Category: Video
2018 MedTech Kerrin Rennie Award goes to Boston Scientific HeartLogic
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With 67,000 new cases each year, Australia spends $3.1B annually on heart failure diagnosis and management. HeartLogic is a heart failure diagnostic tool available to patients with certain Boston Scientific implantable cardiac devices and remote monitoring system. HeartLogic incorporates multiple sensors (heart sounds, respiration rate and volume, thoracic impedance, heart rate and activity) into one composite index to detect gradual worsening of heart failure over days or weeks and sends a single actionable web-based alert when the trend crosses a clinician-set threshold.
This multi-sensor approach allows physicians to detect early warning signs of worsening heart failure symptoms and adjusting treatment to avoid potential hospitalisations.
The other Awards recipients included:
- Gavin Fox-Smith, Johnson & Johnson Medical APAC – Outstanding Achievement in MedTech;
- Yolanda Mallouhi, Edwards Lifesciences – Women in MedTech Champion; and
- Baxter – Women in MedTech Champion.
The Outstanding Achievement Award is open to individuals who have contributed in a significant way to the development of the medical technology industry through improvement to patient outcomes or excellence in leadership and innovation.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, including 21 years at Johnson & Johnson, Gavin Fox-Smith has an extensive background as a senior executive in the Asia Pacific region. Mr Fox-Smith is well known for his track record of developing and exporting outstanding leaders and ensuring a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. He is a passionate advocate for efforts that improve health, literacy and education, particularly for Indigenous communities.
Women in MedTech is a Board led initiative which started in July 2015 in response to the gap of women in leadership positions across the industry. The support and engagement on this issue from members of our industry has been overwhelming, making it a clear issue of importance for MTAA to support. The Women in MedTech Champion is awarded to an individual or a company who has contributed to advancing the mission and goals just mentioned.
The Women in MedTech Individual Champion was awarded to Yolanda Mallouhi. Yolanda has been with Edwards Lifesciences for nearly 11 years as the Senior Manager, HR, responsible for identifying, attracting, retaining and building the talent capabilities of Edwards to meet not only today’s and future business needs. Yolanda has been a key contributor to advancing the women in MedTech agenda in Australia by officially kicking off the E.NOW (Edwards Network of Women) in October 2017.
The Women in MedTech Company Champion was awarded to Baxter Healthcare. Baxter was once again named among the top 100 companies in Australia for gender equality (Australian Government – Employer of Choice for Gender Equality: 2017, 2016, 2015). With its 16-person Senior Leadership Team for ANZ equally represented by women and men, in line with the industry’s benchmark metrics, Baxter has put gender equality and diversity at the core of its business in Australia.
Ian Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Technology Association of Australia said:
“The MTAA Annual Industry Awards are an opportunity to recognise our members and individuals who have contributed to improving patient outcomes through MedTech.
“This year we received some fantastic entries, so much so the difference between first and second place for the Kerrin Rennie Award was just one point.
“It’s inspiring to be part of the medical technology industry that every day is focused on improving the health and wellbeing of patients.”
Paul Braico, Vice President and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand said:
“Boston Scientific is incredibly proud and honored to be awarded the prestigious Kerrin Rennie Award.
“The HeartLogic Diagnostic tool provides physicians the ability to pivot from reactive heart failure treatment to proactive care with an overall goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing heart failure-related hospitalisations.
“This is a really exciting time at both Boston Scientific and for those working in the heart failure space, and we look forward to the results produced from this innovative technology.”[/vc_column_text][vc_separator border_width=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GByCBDykhwc”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Tuning Out the Tremors: How Deep Brain Stimulation Saved a Violinist’s Song
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]His doctor diagnosed him with essential tremor, a nervous system disorder that causes involuntary shaking, and recommended deep-brain stimulation, a treatment that uses electrical currents to interfere with brain circuitry causing the unwanted movements. The procedure involves drilling a hole in the skull to implant current-delivering electrodes inside the brain. Where the electrodes are placed in the brain depends on the individual patient’s unique tremor patterns. But, in Roger’s case, his tremor was so small that his surgical team could not determine the best placement location.
The team quickly pinpointed a fitting, yet unusual, solution: Roger would remain fully awake during the placement of the electrodes. He’d also play the violin throughout the surgery, so his doctors could assess the exact impact of each test location.
At the start of the surgery, Roger began his concerto, struggling to maintain smooth control of his bow hand. Doctors placed the first electrode lead, and Roger began to play better, but well below professional standards. Doctors asked if Roger would allow them to place a second wire, to which he responded, “Why not?” Doctors placed the second lead, and Roger began to play perfectly with a perfectly steady hand. When he finished, her heard a familiar, yet distinctly different, roar of applause.
Today, Roger says his tremor is non-existent. That is, when his electrodes are switched on. Roger has a small controller – he compares it to a garage opener – that allows him to turn the electrodes in his brain on and off with the click of a button. As long as his electrodes are on, Roger can play smoothly.
The MedTech community is committed to helping people like Roger live healthier, happier, and more productive lives. Roger says in the video, “I remain very, very thankful that I have had the opportunity to have had this surgery.” MedTech will continue to deliver innovative medical technology solutions – like Roger’s deep brain stimulation therapy – so that more patients can say the same.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Local Innovation and Collaboration With Baxter
Women in MedTech Leadership
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology company and together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. Stryker offers innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help to improve patient and hospital outcomes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Role Models in MedTech: Women’s Roundtable
TAKE-AWAYS FROM MEDTECH CONFERENCE 2017
Living and Working in Western Sydney
Baxter Compounding Pharmacy
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Baxter operates eight TGA / Medsafe accredited compounding centres that employ over 450 pharmacists, technicians and operations staff. All of Baxter’s Pharmacy Services staff are trained to the same exacting set of standards and procedures and consistently achieve industry-leading quality and service levels.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
$9.85 MILLION TO GET MEDICAL DEVICES TO MARKET
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]New South Wales Minister for Health and Medical Research, Brad Hazzard, announced the recipients of the 2018 NSW Medical Devices (MDF) which invests in the development and commercialisation of medical devices and related technologies.
“Since the Medial Devices Fund began in 2013, the NSW Government has awarded more than $50 million in grants to 31 technologies,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We are committed to supporting innovators in the MedTech industry in getting their brilliant ideas off the ground and ultimately saving millions of lives around the world.”
MDF past recipients have now raised more than $456 million in funding, treated more than 180,000 patients and all have quadrupled their staff in the process.
Office for Health and Medical Research Executive Director, Dr Antonio Penna, said Sydney-based Ellen Medical Devices has received $2.2 million to develop a portable, solar-powered dialysis machine, costing just $1,000 to build and $5 a day to run.
“Dialysis can cost up to $100,000 per patient each year in Australia and up to seven million people die annually in developing countries because it is too expensive,” Dr Penna said.
Among other recipients is Wollongong-based company Eudaemon Technologies, which has received $1 million to develop a condom made from an innovative material called hydrogel which is non-allergenic.
It is expected the product will enhance sexual experience, making it more popular and therefore potentially save healthcare agencies millions of dollars worldwide by reducing the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases.
THE 2018 NSW MEDICAL DEVICES FUND WINNERS ARE:
- Kico Knee Innovation Company Pty Ltd ($2.5 million): Customised total knee replacement technology platform. The platform has software and hardware components that provide orthopaedic surgeons and patients with dynamic, functional and patient-specific solutions. It is primarily aimed at Australian and US markets.
- Ellen Medical Devices Pty Ltd ($2.2 million): An affordable dialysis system which will provide access to life-saving treatment to millions of kidney patients around the world. Dialysis is a safe and effective treatment for kidney failure, but expensive at $50,000-$100,000 per patient per annum in Australia.
- Cenof ex Innovations Pty Ltd ($1.5 million): A device to improve treatment of side effects of the incurable chronic and painful disease, Lymphoedema. It is capable of activity moving lymphatic fluid while incorporating a patient’s need for comfort, portability, and ease. The disease can also lead to dangerous infections, restricted movement and depression.
- iFix Medical Pty Ltd ($1.15 million): The iFix system can deliver a 3D-printed structure directly onto the eye to seal wounds in the treatment of corneal ulceration, better preventing infection, relieving pain and accelerating healing. The condition is extremely painful and accounts for 55,000 hospital presentation each year in Australia.
- Eudaemon Technologies Pty Ltd ($1 million): A next-generation, non-allergenic condom made from hydrogels that act like latex rubber but with enhanced feel and self-lubrication and without odours or tastes. Although condoms can prevent both pregnancy and STIs they are often avoided due to the stigma of reduced sensation.
- Trimph Technology Pty Ltd ($1 million): TrimphDent, a ready-to-use, injectable scaffold that is applied immediately after tooth extraction and has been shown to preserve the socket. Tooth extraction is an inherently traumatic procedure that damages the underlying tissues and leads to inevitable jaw bone shrinkage.
- Indee Pty Ltd ($500,000): This inexpensive mechanical process to make gene-modified cells will solve the development and manufacturing issues associated with current gene therapies and ensure greater access to treatment. The impact of gene-modified cell therapies will be similar to that of antibiotics seen during the last century. In the near term, their therapies will provide cures for most cancers.
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