Scientists Develop Flexible Battery for Medical Implants

But despite their significant benefits, modern medical implants aren’t perfect. Most of these implants rely on rigid metal batteries for power, which can make them uncomfortable for some patients. They’re also not designed to break down over time, so they need to be removed and replaced periodically. Thanks to a research team at Queens University Belfast in Ireland, however, that could be about to change. The researchers have created an innovative new organic battery that is flexible, biodegradable and capable of holding a charge three times larger than that of conventional batteries. Thanks to its thin, flexible design, the battery is far more comfortable for patients than traditional implants. It’s also non-flammable and environmentally friendly. Ultimately, this type of flexible battery could usher in a whole new generation of discreet, long-lasting medical implants. According to Dr. Geetha Srinivasan, the research team hopes to have their product on the market within the next five years. In the future, consumer electronics companies could find a number of other creative applications for the high-capacity flexible batteries as well.

Zipline Is Using Drones to Deliver Critical Medical Supplies

Now, less than a year after launching its drone delivery service in Rwanda, Zipline is preparing to expand the program to a new market with a greater variety of medical products.

In the pilot program in Rwanda, Zipline’s drones were only able to deliver blood products to healthcare facilities. But in 2018, the company will expand its service to nearby Tanzania and begin delivering other products such as anti-malarial drugs, sutures, IV tubes and vaccines as well. Zipline’s new territory will cover more than a thousand healthcare facilities serving 10 million people in Africa’s sixth most populous country. Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo believes that his company’s on-demand services can greatly improve access to emergency medications such as snake bite anti-venom in the remote communities of Tanzania. Because these drugs must be carefully kept in a temperature-controlled environment, they’re rarely stocked in Tanzania’s rural hospitals. Instead, snake bite-victims must sometimes wait hours for a truck to deliver anti-venom from the nearest city. Zipline’s drones will be able to deliver anti-venom much faster, giving patients a better chance at survival. For more routine medical supplies, Zipline hopes to supplement Tanzania’s existing supply chain with its drones as well. This could be immensely helpful in case of a malaria outbreak in a particularly remote area, for example. If the program in Tanzania is successful, Zipline may further expand its operation to other countries in Africa and elsewhere.

Patients at Oregon State Hospital Learn How to Make Furniture

Statesman Journal. “So giving them something that they’re interested in, like woodworking, can be a really powerful tool.” Not only do the woodworking classes give patients an opportunity to learn a new skill, they also allow them to create something they can take pride in—something that will be enjoyed by the community of Salem for years to come. Some patients like to focus on one particular part of the furniture-making process, such as sanding or painting, while others enjoy trying all the different activities the woodshop has to offer. There’s a little something for everyone in Brian Baker’s woodshop, and the results of their efforts speak for themselves. To take a look inside the woodshop at Oregon State Hospital, check out thevideo below!

Check out Our Replacement Pad Configuration Tool

If you need a new pad but don’t want to pay a premium for a replacement from the original manufacturer, Novum Medical Products has an easy, cost-effective solution for you. Our replacement pad configurator can help you find inexpensive, custom replacement options for hospital mattresses, operating room tables, pediatric pads and more. Just follow the prompts in the configuration tool to find replacements for pads from a variety of manufacturers. Even if you don’t know the original manufacturer, you can provide us with the pad shape and dimensions and we’ll develop a custom replacement for you. The configurator also includes a number of other custom design options, such as welded seams and extra cushioning. All of our pads are latex-free, antimicrobial, radiolucent and easy to clean. Get your custom quote today, or give us a call at our toll-free number to learn more.

Engineers Develop Innovative At-Home Monitoring Patch

Their Solution? A flexible electronic patch that can interface with the human body.

The patch consists of a semiconductor wafer embedded in a thin strip of medical adhesive. It’s no thicker than a human hair, and no more invasive than a temporary tattoo. It’s able to monitor and record a number of important metrics such as body temperature, electrical rhythms and movement. It’s also capable of transmitting this data wirelessly so that doctors can keep a close eye on their patients’ progress. The biometric monitoring patch is a truly remarkable innovation that has widespread implications for the future of patient care. To hear Todd Coleman discuss some of the challenges he and his team have had to overcome during the development of their wearable monitoring system, check out the video below!

Bipartisan Group Proposes Reform for Long-Term Care Costs

all the health care problems the country is facing, but it would go a long way towards helping people who rely on long-term care facilities for essential health services. At Novum Medical Products, we strive to provide long-term care facilities with the products and furnishings they need to make patients and comfortable as possible. Browse our products online, or give us a call today to learn more.

MIT Study Suggests Hospitals Should Invest More on Inpatient Care

additional $8,500 hospitals spent on a patient for inpatient care, the patient’s mortality risk fell by about 2 percentage points. In contrast, mortality rates increased by about 5 percent among patients who were treated in hospitals and then sent to long-term care facilities for further care. Overall, the study seems to suggest that hospitals would be better off investing in improved inpatient care facilities rather than relying on long-term nursing facilities to care for patients after they are released from the hospital. Not only is it better for the health of patients, but it also benefits hospitals financially. In some cases, it could even encourage insurance companies to pay hospitals more money for certain inpatient services. The MIT researchers believe their findings could change the way hospitals approach inpatient care and treat their patients in both the short and long term. At Novum Medical Products, we strive to help hospitals offer the best possible care to their patients by providing them with safe, comfortable medical furnishings. Browse our extensive selection of products online, or give us a call today to learn more.

New York Health Act Receives Approval in State Assembly

American Health Care Act in the House of Representatives makes it important for the state of New York to preserve affordable healthcare for its residents. A professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Gerald Friedman, did an analysis in 2015 that showed a potential savings of $45 billion in the first year of the bill’s implementation. However, Avik Roy, the president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, a Texas think tank, did an analysis that concluded Friedman’s findings were largely incorrect. Instead, Roy said the bill would require $226 billion in tax increases, quadrupling the state tax burden. The director of health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy, Bill Hammond, has questioned whether the bill is based more on ideological beliefs rather than on how its policies would work in practice. Regardless of the differing opinions on the New York Health Act, the next step is to see how the bill fares in the Senate.

Provide Comfortable Accommodations for Long-Term Care Patients

One way to do this is by providing these patients with specialized furniture designed for long-term care settings. Novum Medical Products, Inc. can help you accomplish this by setting you up with some of the best furniture in the industry. We offer a wide range of long-term care beds that are ideal for patients who are going to be staying with you for several weeks, months, or even years. Our manual and electric beds are designed to meet the unique requirements of long-term care facilities while also making patients feel like they are right at home when they’re in them. But long-term care patients need more than just a bed to feel comfortable inside of a medical facility. That’s why we offer bedside cabinets, wardrobes, dressers, bookcases and chairs for patients as well. When a patient moves into a long-term care facility, they will usually bring more than just themselves. In many cases, they will want to make their rooms look and feel just like their rooms at home, and that means bringing everything from clothing to books to various knick-knacks that will make their rooms feel homey. By offering them the furniture they need to feel at home, your facility will provide added comfort that can make long-term care less stressful, and consequently more effective. Is it time for your long-term care facility to upgrade its patient accommodations? Find exactly what you’re looking for in the extensive inventory at Novum Medical Products, Inc. Call us at 800-274-2742 today to place an order or to learn more about any of the products we provide for our clients.

Furnishings Can Make Your Hospital and Staff Safer

Acute Care Beds Safety is extremely important in an acute care setting. Investing in acute care beds and pressure prevention mattresses can make a world of difference for your patient’s comfort. Your staff will be able to easily and safely transfer patients and adjust the bed. 

Medical Recliners 

A comfortable alternative to hospital beds, medical recliners are as secure as they come, allowing patients to sit up safely and comfortably. Whether the patient wants to watch TV, read, visit with friends or simply rest, these recliners are a must-have in any medical setting and also make for an easy transfer for staff.

Overbed Tables

Anyone who has been to a hospital will probably recognize overbed tables. Sure, these are convenient features to help patients eat easily during their stay, but there are also plenty of safety perks. Hot drinks will have a safe place to cool down, for example, and if they spill on the table it’s no big deal. 

Stainless Steel Bassinets 

Infants require an additional level of care in hospital settings. Providing a clean and sterile place for babies, stainless steel bassinets can alleviate safety concerns by helping make an infant’s visit as safe and secure as possible. For more information about medical equipment, contact us at Novum Medical today.