A New Medical Imaging Technology: Terahertz Radiation

Terahertz technologies harness sub-millimeter-wave radiation at frequencies from 0.1 to 10 terahertz, known as t-rays, corresponding to the spectrum between the infrared and microwave bands. Many scientists regard t-rays as the last great frontier of the electromagnetic spectrum, but finding “killer” applications outside the traditional niches of radio astronomy, Earth and planetary remote sensing, and molecular spectroscopy—particularly in biomedical imaging — has been relatively slow.

Residing at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum, t-rays behave like radio waves. When excited, they propagate and focus via traditional quasi-optical techniques, but utilize lenses typically made of low-loss plastics or crystals rather than the glasses prevalent at optical wavelengths.

Radiologists find this area of study fascinating, because t-rays are non-ionizing, which suggests no harm is done to tissue or DNA. They also offer the possibility of performing spectroscopic measurements over a very wide frequency range, and can even capture very broad signatures from liquids and solids. In some non-biomedical applications, t-rays have already yielded impressive gains, such as: airport security, protecting valuable art, detecting surface cracks in space flights, improving telecommunications and more.

Terahertz t-rays have traditionally been used to detect lightweight molecules and atoms. Until now, nearly a dozen spaceflight instruments have measured these signatures, which are critical tracers for such processes as ozone depletion, global warming, and pollution monitoring, as well as in furthering research in basic astrophysics, planetary composition, and cosmology.

Terahertz radiation has key strengths, but also limitations. Most notably, t-rays cannot penetrate water or metal. Some terahertz frequencies can penetrate fatty tissue a few millimeters thick, leading some researchers to speculate about their use in detecting epithelial cancer.

Terahertz-radiation imaging is just one of several methods under investigation for use in detecting early cancer of the GI tract. However, these findings open up exciting new medical applications for Terahertz technology. With further development the goal of the professional imaging community is for the technology to be used during endoscopic and surgical procedures to enable complete removal of diseased tissues. Further work is required to fully understand the contrast between diseased and healthy tissue.

MedWOW, the multilingual, global medical equipment eCommerce marketplace, features a huge variety of new and used imaging equipment. MedWOW’s comprehensive catalogue facilities easy buying and selling of every category of medical equipment: both complete systems and hospital parts.
MedWOW provides a number of methods to guarantee that you get the very best imaging equipment at the best price, with all the features you need. MedWOW attracts international sellers of imaging, so you have a wider range of competitive offers. You can also take advantage of the Market Value Calculator tool, which gives you high, low and average prices for all types of new and used imaging equipment.

The Importance of Remote Monitoring for Cardiac Pacemakers and ICDs

 

There has been a growing trend in electrophysiology toward remote, home monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, pacemakers and implantable cardiac monitors.

Remote monitoring helps improve work efficiency, reduces loads on clinics, improves adherence to scheduled follow-ups, and enables early detection of more severe cardiac problems.

ICDs were introduced in 1989, and today more than 2 million patients in the United States alone have them implanted.

In 2006 the Heart Rhythm Society made a call to manufacturers to create home monitoring systems so the devices could be used as an early detection system of threatening cardiac problems. Many of the new cardiac rhythm devices released in the past couple years have met this criteria.

Since these remote monitoring systems have been implemented, the adherence to regular monitoring has improved greatly with patients using remote monitoring-capable implants. Triggers can be set for events that automatically send an update on the patient’s condition to the physician’s office using the remote monitoring transmission system. These triggers can include settings that are out of range, delivered shocks, or other parameters set by the treating physician.

While remote monitoring eases the burden of follow-ups on patients and clinics and allows for improved patient care, it also enables clinics to charge for more frequent checkups.

It has been argued by some physicians that remote cardiac monitoring technology is not at the level of sophistication some manufacturers would lead physicians to believe. Some CRT and ICD devices, and the majority of pacemakers, do not have remote monitoring capabilities. Patients still need to be next to their Web-enabled transmitter to make a connection to send a report, so if an event happens away from home, it is not automatically reported.

Despite some drawbacks, progress continues. For example, Biotronik’s Home Monitoring system for early detection of all arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation is very accurate. Using this type of cardiac remote monitoring system, it takes three days to detect these problems, versus more than 30 days using conventional office follow-ups.

Visit MedWOW and search for the category of remote cardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverters defibrillator systems you are looking for and you will experience the current inventory from all over the world in new and used remote cardiac monitoring systems, as well as remote cardiac monitoring parts and accessories.

With so many options, where do you start? You can search for cardiac monitoring systems according to a wide variety of filters, designed to help you find exactly what you need including: manufacturer, model, price range, year manufactured, location, condition and seller’s business type.    In addition, you can decide to use any or all of MedWOW’s support services to help you in making the most cost-effective purchase possible. For example, there is currently a wide range of cardiac monitoring manufacturers and models available, including: Cordis, Intermedics, Pace Medical, Medtronic, Teletronics and many others.

If English isn’t your primary language, that’s alright, as the site is in many languages, and MedWOW’s customer support team can address your questions about remote cardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverters defibrillator systems in 10 languages. 

Why Pulse Oximeters are Necessary

Before the development of pulse oximeters, in the not-so-distant past, physicians primarily had to assess, diagnosis, and evaluate many medical conditions based on their experience and clinical judgment. This is an essential part of diagnosis, but some symptoms manifest only at the later stages of the disease, especially with problems concerning respiration. When breathing is weakened, arterial blood oxygen levels are reduced. Oxygen deprivation is dangerous and puts patients at risk. Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, high-quality innovations in the medical field have allowed doctors to diagnose and treat diseases more successfully. As a case in point, the development of the pulse oximeter has decreased the time in detecting oxygen desaturation and has also greatly minimized unnecessary blood testing.

There are many occasions on which a person can be deprived of oxygen. Hypoxemia, where there is a low amount of oxygen in the blood, may be brought about by illness or trauma to breathing structures. People who have respiratory disorders have the greatest chances of developing decreased arterial oxygen saturation. The principal candidates are patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to a lesser extent, cardiac patients. Blood disorders that cause a deficiency in hemoglobin or alter the capacity of hemoglobin to carry and transport oxygen also result into decreased oxygen saturation levels.

The purpose of a pulse oximeter is to read the current amount of oxygen present in blood by placing the sensor over the fingertip (or sometimes the earlobe). The pulse oximeter reading will indicate whether activity needs to be stopped, or if supplemental oxygen is needed. Parents of children who have asthma are often advised to have a pulse oximeter with them, especially during strenuous activity. If the pulse oximeter results are read as low, then the child must stop playing, and take necessary medications.

For the elderly population, a pulse oximeter is also an important item. Heart disease leading to oxygen deficiency is a common cause of mortality among the geriatric population, so the pulse oximeter has become standard equipment in nursing homes. The hand-held pulse oximeter has proven to be useful in getting a non-invasive, yet accurate and continuous reading.

If delayed, oxygen deficiency causes brain damage, and can affect other vital organs. This is why airway and breathing is a priority during resuscitation, and a pulse oximeter is always present in ambulances, emergency rooms, operating rooms, or any health care facility. Pulse oximeters are also available for home use. 

Telemedicine is Changing the Healthcare System

Telemedicine, also referred to as mobile health (m-Health) or e-health, allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using standard telecommunications technology. Telemedicine (e-Health or m-Health) allows patients in remote locations to access medical expertise quickly, efficiently and without having to travel.

Telemedicine provides more efficient use of limited expert resources and medical specialists who can remotely see patients in multiple locations, wherever they are needed, without leaving their facility. In industrial and developing countries, telemedicine offers a reduced cost solution to delivering remote care when and where it is needed without the building and staffing added facilities.

Telemedicine also reduces isolation that clinicians can experience in small medical facilities in distant locations. Telemedicine allows local practitioners to consult with their peers and with clinical experts when needed. Telemedicine further allows them to participate in grand rounds and education opportunities they would not normally have access to without travel and time away from their patients.

Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health is expected to improve the quality, cost-efficiency, and access of healthcare to all people everywhere by:

• Supporting the delivery of care tailored to individual patients
• Improving transparency and accountability of care processes and facilitating shared care across boundaries
• Aiding evidence-based practice and error reduction
• Improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment appropriateness
• Improving access to effective healthcare by reducing barriers created, for example, by physical location or disability
• Facilitating patient empowerment for self-care and health decision making
• Improving cost-efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing waiting times and waste.

Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows rapid deployment of healthcare to a developing population though relatively low cost clinics. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows prison facilities to deliver high quality care without the cost and dangers of inmate transportation or the need for clinical specialist to enter the facility. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health substantially improves access to care while substantially reducing costs. Telemedicine has proven effective for clinical as well as mental health. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health provides support to the school nurse and allows her or his access to expert medical opinion on when it is needed. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows mobile health units access to specialist expertise regardless of where either the mobile health unit or the specialist is located. Mobile health units can serve the community, send challenging cases or second opinion requests to a remote specialist for x-ray reads, diagnosis support, treatment advice, etc. to assure the local patient receives appropriate care.

The benefits for Disaster Relief are similar to rural health and mobile health. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows healthcare delivery capability to move in quickly after a disaster. This allows the on-sight providers rapid access to advanced expertise and capabilities for triage and care electronically when and where it is most needed.

The mobile health services being used today have several diverse aspects. These include the possibility for almost two way information exchange and real-time communication. In addition, the access capabilities in m-health can effectively cross the distance barrier between the doctor and patient. The other aspect is the expansion of the health sector to involve private and public sector which allows new roles to appear and even nontraditional sectors like mobile network operators to get involved in an innovative way to promote and develop new ways of providing health care.

Telemedicine has become standard medical practice and is in daily use across dozens of countries. As a result, specialized telemedicine, e-Health and m-Health equipment and systems have been developed, and MedWOW has kept up with the latest technologies.

The MedWOW online portal, which is an international, multilingual (10 languages, including Chinese) medical equipment marketplace, offers a large selection of Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health systems and accessories. You can find Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health equipment for sale through MedWOW’s innovative online catalogue from: DataSpan, Siemens, Philips, GE Healthcare and more. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for on MedWOW, you can post a free buying request, and as thousands of international sellers use the site daily, you are sure to find the exact model of Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health system that you want.