Erectile Dysfunction Shock Wave Therapy (EDSWT)

Erectile Dysfunction Shock Wave Therapy (EDSWT) is an innovative approach to vasculogenic ED, delivered by Medispec’s ED1000, a device that uses advanced acoustics technology. This technology has proven to be effective in cardiology, with recent success in reversible ischemic tissues of the heart. EDSWT utilizes low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves, focusing on blood vessels and encouraging neovascularization in the penis shaft and crus. The low-intensity shock waves help relieve vascular deficiency, a common cause of erectile dysfunction.

By courtesy of Medispec

Proven effective in clinical testing, the ED1000 is a unique mobile system that performs the EDSWT protocol in a safe, efficient manner. Vasculogenic and diabetic ED patients, who are responsive to PDE5 inhibitors as well as those who are unresponsive, can receive shock wave therapy from the ED1000 and experience improved erectile functionality.

For the latter, which includes a substantial number of severe ED patients, the only solution to date are vacuum pumps, injections and perhaps implants. EDSWT therapy brings hope to those patients, by allowing more than 70% of them to become responsive to PDE5 inhibitors. As “end-stage” ED patients, they will be able to enjoy normal sexual functionality. With over 50% of men aged 40-70 suffering from ED, and even more from transient ED, Medispec’s breakthrough therapeutic system can bring lasting improvement in erectile function and new sexual spontaneity to millions – painlessly, naturally and safety.

Unlike conventional ED treatment, such as PDE5 inhibitors, EDSWT does not involve the use of any pharmaceuticals. Moreover, the shock wave treatment causes no side-effects or systemic load on other organs and healthy tissues. The non-invasive, painless EDSWT procedure is performed during a series of brief visits to the urology office, and requires no sedation or anesthesia. Discernable improvement in the erectile function of the penis can be visible within two weeks after therapy begins. 

Recent clinical studies revealed that patients reported a high rate of satisfaction for more than two years after treatment – all without reliance on PDE5 inhibitors. In clinical tests, EDSWT has shown significant long-term effectiveness. These results are confirmed by a double-blind placebo controlled study of a large group of patients.

 

Information on this page is provided for interest only on a "best efforts" basis and does not 
constitute personal advice. Always discuss medical conditions and related matters with your doctor.

Ref: http://medispec.com/solutions/erectile-disfunction/

LASER THERAPY

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Laser therapy can be used any time a patient needs a drug-less procedure for the control of pain, when conventional therapies have been ineffective, or when the acceleration of healing from injuries is desired.

LLLT is the application of red and near infra-red light over injuries or lesions to improve wound and soft tissue healing, reduce inflammation and give relief for both acute and chronic pain. Red and near infrared light operate between the wavelength of 600nm to 1000nm and is commonly used in LLLT and are typically delivering 10mW - 500mW. The power density typically ranges from 0.005W/cm² -> 5 W/cm².

Low level laser supplies energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of light. Light is transmitted through the skin's layers at all wavelengths in the visible range.
However, light waves in the near infrared ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves in the visible spectrum. When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood. This has both anti-inflammatory and immunostimulate effects. When the correct intensity and treatment times are used, red and near infrared light reduces oxidative stress and increases Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This improves cell metabolism and reduce inflammation. LLLT is popularly used for soft tissue injuries, joint conditions, neuropathic pain, non-healing leg and pressure ulcers.

It is a scientific fact that light transmitted to the blood in this way has positive effects throughout the whole body, supplying vital oxygen and energy to every cell. For most people, laser therapy is quite passive. There is no pulsating shocks felt, as in forms of electronic stimulation, or heat used as with ultrasound. The most noticeable sensation is the touch of the probe head of the laser, as it comes in contact with the skin.

Generally, the more chronic or severe the condition, the longer it takes to respond. The majority of conditions treated will take anywhere from 4-5 or 10-15 treatments. Once again, the number of treatments depends upon the severity of the condition and it duration. You should notice a difference after 1-2 treatments but it may take 4-5 sessions before a dramatic or marked change is perceived.

In all the years that low level lasers have been tested in research and clinical applications, no adverse side effects or negative impacts have been reported. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lasers Laser Therapy Systems as "Non-Significant Risk" devices, requiring a minimum of safety precautions. The only precaution is avoid direct viewing of the laser beam. Care should be exercised not to stare into the laser beam or to point it at the eyes, and the use of safety glasses is recommended.
 

Physiological Effects of LLLT

• Bio-stimulation, including improve metabolism & increased cell metabolism
• Improved blood circulation and vasodilation
• Analgesic effect
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects
• Simulation of wound healing

Benefits of LLLT to Users

• Relieves acute and chronic pains
• Increases the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissure repair
• Increases blood supply
• Simulates immune system
• Stimulates nerve function
• Develops collagen and muscle tissue
• Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
• Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation
• Reduces inflammation

Applications of LLLT

According to published medical reports, many acute and chronic conditions may be improved or eliminated with laser use: including: 

Arthritis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Chondromalacia Patellae Fibromyalgia Heel Spurs/Plantar Fascitis Migraine Headaches Neck Pain/Whiplash

Back Pain Nerve Root Pain Pots-Operative Pain Repetitive Stress Injuries TMJ Pain/Dysfunction Tendonitis/Tendinosis Tennis Elbow

Bursitis Neuralgia Trigger Points Sprains/Strains Swelling Wound Healing

Information on this page is provided for interest only on a "best efforts" basis and does not 
constitute personal advice. Always discuss medical conditions and related matters with your doctor.

Source:  http://www.vasportsmedicine.com/cold-laser.asp

Femtosecond Laser in Cataract Surgery

Conventional Method

Current conventional method for cataract surgery involves making a small incision in the cornea, followed by an incision in the front of the capsule of the lens also called a capsulotomy. The procedure opens up the capsule and through an ultrasound probe inserted with high frequency sound energy, the lens is fragmented in situ. This process is called phacoemulsification. The fragments are then aspirated out. The entire process can ocassionally cause damage to other nearby structures and lead to complications of the eye. The lens capsule is kept in place so that an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) can be implanted. Once implanted within the capsule, the IOL restore the vision.

Femtosecond Laser Assisted

The femotosecond laser systems are designed to assist surgeon make more precise cuts in a target area without damaging the surrounding tissues. Femtosecond lasers emit optical pulses of extremely short duration in the domain of femtoseconds as short as one quadrillionth (10⁻¹⁵ s) of a second. These ultra-short pulses are too brief to cause damage to tissues.

Femtosecond laser systems combined with an ocular coherence tomography (OCT) system is able to produce cross-sectional and three-dimensional images of an image of the eye. The laser's high-resolution OCT helps the eye surgeon visualize the cornea and the lens by constructing a 3D image of the cornea, iris, and anterior and posterior capsules with micron-level sensitivity and leading them to perform precise centered shapes and patterns to be cut at predetermined widths and depths into the capsule. The level of precision of the incisions is greater than that achievable by convectional manual means. 

In addition, the femtosecond laser can also perform capsulotomy and lens fragmentation as well as precisely delineate the surgical incisions. Theoretically, if we can make the capsulotomy of a consistent diameter and position then we may have better control over the effective lens position, which in turn could lead to more predictable refractive outcomes.

Femtosecond laser systems can produce perfectly centered and circular capsulorhexis, pre-fragment dense cataracts with minimal collateral damage to corneal endothelium, perfect capsulorhexis in subluxated cataracts without zonular stress. 

Information on this page is provided for interest only on a "best efforts" basis and does not 
constitute personal advice. Always discuss medical conditions and related matters with your doctor.

Ref: http://www.reclaimyourvision.com/cataract/lensx-laser-surgery.shtml

Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)

Cardiac CT

 

Cardiac CT is a heart-imaging test that uses CT technology with or without intravenous (IV) contrast (dye) to visualize the heart anatomy, coronary circulation, and great vessels (which includes the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries).

 There are several types of CT scans used in the diagnosis of
heart disease, including:

• Calcium-score screening heart scan
• Coronary CT angiography (CTA)
• Total body CT scan

 

Calcium-Score Screening Heart Scan

The calcium-score screening heart scan is a test used to detect calcium deposits found in atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. State-of-the-art computerized tomography methods, such as this one, are the most effective way to detect early coronary calcification from atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), before symptoms develop. The amount of coronary calcium has been recognized as a powerful independent predictor of future heart problems and is useful in making lifestyle changes and guiding preventive care to reduce their risk.

 Your doctor uses the calcium-score screening heart scan to evaluate risk for future coronary artery disease. If calcium is present, the computer will create a calcium "score" that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease based on the number and density of calcified coronary plaques in the coronary arteries.

Absence of calcium is considered a "negative" exam. However, since there are certain forms of coronary disease, such as "soft plaque" atherosclerosis, that escape detection during this CT scan, it is important to remember that a negative test indicates a low risk, but does not absolutely exclude the possibility of a future cardiac event, such as a heart attack. The calcium-score screening heart scan takes only a few minutes to perform and does not require injection of intravenous iodine.

Coronary CT Angiography (CTA)

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a noninvasive heart imaging test currently undergoing rapid development and advancement. High-resolution, 3-dimensional pictures of the moving heart and great vessels are produced during a coronary CTA to determine if either fatty or calcium deposits (plaques) have built up in the coronary arteries.

Before the test, an iodine-containing contrast dye is injected into an IV in the patient's arm to improve the quality of the images. A medication that slows or stabilizes the patient's heart rate may also be given through the IV to improve the imaging results.

During the test, which usually takes about 10 minutes, X-rays pass through the body and are picked up by special detectors in the scanner. The newer scanners produce clearer final images with less exposure to radiation than the older models. These new technologies are often referred to as "multidetector" or "multislice" CT scanning. 

Another new technology, known as dual-source CT, uses two sources and two detectors at the same time. This technology provides full cardiac detail with about 50% less radiation exposure than traditional CT.

Since it's noninvasive, a coronary CTA can be performed much faster than a cardiac catheterization (also called a "cardiac cath" or coronary angiogram), with potentially less risk and discomfort to the patient, as well as less recovery time. Although coronary CTA exams are growing in use, coronary angiograms remain the "gold standard" for detecting coronary artery stenosis, which is a significant narrowing of an artery that could require catheter-based intervention (such as stenting) or surgery (such as bypassing) to treat the narrowed area. However, coronary CTA has consistently shown the ability to rule out significant narrowing of the major coronary arteries. This new technology also can noninvasively detect "soft plaque," or fatty matter, in the coronary artery walls that has not yet hardened but that may lead to future problems without lifestyle changes or medical treatment.

Coronary CTA is most useful to determine whether symptoms of chest pain may be caused by a coronary blockage, particularly in individuals that may be at risk, such as those with a family history of cardiac events, diabetes, high blood pressure, smokers, and/or those with elevated cholesterol. However, there is still much controversy as to when a coronary CTA should be used. 

Total Body CT Scan (TBCT)

The total body CT scan, or TBCT, is a diagnostic technique that uses computed tomography to help identify potential problems or diseases before symptoms even appear. 

The TBCT scan -- which takes about 15 minutes to perform -- analyzes three major areas of the body: the lungs, the heart, and the abdomen/pelvis.

In the heart, the scan can detect aortic aneurysms and calcium deposits within plaque in the coronary arteries. However, the presence of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries does not necessarily mean that an artery is dangerously narrowed by disease or that a severe health threat exists. For example, calcium deposits are often found in older people as a result of their age. In addition, the CT scan cannot give a precise location of the diseased portion of the artery.

For some high-risk individuals, the proposed benefit of having a TBCT scan lies in the potential of early detection and treatment. But overall, its use for early detection of heart disease is very controversial.

Source : http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/ct-heart-scan?page=3

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS)

Today computerised power is moving towards assisting in medical diagnosis.
Computer software designed to assist physicians and other health professionals with quick guidance in decision making into the diagnosis of patients' condition and treatment.

A clinical decision support system is an active knowledge system which uses two or more items of patient data to generate case-specific advice. A CDSS makes suggestions of outputs or a set of clinical outputs from the patient data for the clinician to make appropriate diagnoses.  Doctors use these systems at point of care to help them as either in pre-diagnoses, during diagnoses, or post diagnoses.

Pre-diagnoses CDSS systems are used to help the physician prepare the diagnoses. CDSS used during diagnoses help review and filter the physician’s preliminary diagnostic choices to improve their final results. And post-diagnoses CDSS systems are used to mine data to derive connections between patients and their past medical history and clinical research to predict future events.

Knowledge-Based CDSS

Most CDSS consist of three parts, the knowledge base, inference engine, and mechanism to communicate.

The knowledge base contains the rules and associations of compiled data which most often take the form of IF-THEN rules. If this was a system for determining drug interactions, then a rule might be that IF drug X is taken AND drug Y is taken THEN alert user. Using another interface, an advanced user could edit the knowledge base to keep it up to date with new drugs.

The inference engine combines the rules from the knowledge base with the patient’s data.

The communication mechanism will allow the system to show the results to the user as well as have input into the system

Non-Knowledge-Based CDSS

CDSS uses a form of  artificial intelligence called machine learning, which allow computers to learn from past experiences and/or find patterns in clinical data.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and CDSS

By incorporating EMR and CDSS it has the potential to change the way medicine has been taught and practiced . As it is said that, “the highest level of the EMR is a CDSS”.
Since “CDSS are computer systems designed to impact clinician decision making about individual patients at the point in time that these decisions are made”, the reasons can be seen why it would be beneficial to have a fully integrated CDSS and EMR.

Even though the benefits can be seen, to fully implement a CDSS within an EMR, it will require significant planning by the healthcare facility/organisation, in order for the purpose of the CDSS to be successful and effective. The success and effectiveness can be measured by the increase in patient care being delivered and reduced adverse events occurring. In addition to this, there would be a saving of time, resources, autonomy and financial benefits to the healthcare facility/organisation.

Benefits of CDSS and EMR

There has always been errors that occur within the healthcare industry, thus trying to minimise them as much as possible in order to provide quality patient care. Three areas that can be addressed with the implementation of CDSS and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), are:

1. Medical error
2. Medication error
3. Adverse drug events

CDSS will be most beneficial once the healthcare facility is 100% electronic thus simplifying the number of modifications that have to occur to ensure that all the systems are up to date.


Reference: en.wikipedia,org/wiki/clinical_decision_support_system