Siemens has introduced its new mobile X-ray system a “digital X-ray room on wheels”. Mobilett XP CR, the mobile X-ray workstation, helps in bedside imaging. The incorporated monitor can deliver results of the examination in less than 50 seconds for first image review in the hospital room. And images can be achieved directly at the patient’s bedside. Also, there is additional time saving as compared to stationary X-ray systems, since basic image processing steps such as changes in brightness and contrast as well as edge enhancement can be performed directly at the mobile system and no separate devices are required. By using different-sized image cassettes, the physician is able to quickly display different anatomical regions. This means that the system masters demanding imaging tasks, for example, in surgery wards or neonatal departments. In emergency cases, the Mobilett XP CR can be used as the central CR reader for a ward. The Mobilett XP CR shows high ease of use. It is easy to handle, compact and easy to maneuver. The patient can be recumbent, sitting or in any other position. It is also possible to control the Mobilett XP CR via remote from a maximum distance of approximately 30 feet.

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Patients suffering from disease or injury that leave them unable to move have little hope of independent mobility. However there is good news for them. Researchers are developing a thought-controlled robotic wheelchair. Spanish scientists have begun work on a new brain-computer interface, or BCI, capable of converting thought into commands that a wheelchair can execute. Javier Minguez, a researcher at the University of Zaragoza “We are planning to use non-invasive devices to record the rhythms from the surface of the skull, we also plan to use this system with a school for disabled children.” Dawn Taylor, an assistant professor says “You’re not going to be using EEGs to control a robotic arm to play the piano or anything but you can certainly turn right and left and stop and go using that sort of signal. Two 800-MHz Intel computers mounted on the wheelchair will process these readings and send instructions to the wheels. A front-mounted laser will work as a sensor, detecting obstacles ahead and changes in the environment, like furniture that has been moved. This is particularly important for people with limited head and neck mobility, as they often cannot clearly see the way ahead, especially at ground level.

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Carnegie Mellon University scientists have married bright fluorescent dye molecules with DNA nanostructure templates to make nanosized fluorescent labels that hold considerable promise for studying fundamental chemical and biochemical reactions in single molecules or cells. According to Armitage- The high brightness of the nanotags should be of very helpful in detecting rare cancer cells within tissue biopsies, for example, which is important in determining whether treatments have been successful or if recurrence is likely. In addition, DNA nanotags offer the opportunity to perform multicolor experiments which is useful for imaging applications, as the multiple colors can be seen simultaneously, requiring only one experiment using one laser and one fluorescence-imaging machine. The scientist modeled their DNA nanotags on the structure of phycobiliproteins. Found in certain types of algae, these proteins contain multiple, fluorescent pigments that work together to absorb light energy that is then transferred to chlorophyll, where it is used for photosynthesis. The Carnegie Mellon team assembled well-defined nanostructured DNA templates that bind multiple fluorescent dye molecules between base pairs in the DNA helix to achieve greater brightness. DNA nanotags contain “light-harvesting” dyes within the DNA helix that are excited by one wavelength of light and then transfer that excitation energy to “light-emitting” dyes on the nanotag’s surface which made multicolor experiments possible.

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Most of the times we avoid dental visits as we are scared of the pain the drills and needles will give us. But what if we could have our fillings placed painlessly without drills or needles? Air abrasion is a drill-less technique that is being used by some dentists to remove tooth decay and for other applications. Micro-fine particles are sprayed against the tooth in a very fine ‘particle beam’. These particles gently blow away tooth decay. An instrument that works like a mini sandblaster is used to spray away decay. During air abrasion, a fine stream of particles is aimed at the decayed portion of the tooth. These particles are made of silica, aluminum oxide, or a baking soda mixture and are propelled toward the tooth surface by compressed air or a gas that runs through the dental hand piece. Small particles of decay on the tooth surface are removed as the stream of particles strikes them. The particles of decay are then “suctioned” away. Compared with the traditional drilling method, the advantages of air abrasion are- it generates no heat, sound, pressure or vibration, reduces the need for anesthesia, reduces the risk of micro fracturing and chipping of the tooth and hence prevents the need for future crowns and even root canals. The procedure is relatively simple and quick.

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This one is for all the moms-n-dads! When your child is running temperature, they will need you even more than usual. Your love and affection combined with the proper medical care will help to ease the time of illness and will positively influence the recovery. As the common myth goes, fever alone is not an illness, it is only a symptom. As a parent, you’d need to have the most accurate way to gently measure your child’s temperature within seconds. The Braun ThermoScan ear thermometer can offer you the peace of mind you need. Just a little bit of practice plus of course loads of patience…….and you can easily insert it properly into the kids’ ears to get a proper reading. Taking a temperature should not make you, or your child, feel any worse. Thanks to infrared technology, Braun ThermoScan ear thermometers gently take a temperature in just seconds by measuring the heat generated by the eardrum and surrounding tissue.

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