Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/763521
GLASSES TARGET BLUE LIGHT'S EFFECT ON CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS BLUE LIGHT WAVELENGTHS contain more energy than other colors of light and, according to Harvard Medical School researchers, interfere with circadian rhythm regulation by signifi - cantly suppressing melatonin production. Recognizing the problem this presents for a society deeply attached to screen-based technology — smartphones and high-defi nition computer and television screens emit high levels of blue light — Japanese eyewear company JINS has developed lenses that partially block the blues. The JINS SCREEN for daytime use and JINS SCREEN NIGHT for after dark fi lter out 25 percent and 60 percent of blue light, respectively. Reviewing the JINS SCREEN NIGHT, medgadget.com states that the glasses "do a good job preventing harsh light coming in while not impacting image quality signifi cantly." ■ IMPLANT COATING ENHANCES OSSEOINTEGRATION SPINE SURGEONS COMMONLY rely on implants made of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) because of the polymer's bonelike qualities, but the substance's poor bonding to bone tissue limits its usefulness. Researchers from North Carolina State University, Cambridge University and the University of Texas at San Antonio may have found a way around that problem. Coating PEEK implants with yttria-stabilized zirconia and hydroxyapatite, the researchers used microwaves to heat the implants and slow the dissolution of implants' internal calcium phosphate. Tested in rabbits, the coated implants were found to bond with bone tissue twice as extensively as uncoated PEEK implants. The researchers note that all materials used in the coating are already approved by the FDA for use in long-term implants, so the process of bringing the coated implants to operating rooms may be swift. ■ VEST GAUGES COMPLIANCE WITH AIRWAY CLEARANCE THERAPY CITING STUDIE S REL ATING quality of life to therapy compliance among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fi brosis and pediatric asthma, Chicago-based manufacturer Hill-Rom has developed a Bluetooth-enabled chest-wall oscillation system. Called VisiVest, the system infl ates against the chest then defl ates, using pressure to free bronchial walls of mucus, which patients cough away or suction out through an air hose. The VisiVest automatically transmits data about each therapy session directly to clinicians, providing insight into the role of patient compliance in outcomes. By capturing data regarding patients' airway clearance therapy sessions, VisiVest may allow greater individualization of therapy schedules and settings. Caregivers view the data through Hill-Rom's cloud-based VisiView Health Portal. ■ BY CONNER ARMSTRONG PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Photo © Jason Bax 1 9 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S G R E AT E R K A N S A S ■ D E C 2 016 /J A N 2 017