo, a no-contact thermom-eter which could be used by anurse to monitor fluctuations intemperature; MyTensio, a wirelesscuff that monitors your bloodpressure over a period of time; andMyOxy, which helps you todetermine and control your oxygensaturation. All of these productstransmit information to one app onyour smart phone or tablet, andcost between $100-200 USD peritem.

Masimo

Masimo CES 2015Similar to theMyOxy, Masimo’s MightySatmeasures oxygen saturation andpulse rates to the user. Using thepatient’s finger, the MightySat isunique in that it can track a patient’sresults even if they are moving

around, which might be helpful tophysical therapist assistant. TheMightySat is small and compact,making it easy for an athlete oranyone else to take with themwherever they go. It also utilizesBluetooth technology, and theaccompanying app is available forboth Apple and Android phones.

Lechal

Lechal CES 2015The India-basedcompany Ducere Technologies wasfounded with the idea of helpingthe blind or visually impaired tonavigate the world better. The Lechalinsole slips into any ordinary walkingshoe and utilizes Bluetoothtechnology to sync up to a user’sphone and guide them with simplevibrations through voice commands.There’s even an interactive chargerthat also responds to audio cues,which can also be used with theLechal shoe. The Lechal system isalso useful for those with perfectvision: the corresponding appallows the user to track yourworkouts and set fitness goals. Inthe future, the company would liketo incorporate other features thathelp with posture, measuring stepstaken, and more, in order to furtherhelp the wellness community.

TRiCELLA

TRiCELLA CES 2015This healthtechnology company offers aunique way to remember to takeyour medications. The Liif pillbox isconnected to a smart phone appthat reminds the user to take theirpills at designated times. Your appcan even be synced to other boxes,

and can be set to notify you if a friend or family member forgets to take theirpills. Pharmacists may want to consider encouraging their patients topurchase this smart technology for $80.

FitBark

FitBark CES 2015Dog owners and veterinary technicians alike should getexcited for FitBark. Comparable to the human Fitbit, FitBark is a small $99device that hooks onto your dogs collar and connects wirelessly to asmartphone app, allowing you to monitor your pet’s health, from his dailyactivity to his sleep schedule. A database allows vet techs or owners ofmultiple pets to keep track of this data and compare it to others, and helpdetermine what’s best for each individual dog. There’s even an optional Wi-Fi base station, which allows you to monitor multiple dogs from afar.

CES 2015: AMAZING NEW MEDICALDEVICES YOU HAVE TO SEE


KiCoPen

KiCoPen CES 2015The latest insulin injector on the market comes fromCambridge Consultants. While other smart injection pens exist, the KiCoPenis unique in that it keeps track of each injection without relying on a batteryor other methods that leave room for error. Instead, the energy harvestingtechnology utilizes a simple chip, and sends all of your information to asmart phone app so that you have it. Nurses and medical assistants may findgreat use in demonstrating and recommending this product to patients withdiabetes.

Skulpt

Skulpt CES 2015 DemoFitness technology is taken to a new level with theSkulpt Aim: a device that uses EIM technology to measure your MQ, ormuscle quality. This helps the user to determine how effective their workoutis. With measurements including muscle density, fat percentage of aparticular area, and more, the Aim is a useful tool for fitness enthusiasts aswell as physical therapy patients who are looking to regain muscle massfollowing an injury. For $199, this device will be compatible with both Appleand Android smartphones, and can track up to six different users.


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