An innovative approach for implanting a new aortic heart valve without open-heart surgery is being offered to patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Known as the PARTNER (Placement of AoRTic traNscathetER valves) trial, this Phase 3 multicenter study is being led by national co-principal investigators Dr. Martin Leon and Dr. Craig Smith and is focused on the treatment of patients who are at high risk or not suitable for open-heart valve replacement surgery.
The Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve, made of bovine pericardial tissue leaflets hand-sewn onto a metal frame, is implanted via one of two catheter-based methods -- either navigated to the heart from the femoral artery in the patient's leg, or through a small incision between the ribs and into the left ventricle. It is then positioned inside the patient's existing valve, using a balloon to deploy the frame, which holds the artificial valve in place. Both procedures are performed on a beating heart, without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and its associated risks.
This breakthrough technology could save the lives of thousands of patients with heart valve disease who have no other therapeutic options, says Dr. Leon, the study's national co-principal investigator, associate director of the Cardiovascular Interventional Therapy (CIVT) Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center, and professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Annually, some 200,000 people in the U.S. need a new heart valve, but nearly half of them do not receive a new valve for a variety of reasons.
This study may show that transcatheter valve replacement is a safe and effective alternative to open surgery, which remains the 'gold standard' for most patients, says Dr. Smith, study co-principal investigator, interim surgeon-in-chief and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, and the Calvin F. Barber Professor of Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The transcatheter valve procedures take about 90 minutes, compared with four to six hours for open-heart surgery. In open-heart surgery, the surgeon cuts through the breastbone, stops the heart, removes the valve and replaces it. Open-heart surgery can require a two- to three-month recovery period, compared to only a few days for the transcatheter approach.
The PARTNER trial is a prospective randomized study with two separate treatment arms. In the surgical arm, patients are randomized to receive either the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve or an Edwards surgical valve via open-heart surgery. In the non-surgical, medical management arm, patients considered to be non-operative are randomized to receive either the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve or appropriate medical therapy.
Scientists said that Israel had find a new power generation method that via the moving of vehicle to allow the streets and highways to generating.They will be open up a world's first generation of the road in January 2009, every car on the road traveling 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) will be produced more than 640 kilowatts of electricity, enough for 12 small power motor vehicles.
This road work in the power generation could be similar to the dance floor in the London nightclub . When traveling on the road, the car will be squeezed micro piezoelectric crystals to produce a small amount of electricity. If thousands of piezoelectric crystals were implanted surface of the road can be a great power. Have a current can be transferred back to the national power grid or used for lighting and heating. To participate in the study of Israel's R & D is also used for railway and the airport moving walkways similar to the system.
A team of investigators from Valencia has developed a machine that separates automatically the seeds from the rind and pith of the pomegranate. The mechanism uses a computer vision system to distinguish and sort the different parts of this fruit, according to a study published on-line by the Journal of Food Engineering.
It may look like the most dangerous motorbike in the world but this new invention is actually the latest form of green transport.
The electric Uno is the brainchild of 18-year-old Canadian Ben Gulak who spent several years developing the bike, which is controlled entirely by body movements.
The machine actually has two wheels, side-by-side, and uses gyroscopic technology to stay upright. It moves in the direction the rider leans - and the more you lean, the faster you go.
Ben claims that the bike could help beat pollution and he was inspired to design it after visiting China and seeing all the smog there.
He says: "The bike is fairly easy to ride, but takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it."
The top speed on the current prototype is 25mph, but this could be increased with the use of a bigger motor.
The Uno weighs just 58kg and has a range of 2.5 hours once it is charged from the mains. Ben is seeking investors to help him put it into full production.
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As a well-known traction control products supplier, the United States Eaton's Differential technology has been in a leading position in the world. Mechanical locking differential, as Eaton's one of the best-selling products, now has been widely used in SUV and pickup on a global scale.In 2007 has sold more than 1,400,000 all over the world.
Japanese telecom giant NTT invented a new shoe that allows people to walk and charge a cell phone, iPod, and other electronics at the same times.
This water-filled soles of shoes connected with a small generator . While walking , The pressure that the soles beared can make the generators produce about 1.2 watts of power. He said that the electricity generated by keeping moving on and on is enough to allow the iPod music player to operate uninterrupted.
In addition, the company is trying to study on how to increase power generation up to 3 watts.This power just is general mobile phones's need .
Although the shoes that do not have the storage function, but as long as the users of mobile phones will link up with the shoes and keep walking, the phone can automatically charge can be used directly.
NTT hopes in 2010 the new generation of shoes will formal launch
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