Videos
A VISION FOR A NEW APPROACH TO HEALTH
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The CSIRO Future of Health report provides a list of recommendations for improving the health of Australians over the next 15 years, focussed around five central themes: empowering people, addressing health inequity, unlocking the value of digitised data, supporting integrated and precision health solutions, and integrating with a global sector.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said collaboration and coordination were key to securing the health of current and future generations in Australia, and across the globe.
“It’s hard to find an Australian who hasn’t personally benefitted from something we created, including some world-first health innovations like atomic absorption spectroscopy for diagnostics; greyscale imaging for ultrasound, the flu vaccine (Relenza); the Hendra vaccine protecting both people and animals; even the world’s first extended-wear contact lenses,” DR Mashall said.
“As the world is changing faster than ever before, we’re looking to get ahead of these changes by bringing together Team Australia’s world-class expertise, from all sectors, and the life experiences of all Australians to set a bold direction towards a brighter future.”
The report highlighted that despite ranking among the healthiest people in the world. Australians spent an average of 11 year in ill health – the highest among OECD countries.
Clinical care was reported to influence only 20 per cent of a person’s life expectancy and quality of life, with the remaining 80 per cent relying on external factors such as behaviour, social and economic support, and the physical environment.
“As pressure on our healthcare system increases, costs escalate, and healthy choices compete with busier lives, a new approach is needed to ensure the health and wellbeing of Australians,” CSIRO Director of Health & Biosecurity Dr Rob Grenfell said.
The report stated that the cost of managing mental health related illness to be $60 billion annually, with a further $5 billion being spent on managing costs associated with obesity.
Health inequities across a range of social, economic, and cultural measurers were found to costs Australia almost $230 billion a year.
“Unless we shift our approach to healthcare, a rising population and increases in chronic illnesses such as obesity and mental illness, will add further strain to them system,” Dr Grenfell said.
“By shifting to a system focussed on proactive health management and prevention, we have an exciting opportunity to provide quality healthcare that leaves no-one behind.
“How Australia navigates this shift over the next 15 years will significantly impact the health of the population and the success of Australian healthcare organisations both domestically and abroad.”
CSIRO has been continuing to grow its expertise within the health domain and is focussed on research that will help Australians live healthier, longer lives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
TAKE-AWAYS FROM MEDTECH CONFERENCE 2017
Building Careers in MedTech
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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Recycling Programs at Baxter
Four Journeys To A Career In MedTech
J&J DIGITAL SURGERY PLATFORM GROWS WITH 360 KNEE SYSTEMS
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]360 KNEE SYSTEMS is a known innovator of software-enabled digital solutions that personalise total knee replacement surgery. Under the agreement, 360 KNEE SYSTEMS will be available with DePuy Synthes’ ATTUNE Knee System in both Australia and New Zealand.
The 360 KNEE SYSEMS platform empowers patients to participate in and personalise their own treatment plan before, during and after total knee replacement surgery. It features smart technologies such as wearable devices to help surgeons plan the treatment pathway with their patients. This includes mapping each patient’s kinematic (body motion) data and preparing a 3D model of the knee to create a virtual surgery plan unique to them. Post-surgery, the 360 KNEE SYSTEMS platform provides the patient with a personalised rehabilitation and monitoring program.
Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies in Australia & New Zealand, Sue Martin, said the company was excited about the ways digital health will help J&J redefine success is surgery and improve outcomes in addition to the company’s products and other solutions.
“Our agreement represents an exciting opportunity to provide an end-to-end digital solutions and surgical platform that brings the individual needs of patients right into the heart of decision making for their total knee replacement”, Ms Martin said.
The agreement will allow this technology to be used to provide further potential benefits for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery with the ATTUNE Knee, which is designed to work in harmony with a patient’s anatomy and deliver what they want from the procedure: stability in motion during daily activities.
To-date, the ATTUNE Knee has bene used for more than 650,000 knee replacements in 44 countries.
DePuy Synthes’ President of Global Joint Reconstruction, Tim Czartoski, said J&J Medical Devices has a proven track record in developing meaningful innovation, and he the company expects to be investing locally with 360 KNEE SYSTEMS.
“We are building a digital ecosystem where technologies are connected before, during and after surgery, in line with our aim to improve outcomes for patients as well as increase their overall satisfaction with their healthcare experience.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
