Desenvolvimento de um dispositivo de administração de insulina para crianças diabéticas

Este projeto visou o desenvolvimento de um dispositivo deadministração de insulina para crianças diabéticas que permitisse aumentar aqualidade de vida do doente através de um produto discreto e inovador. Assim,foi estudado o histórico da doença, identificado os dispositivos existentes nomercado, levantadas as novas tecnologias no tratamento da doença e asnecessidades do utilizador. O fator motivador para o desenvolvimento desteprojeto foi dado pela inexistência de um dispositivo de administração de insulinaexclusivo para crianças e adolescentes diabéticos. O conceito do dispositivo foibaseado em uma órtese umbilical, tornando o dispositivo imperceptível no corpodo diabético em sua vida diária. Além disso, aplicação tecnológica do dispositivopermite a conexão dos dados referentes a administração de insulina viabluetooth com medidores de glicemia, telemóveis, smartphones e tablets

An ontology model for the medical device development process in Europe

Product development refers to the transformation process of an idea into a product or service. It can be applied to any sector, but special attention must be given to each industry particularities. In the case of medical devices, the development process should consider the multiple definitions of the term ‘medical device’, a vast regulatory framework as well as numerous organizations that evaluate the devices’ safety and effectiveness before entering the market. It should also consider various stakeholders and a variety of requirements regarding risk and quality. Currently, literature regarding product development methodologies applied to medical devices is scarce, and there is no graphical representation of the process addressing the environment in which it occurs. Here such representation, for the European market, is made in order to help to understand how medical devices are developed, evaluated and approved. The development process of medical devices was depicted because it is the most practical, easiest and fastest way to maintain, understand and communicate information. Furthermore, it facilitates the identification of the elements driving the process and reduces the complexity of the reality being represented. As the diagram presented is generic, it can be applied to every segment of the medical device industry. In addition, it can be both used by designers and management to guide the process, implement quality standards, support decision and select tools.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Development of a flexible pressure sensor for measurement of endotension

An aneurysm is a bulge in a weakened portion of a blood vessel wall much like the bulge that results from over-inflating an inner tube. If left untreated, it may burst or rupture causing shock and/or death due to massive blood loss. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is one of the treatments available for aortic aneurysms but, in spite of major advances in the operating techniques, complications still occur and lifelong surveillance is recommended. Current surveillance protocols are based on medical imaging exams that besides being expensive are time consuming. After a brief introduction to EVAR and its complications, this paper reviews post-EVAR surveillance protocols and the current devices to measure endotension. Finally, are introduced two new concepts for a flexible pressure sensor with passive telemetry

A dedicated methodology for the development of new medical technologies

The scientific discoveries of the last century are responsible for most of the medical devices currently in use. In this century, considering the advances namely in the computational power and the diffusion of the internet, one can expect a revolution in the use of medical technologies. Most certainly, new products and services will appear but only the ones that are supported by solid business plans will thrive. To assist in the development of novel medical devices and services and the elaboration of convincing business plans, the use of a product development methodology dedicated to medical technologies is suggested in this paper. Considering that many medical device companies spin-out from universities, this procedure aims to assist academia to cross the “valley of death”, i.e., the chasm between the world of research and the world of trade and industry.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Study of pressure sensors placement using an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) model

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) model for post-EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair) analysis, including the blood flow, the bifurcated stent-graft, the aorta aneurysm wall motion and the stagnant blood inside the aneurysm sac, was built and solved using a Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) code. The post-EVAR analysis aims to check the feasibility of EVAR surveillance using a remote pressure sensor, and the study of the pressure variations inside the aneurysm sac to determine the best placement position for the pressure sensor(s). First results suggest that aneurysm sac pressure measurement is feasible and can be a good indicator of aneurysms post-EVAR evolution.This work is supported by FCT under the project MIT-Pt/EDAM-EMD/0007/2008

Development of a flexible pressure sensor for measurement of endotension

An aneurysm is a bulge in a weakened portion of a blood vessel wall much like the bulge that results from over-inflating an inner tube. If left untreated, it may burst or rupture causing shock and/or death due to massive blood loss. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is one of the treatments available for aortic aneurysms but, in spite of major advances in the operating techniques, complications still occur and lifelong surveillance is recommended. Current surveillance protocols are based on medical imaging exams that besides being expensive are time consuming. After a brief introduction to EVAR and its complications, this paper reviews post-EVAR surveillance protocols and the current devices to measure endotension. Finally, are introduced two new concepts for a flexible pressure sensor with passive telemetry.The first author wishes to thank FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, in Portugal, for the financial support provided by the grant SFRH/BD/42967/2008.This work is supported by FCT under the project MIT-Pt/EDAM-EMD/0007/2008

Seeking for the ideal stent graft

Aortic aneurysms are localized dilatations of the aorta that if not treated may lead to death. One of the current treatments is endovascular repair, a minimal invasive procedure in which a stent graft is placed transluminally to prevent wall rupture shielding the aneurysm from blood pressure.Stent grafts are classified as class III medical devices. They are composed of a metallic scaffold covered by a polymeric membrane. While early devices were custom designed by the operating surgeon, nowadays several commercially devices are available.The introduction of new devices helped solving several complications, however other problems, like fatigue, still persist. Furthermore, innovative functions, namely measurement of the intrasac pressure, are demanded to improve patient's quality of life.Based on an acutely literature review, this article classifies stent grafts according to different characteristics and points out the guidelines for an ideal stent graft. Finally, it proposes new features to be included in the next generation of stent grafts

Diabetes mellitus: a necessidade de um dispositivo de administração de insulina para crianças e adolescentes

O diabetes mellitus é uma doença crônica em rápida expansão pelo mundo, afetando pessoas de qualquer idade ou sexo. É uma doença que atinge o pâncreas prejudicando a produção de insulina, e em alguns casos o pâncreas para de produzir este hormônio. Apesar de não haver cura, o tratamento da diabetes consiste em injeções diárias de insulina; assim, as corretas administrações de insulina são indispensáveis para manter o controle glicêmico e prevenir futuras complicações. A identificação da oportunidade do desenvolvimento deste projeto é apresentada pela inexistência de um dispositivo de administração de insulina específico para crianças. Este estudo visou a identificação das necessidades para o desenvolvimento de um novo dispositivo de administração de insulina para crianças diabéticas que permitisse aumentar a qualidade de vida das mesmas. Para tal, foi estudado o histórico da doença, identificados dispositivos existentes, levantadas novas tecnologias apara o tratamento da doença e identificadas as necessidades do utilizador

Safeguarding human–wildlife cooperation

Human–wildlife cooperation occurs when humans and free-living wild animals actively coordinate their behavior to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. These interactions provide important benefits to both the human and wildlife communities involved, have wider impacts on the local ecosystem, and represent a unique intersection of human and animal cultures. The remaining active forms are human–honeyguide and human–dolphin cooperation, but these are at risk of joining several inactive forms (including human–wolf and human–orca cooperation). Human–wildlife cooperation faces a unique set of conservation challenges, as it requires multiple components—a motivated human and wildlife partner, a suitable environment, and compatible interspecies knowledge—which face threats from ecological and cultural changes. To safeguard human–wildlife cooperation, we recommend: (i) establishing ethically sound conservation strategies together with the participating human communities; (ii) conserving opportunities for human and wildlife participation; (iii) protecting suitable environments; (iv) facilitating cultural transmission of traditional knowledge; (v) accessibly archiving Indigenous and scientific knowledge; and (vi) conducting long-term empirical studies to better understand these interactions and identify threats. Tailored safeguarding plans are therefore necessary to protect these diverse and irreplaceable interactions. Broadly, our review highlights that efforts to conserve biological and cultural diversity should carefully consider interactions between human and animal cultures. Please see AfricanHoneyguides.com/abstract-translations for Kiswahili and Portuguese translations of the abstract