Eko Scores FDA Breakthrough Device Designation

by Bruce Brown | December 23, 2019 | Medical

This time it’s the software. We’ve written numerous times about Eko’s Duo digital stethoscope. Last week the FDA granted Breakthrough Device status to the artificial intelligence algorithm designed to detect heart failure. The designation is granted...

Neural-Network Excels in Breast Cancer Detection

by Bruce Brown | December 20, 2019 | Medical

Deep learning neural networks now offer the best hope for detecting breast cancer. The latest CDC study reports about 247,200 new diagnoses of breast cancer in women and men and nearly 41,500 fatalities every year. Previously, we wrote about work by a research team...

Pentax Monitor Detects Polyps Using AI

by Bruce Brown | December 19, 2019 | Medical

Doctors diagnose 140,000 to 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year in the U.S., according to the CDC. In 2016, for example, there were 141,270 reported new cases of colon and rectum cancer and 52,286 deaths. The 5-year colorectal cancer survival rate for...

Piezoelectric Transducer Leapfrogs Cochlear Implant Tech [video]

by Bruce Brown | December 18, 2019 | Medical

The FDA recently cleared Cochlear Limited’s new Osia 2 System implantable bone conduction hearing solution for people with damaged natural hearing systems. Osia 2 breaks new ground in cochlear implants by relying on digital piezoelectric stimulation. The...

Using Wearables with VR/AR to Reduce Anxiety [video]

by Bruce Brown | December 17, 2019 | General News, Medical

Meditation and mindfulness are perhaps different sides of the same coin; both are inexpensive, proven methods to quell anxiety. Unfortunately, mindfulness is difficult for many people and meditation can be even harder. Mindfulness and meditation are most effective...

Wearable Dialysis Device Gains Home Stretch Funds

by Bruce Brown | December 16, 2019 | Medical

We wrote earlier this year about Singapore-based AWAK Technologies’ wearable dialysis device for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). AWAK was back in the news this year, with continued positive results from clinical studies and an FDA breakthrough...