Browse Technologies

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Vanderbilt researchers have developed a breast implant device that minimizes potential contaminants during surgery by requiring no contact between the surgeon and the implant during insertion.

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a system for enhancing the imaging capabilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a tool commonly used to monitor and treat patients with retinal disease. The image resolution of OCT, however, is intrinsically limited. Ideally, a contrast agent could be used to highlight specific parts of the retina within the image, but dye alone is largely ineffective because of the way OCT generates the image. Photothermal heating solves this problem by creating local zones of tissue expansion which can be distinctly detected by OCT. Photothermal-OCT is safe, effective, and enhances the imaging power of a tool widely used by opticians.

Vanderbilt researcher, Lisa Lancaster, MD, has developed a novel device to monitor the flow as well as adjust actively the levels of oxygen that pass to a patient suffering from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or other causes of hypoxic lung disease. Standing out of the pack, this device ensures that patients exerting themselves are given enough oxygen while actively reducing the dosage, to prevent further damage, when the same patient is resting.

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a method ofmonitoring the placement of electrodes in cochlearimplants (CIs) through the use of electrical impedancemeasurements. This technology offers real-timefeedback on electrode positioning, which can beused to more accurately place electrodes duringinitial implantation, or better program the implantsafter they have been placed. These enhancementscombine to give increased hearing quality to bothnew and existing CI patients.