Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1243731
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT BY K ATE ANASTAS New Device Treats Ear Infections Without General Anesthesia T U S K E R M E D I C A L'S T U B E S Under Local Anesthesia (Tula) System recently gained approval from the FDA to be used as an alternative treatment for recurrent ear infections. After a study of more than 200 pediatric patients yielded high success rates with the procedure, the device was approved by the FDA for both adults and children as young as 6 months old. The Tula System delivers anesthetic to the eardrum through an electrical current before tympanostomy tube insertion. This allows the procedure to be performed in a physician's office, without the need for general anesthesia. If antibiotics fail to treat recurring ear infections, the device allows ear tube implementation procedures to be offered in an outpatient setting, with minimal discomfort. n Newly Approved Lesion Treatment Can Delay Need to Receive Dialysis T HE F DA A P P R OV E D Medtronic's new device, the IN.PACT AV paclitaxel-coated balloon, that treats reoccurring narrowing in blood vessels. The device delivers paclitaxel to vessels to prevent neointimal hyperplasia — a leading cause of AV fistula stenosis, which can delay dialysis treatment in patients who have end-stage renal disease. Physicians now have a safe and effective alternative to slow restenosis progression. In a large randomized clinical trial, the IN.PACT AV device proved increased patency in AV fistula patients, who required 56% fewer interventions than those treated with the alternative, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The success of the procedure is reduc- ing the multibillion-dollar burden of vascular access management in the U.S. each year. n Portable Gadgets Transforming At-Home Health Care D E V I C E S N O L O N G E R only track fitness goals and number of steps walked. Innovative technologies like these may be changing how patients handle their wellness needs: + Those with gluten allergies or celiac disease can feel comfortable eating out with Nima, the market's first portable gluten detector. Created by 6SensorLabs, the Nima device uses test capsules and a sensor to monitor for traces of gluten in food. + For those struggling with respiratory issues, the BioScarf replaces the traditional air pollution mask with a stylish outerwear piece that acts as an air filtration device. Remote technologies aren't limited to patients. Physicians can use devices to make health care accessible in remote areas. Mobisante's MobiUS SP1 System is a portable ultrasound wand that can be used to monitor pregnancies and perform pelvic scans. n