Clinical Innovations - Eight Top Medical Technologic Innovations

Many, perhaps even most, medical innovations fall into the realm of technology. That’s why I’m listing the top eight technological/medical innovations selected by the WSJ among hundreds of applications (”2007 Technology Applications: Ahead of the Pack,” Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2007).


1) Novartis/Speedel, Switzerland - For Tekturna, an anti-hypertensive drug that controls hypertension by blocking an enzyme that controls the condition. The WSJ judges picked this as the gold medal winner among 800 applications because hypertension afflicts one billion people. One of every three adults suffers from hypertension.


2) Genaco Biomedical Products, the U.S. unit of the Netherlands – For a new technology for identifying infectious organisms using a single test. Especially useful for quickly identifying dangerous infectious agents in hospital settings.



3) Shire, U.K./US - For Elaprase, a treatment for Hunter syndrome, a rare and fatal disease in children caused by failure to make a critical enzyme. Elaprase replaces the enzyme and reduces liver and spleen swelling.


4) Abbott Laboratories, U.S. - For Humira, a self-injectable treatment for Crohn’s Disease.



5) Schering- Plough, U.S. - For Noxzfil, a treatment for life threatening fungal infections.


6) SEQaul Technologies, U.S. – For Eclipse, a portable 17-pound unit that provides concentrated oxygen for patients afflicted with chronic obstructive lung disease and other lung ailments. Operates with rechargeable batteries or other external battery sources.



7) Fonar. U.S. – For developing the upright MRI, which among other things, alleviates claustrophobia of supine patients.. Also used to scan a baby sitting on the lap of the mother.


8) Kyphon, U.D, Dr. James Zucherman of St. Mary’s Medical Center of San Francisco – For X-Stop – a titanium device implanted to treat symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.