Boston Scientific wins FDA approval for Liberte stent – One that conforms to the shape of the artery

<p> Ok, one more stent approval, one thing for sure this technology is moving rapidly and the advancement of drug coated stents certainly seems to be<a href="http://www.bostonscientific.com/Device.bsci/,,/method/DevHome/navRelId/1000.1003/seo.serve"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="96" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4NeXEJE3I/AAAAAAAAP7c/t2jNkJh6xAQ/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="153" /></a> the choice and studies are showing a low infection rate with their use.  They are not cheap, around 13k in round figures.  This is how you keep track of the tiny expensive devices, with <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/who-moved-my-stent-hospitals-using-rfid.html">RFID tags.</a></strong>   You can see the page at Boston Scientific to see how many are listed on their product page.  <strong>As medications are getting very specific, so do devices too.</strong>  </p> <p><strong>Fact is we need those to save lives so as patients </strong>we are in luck as they keep getting better.  The marketing and competition is fierce though.  I saw a post over at <strong><a href="http://runningahospital.blogspot.com/2009/05/3-1-1-0.html">Paul Levy’s blog</a></strong> about a J and J ad for one he happened to see at the airport, so who knows we might see more advertisements about “getting to know your stent”.  I believe in being the informed patient, but I don’t really think the average person has to go this far at all times.  I am starting to see some devices advertised on television too here and there, but not stents yet. </p> <p>I do have to say when I did the <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interview-with-bart-e-muhs-md-yale.html">interview with Dr. Muhs from Yale</a>, I did learn a lot, but again that is me and even myself I don’t think at the time of surgery that I would be wanting make sure I had a certain brand as I would rely on the doctor to make that choice.  The one thing most important that I did learn is that you want an interventional cardiologist/radiologist doing the procedure.  Read the interview at the link and it will tell you a bit more.  You might also want to reference an interview I did with <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/cook-medical-announced-new-strategic.html">Cook Medical about the interventional business department</a></strong> they have and it will lend <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4NfFFilaI/AAAAAAAAP7g/JaBKu0QKEq4/s1600-h/image%5B9%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="153" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4Nf9uFAeI/AAAAAAAAP7k/OLkOy4SZhmY/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="114" /></a>a little additional information too.  </p> <p><strong>Boston Scientific</strong> also makes heart defibrillators too that <strong><a href="http://www.aboutlatitude.com/living-with-latitude/about-latitude.html">wirelessly connect and report data</a></strong>, one more company with a smart medical device ready to send data.  From that side of the market <strong>I hope they connect with a PHR</strong> soon for those wanting or requiring their doctor to monitor, as devices continue to grow and come on the market, we need a place to have centralized data captured, the personal health record is the spot, otherwise he/she won’t have the time to tend to many different manufacturers and their software.  More from the press release below:   BD</p> <blockquote> <p>BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- <a href="http://www.bostonscientific.com/Device.bsci/,,/method/DevHome/navRelId/1000.1003/seo.serve">Boston Scientific Corp</a>. said early Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration has approved its Taxus  Liberte Atom drug-coated coronary stent. The product is used to treat blockages in small coronary blood vessels. Boston Scientific also markets another product to treat small vessels called the Taxus Express Atom Stent. The company hopes to launch the Liberte Atom in the U.S. next month. </p> <p>"The launch of our TAXUS Liberte stent system represents another milestone in the field of drug-eluting stents," said Jim Tobin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Scientific. "It is the first drug-eluting coronary stent system to incorporate a next-generation stent. By combining our new Liberte stent with our ground-breaking <strong>TAXUS technology,</strong> we will now provide physicians the latest, state-of-the-art drug-eluting stent technology for the treatment of coronary artery disease." </p> <p>The Company received the CE Mark for the bare metal Liberte stent system in December 2003 and plans to launch the TAXUS (drug-eluting) Liberte system in Europe later this year. <strong>In the U.S., Boston Scientific has announced enrollment in the ATLAS clinical trial, a pivotal study designed to support U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the TAXUSLiberte stent system</strong>. Boston Scientific's first-generation drug-eluting stent system, the TAXUS™ Express2™ paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system, is the worldwide leader in the coronary stent market. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ptca.org/press_rel/20050117pr_boston.html">http://www.ptca.org/press_rel/20050117pr_boston.html</a></p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/itgi-medical-gets-fda-approval-on-two.html"><font size="1">ITGI Medical Gets FDA Approval on Two Pericardium Tissue Covered Revolutionary Stents</font></a></h4> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/cook-medical-unveils-microwires-to.html"><font size="1">Cook Medical Unveils MicroWires to support Leg Therapy - Peripheral Arterial Disease</font></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interview-with-bart-e-muhs-md-yale.html">Interview with Bart E. Muhs, M.D., Yale School of Medicine – Aneurysm Repair Surgery</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/edwards-lifesciences-receives-fda.html"><font size="1">Edwards Lifesciences Receives FDA Approval For Magna Ease Aortic Valve</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/heart-valves-implanted-without-having.html">Heart valves implanted without having open-heart surgery</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/cook-medical-announced-new-strategic.html">Cook Medical Announced the new Strategic Business Unit – Interventional Radiology</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/safety-study-stents-major-medical.html">Safety Study – Stents – Major Medical Companies Joining forces</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/who-moved-my-stent-hospitals-using-rfid.html"><font size="1">Who moved my stent? Hospitals using RFID to track and inventory heart stents and balloons…</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/strokeneurology-receiving-trauma.html"><font size="1">Stroke–Neurology Receiving Trauma Centers and UCI Receives Record Dollar Amount Grant – Orange County</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:24bcc543-8912-4f5c-8a21-7348e96f4839" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Heart+Disease" rel="tag">Heart Disease</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Heart+Surgery" rel="tag">Heart Surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cardiology" rel="tag">Cardiology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hospital" rel="tag">Hospital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Clinical+Trials" rel="tag">Clinical Trials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/minimally+invasive+procedures" rel="tag">minimally invasive procedures</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/endovascular+surgery" rel="tag">endovascular surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Boston+Scientific" rel="tag">Boston Scientific</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/stents" rel="tag">stents</a></div>

Boston Scientific wins FDA approval for Liberte stent – One that conforms to the shape of the artery

Ok, one more stent approval, one thing for sure this technology is moving rapidly and the advancement of drug coated stents certainly seems...

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FDA approves Power Medical Interventions Surgical Devices – iDrive and iConsole for Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgical Procedures

<p> Technology look can sometimes fool you, as the tool almost looks like something right out of Black and Decker.   Also, note there is a console that<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4DRhlmZdI/AAAAAAAAP7E/gEoB0m_5bhQ/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4DTJYUS9I/AAAAAAAAP7I/9jnvRU1VJUM/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="248" /></a> <strong>wirelessly connects to the iDrive</strong> so I am guessing this could be a computer display.  </p> <p>If you are going to have one of those natural orifice surgical procedures with no incisions, this could be the device to do the job, through your nose, belly button, you name it.  The device also is capable of stapling with the various attachments that go along with it and the web site states the item will go on sale immediately.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>The Food and Drug Administration granted marketing clearance Wednesday to a console-and-power unit for detachable surgical  instruments developed by <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/gen/Power_Medical_Interventions_Inc._7F0E7F29B84B4807B305E6021CE0A153.html"><strong>Power Medical Interventions Inc.</strong></a></p> <p>The Langhorne, Pa., medical-device company plans to begin selling the iDrive Intelligent Power unit and iConsole “effective immediately.”</p> <p>The iDrive is a hand-held, computer-controlled power unit to which any of the company’s Intelligent Surgical Instruments can be attached. </p> <p><strong>The iConsole is a wireless device that communicates directly with the iDrive during surgical procedures to output specific auditory and visual reference information through a speaker and liquid crystal display.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4DVUPcKhI/AAAAAAAAP7M/xsWttc5eE1o/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4DWRgtNRI/AAAAAAAAP7Q/U0BMN-9g--U/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <p><strong><u>From the website:</u></strong></p> <p>Intelligent Surgical Instruments™ are the first computer-assisted, power-actuated endomechanical surgical instruments, used for cutting, stapling and tissue manipulation. PMI has applied digital technology to the field of endomechanical surgical instruments. These instruments can be used in a variety of procedures in open surgery, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery, or NOTES™. We believe that, compared to conventional endomechanical devices, our Intelligent Surgical Instruments™ offer greater precision and consistency, superior compressive force, improved access to anatomical sites and enhanced ease of use.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4DYIIbNNI/AAAAAAAAP7U/_ePR03nrFhc/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh4DZblkyCI/AAAAAAAAP7Y/sNE62lop5UM/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/05/25/daily14.html">FDA approves Power Medical Interventions instruments - Philadelphia Business Journal:</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9089e9ba-1556-40bd-946b-6563c4252cc6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/minimally+invasive+surgery" rel="tag">minimally invasive surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Power+Medical+Interventions" rel="tag">Power Medical Interventions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/endoscopic+surgery" rel="tag">endoscopic surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgery" rel="tag">surgery</a></div>

FDA approves Power Medical Interventions Surgical Devices – iDrive and iConsole for Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgical Procedures

Technology look can sometimes fool you, as the tool almost looks like something right out of Black and Decker.   Also, note there is a cons...

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FDA Approves Medtronic artificial cervical disc

<p> Surgery for back problems has certainly changed and one more device has been approved by the FDA.  I have covered several of them and provided <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3u5eHoM3I/AAAAAAAAP6w/UEHojyumv_o/s1600-h/image%5B12%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="75" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3u51-OP1I/AAAAAAAAP60/wRXC6f30Li4/image_thumb%5B8%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="83" /></a>some links at the bottom of this post, so before having back surgery, do some homework as things are changing rapidly.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p>CHICAGO, May 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it approved Medtronic Inc's (<a href="http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=MDT.N">MDT.N</a>) artificial cervical disc, a titanium and polyurethane device that fits between adjacent neck bones to replace a diseased or bulging cervical disc that often causes neck pain.</p> <p>The FDA cleared the device, called Bryan, on May 12, 2009, the agency said on its website on Wednesday.  The mages below may not be the exact representation of the disc approved, but is from the Medtronic web site page relative to cervical discs.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3u6zZ1XEI/AAAAAAAAP64/6hxsR2XbDtU/s1600-h/image%5B11%5D.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="87" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3u7rehqzI/AAAAAAAAP68/mVc6khT2O-E/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="94" /></a> </p> <p>I have covered several spinal therapies on the blog, here are some links for a few other new surgical technologies that are available.  BD</p> <h4> </h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/medtronic-announces-launch-of-x-stop.html"><font size="2">Medtronic Announces Launch Of X-Stop® Peek IPD® System For U.S. Patients Suffering From Symptoms Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/eden-spine-receives-ce-mark-for-its.html"><font size="2">Eden Spine Receives CE Mark For Its Nonfusion Wellex" Interspinous Process Medical Device</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/atec-alphatec-wins-fda-approval-for.html"><font size="2">ATEC Alphatec wins FDA approval for cervical implant</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/fda-grants-conditional-approval-to.html"><font size="2">FDA Grants Conditional Approval To Interventional Spine's PercuDyn" System IDE Application</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/01/bon-secours-depaul-medical-center.html"><font size="2">Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Orthopedic Surgeon Is First In Virginia To Implant 'Motion Preserving' Spinal Device To Treat Lumbar Spinal Stenosis</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/01/chronic-pain-alternative-treatments.html"><font size="2">Chronic Pain - Alternative Treatments with implanted stimulators</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/amedica-receives-fda-special-510k.html"><font size="2">Amedica Receives FDA Special 510(k) Clearance For Its Valeo(TM) Ceramic Spinal Implant</font></a></h4> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSN2719755320090527">UPDATE 1-FDA clears Medtronic cervical disc | Industries | Healthcare | Reuters</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/fda-approves-medtronic-heart-wire.html">FDA approves Medtronic heart wire – Created with NASA developed material</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/medtronic-1000s-of-sprint-fidelis.html">Medtronic – 1000s of the Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Cables May Stop working in the next few years</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/implanted-heart-monitor-inserted-with.html">Implanted Heart Monitor Inserted with Minor Outpatient procedure – Medtronic Reveal DX</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/medtronic-announces-launch-of-x-stop.html">Medtronic Announces Launch Of X-Stop® Peek IPD® System For U.S. Patients Suffering From Symptoms Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-implants-for-parkinson-show.html">Brain Implants For Parkinson's Show Benefits as well as risks</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/medtronic-acquires-medical-device.html">Medtronic acquires medical device company for $387 million</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ab68d6c7-0dae-4f9d-8042-725e4326a7e3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medtronics" rel="tag">Medtronics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/spine" rel="tag">spine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgery" rel="tag">surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/back+surgery" rel="tag">back surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/disc" rel="tag">disc</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a></div>

FDA Approves Medtronic artificial cervical disc

Surgery for back problems has certainly changed and one more device has been approved by the FDA.  I have covered several of them and provi...

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MIT Takes Navigenics to Court on patents

<p> Everyone is some kind of lawsuit today and now even the genomics folks are agreeing to disagree.  Perhaps once all the lawsuits over patents and intellectual property are solved, we can get down to some serious sequencing and cure some diseases.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.navigenics.com/">Navigenics</a>, a Foster City, Calif. company that checks consumers’ genomes for indications of disease, is being sued by the<strong> Massachusetts Institute of Technology for allegedly infringing on a patent that the university licensed exclusively to E8 Pharmaceuticals.</strong></p> <p>If MIT wins the suit, Navigenics will have to pay damages to both the school and E8. It will also have to pay to officially acquire the patent or pay royalties. This patent has been a sticking point before, prompting MIT to sue public company Affymetrix, maker of chips for genome operations, last year. Three months ago, Navigenics acquired Affymetrix Clinical Services Laboratory, including the patent. No resolution was reached in the Affymetrix suit, which will be handled separately from the new case against Navigenics.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://venturebeat.com/2009/05/27/mit-busts-genome-reader-navigenics-on-patents/">MIT busts genome reader Navigenics on patents » VentureBeat</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3561d561-145a-4a84-b8e9-e1fed8c605fc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/gneomics" rel="tag">gneomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Navigenics" rel="tag">Navigenics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/personalized+medicine" rel="tag">personalized medicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sequencing" rel="tag">sequencing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/intelletual+property" rel="tag">intelletual property</a></div>

MIT Takes Navigenics to Court on patents

Everyone is some kind of lawsuit today and now even the genomics folks are agreeing to disagree.  Perhaps once all the lawsuits over patent...

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Department Of The Interior Can't Locate Many PCs – They Have No Encryption Requirements

<p>I know this is not healthcare and may be more about the quality of fish that we eat, but any government agency should be encrypting their data, much less keeping on top of where the hardware is, unless the Grizzly's have been making off with them to calculate when it is time to hibernate (grin).  Also, any hardware with a value of under $5000.000 under current policy does not require it to be tracked, well that’s all the computers and maybe a few small severs.  BD <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3jVGkSsuI/AAAAAAAAP6o/0HQXMFnFhHk/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="132" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3jWZYU5EI/AAAAAAAAP6s/H5Tee9WVzFw/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="image" width="111" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p>The Department of the Interior can't specifically locate 20% of a sample of 2,500 computers -- largely in the Fish and Wildlife Service -- and is definitely missing at least 13 computers, according to <a href="http://www.doioig.gov/upload/2009-I-0015.pdf">a report</a> by the Department of the Interior's inspector general. To make matters worse, the department has no <a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=encryption&x=&y=">encryption</a> requirements, so there's concern that missing PCs might be vulnerable to data theft or loss. </p> <p>In many cases, Department of the Interior can't even tell where or to whom agency computers are assigned, the report noted. Fish and Wildlife Service records were singled out as especially poor. The Department of the Interior's <a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=accountability&x=&y=">accountability</a> is bad enough that the 13 computers identified as missing wouldn't have even been identified as such if not for the inspector general's report. </p> <p>Between October 2007 and November 2008, the department reported the loss of <strong>66 laptops</strong>, including 17 losses identified as "high criticality." The agencies with the highest reported incidence of loss were actually the ones most able to provide information on the locations of their laptops to the inspector general, suggesting that these numbers could be even higher. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/technology/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217700161&cid=RSSfeed_twitter">Department Of The Interior Can't Locate Many PCs -- Security – InformationWeek</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1cdbe0ea-1281-40bb-a68e-404fab033874" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/government" rel="tag">government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/security" rel="tag">security</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/encryption" rel="tag">encryption</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Department+of+the+Interior" rel="tag">Department of the Interior</a></div>

Department Of The Interior Can't Locate Many PCs – They Have No Encryption Requirements

I know this is not healthcare and may be more about the quality of fish that we eat, but any government agency should be encrypting their da...

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A Deep Dive into Microsoft Life Sciences Today and in the Future – Interview with Michael Naimoli

<p>I recently had the opportunity to talk with <strong>Michael Naimoli, Industry Solutions Director for Microsoft’s U.S. Health & Life Sciences Group </strong>and a <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/default.mspx"><img align="right" alt="image_thumb3" border="0" height="90" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JiZBjXZI/AAAAAAAAP58/_G99aBNW-20/image_thumb3%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image_thumb3" width="203" /></a>former <strong>biopharmaceutical scientist</strong><strong>.</strong> Our discussion focused on <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/default.mspx">Life Sciences at Microsoft</a> and how this sector comes in to play as far as developing the software to allow companies to attain and utilize the information needed to perform everyday research, development and clinical trials. </p> <p>In today’s world, we are inundated<strong> </strong><strong>with a wealth of information</strong> and healthcare is crushed under the amount of data that is generated. The <strong>Life Sciences sector works collaboratively with other areas in the industry</strong> to give guidance, specifically in the area of content management. This is important as healthcare, more than any other industry, is really feeling the pressure as we move into the future.</p> <p><strong><u>The Interview…</u></strong></p> <p><strong><i>What are some of the areas where your group at Microsoft has partnered with clients for a solution?</i></strong></p> <p><strong>Life Sciences at Microsoft</strong> is a technology platform company with solutions that span the entire ecosystem, from drug discovery to clinical trials.<u> Life Sciences is a very creative group</u> at Microsoft, and through the use of our unique software tools and partner products, we’re able to create solutions for our clients. It’s rather difficult to pinpoint a “one-size-fits-all” approach for the work that we do, as everything is basically a <u>customized solution</u> because the desired results vary for each client.</p> <p><strong><i>If each client’s needs are so varied, is there any kind of initial roadmap to be followed, and if so, how do you prepare?</i></strong></p> <p>We do a lot of <strong>listening and collaborating,</strong> as Life Sciences is a <strong>fast-paced industry.</strong> Our group functions somewhat on the edge at all times; in other words, we must have the ability to quickly adjust and make changes based on our client’s needs. With all the research done today in the field of genomics and biology, customer demands often change quickly so our group must be prepared to provide solutions in a timely manner. Being part of the Life Sciences group requires the staff to be well-versed in this atmosphere and also have the ability to switch gears quickly and modify and projects, sometimes at a moment’s notice. </p> <p><strong><i>How does Life Sciences work with other divisions in healthcare at Microsoft?</i></strong></p> <p>We are frequently asked to help and provide assistance with other healthcare divisions. We have worked with other departments to develop and put together a solution that will interface and provide information to <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/amalga/default.mspx">Amalga, Microsoft's hospital information system</a>, as one example. In addition, some facilities may need our expertise in the clinical trials. <strong>Amalga</strong> is a part of the clinical solution, but as it expands, the Life Sciences industry has the opportunity to build on the platform and design specific business intelligence software solutions. This makes it easier for all involved to quickly <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/amalga/products/microsoftamalgalifesciences/default.mspx"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="64" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3Jjho1dkI/AAAAAAAAP6A/JpFDmLReCjk/image%5B16%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="166" /></a>research and find their way through the vast amount of data collected for some very specific clinical trials. We’ve also recently introduced a new software system called <strong><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/amalga/products/microsoftamalgalifesciences/default.mspx">Amalga Life Sciences,</a></strong> which will help to transform healthcare and life science research data into knowledge needed to achieve personalized medicine. </p> <p><strong><i>With clinical trials being a strong area of focus, how do you help a clinic, hospital or health organization with the storage of information?</i></strong></p> <p>Every situation is different, and projects have data stored for different amounts of time. For example, one project may have 25 years worth of accumulated clinical trial information, whereas another may have data from the past few months. The client is looking for a better way to utilize some of the data that is already contained in house. It is not unusual in this type of scenario to find that <u>only 3 percent of all the data collected is being analyzed</u>. This means the results and reports are still attained, but there’s a lot of valuable information just sitting on the table that can also offer additional sources of <strong>business intelligence</strong> and perhaps even add to the value of the time spent conducting the trials. We are able to come in and meet with clients to listen to their needs and then go to work with the process of designing additional methodologies for data mining of the other 97 percent of data that has not yet been analyzed or touched. </p> <p><strong><i>I hear a lot of talk about using the “cloud” for data storage. Is this an area that Life Sciences is looking to expand or provide resources for the customer?</i></strong><em> </em></p> <p>There are many options available when we talk about the “<strong>cloud,”</strong> so this area and its meaning can be a little confusing at times. Microsoft’s <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JlRyNJJI/AAAAAAAAP6E/jgHr2Ofn-fQ/s1600-h/image4.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JnjGn-WI/AAAAAAAAP6I/xWXzziKnCTs/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="271" /></a>offerings in this area are pretty broad, in that we have announced a pure cloud-based operating system called <strong><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/azure/windowsazure.mspx">Windows Azure</a></strong> – essentially “<strong>Windows for the cloud,”</strong> which runs virtually via our large datacenters around the world. But we also will soon offer all of our traditional products running on <strong><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/azure/default.mspx">Azure,</a></strong> such as SharePoint and others products, as well as encourage partners to develop applications on top of it too. </p> <p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/azure/services.mspx"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="32" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JoVXtL4I/AAAAAAAAP6M/xJIrrMHTl6A/image%5B10%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="146" /></a> </p> <p>It all depends on the solution desired by a client as one situation may involve document management while the next may be a customer who wants to integrate either <u>FDA or other genomic information</u> into a useful information format. Some solutions may work better offsite in a data storage area, and Microsoft has a few of these. Or it might be in the best interest of the client to maintain the information on premise. Additional information about <strong>Microsoft and cloud computing</strong> is accessible<a href="http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/labs/ccf/default.aspx"> here.</a></p> <p><strong><i>Are all of the solutions created Microsoft solutions, or is it possible to work with open source solutions if current data were kept in a format outside of a Microsoft product?</i></strong></p> <p>Yes, we have a term for that, called the <strong>“sandbox.”</strong> If the solution means bridging the gap and creating the highway for different applications and software to communicate and query, we certainly are up to the task. Just this year, Microsoft announced a new agreement with Novell to encourage this interoperability, and we’ll continue to support open standards in the industry as well. </p> <p><strong><i>What products from Microsoft are used to create solutions for your clients? <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/default.aspx"><strong><img align="right" alt="image77" border="0" height="31" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3Jol_n4UI/AAAAAAAAP6Q/bRPc_Wy61gQ/image77%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image77" width="131" /></strong></a></i></strong></p> <p>We use software solutions from Microsoft that are designed to meet the needs of the client. One of the more common products utilized is <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/default.aspx">SQL server</a> for the data storage. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/compare/php-on-windows/">Server 2008</a> is also a potential solution with the capacity to function with high loads of data with <strong>Hyper V and virtualization</strong> capabilities which many <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/compare/php-on-windows/"><img align="right" alt="clip_image002" border="0" height="32" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JpHwwZ7I/AAAAAAAAP6U/cnX_t5rKV78/clip_image002%5B2%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="clip_image002" width="130" /></a>research institutions and healthcare providers are implementing into their facilities. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/Sharepoint/default.mspx">SharePoint Server</a> and <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointtechnology/default.aspx">SharePoint </a>Services also work well for collaboration and research to create a custom solution. </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/sharepoint-designer-available-as-free.html">SharePoint Designer available as a free download – Microsoft Office</a> </h6> <p><strong>Some of our greatest opportunities for solutions</strong> are with <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101674041033.aspx">Microsoft Office.</a> Office has been a main stay for many years in the business community so<a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101674131033.aspx"><img align="right" alt="clip_image002[1]" border="0" height="84" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JprNgklI/AAAAAAAAP6Y/LFxbIovjK_U/clip_image00214.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="clip_image002[1]" width="140" /></a> the products offer familiarity for most. We have a big advantage with Office in the fact that training time, for example, is not as extensive as it would be for a group to have to learn to work with an <u>entirely new system.</u> Data is stored in SQL server, and SharePoint offers collaboration. </p> <p>With <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101674041033.aspx">Microsoft Office</a>, all information can be utilized to create documents in Word or other elements of Office such as <strong>Excel </strong>for the purposes of meetings, reporting, etc. or whatever the need may be. Excel is also a key element of Microsoft Office in for <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101674131033.aspx">Business Intelligence</a> models. <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/communicationsserver/FX101729111033.aspx">Microsoft Office Communicator 2007</a> offers value with real-time communication available to all participants in a project. </p> <p>Other Microsoft products used in solutions may include <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hpc/en/us/default.aspx">Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008,</a> which is equipped to handle high volumes of information as we move into the world of supercomputing, and this is important with the amount of information created by genomics and personalized medicine research today. <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/epmsolution/FX101935291033.aspx">Microsoft Office Project Professional</a> can be used for tracking and having an entire project under one roof to enable collaboration and the ability to see a process and its progress from start to finish. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hpc/en/us/default.aspx"><img align="right" alt="clip_image002[3]" border="0" height="107" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3Jqdzs3lI/AAAAAAAAP6c/BNWNozDA0Qk/clip_image00234.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="clip_image002[3]" width="133" /></a></p> <p>(Case study: <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/casestudy.aspx?casestudyid=4000002690">Scripps Research Institute</a> using Windows® HPC Server 2008)</p> <p><em><b>One item I have heard mentioned recently is the issue of complex software on the market today for investigators and pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials. Is this an area where Life Sciences has solutions?</b></em></p> <p>Software is getting more complex as platforms and architecture continue to evolve. By using <strong>Microsoft Office</strong> as a platform with familiar interfaces and tools, a solution can be designed to help make life easier for the end users. If you don’t have a simple and efficient application that appeals to the end users, then the solution is not going to be effective. The ability to make our tools “user-friendly” is a top priority for us. </p> <p>(Other examples and a full listing of case studies can be found <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/search.aspx?IndTaxID=1189">here</a>).</p> <p><a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/infopath/HA101635771033.aspx"></a><a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/infopath/FX100487661033.aspx"><img align="left" alt="image90" border="0" height="108" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JqxMv8WI/AAAAAAAAP6g/lYH_JQOFFX0/image90%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image90" width="126" /></a>InfoPath, another part of <strong>Microsoft Office</strong>, also offers some real-time solutions and integrates with all other Microsoft Office products and beyond. <strong>InfoPath forms</strong><b> </b>makes data entry simplified for the end user and works well with Tablet PCs for individuals that are not sitting at a desk and their job requires a certain amount of mobility. InfoPath forms work well with <strong>Microsoft Outlook 2007</strong> and are integrated.</p> <p><strong><i>Are the solutions expensive for the end user? In other words, some type of return on investment is important, so </i></strong><strong><i>will a client need to spend a lot of money to reach their desired goals?</i></strong></p> <p>In addition to our commercial products, Microsoft has an open source web site called <a href="http://www.codeplex.com/">CodePlex.</a> One example of a project that is free and available for anyone to download is the <a href="http://atom.research.microsoft.com/bio/">Microsoft Computational Biology Web Tools,</a> which includes the source code for developers. The project is also listed <a href="http://www.codeplex.com/"><img align="right" alt="clip_image002[5]" border="0" height="37" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh3JrrsKddI/AAAAAAAAP6k/496vyM4_9Qo/clip_image00253.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="clip_image002[5]" width="133" /></a>at <a href="http://www.codeplex.com/MSCompBio/">CodePlex.</a></p> <p><strong>CodePlex </strong>is part of the <strong>“sandbox”</strong> I mentioned earlier as one of the projects that include not only software developed by Microsoft, but also the tools and development kits contributed by the communities and members. This way you can see a mash up between a Microsoft solution and one from another source on the listings and it is growing all the time. One example of this effort was a collaboration of work for the <a href="http://safe.codeplex.com/People/ProjectPeople.aspx">SAFE Signing Interface for Office 2007 and Vista</a>, again using Microsoft Office as the platform and developed by the <strong>Microsoft Life Sciences</strong> team. </p> <p>Life Sciences is prepared to <strong>work with both Microsoft products and other technologies</strong> that are currently in use at the client location or work, and also collaborate with other companies and individuals who are part of the final solution for the client. </p> <p><em><b>I have listed the links from the website below that offer additional information on where Microsoft Life Sciences focuses and has the expertise to create the desired solutions.</b></em></p> <h6><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/solutions/document_records_management.mspx">Document and Records Management </a></h6> <h6><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/solutions/clinical_trial_management.mspx">Clinical Trial Management</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/solutions/scientist_innovation.mspx">Scientist Innovation</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/solutions/marketing_effectiveness.mspx">Sales and Marketing Effectiveness</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/lifesciences/solutions/supply_chain.mspx">Supply Chain Management</a></h6> <p>Thank you for your time, Michael. The discussion really provided a thorough understanding of <strong>Microsoft Life Sciences</strong> and the solutions available to your customers. In addition, having the department staffed with actual scientists is also a big plus when it comes to understanding the challenges in research and development with biotech, pharmaceutical companies or any company involved in the development of clinical trials face today. </p> <p>This information clearly has an impact on where we are both today and tomorrow, as information management is really a large component in the future of healthcare. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9452425f-dc1b-4d16-806f-65e1fa6e0638" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft+Life+Sciences" rel="tag">Microsoft Life Sciences</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft+Office" rel="tag">Microsoft Office</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare" rel="tag">Healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CodePlex" rel="tag">CodePlex</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Clinical+Trials" rel="tag">Clinical Trials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Supply+Chain+Management" rel="tag">Supply Chain Management</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/information+management" rel="tag">information management</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Amalga" rel="tag">Amalga</a></div>

A Deep Dive into Microsoft Life Sciences Today and in the Future – Interview with Michael Naimoli

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Michael Naimoli, Industry Solutions Director for Microsoft’s U.S. Health & Life Sciences Gro...

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Chemotherapy Drug Causes Patient to lose his Fingerprints - Capecitabine

<p>This is indeed a strange side effect, and obviously he might have trouble with biometric devices for logging on with a fingerprint too.  Now he will need to carry a letter stating the reason for the lack of prints from his doctor.  This had to be a new one for airport security here in the US.  BD   </p> <blockquote> <p>PARIS - A patient who took a drug for cancer lost his fingerprints, which caused him to be detained for hours when he tried to visit the United States, according to an unusual case reported on Wednesday.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capecitabine">Capecitabine's</a></strong> side effects include inflammation of the palms and soles of the feet. The skin can peel, bleed and develop ulcers, and with time can cause fingerprints to be eradicated, Tan said.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh2RaAh8nUI/AAAAAAAAP50/q-vMsmDvGFI/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh2RbeEVEUI/AAAAAAAAP54/_DYlkkQmxGc/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> <p>The 62-year-old patient had been taking capecitabine, a <strong>follow-up drug for chemotherapy for cancer of the head and neck,</strong> Singaporean specialist Eng-Huat Tan and colleagues recounted in a letter to the British journal Annals of Oncology.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Cancer+drug+dabbed+away+dabs/1635596/story.html">Cancer drug dabbed away the dabs</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7e3d4999-5841-45ee-9672-a7430b38564f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Chemotherapy" rel="tag">Chemotherapy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/biotech" rel="tag">biotech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/fingerprints" rel="tag">fingerprints</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/oncology" rel="tag">oncology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/security" rel="tag">security</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/side+effects" rel="tag">side effects</a></div>

Chemotherapy Drug Causes Patient to lose his Fingerprints - Capecitabine

This is indeed a strange side effect, and obviously he might have trouble with biometric devices for logging on with a fingerprint too.  Now...

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Washington and Oregon Health Banks – HealthVault and Google Health PHRs Provided

<p> Just this week the government announced their website and gathering of information relative to personal health records.  It appears that a couple <a href="http://www.accessmyhealth.org/demonstration.php"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="64" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh2K7OVVeXI/AAAAAAAAP5s/OHpYCU3C2tU/image%5B9%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="289" /></a>states are already working on such a project themselves.  I did some poking around on the Washington site since the Oregon site requires a log on so I couldn’t get very far there.  <strong>Two of the pilots are using HealthVault and one is using Google Health.</strong>  Maybe some opportunity for collaboration for the feds?  If you live in the area, might be worth checking out.  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/feds-prepare-phr-model-to-educate.html"><font size="2">Feds Prepare PHR Model to Educate Consumers about Privacy and other Issues</font></a></h4> <p><strong>From the Washington web site:</strong></p> <p><em>“The goal of this pilot project is to demonstrate how a consumer-controlled health record bank would work for real patients and their doctors. The vision is to create a secure place for copies of patients’ health and medical records from various health care sources to be populated and stored. Patients would then control with whom the information could be shared. </em></p> <p><em>A health record bank may in time be defined as an organization similar to a traditional bank, but one that serves as a repository for storing and maintaining a patient’s lifetime health and medical records. The health record bank would store copies of records from multiple sources and ensure that the individual always has complete control over who accesses that copy of their information. </em></p> <p><a href="http://www.accessmyhealth.org/demonstration.php"><img alt="image" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh2K7rY_uUI/AAAAAAAAP5w/QJnyY6PCKwU/image%5B8%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="212" /></a> </p> <p><em>The demonstration project hopes to create a functional health record bank that will receive copies of patients’ medical information from their doctor, a hospital, or other health care entity. Through the health record bank, patients will have access to their health information in a form they can review, confirm and present to their doctors. The information will initially be available in a well organized printable format. The records will be managed by patients and organized into a format that, when brought to their doctors, will directly support the flow of information from patient to doctor to support clinical decision making.”</em></p> <p><a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=health&nui=1&continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhealth%2Fp%2F&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhealth%2Fp%2F&rm=hide"><img height="38" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SGRPjPR9NVI/AAAAAAAAH30/dA55nv_qrf4/googlehealth%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="95" /></a> <a href="http://www.healthvault.com/"><img height="40" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SM3q6TdZm-I/AAAAAAAAI90/u04OgRqDvPI/image%5B14%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="96" /></a></p> <p>Speaking of pilots, has anyone seen any updates on the Medicare Personal Health Record Pilot that began in January for 4 states?  I have not seen anything but I could have missed it. </p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/cms-names-four-phr-vendors-for-medicare.html">CMS names four PHR vendors for Medicare pilot program and includes Google Health</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/medicare-pilot-personal-health-care.html"><font size="1">Medicare Pilot Personal Health Care Pilot Program – Education and Awareness Needed</font></a></h4> <p>Is anyone out there promoting it?  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Hospitals and doctors’ offices are traditionally the keepers of personal medical records in the U.S. But now there’s a movement to give people more access to their own medical information.  </p> <p>Washington and Oregon are each developing what are known as online “health record banks.” Those allow people to create and maintain their own medical files. </p> <p>The fact that Davies has a Google Health account isn’t unique. Anyone can create their own for free. What makes this different is that her pharmacist and her doctor can also transfer information into her account. </p> <p>They can do that because Davies is enrolled in one of three pilot projects designed to develop these personal health record banks in Washington. The others are in Cashmere, in the north central part of the state, and in Bellingham. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://news.opb.org/article/5061-washington-oregon-build-health-records-banks/">OPB News · Washington, Oregon Build Health Records Banks</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/personal-health-records-whos-in-know.html"><font size="1">Personal Health Records – Who’s in the Know and Who has one?</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/economy-one-more-reason-to-think-about.html">The Economy – One more Reason to think about a Free PHR</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/study-predicts-big-savings-from-phrs.html">Study Predicts Big Savings from PHRs (Personal Health Records) – Best Kept Secret in Healthcare?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/cms-names-four-phr-vendors-for-medicare.html">CMS names four PHR vendors for Medicare pilot program and includes Google Health</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:fb4d0806-687c-4d9a-a161-144550aef825" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Personal+Health+Records" rel="tag">Personal Health Records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+Banks" rel="tag">Health Banks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PHR" rel="tag">PHR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Washington" rel="tag">Washington</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Oregon" rel="tag">Oregon</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a></div>

Washington and Oregon Health Banks – HealthVault and Google Health PHRs Provided

Just this week the government announced their website and gathering of information relative to personal health records.  It appears that a ...

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Genomics lab Opens in Huntington Beach – Cancer of the Unknown Primary with Breast Cancer

<p> As cancer research and development grows, the research and development task to finding cancer of the unknown primary are growing.  I have <a href="http://usa.agendia.com/en/service_products.html"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="104" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh14N6JdBmI/AAAAAAAAP5k/4WPAshYkswY/image%5B11%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="181" /></a>written about Rosetta Genomics with lung cancer and their tests and now we have additional information potentially available from a lab in my back yard.  Thousands of people with cancer never know where their cancer originates, breast, liver, etc. and the reason this is so important lies in the treatment plans which are specific to work and basically re-train the protein or gene to react and function differently, in other words the targeted gene.  If cancer of the unknown primary is found, then perhaps better specific drugs are given that would target that type of cancer, in other words someone with breast cancer would not be given a drug that is better targeted for liver cancer as a simple example.</p> <p>The one genetic test provided will help determine the possibility of recurrences with breast cancer and we all know the story on that one how it does seem to come back with many.  BD</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.agendia.com">Agendia</a>, which specializes in molecular cancer diagnostics, is opening a U.S. clinical genomics laboratory in Huntington Beach.  <br />The facility increases Agendia's U.S. reach and helps the company meet the demand for <strong>MammaPrint,</strong> a gene expression profiling system that <strong>assesses the risk of recurrence in patients suffering from breast cancer.</strong> The lab will also broaden clinical trial participation and expand new research and development efforts.</p> <p><strong><u>From the website:</u></strong></p> <p>Established in 2003, Agendia has already introduced three tests to the market. Since 2003, the DiscoverPrint service has been offered to pharmaceutical companies focusing on the development of cancer therapeutics, enabling them to select the most appropriate candidates for clinical trials of personalized therapeutics. </p> <p><a href="http://usa.agendia.com/en/service_products.html"><img alt="image" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh14Oz-F8uI/AAAAAAAAP5o/jB-wYSkzGwk/image%5B10%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="346" /></a> <br />In 2004, Agendia became the first company to commercialize a prognostic test that predicts the risk of breast cancer recurrence (MammaPrint). The company also introduced CupPrint, a test to identify the origin of a metastasis when the location of the primary tumor is unknown, so called “<strong>Cancer of Unknown Primary”. <br /></strong>In 2007, MammaPrint became the first <i>in vitro</i> Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assay (IVDMIA) to acquire clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Agendia recently presented its new colon cancer prognosis profile, ColoPrint, which is currently undergoing further validation in the anticipation of developing a test to predict the likelihood of the cancer spreading at an early stage in the disease.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ocmetro.com/t-Agendia_opens_genomics_lab_in_Huntington_Beach_5_26_09.aspx">OC METRO – Agendia opens genomics lab in Huntington Beach</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/rosetta-genomics-interview-microrna-for.html">Rosetta Genomics Interview – microRNA for Diagnosing Lung Cancer Tumors</a></h6> <p><a name="6634160795280097933"><font color="#669966" size="1"></font></a></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/10-year-old-girl-with-breast-cancer.html"><font size="1">10-Year-Old Girl With Breast Cancer – Fullerton, CA</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/ge-healthcare-to-commercialize-cytori.html"><font size="1">GE Healthcare to Commercialize Cytori Therapeutics Stem Cell Technology – Regenerative Medicine</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/stem-cells-and-breast-surgery.html">Stem Cells and Breast Surgery</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/breast-cancer-may-regress-on-own.html"><font size="1">Breast Cancer May Regress On Own, Controversial Report Says Up To 22 Percent Of Cases May Disappear Without Treatment</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/breast-cancer-screening-radar-breast.html">Breast Cancer Screening – Radar Breast Imaging in Trials</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-breast-cancer-clinical-trial.html">New Breast Cancer Clinical Trial – Genentech - Trastuzumab-DM1</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/breast-cancer-treatments-what-is.html">Breast Cancer Treatments – What is a MammoSite?</a></h6> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8786e314-9765-484c-9591-a861f2739d2e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Agendia" rel="tag">Agendia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/breast+cancer" rel="tag">breast cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer+of+the+unkown+primary" rel="tag">cancer of the unkown primary</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/genomics" rel="tag">genomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/personalized+medicine" rel="tag">personalized medicine</a></div>

Genomics lab Opens in Huntington Beach – Cancer of the Unknown Primary with Breast Cancer

As cancer research and development grows, the research and development task to finding cancer of the unknown primary are growing.  I have w...

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The Managed Care Blues Band – Might As Well Face It Paper Won’t be Here Long

<p>Now for something a little different here, some healthcare music.  You must listen to the one song below as it relates to electronic medical records, paper won’t be here long.  He really did a good job on that one.  Below are a few links to some of the other songs, and the titles are classic, “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave me Blue Shield”…</p> <p>Samuel R. Bierstock, known as “Dr. Sam,” was a former chief medical officer for electronic medical records vendor Eclipsys. Today, he is is president of <a href="http://www.championsinhealthcare.com/">Champions in Healthcare</a>, a Florida-based consulting firm that focuses on clinician adoption of technology, AKA  known as the namesake and “chief harmonicologist” of <a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/">Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Blues Band.</a>    </p> <p>A separate window or tab will open to play the EMR song and you need Quicklime to hear it.  </p> <p>Use the link below to hear the song and then watch the video.  </p> <p><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/music/play_flash.php" title="Might As Well Face It"><strong><font size="3">Might As Well Face It, Paper Won't be Here Long...</font></strong></a>  (you have to hear this one, listed the lyrics below)</p> <p>In the video below he starts out to play a song, and runs into issues, just like an EMR!  Good video too.  BD  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:a4a803d9-fc7d-4707-b635-c211482f0f79" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="eec2437e-ff4e-427d-95c3-0e1a4d37d583" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cBKU9vefCM" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('eec2437e-ff4e-427d-95c3-0e1a4d37d583'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"300\" height=\"224\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/7cBKU9vefCM&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/7cBKU9vefCM&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sh39GI9LNoI/AAAAAAAAP7A/CTdRJ-2aJNM/videoee16b4be2ef5%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="1"><strong>"Might As Well Face It - Paper Won't Be Here Long" Lyrics</strong> </font></p> <p><font size="1">Your patient's sick - but you're at home <br />Your time - is not your own <br />You feel annoyed, but you can't win <br />You got no choice - you're goin' in <br />You can't eat, you can't rest <br />Too much to find - too many tests <br />A thick chart - for you to read <br />An EMR - is what you need <br />You like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah <br />It's closer to the truth, you know - Like it or not you know <br />You're gonna have to face it - paper won't be here long <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it - Paper won't be here long <br />You see the signs- but you can't face <br />Any steps - that slows your pace <br />You won't switch - you got no time <br />Another change - you'll lose your mind <br />Close off your mind - you won't be saved <br />"Leave me alone" - that's what you crave <br />Well you can weep, and you can pray <br />But quality - will get you paid <br />You like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah <br />It's closer to the truth, you know - Like it or not you know <br />You're gonna have to face it - paper won't be here long <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it <br />You might as well face it - Paper won't be here long</font> </p> <p><font size="2"><u>A Few of the Songs….</u></font></p> <a name="MS_An_Introduction_to_Managed_Music"> <p align="justify"></p> </a><a name="MS_An_Introduction_to_Managed_Music"></a><a name="MS_Checking_on_My_Records"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_Checking_on_My_Records"><font size="1">Checkin' On My Records (Everybody's Had A Look)</font></a></a></a> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_Managed_Healthcare_Blues"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_Managed_Healthcare_Blues"><font size="1">Managed Healthcare Blues</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_You_Picked_a_Fine_Time_To_Leave_Me_Blue_Shield"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_You_Picked_a_Fine_Time_To_Leave_Me_Blue_Shield"><font size="1">You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Blue Shield</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_Capitation_Blues"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_Capitation_Blues"><font size="1">Capitation Blues</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_Another_Case_of_Shingles_Blues"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_Another_Case_of_Shingles_Blues"><font size="1">Another Case Of Shingles Blues</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_You_are_One_Hip_Mama"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_You_are_One_Hip_Mama"><font size="1">You're One Hip Mama -'Cause They Won't Pay For Two</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_New_Baby_Blues"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_New_Baby_Blues"><font size="1">New Baby Blues</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="MS_Mastoid_Sally"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_Mastoid_Sally"><font size="1">Mastoid Sally</font></a></p> <a name="GB_Disclaimer_by_Dr_Sam"> <p align="justify"></p> </a><a name="GB_Disclaimer_by_Dr_Sam"></a><a name="GB_Deep_Pockets"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_Deep_Pockets"><font size="1">They've Got Deep Pockets - Let's Sue</font></a></a></a> <p align="justify"><a name="GB_Fine_Print"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_Fine_Print"><font size="1">Fine Print</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="GB_When_You_Wish_To_Sue_A_Star"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_When_You_Wish_To_Sue_A_Star"><font size="1">When You Wish To Sue A Star</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="GB_A_Ploy_Named_Countersue"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_A_Ploy_Named_Countersue"><font size="1">A Ploy Named Countersue</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="GB_Oh_Humana"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_Oh_Humana"><font size="1">Oh Humana</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="GB_The_Jury_Consultant_Blues"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_The_Jury_Consultant_Blues"><font size="1">The Jury Consultant Blues</font></a></p> <p align="justify"><a name="GB_Back_Spasm_Woman"></a><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#GB_Back_Spasm_Woman"><font size="1">Back Spasm Woman </font></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.managedmusic.com/song_clips#MS_You_Picked_a_Fine_Time_To_Leave_Me_Blue_Shield">Song Clips - Dr. Sam & the Managed Care Blues Band ®</a></p> <p>Hat Tip:  <a href="http://industry.bnet.com">http://industry.bnet.com</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3682df1c-1564-48c6-ad39-fcdd230f8ee7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/music" rel="tag">music</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/managed+care+blues" rel="tag">managed care blues</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dr.+Sam" rel="tag">Dr. Sam</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Eclypsis" rel="tag">Eclypsis</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMR" rel="tag">EMR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/humor" rel="tag">humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+humor" rel="tag">medical humor</a></div>

The Managed Care Blues Band – Might As Well Face It Paper Won’t be Here Long

Now for something a little different here, some healthcare music.  You must listen to the one song below as it relates to electronic medical...

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More Inhaled Drugs on the Way – Levadex for Migraines Met Trial Goals

<p> The FDA is asking for additional trials to be completed before final approval to confirm the results.  Trials for this type of drug are not as long as one <a href="http://www.mappharma.com/ScienceandTechnology/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="66" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzyARgo4SI/AAAAAAAAP5I/tAxAErhgRm4/image%5B15%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="168" /></a>would be for a long acting drug, so perhaps we might see this one out there soon.</p> <p>Just this week there was an FDA submittal for <strong>inhalable insulin</strong> too, so it appears to be a new route for taking medication.  The only thing missing is a <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/smart-inhaler-with-blue-tooth-and.html">Bluetooth connection</a></strong> as I posted for another new inhaler for asthma.  MAP also has an asthma inhaler in clinical trials so I guess we will have to wait and see if they meet up with the folks at <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/smart-inhaler-with-blue-tooth-and.html">Cambridge Consultants</a>.  BD</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/mannkind-submits-afresa-inhaled-insulin.html"><font size="2">Mannkind Submits Afresa –Inhaled Insulin Device/Drug to the FDA</font></a></h4> <blockquote> <p>MAP Pharmaceuticals’ experimental orally inhaled <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/migraine/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier">migraine</a> drug reached all four goals of a late-stage clinical study, the company said Tuesday. Its shares more than doubled. </p> <p>The drug, <strong>Levadex,</strong> showed statistical significance at two hours compared with a placebo at relieving common symptoms of migraine: pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.</p> <p>Levadex also reached secondary measures of the 792-patient trial, including pain relief at 30 minutes and sustained relief for 48 hours.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzyDJ2Ek2I/AAAAAAAAP5M/LvYXSK2B-Qc/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzyEZdm9AI/AAAAAAAAP5Q/H_J930g-9bw/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a></p> <p>This is how it compares to the old style MDI inhalers with more drug delivered to the lungs.  </p> <p><img alt="image" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzyF3RwawI/AAAAAAAAP5U/nvkuw57du9Q/image%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></p> <p>It is full of electronics for sure, room for a chip in there too I’m sure.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzyJYMsBKI/AAAAAAAAP5Y/f8SFYrPjYG8/s1600-h/image%5B10%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="155" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzyL4fvuMI/AAAAAAAAP5c/ZI1sFClBGA0/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/27migraine.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimesbusiness">MAP Shares Soar a s Migraine Drug Advances - NYTimes.com</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/smart-inhaler-with-blue-tooth-and.html"><font size="1">The Smart Inhaler with Blue Tooth and Wireless Capabilities</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/mannkind-submits-afresa-inhaled-insulin.html"><font size="1">Mannkind Submits Afresa –Inhaled Insulin Device/Drug to the FDA</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/wellness-programs-come-in-all-shapes.html"><font size="1">Wellness Programs Come in all Shapes and Sizes and Hold Financial Incentives</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:da5f284f-7b95-444d-9c03-575a968dd731" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/inhalers" rel="tag">inhalers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/migraines" rel="tag">migraines</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/headaches" rel="tag">headaches</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clinical+trials" rel="tag">clinical trials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MAP+Pharma" rel="tag">MAP Pharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Levadex" rel="tag">Levadex</a></div>

More Inhaled Drugs on the Way – Levadex for Migraines Met Trial Goals

The FDA is asking for additional trials to be completed before final approval to confirm the results.  Trials for this type of drug are not...

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Political action committee - Stop Practicing Medicine Created by Physician in California

<p>One physician sees patients and submits reimbursements on behalf of the patients, in other words not your typical insurance contractual relationship.  He is a pain management physician.  The organization is open to both patients and physicians.  This may just be the content the way it was written, but below <strong>insurers consider the doctor the “second set” of eyes?</strong>  Only myself speaking, I think they are the first or should be by all means and perhaps this is the real reason for getting the committee started, to get back in touch with who should be first and I think we can all agree<a href="http://www.drcpainmd.com/giving.cfm"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzfGt2jFlI/AAAAAAAAP5E/d8MbJcEjUEQ/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="181" /></a> on that one.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Monterey physician Bradley Carpentier found himself spending so much time fighting with <strong>health</strong> insurers to get approvals for the treatments he prescribed for his patients that he decided to wage his own lobbying effort. </p> <p>Carpentier formed a new political action committee - <strong><a href="http://www.drcpainmd.com/giving.cfm">Stop Practicing Medicine</a></strong> - to target the long-standing practice of insurers hiring doctors to review physician decisions, even though the insurer-hired doctors had never seen or talked to the patient whose <strong>care</strong> they were scrutinizing.</p> <p>Insurers defend the practice, saying such doctors often serve as a <strong>second set</strong> of eyes to ensure patients are receiving the most appropriate and effective treatments. But Carpentier, along with patients and other doctors who support his position, <strong>says insurers are denying and delaying care.</strong></p> <p>The survey, conducted by a Seattle research firm for the California Medical Association, found<strong> 84 percent felt pressured to change the way they treat a patient because of a restriction from an insurance company and 86 percent admitted selecting a course of treatment they might not otherwise have chosen because of the pressure.</strong></p> <p>But Carpentier said he's seeing an increase in pushback from <strong>health</strong> plans, prompting him to refuse most insurers and, instead, treat his patients and submit reimbursement forms on their behalf. He formed Stop Practicing Medicine, he said, to raise awareness of insurance interference as lawmakers and the Obama administration begin efforts to overhaul the <strong>health</strong> <strong>care</strong> system. The organization began recruiting patient and physician members last month.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/25/BADR17PSC9.DTL&hw=health+care&sn=013&sc=281">Doctor pushes back against insurer scrutiny</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:90deff33-66da-44c6-a3c2-650e0dca9804" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/politics" rel="tag">politics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Action+committee" rel="tag">Action committee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/physician" rel="tag">physician</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Stop+Practicing+Medicine" rel="tag">Stop Practicing Medicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Carpentier" rel="tag">Carpentier</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlh+insurance" rel="tag">heatlh insurance</a></div>

Political action committee - Stop Practicing Medicine Created by Physician in California

One physician sees patients and submits reimbursements on behalf of the patients, in other words not your typical insurance contractual rela...

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Best EMRs for Small Practices from Medscape

<p><strong> <a href="http://www.emrconsultant.com/">Dr. Eric Fishman,</a></strong> who is no stranger to this blog had a nice interview with Medscape.  He is addressing the issues, pros and cons with an EMR system for small vendors.  This is a good article and he pretty much discusses it the way it is, good and bad.  Recently he started EHRtv and you can find <a href="http://www.ehrtv.com/"><strong><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="47" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SgaKLfQrJHI/AAAAAAAAPkk/PBLH02s5iGo/image%5B14%5D.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="158" /></strong></a>additional information and videos at the related links below.  His website is a good place to get some free information if you are just starting out in this quest.  BD </p> <blockquote> <p>Choosing and using an electronic medical record (EMR) can be daunting for all medical practices, but small groups -- from 1 to 3 physicians -- have special challenges.</p> <p>The unique hurdles for small practices include the following:</p> <ul> <li>The cost of an EMR can be a greater percentage of income when fewer doctors are bringing in revenue. <a href="http://www.1450.com/mcm/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="36" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SgaKL1tlYBI/AAAAAAAAPko/xtLKRpT7ObE/image%5B16%5D.png?imgmax=800" title="image" width="147" /></a></li> <li>The work slowdown and potential income loss when an EMR is implemented can be a more significant hit to a small group. Practices typically require from 3 to 6 months to get fully up to speed with an EMR. </li> <li>Small practices rarely have an IT (information technology) expert on staff to maintain the system and troubleshoot if technical problems occur. </li> </ul> <p>Nationwide estimates suggest that although about 24% of physician practices use EMRs, only 12% of physicians in practices with 5 or fewer doctors do so.</p> <p>"A 1- to 3-doctor practice doesn't have the luxury of a physician who can work part-time while choosing and implementing the system," said<strong> Eric Fishman, MD, President and Chief Executive Office of EMRConsultant.com, (<em><a href="http://www.emrconsultant.com/">www.emrconsultant.com),</a></em></strong> a free online service that provides EMR recommendations for physicians. Dr. Fishman elaborated: "When you're seeing half as many patients as usual because of work slowdown from implementation, that lack of productivity dwarfs the cost of licensing, scanner, or hardware."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702950?src=mp&spon=21&uac=9435AK">Best EMRs for Small Practices: Introduction</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/ehrtvcom-video-interviews-with-experts.html"><font size="1">EHRtv.com – Video Interviews with the Experts and Software Companies – e-MDs</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/review-ehr-vendors-evaluated-by-it.html"><font size="1">Review EHR vendors evaluated by IT research firm – or try a free consultant</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/emrconsultantcom-provides-electronic.html"><font size="1">EMRConsultant.com Provides Electronic Medical Records Recommendations to Over 7,500 Medical Practices</font></a></h4> <p> <p><u></u></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:97d37cfe-bda7-4f48-bef3-6e4954acf248" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/emrconsultant" rel="tag">emrconsultant</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EHRtv" rel="tag">EHRtv</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/consulting" rel="tag">consulting</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Eric+fishman" rel="tag">Eric fishman</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a></div></p>

Best EMRs for Small Practices from Medscape

  Dr. Eric Fishman, who is no stranger to this blog had a nice interview with Medscape.  He is addressing the issues, pros and cons with an...

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PowerLoo Flushable Dog Toilet from Green Dog – Keep Bacteria and Parasites from Contaminating Ground Water

<p> The CDC according to the video says dog poop should be flushed down the toilet.  The big trick would be teaching the dog himself how to use it, <a href="http://www.powerloo.com/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="46" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzB3pMXWhI/AAAAAAAAP48/ihcYKGbLBOE/image%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="113" /></a>thus no bags!   For those of us who can’t afford one of these I guess we can start carrying our bags inside so we don’t contaminate the water supply.  Having a dog today is beginning to be a real expense with all the available accessories.   <strong>Well nobody can say I don’t cover a lot of “crap” on this blog (grin).</strong>  BD     </p> <blockquote> <p>The PowerLoo system makes an offensive task simple, safe and hygienic. <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSh2_qhZeco">Greendog™</a></strong> identified a situation every pet owner faces but no one likes to talk about and invented a unique, exclusive product to solve the problem.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7ef9b722-2471-4d48-b2d1-f7d4e440099a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ec1fdff8-2951-416d-9d15-728e01d4dcfa" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSh2_qhZeco&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ec1fdff8-2951-416d-9d15-728e01d4dcfa'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"282\" height=\"211\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/sSh2_qhZeco&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/sSh2_qhZeco&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"282\" height=\"211\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShzB4VuYakI/AAAAAAAAP5A/Qp8kD7vcN9I/video160d8b666dba%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> <p>Green Dog presents an innovative outdoor, maintenance-free, flushable toilet for proper and sanitary disposal of pet waste.  This unique in-ground toilet installs easily in your yard and connects directly to your home sewer line. The engineering, mechanics and materials are state-of-the-art.  Green Dog is designed to protect the environment from contamination and disease which is spread by improper pet waste disposal.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.powerloo.com/">PowerLoo Flushable Dog Toilet, Pre-Order & Investment Information : PowerLoo</a></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d12c017b-c187-410a-9466-fbe350c464dd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sanitation" rel="tag">Sanitation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dog+poop" rel="tag">dog poop</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/toilet" rel="tag">toilet</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ground+water" rel="tag">ground water</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/green" rel="tag">green</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pet+waste" rel="tag">pet waste</a></div>

PowerLoo Flushable Dog Toilet from Green Dog – Keep Bacteria and Parasites from Contaminating Ground Water

The CDC according to the video says dog poop should be flushed down the toilet.  The big trick would be teaching the dog himself how to use...

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Wireless Carriers to Cash in with Stimulus Money Linking Health Networks

<p><font size="2"> When you stop and think about it, mobility is the calling, along with interconnectivity.  We have only begun to touch the Wi-Fi world in healthcare. </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Shy9M60eFSI/AAAAAAAAP4s/21ne_wDAsr4/s1600-h/image%5B10%5D.png"><font size="2"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Shy9ONonbII/AAAAAAAAP4w/nHPqyewBWh8/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="143" /></font></a><font size="2"> What is also helping is the ability of devices now to connect with Bluetooth, so the information can be beamed up.  For our social  needs we now have <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/facebook-on-windows-mobile-devices-are.html">Facebook on mobile phones.</a></strong>   </font></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/now-connect-to-your-emr-through-your.html"><font size="2">Now, Connect to Your EMR Through Your iPhone</font></a></h4> <p><font size="2">For anyone using Windows Tags, you can find mine here.   General Mills is already using them on food products you buy in the store.   <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/at-launches-big-brother-tracking.html">AT&T has Big Brother tracking services</a></strong> available too.  <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/bumrungrad-international-hospital-to-go.html"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Shy9PT7J4SI/AAAAAAAAP40/wupWGfTdBcI/s1600-h/image%5B11%5D.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="119" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Shy9P-E12TI/AAAAAAAAP44/vVlfzhacjdA/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="157" /></a></a></strong></font></p> <h4><strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/bumrungrad-international-hospital-to-go.html"><font size="2">Bumrungrad International Hospital</font></a></strong><font size="2"> is going wireless with Windows Mobile to run Microsoft Amalga throughout.  </font></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/lifescans-new-diabetes-iphone.html"><font size="2">Lifescan</font></a><font size="2"> will let you upload readings to the iPhone.</font></h4> <p><font size="2">The PHR information is moving to be even more portable. <strong> <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/allone-mobile-expands-mobile-phone-phr.html">AllOne Mobile will also be connecting soon to the Microsoft HealthVault</a></strong> to allow for additional storage and sharing of healthcare information with family members, hospitals and doctors, so soon a couple punches on the keypad of your cell phone and off the information will go.</font></p> <p><font size="2">Those are just a few past posts that clearly show we are definitely moving in the wireless direction – fast.  Are you still just using your cell phone for phone calls?  BD</font>  </p> <blockquote> <p>The $6.8 billion in <a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=wireless&x=&y=">wireless</a> <a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=communications&x=&y=">communications</a> upgrades and new deployments from the U.S. stimulus bill contains "potential goldmines," according to a <a href="http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1004117-The+2009+Federal+Stimulus+Bill ">report</a> released Tuesday by ABI Research.   A<strong> mix of Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices, sensors, and communications systems will link health networks,</strong> while in education, providers will promote a brace of opportunities, a new report says. </p> <p>The market research firm predicts wireless equipment vendors will reap significant benefits from the stimulus bill, officially called the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT (ARRA), and the benefits will flow out beyond <a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=infrastructure&x=&y=">infrastructure</a> providers to aid specific vertical industries. </p> <p><strong>In health care, ABI predicts a mix of Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices, sensors, and communications systems will </strong><a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=link&x=&y="><strong>link</strong></a><strong> health networks, while in education, providers will promote a brace of opportunities, including wireless LANs for "learning anywhere," voice over Wi-Fi, and other equipment and </strong><a href="http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=software&x=&y="><strong>software</strong></a><strong> to track "No Child Left Behind" record keeping.</strong> </p> <p>"Many of the pending opportunities lie 'under the surface,' " said Schatt. "A civil engineering project which seems mainly about concrete and steel may actually benefit from a lot of wireless technology. And because vendors can't apply for funds themselves, they are -- and should be -- doing everything in their power to help their customers do so." </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/business/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217700147&cid=RSSfeed_twitter">U.S. Stimulus A 'Potential Goldmine' For Wireless Telecoms -- Federal Stimulus Telecom</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/fda-approves-pda-size-portable-ultra.html"><font size="1">FDA Approves PDA Size Portable Ultra Sound – Signostics</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/cell-phone-ultra-sound-video-about-how.html">The Cell Phone Ultra-Sound – Video about How and Where It Works</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/microsoft-tellme-voice-service-for.html">Microsoft's Tellme Voice Service For Windows Mobile Cell Phones Coming Soon</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/windows-mobile-smart-phones-on-horizon.html">Windows Mobile Smart Phones on the Horizon for Imaging Kidneys, Liver, Bladder, Eyes, Prostate and Uterine Screenings</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/05/virtual-pc-display-golden-i-bluetooth.html"><font size="1">Virtual PC display Golden i Bluetooth Headset – A New Way to View and Input Electronic Medical Records on the Horizon Perhaps…</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/microsoft-tellme-voice-service-for.html"><font size="1">Microsoft's Tellme Voice Service For Windows Mobile Cell Phones Coming Soon</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/04/windows-mobile-smart-phones-on-horizon.html">Windows Mobile Smart Phones on the Horizon for Imaging Kidneys, Liver, Bladder, Eyes, Prostate and Uterine Screenings</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/01/windows-tag.html">Windows Tags – Bar Coding Information Made Easy from your Cell Phone</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7d061b56-5b0a-477a-85de-7a0c64d209be" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ultrasound" rel="tag">ultrasound</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/imaging" rel="tag">imaging</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Windows+Mobile" rel="tag">Windows Mobile</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/biopsies.+HealthVault" rel="tag">biopsies. HealthVault</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wi-Fi" rel="tag">Wi-Fi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wireless+carriers" rel="tag">Wireless carriers</a></div>

Wireless Carriers to Cash in with Stimulus Money Linking Health Networks

When you stop and think about it, mobility is the calling, along with interconnectivity.  We have only begun to touch the Wi-Fi world in he...

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Cook Women’s Health – Interview with Christina Anné, VP Women’s Health Business Unit

<p>Today I had the opportunity to talk with <strong>Christina Anné, vice president of Cook Medical and global business unit leader for Women’s Health</strong>, and Gail McDaniel, Digital Marketing Specialist, about<a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a><a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a><a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a><a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a><a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a><a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a><a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do"></a> the new educational <strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) website,</strong> CookARTLab.com. If you were <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiXIsxeeI/AAAAAAAAP4I/gsFhV_3L-H8/s1600-h/image%5B7%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiXmQ7WzI/AAAAAAAAP4M/-GSKonv_508/image_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="181" /></a>ever curious about how the IVF process works, the CookARTLab site has multimedia sections that takes you step by step through in vitro fertilization. The videos and information are part of Cook’s efforts to educate and inform by highlighting the process from start to finish with <a href="http://www.cookartlab.com/index.html">Assisted Reproductive Technology.</a></p> <p>We also spoke about other offerings from Cook Medical’s Women’s Health division which you can learn more about at <a href="http://www.cookmedical.com/wh/home.do">http://www.cookmedical.com/wh/home.do</a>. </p> <p><strong><u>On with the interview:</u></strong><strong> Here’s a summary of my conversation with Christina </strong></p> <p><strong><i>What is the focus of the CookARTLab.com website? </i></strong></p> <p>The CookARTLab.com is an online, educational resource for today’s infertility physicians and reproductive endocrinologists. The main feature of the site is a behind the scenes, interactive tour of a complete IVF procedure starting with Day negative one through to the reimplantation of the fertilized embryo. The Cook A.R.T. Lab tour shows real-world demonstrations of ovum collection, sperm injection, embryo culture and embryo transfer, with guidance on how to perform each step. </p> <p>The microsite also features a knowledge base with up-to-the minute links to the most current published research; a discussion forum that allows professionals to exchange information and experiences; and a news center posting upcoming industry events and A.R.T. news from around the world. </p> <p>These assets make the Cook site a one-stop resource on new research and practices for fertility and reproductive specialists. </p> <p><strong><i>What makes it different?</i></strong><b><i></i></b></p> <p>We designed the<b> </b>CookARTLab.com to help improve laboratory and clinical performance in the field of assisted reproductive technology (A.R.T.). We felt it was necessary to provide specialists in this field with real-time, interactive access to cutting edge technologies and techniques to assist them in improving their IVF procedures – without regard to time zone, geographic location or day of the week. More and more we see medical professionals turning to the web as a resource to help them improve their skills and add to their knowledge base. This is the first educational site for these people. </p> <p><strong><i>Who is the CookARTLab site designed for? Patients? Professionals? </i></strong></p> <p>The main audience for this site is A.R.T. professionals including embryologists and reproductive endocrinologists. The content is designed to provide the resources and educational tools they need to do their jobs more effectively. In fact, we had a few of these professionals preview the site and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Many of the people we consulted commented on the accuracy and felt it would be a good resource for their colleagues, especially residents and those who were new to the field of IVF. Secondarily, the professional audience also commented that the video would be most helpful for patients to better understand the IVF process, providing them a behind-the-scenes look they typically would not have.</p> <p><strong><i><u>Now, switching gears let’s talk more generally about Cook Women’s Health.</u> </i></strong></p> <p><strong><i>Can you tell me more about the mission of the overall Women’s Health Division at Cook? </i></strong></p> <p>Cook Women's Health is focused on bringing patient-centered innovations to market, developed specifically for the particular health needs of women. Cook Women's Health addresses prevalent issues in women's health globally including infertility, high-risk obstetrics, gynecological imaging and sex and gender-based medicine. <strong></strong></p> <p><strong><i>When we speak of products from Cook Medical that are targeted for women’s healthcare, are they expensive and what type of coverage can one expect with insurance?</i></strong><b><i></i></b></p> <p>Most of the products you will see on the site are disposable with the big money expense in the actual procedure. All our devices are cleared by the FDA and affordable for healthcare facilities to stock. . </p> <p><strong><i>How does Cook Medical market their products for women, direct sales?</i></strong></p> <p>We do have direct sales executives and distributors all over the world, with extensive coverage in Europe and the Pacific rim. CookARTLab.com is going to be another tool we utilize to inform and create more awareness. As more people use the professional forums, we hope to expand this area further to communicate and collaborate to create effective solutions. </p> <p><em><b>Are there any offerings as far as regenerative solutions for women?</b></em></p> <p>Yes, Cook Medical is very active in this area and some of our products used for reconstruction are derived from the small intestine of pigs and are often used for procedures in the pelvic and urinary areas of the body, but those are not represented on the CookARTLab.com site. For more information on those solutions you can visit <a href="http://www.cookmedical.com/feature.do?id=Biodesign">http://www.cookmedical.com/feature.do?id=Biodesign</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://www.cookmedical.com/wh/dataSheet.do?id=3851"><img alt="clip_image001" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiYU0gUZI/AAAAAAAAP4Q/7gMaM8mnyD0/clip_image001%5B5%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="clip_image001" width="377" /></a></p> <p>Regenerative technologies can be used to treat a host of conditions, but the Cook Women’s Health application is used most often in treating pelvic organ prolapse a condition that predominately affects older women. </p> <p><a href="http://www.cookmedical.com/wh/dataSheet.do?id=3854"><img alt="clip_image002" border="0" height="119" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiY52UT1I/AAAAAAAAP4U/VMDK0i1hSn8/clip_image002%5B5%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="clip_image002" width="385" /></a></p> <p><em><b>Thank you for your time today and information. I’ll now go visit the CookARTLab site and see for myself.</b></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.cookartlab.com/index.html"><img alt="clip_image003" border="0" height="25" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiZez0GBI/AAAAAAAAP4Y/e9KFrKMJYxQ/clip_image003%5B3%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image003" width="240" /></a></p> <p>After the interview I took the tour myself and it was fascinating, even though I am not anticipating needing or wanting assisted reproductive services myself<strong>, it was great to learn about the process and products involved that make everything take place at the ART Lab</strong>. I would suggest watching if you are considering the process to be better informed as to how it all comes together. </p> <p>This was the first time I had seen any of the actual lab procedures and<strong> it was great to have actual technicians describing each step of the way</strong> on how fertility and reproductive technology works. BD </p> <p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Users/Barbara/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles126C96C/image33.png"><img alt="clip_image004" border="0" height="93" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiaAQrvbI/AAAAAAAAP4c/TrejbVqyhMU/clip_image004%5B3%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image004" width="164" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Users/Barbara/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles126C96C/image35.png"><img alt="clip_image005" border="0" height="93" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxiaoqqyyI/AAAAAAAAP4g/ZfwCuz5o3sI/clip_image005%5B3%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image005" width="169" /></a></p> <p>Securing the sperm…Verifying the process and the embryos…</p> <p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Users/Barbara/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles126C96C/image42.png"><img alt="clip_image006" border="0" height="130" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ShxibEkITYI/AAAAAAAAP4k/aUHDQofRyp8/clip_image006%5B3%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image006" width="180" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Users/Barbara/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles126C96C/image44.png"><img alt="clip_image007" border="0" height="128" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Shxib8nE-wI/AAAAAAAAP4o/5Agxv2xzpE0/clip_image007%5B3%5D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image007" width="147" /></a></p> <p>In addition, on the product page there’s another <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/educationResource.do?id=Educational_Video">entire listing of videos</a>. </p> <p><u>PRESS RELEASE:</u></p> <h6><b>Interactive Tour of Assisted Reproduction Technology Laboratory Anchors New Online Destination for Infertility and Reproductive Professionals Seeking to Improve Laboratory Practices</b></h6> <p><i>One-Stop Educational Microsite Provides Cutting-Edge Resources and Community for Experts in Assisted Reproductive Technologies</i></p> <p><b>Bloomington, Ind. – May 4, 2009 –</b> The industry’s first interactive, behind-the-scenes <a href="http://cookartlab.com/tour.html">video</a> takes viewers day-by-day through the techniques and procedures of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) through a new online destination from <a href="http://cookmedical.com/home.do">Cook Medical</a>. CookARTLab is designed to improve laboratory and clinical performance in the field of assisted reproductive technology (A.R.T.). </p> <p>The <a href="http://cookartlab.com/tour.html">Cook A.R.T. Lab tour</a> shows real-world demonstrations of ovum collection, sperm injection, embryo culture and embryo transfer, with guidance on how to optimize each step for improved pregnancy rates. The microsite also features a <a href="http://cookartlab.com/recent_publications.html">knowledge base</a> with up-to-the minute links to the most current published research in A.R.T.; <a href="http://discussion.cookartlab.com/cm_artdiscuss">a discussion forum</a> that allows professionals to exchange information and experiences; and a <a href="http://newsevents.cookartlab.com/cm_artneindex">news center</a> posting upcoming industry events – making the Cook site a centralized resource on breaking research and best practices for fertility and reproductive specialists. </p> <p>Describing the new website, Patricia Jilbert, Director of the Center for Reproductive Biology commented, “The <a href="http://cookartlab.com/tour.html">lab tour</a> is accurate and provides an in-depth explanation of all aspects of laboratory procedures. While not all the procedures are performed the same way in every lab, this (the tour) does give newcomers to the field a great overview of what is involved (in IVF). I could see the tour being useful in educating residents. Some patients are curious about what happens behind our closed doors so this would be another resource for them to feel they were informed and more comfortable with the IVF process.”</p> <p>In addition to the industry’s first interactive <a href="http://cookartlab.com/tour.html">A.R.T. lab tour</a>, Cook is providing an entire suite of resources to assist infertility and reproduction professionals in gaining the added knowledge and expertise necessary to have a marked impact on patient outcomes. The specific assets found at the first-of-its-kind <a href="http://cookartlab.com/">Cook A.R.T. Lab</a> website include: </p> <p>· <a href="http://cookartlab.com/tour.html"><i>A.R.T. Lab Tour</i></a> – Provides an expert behind-the-scene look at the entire IVF experience from preparation for ovum aspiration to embryo transfer, featuring Cook’s industry leading <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/familyListingAction.do?family=Assisted+Reproduction">A.R.T. products</a>. Translated transcripts of the videos are also available for download in <a href="http://cookartlab.cookmedical.com/transcripts/CookARTLab_Spanish_transcript.pdf">Spanish</a>, <a href="http://cookartlab.cookmedical.com/transcripts/CookARTLab_Portuguese_transcript.pdf">Brazilian Portuguese</a>, Korean, Chinese and Japanese as well as English. For a preview click here.</p> <p>· <a href="http://cookartlab.com/recent_publications.html"><i>Knowledge Center</i></a><i> – </i>Offers a continually updated pipeline and archive of recent publications and resources on all facets of A.R.T. and IVF divided by key subject areas. Topics include: Human ovum collection; sperm preparation and intrauterine insemination; embryo culture and incubation; cryopreservation and vitrification; ICSI and micromanipulation; and embryo transfer.</p> <p>· <a href="http://discussion.cookartlab.com/cm_artdiscuss"><i>Discussion Forum</i></a><i> – </i>Engages<i> </i>experts, peers and <a href="http://cookmedical.com/home.do">Cook Medical</a> product specialists to exchange A.R.T. knowledge and experience. Multilingual questions, input and discussion are encouraged on all relevant topics and products.</p> <p>· <a href="http://newsevents.cookartlab.com/cm_artneindex"><i>News and Events</i></a><i> – </i>Gathers and posts the latest breaking news on IVF, A.R.T. and <a href="http://cookmedical.com/home.do">Cook Medical</a> from across the Internet as well as posting an ongoing channel of upcoming industry events dedicated to advancing the practice of IVF. </p> <p>· <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/familyListingAction.do?family=Assisted+Reproduction"><i>Detailed Product Information</i></a><i> – </i>Links to cataloged information and resources on the complete line of <a href="http://cookmedical.com/home.do">Cook Medical</a> products for <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/familyListingAction.do?family=Assisted+Reproduction">A.R.T</a>. and other women’s health-related applications.</p> <p>Since its inception more than thirty years ago, IVF has rapidly evolved and significant advancements have been made in the field of <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/familyListingAction.do?family=Assisted+Reproduction">assisted reproductive technology</a> (A.R.T.). For more than 25 years, <a href="http://cookmedical.com/home.do">Cook Medical</a> has provided infertility and reproductive specialists with innovative products to meet the needs of each individual patient. Cook’s end-to-end suite of <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/familyListingAction.do?family=Assisted+Reproduction">A.R.T. products</a> assists professionals in every step of the IVF process, from early infertility detection through to the embryo transfer. The <a href="http://cookartlab.com/">Cook A.R.T. Lab</a> demonstrates the depth and breadth of the Cook solutions, highlighting how each product in the suite can be used most effectively to optimize the IVF process. </p> <p>“For over two decades, Cook has remained dedicated to furthering the practice of IVF by providing today’s experts with industry leading products and cutting-edge resources to improve pregnancy rates,” said Christina Anné, Vice President of <a href="http://cookmedical.com/wh/home.do">Cook Medical’s Women’s Health</a> Strategic Business Unit. “With the launch of this microsite, Cook Medical is continuing our commitment to the advancement of IVF by harnessing the dynamic power of the Internet to provide today’s infertility specialists with real-time, access to the resources and information necessary to support patients and improve their practices.”</p> <p><b>About Cook Medical</b></p> <p>Cook Medical was one of the first companies to help popularize interventional medicine, pioneering many of the devices now commonly used worldwide to perform minimally invasive medical procedures. Today, the company integrates minimally invasive medical device design, biopharma, gene and cell therapy, and biotech to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes in the fields of aortic intervention; interventional cardiology; critical care medicine; gastroenterology; radiology<b>, </b>peripheral vascular, bone access and oncology; surgery and soft tissue repair; urology; and assisted reproductive technology, gynecology and high-risk obstetrics.<b> </b>Founded in 1963 and operated as a family-held private corporation, Cook is a past winner of the prestigious Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year Award from <i>Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry</i> magazine. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.cookmedical.com/">www.cookmedical.com</a>.</p> <p><b>Media Contacts:</b> <br />Gail McDaniel Shannon Breen </p> <p><strong><u>Related Cook Medical Reading:</u></strong></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/cook-medical-unveils-microwires-to.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Cook Medical Unveils MicroWires to support Leg Therapy - Peripheral Arterial Disease</span></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/heart-valves-implanted-without-having.html">Heart valves implanted without having open-heart surgery</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/regenerative-medicine-and-how-it-works.html">Regenerative Medicine and How it Works – Interview with Cook Biotech (Medical)</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/cook-medical-announced-new-strategic.html">Cook Medical Announced the new Strategic Business Unit – Interventional Radiology</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/cook-medical-unveils-microwires-to.html">Cook Medical Unveils MicroWires to support Leg Therapy - Peripheral Arterial Disease</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interview-with-bart-e-muhs-md-yale.html">Interview with Bart E. Muhs, M.D., Yale School of Medicine – Aneurysm Repair Surgery</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/cook-medical-still-growing.html">Cook Medical still growing</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/catheter-related-bloodstream-infections.html">Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections - Interview</a></h6> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0c97cc0c-3e25-4b29-866e-a4e77a826ffd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cook+Medical" rel="tag">Cook Medical</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cook+ART+Lab" rel="tag">Cook ART Lab</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/assisted+reproductive+technology" rel="tag">assisted reproductive technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/regenerative+medicine" rel="tag">regenerative medicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/infertility" rel="tag">infertility</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Women%27s+Health" rel="tag">Women's Health</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/in+vitro" rel="tag">in vitro</a></div>

Cook Women’s Health – Interview with Christina Anné, VP Women’s Health Business Unit

Today I had the opportunity to talk with Christina Anné, vice president of Cook Medical and global business unit leader for Women’s Health ,...

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