Surgical Devices
Patient in Sweden receives lab-made windpipe transplant
July 8, 2011 5:20 am | by Louise Nordstrom, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe June 9 surgery performed at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm represents the first synthetic tissue engineered windpipe that has been successfully transplanted. The windpipe was built with a bioreactor and scaffold using the patient’s own stem cells. The success of operation has prompted plans for similar transplants in the near future.
Electrodes restore paraplegic man’s ability to stand
May 20, 2011 12:55 pm | by Kathy Svitil | News | CommentsRob Summers lost his ability to walk five years ago after a hit-and-run accident. But now he is standing again after the implantation of an electrode-based device that uses his own nervous system to control standing and stepping motions.
Artificial retina helps some blind people
February 16, 2011 7:28 am | by Maria Cheng, AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsFor two decades, UK resident Eric Selby had been completely blind and dependent on a guide dog to get around. But after having an artificial retina put into his right eye, he can detect ordinary things like the curb and pavement when he's walking outside. The device, which is manufactured by Second Sight and won an R&D 100 Awards in 2009, may soon be marketed in the EU.
Training instrument allows surgeon to feel grasp force in keyhole surgery
January 24, 2011 8:21 am | News | CommentsDelft University of Technology researcher Eleonora Westebring-van der Putten has developed a working prototype of an instrument that sends tangible feedback signals to surgeons, giving them better force feedback during keyhole surgery. This type of surgery is especially challenging because of this lack of feedback, and can lead to complications.
First commercial 3-D bio-printer makes human tissue and organs
December 10, 2009 4:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsInvetech, a builder of custom automation for the biomedical, industrial and consumer markets, has delivered the world's first production model 3-D bio-printer to Organovo, developers of the proprietary NovoGen bioprinting technology.
New bioceramic developed by Morgan Technical Ceramics
July 28, 2009 1:01 pm | Product Releases | CommentsMorgan Technical Ceramics has developed a new bioceramic material for surgical implant devices. Vitox AMC is an alumina matrix composite material which can withstand high shock without fracture.
