Healthcare Innovations
Dr. Avantika Batish is working as Director Strategy and Healthcare at International Health Emergency Learning and Preparedness.Also guest faculty for MBA HR and MBA Healthcare Management at various B-Schools and is a soft skills trainer.
Quadio launches the first ever revolutionary hearing app for android and iOS in India
Hearing loss is the second largest disability in the country that affects more than 120 million lives with majority sufferers over the age of 60. There are less than 2000 practicing audiologists in India and therefore most people have never actually received treatment until their hearing has degraded severely with age. Keeping this in mind Quadio Devices Pvt Ltd, a leading hearing care provider of India, introduced for the first time their path breaking Q+ hearing app in Mumbai on android and iOS platforms. The app promises to be a holistic mobile-based hearing solution complete with all the features of a conventional hearing tool. The Q+ app is a first of its kind free application that is ultra-advanced besides being affordable, accessible, controllable and customizable. Quadio uses the latest internet and mobile technology to push the boundaries of telemedicine and hearing care and merge the worlds of healthcare and technology. The Q+ app harnesses the processing power of your smart phone to enable it to be used as a complete and fully-functional hearing mechanism. It is designed to maximize the listening experience based on the results of a simple interactive hearing test. The app also gives you the ability to control and customize sound quality by intelligently enhancing hearing sounds and speech. With the Q+ app you can easily follow conversations using the phone headset in both quiet and noisy environments, and control the sound quality to customize it to your preference. The inbuilt hearing test in Q+ is calibrated for accuracy as per ANSI standards for audiometry.
Now, a magnet (Magnamosis) that may make surgical stitches history
A magnetic doughnut-shaped device has been developed that could be the end of stitches and staples. It’s being tested in a trial in the U.S. after results from animal studies suggested it could be highly effective as reported by the Daily Mail. Researchers leading the California trial say the device could be suitable for tens of thousands of procedures and will “revolutionise this area.”
The new device holds the two ends with a strong magnetic bond that researchers believe leads to a more secure anastomosis and faster healing and it is safer than standard techniques, as it can be done using less invasive surgery, meaning a lower risk of complications such as leaks. It’s also said to be cheaper.
The new device, the Magnamosis, is a method of connecting the pieces using the attraction between two magnets, rather than staples or stitches. It consists of two ring magnets, each 23mm in diameter, which have concave or convex surfaces so that they fit snugly against each other.
So far, this process has been shown to take less than a week using the magnet. It then automatically loosens its magnetic hold and is naturally removed from the body.
A series of animal studies have shown that it is reliable and effective, and it is now being used in a clinical trial with patients for the first time.
Essilor Launches Varilux 3.0, the Latest Generation Progressive Spectacle Lens in India
Essilor, the world leader in ophthalmic lenses, has introduced in India Varilux 3.0 series which is designed to provide the smoothest and sharpest vision to people above 40 years of age who are dealing with visual deficit across multiple ranges of vision. Varilux progressive lenses enable the wearer transition his vision smoothly between different distances from near to far, so that he can perform multiple eye functions simultaneously from checking his smartphone to watching the television without any unease or jerk of vision. Varilux 3.0 lenses comprise three ranges – Varilux, Physio, Varilux Comfort and Varilux Liberty.
The Varilux 3.0 range incorporates highly innovative patented technologies including Binocular Booster lens technology, W.A.V.E 2.0 technology and Path Optimizer technology.
VariluxPhysio lenses use the highly innovative Binocular Booster lens technology that simultaneously analyses the prescriptions of both eyes, taking into consideration that a person’s vision is at its best when both eyes are working together in sync.
The W.A.V.E 2.0 lens technology used in both VariluxPhysio and Varilux Comfort delivers sharper vision even in low light conditions. The lenses are intelligently designed to better adapt to the pupil size and beam of light passing through in order to deliver vision with the best resolution in a more accurate and realistic manner.
The Path Optimizer technology used in Varilux Liberty takes into account the wearer’s characteristics to generate a precise and optimal viewing path, from far to near and everything in between so that each and every part of the viewing path matches wearer’s eyesight. Varilux progressive lenses are tried and tested on real wearer’s and therefore guarantees optimal vision at any distance and allows the eye to transit smoothly and effortlessly from near-mid to far vision; this makes instant focus achievable for wearers simultaneously in different vision zones.
MiraCradle – Neonate Cooler, receives the CE and ISO 13485 certification
MiraCradle – Neonate Cooler, an affordable cooling device developed by Pluss in collaboration with CMC Vellore, receives the prestigious CE certification and ISO 13485. UL, a premier global independent safety science company is the accredited body that certified MiraCradle. MiraCradle – Neonate Cooler is an affordable passive cooling device which uses the advanced save Phase Change Material (PCM) technology to cool newborns suffering from birth asphyxia. Birth asphyxia is the second largest cause of neonatal deaths in India and across the world. It is easy to use, safe, lightweight and portable and gives the precise temperature control of 33-34°C for a period of 72 hours with minimal manual supervision and no requirement of constant electricity supply. MiraCradle costs less than 1/8th of the present electronic devices available in the market.
Pluss, with global ambitions in mind, collaborated with UL in October 2014 to obtain the CE and ISO 13485 certification. After a rigorous process of audits, Pluss obtained the ISO 13485 certification in August 2015 and CE certification in May 2016. With the certifications in place, Pluss is now poised to expand the influence of MiraCradle across geographies (Middle East, Africa, South America and South East Asia).
To ensure precise temperature control, MiraCradle- Neonate Cooler uses a cascaded system of PCMs. Cascaded system is a patented technology that employs use of two or more form stabilized PCM mattresses with melt/freeze at different temperatures. By engineering the melting points, thicknesses, conductivities and placement of the involved layers, a “quasi-automated” cooling system is created, which, while being completely passive, behaves like a servo-automated cooling device.
AddressHealth raises US$1.5 million in series a funding
Primary healthcare network, Address Health has raised $1.5 million in Series A funding led by Gray Matters Capital with participation from existing investor, Unitus Seed Fund.
The Bengaluru-based company, which runs school-based neighbourhood clinics and school health programs, will use the investment to expand the model to other schools in Bangalore.
Started in 2010 by doctors Anand Lakshman and Anoop Radhakrishnan, Address Health has reached more than 1 lakh children through on-site services and screening programs to identify health issues and provided early intervention to prevent them from suffering as young adults.
The funding will allow them to expand the reach of their unique model of healthcare, which leverages schools, to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare to children proactively, at a low cost.
Lifespan India introduces unique, non invasive screening test for Diabetes, Cardiometabolic complication
Lifespan, India’s largest chain of diabetes and cardiometabolic clinics introduces the R.I.S.C. test – a unique, non invasive, screening test for risk assessment. It screens an individual for risk of developing diabetes by calculating Insulin resistance. It also assesses one’s cardio metabolic risk score and autonomic neuropathy risk score. It tells about one’s body fat composition, heart functioning and the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, and pseudomotor nerves.
The test assesses 30 vital health indicators which give an idea regarding one’s risk of developing neuropathies and heart related complications. This test does not require any blood sample, only demands a 3 hour fasting. The test helps to
• Identify how diabetes is affecting your organs and what diabetic complications you may have developed and also are at risk of developing.
• Detect cardio metabolic related problems, cardiac autonomic neuropathy, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, arterial stiffness and sudomotor abnormalities.
• Analyzes a person’s present health status- the test checks for markers of underlying abnormal health condition by detecting small physiological changes.
HPE Bags Most Innovative Solution of the Year at Indian ISV Awards 2016
HPE’s eHC solution that provides access, availability & affordability of quality healthcare in remote locations, was judged the most innovative solution of the year at Indian ISV awards 2016, held in Bangalore on July 19th by Techplus Media. This disruptive innovation combines the best of Health & IT domains and provides underserved populations with access to quality, affordable healthcare thereby playing a critical role in contributing to healthy, vibrant communities and spurring economic growth.
The Visitor’s Choice Award was awarded toPolmon Instruments PvtLtdto for the launch of innovative MP98 Automated Melting Point Apparatus. MP98 is a specifically designed apparatus that automatically identifies the melting points and melting ranges of three test samples simultaneously. With the advantage of the colour touch screen to display all melting operations, the apparatus can be independently operated without the need of an external PC or keyboard.
The Jury’s Choice Award was given toBiopharmax Group Ltd for introducing the Biopharmax: The Next Generation of Pharmaceutical Pre-treatment Water Systems. The Pre-treatment process ensures an environment friendly, clean, reliable and effective way of supplying chemical-free and hardness-reduced water for use as RO feed water, without the need of any additional treatment.
SRL Diagnostics introduces technique to diagnose alcoholic liver
SRL Diagnostics, the leading diagnostic chain in India, for the first time has introduced a blood test to diagnose fibrosis in alcoholic liver. Introduced at a price of Rs. 3,900, this non –invasive test has high degree of accuracy in diagnosing liver damage due to alcohol. It is an innovative blood based test to diagnose the stage of damage to liver due to alcohol consumption. Alcoholic liver disease is the most common cause of liver damage in India.
In this test, few milliliters of blood are collected and multiple tests are performed on the same. The results of the tests are fed into a mathematical algorithm, which gives out the stage of liver damage.
According to the World Health Organization, 4.5 per cent of Indian men and 0.6 per cent of Indian women aged 15 years or more suffer from alcohol use disorders. Also, 395 men and 196 women out of every million population in India die of liver cirrhosis every year. According to estimates by SRL, alcoholic Liver Disease is a spectrum of disorders starting with fatty liver, which progresses to hepatitis and if alcohol consumption is unabated, it progresses to cirrhosis in 20 per cent of cases. Approximately, two-thirds of such deaths amongst men and one-thirds amongst women are attributable to alcohol related diseases.
Such a blood based test would be available through the vast network of SRL Laboratories and could prove to be of great value in assessing liver damage due to chronic alcohol consumption.
The Paediatric Network Partners With Josh Software To Create A Collaborative Platform in the Paediatric Eco-system;
Dr. Atish Laddad, a prominent paediatrician in Maharashtra, joined hands with Ruby on Rails Experts, Josh Software, to create a solution for providing an end to end solution, not only for the paediatricians, but also for the parents and their children. The Paediatrics Network, a brainchild of Dr. Laddad, simplifies and streamlines the process, makes it paperless and reduces the time of consultation significantly. This solution allows automation of prescriptions, patients’ historical records, appointments,vaccination records and capturing child’s milestones. This information gets stored on cloud and can be accessed from anywhere and anytime by both doctors and parents. It allows login for doctors, nurses, receptionists and parents.
Josh Software developed The Paediatric Network using Rails APIs and Angular framework. They have also created a mobile application for The Paediatric Network, which will enable parents to access the portal while on the go and take a confirmed appointment with the regular paediatrician in less than a minute. The mobile application has been developed in ionic framework and work on both Android and iOS platform.
It helps in bridging the gap between parents, their kids and paediatricians. By enrolling into TPN, a child will be more closely monitored by medical professionals. This program will help parents, especially working parents, to be at ease as challenges in the changing health patterns of their kid will be observed at initial stages and necessary actions can be taken well in time.
The solution was opened to beta users in July 2016, and currently, a total of 12 paediatricians have registered on the platform and are providing their services to the parents. There has been great interest from the entire community for this platform, and the adoption looks to increase exponentially in the coming months.
AMRIT will reduce the burden of out-of-pocket expenses on patients in India
With the aim to reduce the expenditure incurred by common patients on treatment of cancer and heart diseases, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda inaugurated the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlet at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The AMRIT retail outlets will sell drugs at highly discounted rates. These outlets have a very comprehensive list of medicines that are available across range of products. Nine AMRIT Pharmacies have been set up and Safdarjung Hospital is the 10th of this kind.More than 195 drugs for treatment of Cancer and 186 drugs for treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases are being sold through AMRIT with a discount of more than 90% are available to patients. More than 1.77 lakhs patients have been benefitted till date. This has resulted in saving of around Rs.13.00 crores out of pocket expenditure to the patients which translates into an average discount of 69% on MRP. The Government is planning to open 300 new outlets in the country. The project has been floated in a tie-up with government-owned HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL) which is mandated to establish and run the AMRIT chain of pharmacies across the country. HLL has informed that the value of drugs dispensed (till 30th May) from seven outlets is around Rs. 7.00 crores while the MRP for the same was Rs.20.00 crores.
Indian Government launches patients’ feedback initiative ‘MeraAspataal’
Union minister of health and family welfare launched the “MeraAspataal ” initiative at the third National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in public health facilities at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The initiative is an ICT-based Patient Satisfaction System (PSS) named “MeraAspataal / My Hospital” for implementation in public and empanelled private hospitals and is envisaged to empower the patient by seeking his / her views on quality of experience in a public healthcare facility. A multi-channel approach will be used to collect patients’ feedback i.e. web portal, mobile application, Short Message Service (SMS), Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS).
3M India, CII Young Innovators Challenge Award 2016
• Microbutor developed by Ganesh Bhere of Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai along with Ashwini Gaikwad of S.S Jondhale College of Engineering, Dombivali and Ashwin Pawade of IIT, Bombay is electricity free, handy and low cost equipment which can be easily used to detect microbial contamination of water. They were the winners in the technical category.
• The runner up under the technical category was for Samay-Sancharak, Braille enabled wearable wrist watch and cell-phone for blind people. The device was developed by RohitBharatkumar Singh of Thakur Institute of Management Studies & Research along with HitarthNarsi Patel of K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering &TanmayVinayShinde of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The innovation displayed the integration of mobile phones with wearable watch design that can act as an interface for the blind to manage their calls and texts effectively.
• In the Social Category, the winner was ‘Saathi’, the first fully biodegradable and ecofriendly sanitary pads made from waste banana tree fiber for women across India.
Cochlear launches first off-the-ear hearing device- KANSO
Cochlear Limited, the world leader in implantable hearing solutions, released its newest innovation – Kanso. It is a sound processor combining the most advanced sound processing technology with a discreet design. Kanso is the smallest and lightest off-the-ear sound processor in the market providing the wearer with both discretion as well as enhanced comfort. The new technology is simple, discreet and smart as it has the ability to automatically adjust to different hearing environments providing a seamless experience from visiting a restaurant, to going to the movies.
Kanso includes state-of-the-art Cochlear True Wireless technology, which helps people use the phone, hear over distance and in noisy situations. The True Wireless range of accessories allows the wearer to stream conversation, phone calls, music and television programs directly to their sound processor.
It has dual microphones, SmartSoundiQ with SCAN and True Wireless technology which all enable the wearer to hear better in difficult listening situations. Kanso provides wearers with best-in-class hearing performance in the real world.
In Kanso clinical trials, 88% of people rated their overall hearing performance with Kanso to be the same or better than with their behind-the-ear sound processor. Most hearing impaired participants rated Kanso better than their own behind-the-ear sound processor on measures of comfort, look and feel and ease of use, with 93% of users rating listening to music with Kanso to be the same or better as with their behind-the-ear processor.
Dr. Reddy’s announces Purple Health, a unique patient-centric platformthat takes care beyond the pill
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd announced the launch of Purple Health, a unique platform designed to inspire patient-centric innovation and deliver solutions that address unmet needs of patients. Built around four pillars of awareness, access, adherence and experience of therapy for patients, Purple Health is another affirmative step forward by Dr. Reddy’s to institutionalize patient-centricity across the organization, stemming from its core belief ‘Good Heath Can’t Wait’. As the first major initiative under Purple Health, the company launched a new range of innovative, patient-centric packaging that aims to enhance the therapy experience for over 20 million patients each year. The entire packaging initiative spanned a period of 24 months from research to concept development to implementation. Starting with the India market, the new packaging will be rolled-out in phased manner over the next six months for 25 of its focus brands. Dr. Reddy’s identified medicine packaging as underserved area to innovate, as it has traditionally been designed only to meet technical and regulatory requirements, with little to ensure patient convenience. The Company partnered with global design and innovation consulting firm IDEO, and applied ‘Human-Centred Design’ approach to finding solutions during the design phase of the project. The team met a cross-section of patients, doctors and pharmacists across the country, conducting in-depth interviews and observational studies to understand patient’s needs. Based on the insights, the company redesigned its blister packs and syrup bottles to address the pain-points.
As a part of Purple Health, the company has also commenced a structured mechanism to assess its brand offerings on delivering care beyond the pill. Based on assessments by an eminent external jury, five of its brands have been certified as “Purple Star” brands for their patient centricity innovations. The five brands cater to needs of patients across various disease areas ranging from diarrhoea to oncology, with the assessment process underway for its other brands.
Innovations Abroad
TALKSPACE is an online mental health counseling service which brings a fresh sense of professionalism to the field, with a systematic approach customized to user needs and has over 300 licensed therapists in its network. New users can take a free assessment and work with Talkspace to get matched to the right provider, starting a long-term mental health journey on the right foot.
How it’s changing healthcare: The people who can most benefit from talk therapy have often found it hardest to come by due to financial difficulties, geographic isolation, and other factors. Talkspace has the potential to change all that, especially after a $9.5M funding round in 2015.
Captain T Cell: Start-up from the MDC wins OneStart competition in London
For the first time, a German team has won the world’s biggest life-science start-up competition. Captain T Cell, founded by Dr. Felix and several colleagues at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), beat 400 international start-ups to win prize money totalling GBP 100,000. The team will use the funds to further develop their innovative approach to cancer immunotherapy. Their goal is to create a platform for the production of personalized, cancer-specific T cell receptors. With the help of these receptors, the body’s own T cells, so called ‘killer cells’, are able to find and specifically destroy cancer cells in the patient’s body.Captain T Cell is supported by the MDC’s own Technology Transfer Office and by the SPARK Berlin program — a mentoring network from the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and the Stiftung Charité that promotes application-oriented projects in biomedicine both financially and through consultation and training programs.
InBrace
An orthodontics company, InBrace won the Americas stream for the first time. InBrace is the first truly frictionless, self-contained, self-activating, and self-limiting orthodontic device delivering treatment that is faster, more comfortable, and more effective while requiring fewer and quicker appointments.
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