Med Tech Blog

July

McDonald Institute Dark Matter Conference

Looking forward to attending the McDonald Institute Dark matter conference at the end of July now that my abstract was accepted to do a presentation on two-photon absorption in sililcon photomultipliers.

Career Progress thus far

Not too long ago I was in highschool just sort of discovering my passion for physics and science starting to aspire to become an biomedical/electrical engineer. Now fast forward I did a degree in biomedical engineering focused in electrical engineering at UBC with an 8 month part time research job at ICORD (a spinal cord injury research group at Vancouver General Hospital affiliated with UBC) and a year long full time co-op at General Fusion (a nuclear fusion startup that is now worth a billion USD). 

Now that I finished my undergrad, I started a masters in September in electrical and computer engineering at UBC with General Fusion's collaborators at TRIUMF on their neutron spectrometer, but working on a different project for trying to use two photon absorption in Silicon Photomultipliers to measure electron and hole avalanche probabilities directly with the ability to measure other things as well like jitter/timing response, and sensitivity. I have two supervisors, one at TRIUMF-Fabrice Retiere, SFU and one at UBC-Boris Stoeber. I have a desk in the Kaiser building and at TRIUMF in the meson hall which was convenient for when I was taking courses and getting my research training. 

Aurenar receives FDA breakthrough designation for non-invasive brain-bleed device
Aurenar has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its V-Link System, a non-invasive neuromodulation device designed to reduce cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The device stimulates a branch of the vagus nerve through the outer ear, aiming to regulate inflammation after hemorrhagic stroke.
Aurenar Receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Therapy | PR Newswire

Median Technologies receives CE mark for AI lung-cancer screening software
Median Technologies has obtained CE marking for eyonis LCS, its AI-powered Software as a Medical Device for low-dose CT lung-cancer screening. The system is designed to help clinicians detect lung nodules and classify them as probably benign, suspicious or very suspicious for cancer.
Median Technologies’ eyonis LCS Obtains CE Marking | Business Wire

Visby Medical receives FDA clearance for at-home flu and COVID PCR test
Visby Medical has received FDA clearance for an at-home PCR test that detects and differentiates influenza A, influenza B and SARS-CoV-2. The test is designed for consumer use and provides molecular results in about 30 minutes.
Visby Medical Receives FDA Clearance for the First At-Home PCR for Multiple Respiratory Viruses | Yahoo Finance

Jan-June

China approves a brain–computer interface for commercial use

China has approved what it describes as the world’s first brain-computer interface, or BCI, medical device authorized for commercial sale. Developed by Shanghai-based Borui Kang Medical Technology, the system is intended for adults with quadriplegia resulting from cervical spinal-cord injuries. Electrodes are implanted outside the brain’s protective membrane through a minimally invasive procedure. 

China approves market launch of brain-computer interface medical device in world first | Reuters 

U.S. launches faster Medicare coverage pathway for new medical devices

The FDA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have announced a pathway called RAPID, intended to reduce the delay between FDA approval and Medicare reimbursement for certain breakthrough medical devices. Device manufacturers currently may wait a year or longer after regulatory approval before Medicare determines whether it will pay for their technology. Under RAPID, national coverage could begin within approximately 60-90 days.

US health regulators to speed up Medicare device coverage | Reuters 

Nia Therapeutics receives breakthrough designation for memory-restoring implant

Nia Therapeutics has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its Smart Neurostimulation System, designed to treat persistent episodic-memory loss following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. This is not yet FDA approval; the designation gives the company closer interaction with regulators and prioritized review while it develops clinical evidence.

Nia Therapeutics wins FDA breakthrough nod for neuromod