Domo Arigato Dr. Roboto

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The first use of robots in medicine, however, came much later. Robotic surgery originated alongside minimally invasive surgical techniques in an effort to improve sight of the surgical field, as well as extend dexterity beyond that of a surgeon’s hands in the confined spaces of the body. Surgical robots helped provide the fine-motor control and magnified three-dimensional imaging and depth perception generally lost in keyhole surgery.

In 1985, a surgical robot was developed for neurosurgical biopsies, and this was quickly followed by specifically designed equipment to assist in prostate removal and total hip replacements. The da Vinci® robot evolved out of work with telemedicine, and enabled a surgeon to work remote from the patient while directing robotic arms via controls and a display. It was FDA approved for laparoscopic procedures in 2000.

While robotic surgery offers considerable technical advantages over traditional laparoscopy, the improvement in patient outcomes measured in trials ranges from significant to marginal at best. When looking at clinical studies, the appropriate comparison is laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted, not open technique, which generally has a higher complication rate. Disadvantages of robotic surgery, in addition to the up-front capital and maintenance costs, include increased set-up and operating times, and the requirement for additional training. Cost is the key factor in any debate regarding the place of robotic surgery in modern practice.

Handmer and colleagues conducted a randomised study to demonstrate this point. They showed that despite the wide-spread ‘hype’ and adoption of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP), Australian Fellowship-trained laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) surgeons achieve comparable functional outcomes to their robotic-assisted peers. Their advice to patients is to select a surgeon based on experience and trust rather than the ‘tech’ they use.

Private health facilities were early adopters of robotic technology in Australia with a da Vinci system installed at Victoria’s Epworth Hospital in 2003 to perform robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies. In 2008, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) became the first public hospital in Australia to have a da Vinci Surgical Robot purchased by government funding ($AU 3.5 million, at the time) and thus making the technology available to public patients. Hall and colleagues conducted a cost analysis at the RBWH comparing open radical prostatectomy (RRP) and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) and found, due to the activity-based funding formulas in place, the average expense of a RALP admission was approximately $AU 12K while a RRP cost the hospital $AU 2K on average. As indicated above however, that the readmission rate and associated costs for the open group were significantly higher than that of the robotic group. Although not included in his analysis, Hall surmised that these readmissions would impact waiting lists and so ultimately cost the hospital.

To justify its cost, robotic surgery is more suitable for patient groups where there is clear evidence of greater benefit, such as obese patients and those with cancer of the lower rectum, where space is extremely limited. Total knee replacement surgeries, where alignment and positioning of the prosthetic is critical to long-term performance and quality of life. The most obvious use for and benefits of robotic surgery in a country as large as Australia is as a technological add-on for telemedicine in remote and rural areas. For public patients in NSW, the wait has been a long one with robotic assisted procedures only becoming available in 2017 with the opening of the Surgical & Robotics Training Institute at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. For many patients, robots will continue to be in the realm of science fiction into the foreseeable future.

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World Glaucoma Week

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Lois Barry is a 74-year-old Victorian who has suffered from glaucoma for many years. But thanks to a new minimally invasive surgery Lois is the recipient of micro-stent device to treat her glaucoma, potentially saving her eye sight.

Although there is no cure for glaucoma, with treatment, in most cases glaucoma can be controlled and further loss of sight prevented or delayed. Generally, there are no symptoms or warning signs in the early stages. The loss of sight is usually gradual, starting with side vision being lost before the patient becomes aware of any problems.

The primary problem in glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, the part of the eye that transmits images we send to the brain. Although the exact cause of glaucoma is still unclear, it may occur when fluid cannot drain out of the eye, causing a build up of pressure inside the eye. The new minimally invasive glaucoma devices allow the fluid to drain out of the eye, relieving high pressure.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Australia, affecting over 300,000 Australians, but it can be diagnosed with a simple eye test by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. During this week as part of World Glaucoma Week the Medical Technology Association of Australia, along with our ophthalmic members, will do our part in helping raise awareness.

According to a 2010 Access Economics report 75% of vision loss is preventable or treatable, but incredibly the economic cost to the Australian community was a calculated to be $16.6 billion in 2009.

Global advances in medical technology over the past 20 years have resulted in a 56% reduction in hospital stays, 25% decline in disability rates and increased life expectancy of approximately 3.2 years.

Technology allows patients to hear, to walk, to see, to live or to have a quality of life that they otherwise would not have. Innovation over the years has seen some critical devices develop from technologies that were lifesaving but their design and functional restrictions limited patients’ quality of life to technologies that now save lives and provide a high quality of life for patients.

Vision impairment can significantly impact the daily lives of patients in many ways such as reading and driving.

This week (12-16 March) marked World Glaucoma Week. PulseLine is supporting Vision 2020 Australia’s call to encourage all Australians to have regular eye tests, especially those with a direct family link to glaucoma, to help prevent and treat conditions like glaucoma.

Last year Lois along with her surgeon Dr Nathan Kerr spoke at an event in Parliament House to raise awareness of the life changing and lifesaving impact of medical technology.  The power and authenticity of her story left everyone, particularly our federal parliamentarians with no doubt, medical technology can change lives for the better.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MTPConnect reports strong growth in Australia’s Medtech sector

MTPConnect – the Medical Technology, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical (MTP) Industry Growth Centre – has released new medtech specific metrics displaying that jobs supported by the medtech sector increased by 59% to 17,700 from 2015 to 2016, and that the sector boasted 1,046 companies in 2016. The new data, sourced by MTPConnect from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), highlights the progress the local MTP sector has made to maintain and extend its world-class standing in recent years.

MTPConnect has released the updated suite of metrics, building on those reported in its Sector Competiveness Plan, to provide a benchmark for the ongoing measurement and tracking of the performance of the Australian MTP sector, including medtech breakdowns. The Federal Government has identified the MTP sector as one of six priority areas where Australia could lead the world, and MTPConnect exists to help the local sector seize more commercialisation opportunities and accelerate its rate of growth.

Medtech Metrics Snapshot

·         1,046 industry companies in medtech in 2016

·         17,700 medtech industry employees in 2016

·         $1.9 billion medtech industry gross value added in 2016

·         $1.5 billion medical instruments and appliances exports in 2016

·         159 device clinical trials started in 2015

·         108 medtech patents submitted by sector participants in 2016

Jobs in the Australian medtech sector are at the highest level since 2011, with 17,700 industry jobs supported in 2016, showing growth of 6,600 industry employees since 2015. Medtech industry gross value added has increased steadily to $1.9 billion in 2016 from $1.6 billion in 2010, and device clinical trials were at 159 in 2015, up by 81% from 2010. Furthermore, manufacturing exports are on the rise, with strong growth in medical instruments and appliances reaching $1.5 billion in 2016. The combined MTP sector is the 10th largest export by value in Australia, maintaining its position in the top ten.

Sue MacLeman, Managing Director and CEO of MTPConnect, said the new data demonstrates that the Australian MTP sector is already starting to drive increasing growth in Australia.

“We’re delighted to share new data that reveals the immense positive impact the MTP, and medtech sub-sector specifically, make to Australia’s healthcare and economic future. The broader MTP sector continues to be a significant contributor to the Australian economy, creating new jobs and increasing GVA. This growth is set to continue, especially with steady growth in medical instrument and appliance exports.

“The Medical Research Future Fund and Biomedical Translation Fund will result in significant increases in grants, co-investment funds and capital equity from 2017, with c. $250 million in funds already allocated. Our work on the BioMedTech Horizons fund has clearly demonstrated the immense number of outstanding innovations in the sector, reinforcing the bright future ahead for Australia.

“It is an honour to work with such an important and mobilised sector that has seized opportunities to collaboratively and creatively address national sector gaps and constraints. We look forward to driving further discussion and focus in the sector on priority areas shaping the future in which Australia can excel, such as precision medicine, 3D printing and digital health evolution.”

MTPConnect sits at the nexus of the sector, driving collaboration, acting as an independent voice for change and funding big, bold ideas to accelerate growth and drive greater commercialisation opportunities. The updated metrics build on the significant work that has been undertaken by MTPConnect since 2016.

MTPConnect-led delegation showcases Australian medtech on the international stage

The conference provided an opportunity to showcase Australia’s capabilities, connect on business development and innovative technologies, and network with policymakers, business executives and industry leaders, resulting in numerous leads.

The largest international delegation at the conference included companies, research organisations and industry, showcasing Australia’s outstanding innovative medical technology companies, building invaluable inroads into international markets, and providing a strong, united presence for the Australian sector via the Australian Pavilion and Australian delegate booklet. Led by MTPConnect’s General Manager of Stakeholder Engagement Dr Alfredo Martinez-Coll and Director of Major Projects Elizabeth Stares, the impressive Australian delegation included the likes of CSIRO, Analytica Medical, Life Whisperer Diagnostics, TechInSA and the Graeme Clark Institute from The University of Melbourne.

The MTPConnect Australian Pavilion provided delegates with a space to easily engage with international audiences at the conference through meetings, presentations, with a majority saying that the delegation drove their decision to attend, particularly for SMEs. Delegates said that a booklet with profiles on each delegate and a sector infographic was instrumental in catching the attention of and facilitating productive engagement with co-delegates and attendees, and provided a united front that presented Australia’s strong standing internationally.

Judy Halliday from TechInSA had great things to say about the delegation.

“The MTPConnect delegation was well planned, opened doors to key contacts and potential partners, and provided a visible and vibrant ‘shopfront’ for Australia,” Ms Halliday commented.

MTPConnect hosted a 45-minute “Why Australia?” panel session, inviting CSIRO and Austrade to present to the international audience highlighting Australia’s thriving medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem, generous incentive programs, strong credentials in medical devices and diagnostic development and strong clinical trials sector to drive interest and investment in the Australian delegates and wider market.

Andrew Brockway of IQVIA (formerly QuintilesIMS) explained that the delegation helped to increase the profile of Australia’s presence in medtech.

“MTPConnect helped to facilitate meeting with new potential customers, as well as introduction to other Australian colleagues in the medtech space,” Mr Brockway said.

“Being part of an Australian delegation certainly helped to provide additional credibility and helped to increase the profile of members of the delegation.”

As well as attending the full program of events as part of the conference, the Australian delegation also took part in a tailored agenda of exclusive events including a tour of the Boston Scientific CRM manufacturing site, and presentations from the Medical Device Innovation Consortia, Hogan Lovells attorneys, and Medical Alley on topics to learn from and assist in entering the US market. MTPConnect also organised a breakfast hosted by Edward Black of Reimbursement Strategies LLC on reimbursement and market entry in the US, EU, as well as commercialisation and product development resources, which was extremely well received by delegates.

The delegates also noted that the ability to connect with other Australians during a “meet and greet” session prior to the conference was one of the highlights, and has resulted in a number partnering for various grant and project opportunities. With 100% of the respondents saying that the MTPConnect-led delegation was a beneficial investment, and 80% reporting that the delegation has resulted in leads, partnerships, pilot-studies and potential investments with the likes of Harvard Innovation Lab and J&J Lab, it is clear that banding together to provide a united Australian front at The MedTech Conference is a highly productive and worthwhile exercise not only for the companies and organisations in attendance, but for promotion and growth of the wider Australian sector in establishing our world-leading position.

Joelle Hawa of Swinburne University of Technology said she found the delegation beneficial and served as a great introduction.

“MTPConnect showed good leadership at the MedTech Conference by supporting and guiding the Australian representatives, as well as introducing the delegation to various aspects of US market,” Ms Hawa said.

The MTPConnect Australian delegation included:

  • Analytical Medical
  • Anatomics
  • Artesian Invest
  • Bionic Vision Australia
  • Blue Curve Group
  • Cenofex
  • Clevertar
  • Cook Medical
  • CSIRO Manufacturing
  • Elementary Law
  • Ellex Medical
  • goAct
  • Graeme Clarke Institute, University of Melbourne
  • Griffith Hack
  • Hydrix
  • ide Group
  • Life Whisperer Diagnostics
  • Prohab
  • Mobius Medical
  • Movendo
  • Paul L Clark and Associates
  • Bioreactor
  • Prime Accounting & Business
  • IQVIA (formerly Quintiles IMS)
  • TechInSA
  • STC Australia

World-first vaccine for highly prevalent and damaging gum disease

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By driving collaboration, Oral Health CRC is inspiring innovation as it works to improve the lives of Australians affected by Periodontitis.

As a part of the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science CRC Programme, the Oral Health CRC has been taking strides in oral disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management since its launch in 2003. Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO and his Melbourne-based team have opened-up avenues of research and innovation by engaging The University of Melbourne and CSL Ltd. to join them in the development of a world-first therapeutic vaccine for the gum disease Periodontitis. Identified as a chronic disease, Periodontitis destroys the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss as well as much discomfort. Periodontal disease is also associated with diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia and certain cancers.

Over 50% of Australians over the age of 65 years have gum disease or Periodontitis1, and once it is established in the mouth, the disease is often very difficult to treat, requiring patients to submit to regular professional cleaning, ongoing antibiotic regimes, and extensive surgery.

Through Oral Health CRC’s extensive research 15 years in the making, they have developed a new and world-first vaccine. By targeting enzymes produced by the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, to trigger an immune response it produces antibodies that neutralise the pathogen’s destructive toxins. P. gingivalis is known as a keystone pathogen. The immune response of the vaccine has the potential to distort the balance of micro-organisms in dental plaque.

Oral Health CRC has licensed the innovative technology to CSL Ltd.; which is now in the clinical trial development stage. The research group’s findings were recently published in the international Nature Vaccines Journal, which is dedicated to highlighting advancements in the field of science and vaccine development.

CEO of the Oral Health CRC, Melbourne Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO, said the vaccine would provide dentists with a new treatment for one of the world’s most prevalent diseases.

“Current methods of treating periodontitis are helpful, but in many cases the bacterium re-establishes in the dental plaque and the disease continues,” Laureate Professor Reynolds AO explained.

“We hold high hopes for this vaccine to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.”

The trials on Periodontitis’s patients could potentially begin in 2018.

Oral Health CRC’s research is aligned with MTPConnect’s 10-year Sector Competitiveness Plan (SCP) through focusing on clinical speciality or therapy areas such as inflammatory diseases. The MTPConnect SCP promotes accelerating collaboration and commercialisation by building a dynamic and supportive research culture by establishing hubs that combine institutes with research organisations and universities. MTPConnect recognises the great progress that the Oral Health CRC has made in exploring commercialisation pathways and medical research into gum disease.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

1 Retrieved from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Professionals/Australian-Dental-Health-Plan/Download-your-copy-of-the-Dental-Health-Plan/2016-17-Pre-Budget-Submission-ADA-Australian-Denta

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Watch this video to see how the vaccine works:

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Calvary North Adelaide first SA hospital to offer 3D Surgical technology

Calvary North Adelaide has become the first hospital in South Australia to offer the latest in 3D laparoscopic imaging technology for keyhole surgery.

The new 3D Technology provides surgeons with depth perception and a precise spatial view of anatomy that cannot be achieved with traditional 2D systems, allowing greater accuracy, speed and precision for keyhole surgery. Associate Professor Sarah Thompson, Calvary North Adelaide gastrointestinal surgeon, is one of the first to use the new equipment.”

As a surgeon performing complex upper gastrointestinal laparoscopic procedures, the 3D system shortens procedure times and increases spatial awareness, allowing me to see fine detail which is not possible with a 2D system. This latest 3D technology has helped me provide increased precision and better outcomes for my patients,” she said.

Calvary3D_2
Associate Professor Sarah Thompson pictured with the Olympus 3D surgical imaging system and holding the ENDOEYE FLEX 3D laparoscope

Sue Imgraben, Calvary North Adelaide CEO, says “we are proud to be at the forefront of laparoscopic technology. We have an excellent team of surgeons whose feedback on this new technology has been tremendous. We believe our investment positions us as Adelaide’s Laparoscopic Centre of Excellence, continually improving outcomes for our patients.”

As part of the transition to the new technology, Calvary North Adelaide has a team, trained by Olympus, who are proficient in teaching other staff how to maximise the benefits of the new technology.

Calvary3D_3
Olympus Medical Sales Manager Richard Ogden (centre) and Olympus Representative Marita Salerno (right) with Calvary North Adelaide theatre Nurse Janine Dalby (left) just before a 3D laparoscopic procedure

Calvary North Adelaide’s procedure suite and Day of Surgery Unit includes three procedure rooms and seven theatres specialising in general / colorectal surgery, urology and gynaecology in addition to a broad range of surgical procedures.

 

IT’S TIME FOR MEDTECH TO THRIVE

The paper highlights the societal and economic imperative across Australia to address fundamental challenges and enhance innovation in the local healthcare environment, in order to foster and create an ecosystem in which medtech innovation may thrive.

Key themes from the paper send a strong message to policy makers, industry, and the healthcare community of the opportunity to better foster innovation:

  • Better investment in deep technology;
  • Overcoming fragmentation;
  • Time‐to‐market and value capture;
  • More multinational ecosystem investment;
  • Increase risk tolerance in investment; and,
  • Streamline regulatory frameworks and increase enabling policy approaches.

According to Dr Buzz Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of The Actuator, Australia is ripe, ready and needs to get this right;

As a nation, Australia is amongst the global best in terms of research capability and capacity to explore and create early‐innovative healthcare solutions. To capitalise on this, Australia needs to collectively pull together resources, consolidate expertise across borders and de‐silo the system to enable the country to truly benefit from its – relatively untapped but outstanding – potential in MedTech.”

The Medical Technology Association of Australia [MTAA] agree that medtech has the power to significantly benefit our population; “Global advances in medical technology over the past 20 years have resulted in a 56 per cent reduction in hospital stays, 25 per cent decline in disability rates, 16 per cent decline in annual mortality and increased life expectancy of approximately 3.2 years.

“At the heart and soul of the medical devices industry are 19,000 dedicated professionals, committed to making a positive difference to patients’ lives through medical technology allowing them to live or to have a quality of life that they otherwise would not have.” a spokesperson said.

Medtronic’s team represents almost 1,000 of those professionals. They understand the responsibility, and aim to advance innovation in a meaningful way so to ensure every Australian who requires access to therapies receive them.

In the worlds of Medtronic:

Let’s be bold, partner and create meaningful innovation for the people who matter most.

The paper ‘When Australia Innovates, the World of Healthcare Changes’ was launched during a ceremony at NSW Parliament House. Speakers included The Hon Minister Matt Kean MP, co-author Dr Buzz Palmer, and Dr Jason Wenderoth – Interventional Neuroradiologist, Australia. Learn more here: http://medtechactuator.com/.

MedTech in innovation push throughout Australia

NSW In NSW the Premier and Deputy Premier on Thursday unveiled a $35million investment for the establishment of the Sydney Startup Hub. With more than 40% of Australia’s start-ups already based in NSW, the new hub on York Street in the Sydney CBD seeks to bolster the technology ecosystem in the state with over 11 floors and the hope of accommodating upwards of 6500 new jobs.

QLD This coincides with an announcement from Queensland where the CSIRO opened a Data61 office in Central Brisbane. Data61 seeks to seed new data-driven business innovations over the coming 15–20 years, including e-health, data for advanced medical technology as well as medical software platforms.

The Queensland Government’s flagship $420 million Advance Queensland initiative is also continuing to drive economic growth, create jobs and improve the lives of Queenslanders by backing cutting edge innovation projects.

SA The South Australian Government has witnessed Flinders University sign a MOU with Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to create an international Medical Devices Partnership Program (MDPP). The MDPP-Partnership 2025 aims to build additional research and development partnerships between Singapore and Australia, through the commercialisation of research among agencies, academic institutions and the private sector.

Aussie Cattle Key to Global Medical Technology Innovation

A number of cattle farms in northern New South Wales and the Toowoomba region in Queensland, are playing a world leading role in this cutting edge medical technology.

The story follows the journey of the bovine pericardium tissue through to the creation of artificial heart valves, known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and how patients are benefiting.

The aortic valve is like a one-way door leading out of the heart. The TAVI is used in the treatment of aortic stenosis. This is a progressive disease that occurs with a narrowing of the patient’s aortic valve opening due to a build up of calcium or cholesterol which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through the valve.

Around four in every 1,000 people are thought to have aortic stenosis.

The TAVI is inserted into the heart via the femoral artery in the groin and inserted inside the effected artery. This replaces invasive open-heart surgery that for some patients might not even be an option.

As Prince Charles Hospital director of cardiology, Professor Darren Walters says:“The problem with this condition is it’s a bit like being slowly strangled.”

This technology is game-changing in the treatment of this condition and Australian cattle industry is playing a critical role in this amazing MedTech industry success story.

The Australian processing facility — Australian Country Choice (ACC) — with world-class facilities and strict quality and hygiene controls measures prepares for daily chilled air freight shipments to Edwards Lifesciences facilities in Singapore and California.

The tissue then undergoes 12–18 hours of individual labour for each valve to be hand sewn into the artificial valve.

To date, more than 150,000 patients have been treated with Edwards Lifesciences transcatheter valves by multi-disciplinary Heart Teams worldwide.

Ian Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Technology Association of Australia said:

“The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) applauds the Medtech industry partnering with the agriculture sector to deliver life saving technology to the world.

“We’re pleased that earlier this year the newer TAVI was approved by the Medical Services Advisory Committee, however, but both Europe and the US approved this technology several years ago.

“We know the regulatory environment could be improved to fast track patient access to medical devices. That’s why it’s critical the recommendations of the Expert Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation be progressed.

“Currently, the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures №1) Bill 2016 is awaiting approval in the Senate, and this Bill will deliver on some of the recommendations of the Expert Review.

“Australia has many of the right attributes to grow a strong domestic MedTech industry — a significant health and medical research and manufacturing capability, quality health system, highly skilled workforce and access to the growing middle-class markets of Asia.

“The industry could be a key pillar of the Australian economy by creating jobs of the future.”