MS PILLS
The new drugs are important ridders of multiple sclerosis.Most available treatments require regular injections, but two MS pills brokethrough the medical world in September. Large clinical trials found the drugBG-12 still awaiting clearance, made by Biogen Idec of Weston, effective attreating the disease and helping prevent relapses. Meanwhile, Aubagio, a pillfrom Cambridge-based Genzyme Corp., was cleared for sale.
BRAINGATE
This new invention is such that one can control a mechanicalarm with an implant system called braingate that reads brain activity. Thetechnology is intended to be used by Researchers at Massachusetts withprosthetic limbs and; communication systems for those who can’t speak.
DEFIBRILLATOR
Boston Scientific has begun marketing a first-of-its-kinddefibrillator after receiving FDA approval in September. Unlike others on themarket, the S-ICD does not touch the heart, instead sending electrical pulsesto correct abnormal rhythms through wires implanted just beneath the skin.
BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL
Here's a breakthrough with a sci-fi feel: lowering highblood pressure with radio waves. About 20% of the world’s population with highblood pressure don't respond to the traditional treatment. Researchers havefound that some radio frequencies will disable certain nerves in kidneys tosignificantly lower blood pressure and doesn’t require major surgery. Thetreatment, already approved in Europe, should be widely available in the U.S.in about two years. Medtronic is conducting the first U.S. trial.
MEDICAL DATABASE
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center now has 200 millionpieces of patient data which, in August saw the hospital launch a program thatturns medical records into a searchable anonymous database accessible by anyonein the hospital system. With Clinical Query researchers can easily explore 30years of data on a vast array of topics ” drug interactions or treatmentcomplications, for example ” and clinicians can look for ways to improve care acrosslarge groups of patients.
