Point-Of-Care Biosensor to Detect Oral Cancer

Researchers at the University of Florida have created a point-of-care biosensor that can rapidly detect a biomarker for oral cancer. The device uses test strips, such as those used in blood glucose tests, to spot cell proliferation regulating inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A), a protein biomarker that can reveal the presence of oral cancer. The device requires a liquid sample that is introduced to the end of the test strip, where it runs into channels that contain antibody-covered electrodes. The antibodies are specific for CIP2A, and antibody binding changes the electrical signal the electrodes produce, providing a readout if the protein is present. The technology could be useful in low resource or remote regions where access to conventional lab testing equipment is not available.

If oral cancers can be detected early, then the prognosis is frequently quite good. For instance, the researchers behind this latest technology report that oral

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Health tech suppliers give their verdict

The year 2022 was unsurprisingly another busy one with lots of changes and developments in the digital health world. We asked health tech suppliers what they expect to happen in 2023. Here is what they had to say:

Markus Bolton, director of Graphnet Health

“I predict that the current drive towards using population health to transform how care is delivered will accelerate through 2023 as more and more use cases become de facto standards.  We are already seeing huge strides in areas such as waiting list management, fuel poverty, hypertension, diabetes, early intervention (social care) and suicide prevention.

“2023 will be the year that care systems use data to move from insights into actions.”

Guy Lucchi, managing director of healthcare at System C

“There will be a drive towards digital enabling services to make the transformational shift to new models of care that are required to overcome key health and

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OxfordVR combines with BehaVR for VR delivery platform

Oxford Science Enterprises’ health tech portfolio company, OxfordVR, is to combine with BehaVR, to offer comprehensive virtual reality-based treatments for mental health.

Supported by an initial $13 million in Series B funding, the merger of the two digital therapeutic companies will result in the largest VR delivery platform for evidence-based digital behaviour therapies.

OxfordVR describes itself as a provider of evidence-based immersive treatments for serious mental health illness and behavioural health.

Deepak Gopalakrishna, CEO of OxfordVR, said of the merger: “What an exciting time for digital innovation in mental health.

“We’re at a critical inflection point in the industry where the onus will be on companies to bring evidence-based, clinically validated treatments to patients that providers, payers, and employers can confidently stand behind. This brings together two of the leading organisations pioneering this work and will enable us to accelerate that future.”

The newly combined company will be known as

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Re:Cognition Health and MYndspan improve access to brain healthcare

A collaboration between Re:Cognition Health and MYndspan is helping to improve access to data-driven insights into brain health, for patients across London.

The partnership will see MYndspan’s technology used at Re:Cognition Health’s London clinic, which can help assess and measure brain health in under an hour.

The 45-minute service is powered by a non-invasive scanning technology called magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG is capable of measuring electrical signals between neurons in order to create a detailed map of brain activity. Alongside this, the service also uses app-based games to test cognitive function.

Dr Emer MacSweeney, CEO of Re:Cognition Health Ltd and consultant neuroradiologist, said: “MYndspan’s data-driven quantification of brain health using MEG technology is ground-breaking. Our brain and mind experts at Re:Cognition Health are confident MYndspan’s data-led insights will not only help to inform the care we provide for our patients, but also empower individuals with their own data.

“A better understanding

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Acxiom launches HCP Engage to engage healthcare professionals

Pharma data intelligence firm Acxiom is working with Treasure Data to launch HCP Engage – a platform that connects data from disparate sources and offers pharmaceutical marketers an easy, no-code way of delivering on personalisation efforts.

The marketing platform is designed to help pharma companies make deeper connections with healthcare professionals in a way that can improve patient outcomes.

The company says it aims to cut through the noise that is typically part of healthcare professionals (HCP)’s day when they’re trying to research healthcare advancements and new medications.

HCP Engage is claimed to allow pharma marketers to build a unified HCP view that is based on engagement history, demographics and interactions with content. With that unified customer view Treasure Cloud’s Customer Data Cloud then helps marketers to build HCP audiences based on product, behavioural and HCP insights.

The final step is to activate that data across marketing platforms, including web,

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Microbial Fuel Cell Powers Ingestible Devices

Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a microbial fuel cell that can power ingestible devices, such as cameras, that can detect health issues in the gastrointestinal tract, and specifically within the small intestine. The fuel cell contains dormant Bacillus subtilis endospores that only germinate and become active when they encounter nutrient-rich intestinal fluid. Another check on activity is a pH-sensitive membrane that only allows the fuel cell to activate when it reaches the neutral pH of the small intestine. The technology may provide an alternative to conventional batteries that could pose a health risk if they began to leak or became damaged in the body.

How can we monitor the intestine? One option is an ingestible camera in the form of a pill that once swallowed will pass down the gastrointestinal tract and provide invaluable images of those difficult-to-reach areas. While this solution is elegant, finding a way to reliably

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Graphnet digital ReSPECT plan receives accreditation

A Graphnet digital version of the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) has been accredited for use.

As a result, an individual’s emergency care and treatment plan will be available – in real-time – as part of the CareCentric Shared Care Record. Having ReSPECT available in a digital format means that clinicians and health and care teams can access and view it at any time.

A ReSPECT plan details personalised recommendations for clinical care and treatment in the event of the patient not being able to communicate this for themselves. It may include what matters most to the patients, as well as what is realistic in terms of their care and treatment.

Graphnet has worked closely with the Resuscitation Council to create a digitised version of the current 3.5 version of the paper-based ReSPECT plan. The digital plan can be stored and accessed within the Care

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Solent NHS Trust trials virtual wards with Doccla tech

Solent NHS Trust is piloting digital wards in conjunction with Doccla, offering patients with frailty personalised care to help reduce hospital admissions.

The new virtual wards will be available to patients across Portsmouth and Southampton with suspected or known frailty. Patients are closely monitored and reviewed daily from their own home, once accepted into the virtual wards programme. Treatment is adjusted when needed and the service is fully integrated with SystmOne.

Doccla’s technology is delivered through a mobile app and clinical dashboard through a provided device.

Solent NHS Trust chief medical officer Dr Dan Baylis said: “We are really excited to be piloting this type of virtual wards in Portsmouth and Southampton with the digital expertise of Doccla. 

“Virtual wards, running across the country, provide a suitable and safe alternative to hospital care. The use of technology is largely untapped to date in terms of this patient group, so

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Belt Monitors Heart Failure Patients

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a belt that can monitor heart failure patients for signs of disease progression. The wearable device measures heart rate, thoracic impedance, electrocardiogram, and motion, all of which can provide information on a heart failure patient’s status and potentially enable early detection of disease exacerbation. So far, the researchers have tested the device in a variety of everyday contexts, including routine activities, such as sitting, lying, standing, and walking, and found that it performs quite well. The researchers hope that the technology could help to reduce hospital readmission for heart failure patients by highlighting issues before they get worse.

Over six million people in the US live with heart failure. The condition can be debilitating and life altering, and is progressive. Many heart failure patients must undergo repeat hospital admission as their condition deteriorates. Finding a way to monitor such patients while they are

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Why It Is Essential For Teachers To Understand Child Growth Levels

Health TechnologyHealthcare IT phase presently seeks for enchancment within the supply of care to sufferers. TA methodology drew upon quite a lot of analytical, evaluative, and planning strategies. Amongst these have been methods evaluation, value-benefit analysis, consensus growth strategies (e.g., Delphi technique), engineering feasibility research, clinical trials, market analysis, technological forecasting, and others. TA practitioners and policymakers acknowledged that TA is evolving, versatile, and must be tailored to the task ( US Congress, Office of Technology Evaluation 1977 ). Field I-2 exhibits varied definitions of TA.

By means of using know-how in medical research, scientists have been capable of study illnesses on a mobile degree and produce antibodies towards them. These vaccines towards life-threatening ailments like malaria, polio, MMR, and more forestall the spread of disease and save thousands of lives all around the globe. In actual fact, the World Well being Group estimates that vaccines save about 3 million lives … Read more