Recovering from an invasive procedure like open heart surgery is vastly different than the process of recuperating from an outpatient procedure. However, while the recovery time and methods for each surgery vary, there are some medical products, like the ones we carry at Hospital Overstock, that can be universal and useful in a patient’s healing process.

Immediately After Surgery:

When patients are discharged from the hospital, their physical capabilities are usually still limited. Even after leaving the hospital, items like crutches and wheelchairs can be essential in keeping pressure and weight off the areas of the body impacted by surgery. Wound management post-surgery is also highly important. It is often recommended to change bandages and dressings (at a frequency determined by a doctor), while keeping incisions clean and dry. Products like athletic tape and gauze may also be helpful for incision care.

Performing Daily Tasks:

Surgery can sometimes make performing daily tasks much harder. Simple activities like going to the bathroom, taking a shower and even sitting down can seem almost impossible. Thankfully, products like raised toilet seats and shower chairs may ease some of these tasks. This is especially true for people recuperating from procedures that impact specific body functionality like hip, spine and leg surgery.

Patients also must be careful to prevent further complications or reinjury while in recovery. Soft knit gripper slippers are great for stabilization and reduce the risk of falling while at home. Purchasing a brace like this knee immobilizer can help keep bones in line and provide protection against further damage.

Physical Therapy:

When it is time to begin physical therapy, there are a number of products that can help a patient increase mobility and get back to an active lifestyle. It may sound self-explanatory, but investing in a comfortable pair of tennis shoes is the first essential step to begin a walking routine. Physical therapy is dependent on the type of surgery, but will often include items like exercise bands and small weights to slowly build up muscle strength.

Have any of these products helped you recover from surgery? If so, which ones?

Recovering from #surgery is rarely enjoyable, but these #medical products can be helpful during the healing process: http://t.co/BD06b7p6rW

— Hospital Overstock (@HospitalSurplus) January 23, 2014

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It’s a new year and with it comes many new opportunities for the medical device and equipment industry. 2014 looks to be a promising year, as many innovative technologies have gained the spotlight. We’ve written about the increasing number of mHealth apps and shared stories of exciting new devices on our social media channels. Here are three medical devices to look out for this year:

1. The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System – The Bionic Eye

The Bionic Eye, officially known as the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System and made by Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., was approved by the FDA in February 2013. It is the first artificial retina for people with a degenerative eye disease called advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP) that can lead to blindness. With RP, light-sensitive cells slowly degenerate, causing people to lose side vision, night vision and eventually central vision.

The Argus II, equipped with a small video camera, a transmitter mounted on eyeglasses, video processing unit and implanted retinal prosthesis, performs the functions of working cells in the retina. This allows patients to gain some sight back by perceiving images and movement. The device is approved for people with RP that are at least 25 years of age.

2. NeuroPace® RNS® System – An Epilepsy Solution

NeuroPace, Inc. received approval from the FDA in November 2013 for its NeuroPace® RNS® System, an implantable device for adults with seizures that have not been controlled with two or more antiepileptic drugs. The device detects when abnormal electrical activity occurs in the brain and normalizes brain activity through counteractive electrical stimulation. This process is called responsive neurostimulation.

The results from a clinical trial were promising, showing a 37.9 percent reduction in seizure frequency for those that were treated with responsive stimulations. In addition, 55 percent of patients who used the device longer than two years received a 50 percent or greater reduction in their seizures. To date, 256 patients have been implanted with the RNS System, some for over eight years.

3. Computer-Assisted Sedation – No Anesthesiologist Required

Many routine procedures like colonoscopies and endoscopies are performed with the assistance of anesthesia. SEDASYS ® Computer-Assisted Personalized Sedation Station System is a new device approved by the FDA in May 2013. It allows non-anesthesia professionals to administer Propofol, an anesthetic, through an IV during procedures like these. To utilize the device, the professional must have training and use the station only where an anesthesia specialist can be reached if needed.

This new sedation station could mean a lot for routine medical procedures like colonoscopies. It can distribute accurate amounts of anesthesia, provide bedside and procedure monitoring and reduce the high costs of needing anesthesiologists. The device is expected to enter the market early this year.

Have you heard of more innovative medical devices coming to life in 2014? Share them with us!

With many innovative technologies, this year looks to be promising. Here are three #meddevices to watch in 2014: http://t.co/cCRZFHcprp

— Hospital Overstock (@HospitalSurplus) January 9, 2014

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Mobile health applications, also known as mHealth applications, have been a big topic in 2013. The concept is new, but the FDA has already made plans to accommodate for their existence. Below are the facts and figures circling around the medical device industry.

What are the numbers?

New mHealth apps, ranging from health care Q&A stations to medicine alert programs, have steadily increased throughout the year, but have yet to be fully embraced by consumers. The U.S. iTunes store has approximately 43,000 healthcare apps available. Of those 43,000, the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics says only 16,275 are patient-facing apps with “genuine” health content. And among the 16,275, most have limited consumer use, as more than half have fewer than 500 downloads. In fact, five apps account for 15 percent of all mHealth downloads.

However, Allied Market Research has high hopes for the mHealth market, predicting that it will reach $58.8 billion globally by 2020. In 2012, the market was valued at $6.7 billion. The same study expects mobile health applications to bring in $8.3 billion by the end of 2013.

What does the FDA think about mHealth applications?

When any new medical device enters the market, the FDA obviously needs to get involved. According to its website, “The FDA encourages the development of mobile medical apps that improve health care and provide consumers and health care professionals with valuable health information. The FDA also has a public health responsibility to oversee the safety and effectiveness of medical devices – including mobile medical apps.” The administration has already taken steps to help monitor mHealth apps by determining which fall under the category of a medical device and which don’t require FDA registration.

Which applications will be monitored by the FDA?

There are a number of mobile apps that the FDA does not plan to regulate because they are not considered medical devices or don’t pose significant risk to users. The applications monitored require oversight because they pose risk to patients.

So far, the FDA has required registration for all apps using sensors connected to ECG equipment, apps using sensors to amplify sounds from electronic stethoscopes and apps that measure physiological parameters used in diagnoses. Applications used to alter infusion pump settings or functions and those that calibrate cochlear implants and hearing aids will also be monitored.

In addition, the FDA will monitor:

• Apps that connect users to nursing stations in order to display medical device data to mobile platforms.
• Apps that connect to bedside monitors and transferring patient data to doctors or nurses.
• Apps that connect to perinatal monitoring equipment to enable remote labor monitoring.

Here is a list with examples of which applications require FDA registration and those that don’t.

How will mHealth apps affect the medical device industry?

These applications have already stuck their feet in the door, but their acceptance around the industry is mixed. Some fear that these applications may give dangerous medical advice, where others see their potential to provide valuable information and resources to the public. Now that the FDA has labeled some as medical devices and has jurisdiction over those that are considered risky, mHealth applications can advance in a safe and innovative matter. Mobile health apps are definitely a trend to follow in the years to come.

#mHealth applications have been a big topic in 2013. Here’s how they affect the #meddevice industry: http://t.co/dWUdxJ2d8a

— Hospital Overstock (@HospitalSurplus) December 20, 2013

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A fascinating part of the medical device industry is the constant changes in technology. Improvements made to medical devices today render yesterday’s innovations obsolete. In honor of flu season, we will take a look at the history of the thermometer. From its original form using liquids that expand and contract inside a glass column to its current state, the thermometer has come a long way. Below is a brief timeline of events that have led us to today’s thermometer.

The Thermoscope

The thermometer dates back to the early 1600s, with Galileo’s invention of the “thermoscope.” Galileo’s device could determine whether temperature was rising or falling, but was not able to detect the actual scale of the temperature. In 1612, Italian inventor and physician Sanctorius was the first to put a numerical scale on the thermoscope. His product was also designed for taking temperature from a patient’s mouth. However, neither Galileo’s nor Sanctorius’ thermoscopes were very accurate.

Standardized Scales

In 1709, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented his first thermometer using alcohol. He later introduced the mercury thermometer in 1714, which was more accurate and predictable. The Fahrenheit temperature scale was standardized in 1724 with a freezing point of 32 degrees and a boiling point of 212 degrees. Fahrenheit’s mercury thermometer is recognized as the first modern thermometer with a standardized scale.

The Celsius scale was invented in 1742 by Anders Celsius, with a freezing point of 0 degrees and a boiling point of 100 degrees. This scale was accepted into the international conference on weights and measurements in 1948. The Kelvin Scale, measuring extreme temperatures, was developed by Lord Kelvin in 1848.

Registering Thermometers

Early versions of the thermometer were not able to hold the temperature after they were moved. You can imagine how this made it hard for doctors to correctly read a patient’s temperature. The first thermometer that could register and hold onto temperature was built by James Six in 1782. Today, it is known as Six’s thermometer. Since then, the mercury thermometer was adapted to read a patients temperature after leaving the body. Registering thermometers are still used today and are reset by shaking down the mercury to the bottom of the tube.

The Modern Devices

This brings us to the first practical clinical thermometer, which was invented in 1867 by Sir Thomas Allbutt. The device was portable, about 6 inches long and was capable of recording a patient’s temperature in 5 minutes. Now, there are a few options for clinical and home use. Liquid filled thermometers have been adapted based on the designs of inventors like Fahrenheight and Six are still used today. Digital thermometers, like the Omron Compact Digital Thermometer, are capable of finding a temperature and producing an electronic number within a minute of use. Digital ear thermometers also produce a quick and accurate temperature. Dr. Jacob Fraden invented an infared thermometer called the Thermoscan Human Ear Thermometer in 1984. These thermometers use an infared light to scan the heat radiation in a patient’s ear or forehead.

The thermometer, like many medical devices, has made strides in efficiency and accuracy. As medical technology continues to advance, businesses in the medical device industry must be prepared to move with it.

In honor of #fluseason, our evolution of #medtech article breaks down the history of the #thermometer: http://t.co/MJzWqgqRMv

— Hospital Overstock (@HospitalSurplus) December 5, 2013

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The holiday season is upon us and with it comes many opportunities to overindulge, like the family gatherings, the office parties and other seasonal events.

If you’re watching your weight or if you have diabetes, of course you’ll want to partake in all the festive fun, but you’ll also need to take the necessary precautions to safeguard your health during this time. Glucose meters and blood pressure monitors are tools you can use that will help you to have a happy and healthy holiday season.

Blood glucose meters are small computerized machines that read the sugar levels in your blood.  In these meters, your blood glucose level shows up as a number on a screen, similar to that of a calculator. Self-monitoring is an important part of diabetes management because it puts you in charge of your health, giving you an idea of what you should be eating.

If your insurance company doesn’t pay for glucose meters, you’ll want to shop around for the best value. Hospital Overstock offers reduced pricing on both glucose meters and the glucose testing strips, which can help you stretch your healthcare spending budget.

Those with diabetes are accustomed to using these glucose meters regularly before and after meals, and the holidays should be no exception, according to Medicine.net.  “The ideal goals, regardless of the season, are fasting values of 80-120 mg/dl before eating and about 140mg/dl 2 hours after eating. Values higher than these indicate that there may be a little too much holiday cheer going on!”

A blood pressure monitor is also a great device for home use as it gives you control of your condition. Monitoring your blood pressure can help you determine if your holiday activities need to be adjusted. Plan in advance for big meals and parties by determining what you might splurge on and what you might skip, and by adding some additional exercise, like a brisk walk, to your routine.

By using available health measurement devices and doing some pre-holiday planning, you’re sure to set yourself up for an enjoyable and healthy holiday season.

What other medical devices have you found to be helpful in maintaining your health goals during the holidays? We’d love to hear from you.

With #Thanksgiving around the corner, here’s how #meddevices can help you stay on track during the #holiday season. http://t.co/rWtJ6YUxOo

— Hospital Overstock (@HospitalSurplus) November 26, 2013

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As we all heard back in September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a ruling requiring that most medical devices sold in the U.S. include tracking codes known as unique device identifiers (UDIs). These UDIs, which need to identify the product make, manufacture date and lot number, will allow federal health regulators to track medical devices and monitor them for safety. But, what does this ruling mean for medical device companies?

1) Rising Costs of Manufacturing

Adding this extra step to the manufacturing process will be costly. The implementation of adding the UDIs in the products and    the process of testing such codes so they work accurately will be one of the biggest challenges. In preparation to make UDIs fulfill their function, there will have to be plenty of trial and error before the cataloguing of all medical devices is accurate. Additional costs will also come from training medical staff on how to use the new system and modifying device labels. However, these increased costs should return benefits in the long-run.

2) Public and Easy Access to a Catalog

Because the FDA is currently missing a database where to track faulty medical devices, this new ruling will bring a most-needed solution to federal health regulators, doctors and even patients. The FDA plans to add each device UDI in a public database where everyone will have access to a medical device’s information and be able to identify the quality of said device. Doctors, hospitals and insurers will be able to take advantage of their access to this database by adding the UDIs to a patient’s medical records, which will be useful in identifying patients who have been affected by faulty devices.

3) Monitor Device Safety

The biggest benefit of this ruling is the ability to determine which devices are safe for patients to use. The UDI system seeks to resolve many of the issues the medical industry has faced over the years regarding medical device recalls. Some of the highest recalls involved defibrillators, artificial hips and drug pumps. The implementation of UDIs will not only result in increased trust in the medical device industry, but also in increased patient safety.

The new system will begin to take effect in early 2014 starting with high-risk devices such as defibrillators and heart stents. As process of implementing this system is tailored appropriately, the UDIs will begin to be added to moderate-risk devices such as X-ray systems and power wheelchairs.

Can you think of other ways the new tracking codes will affect the medical industry?

What does the #FDA‘s ruling for tracking codes in #meddevices mean for the medical device Industry? http://t.co/aNNNk4aE3r

— Hospital Overstock (@HospitalSurplus) November 21, 2013

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