eMedicine/Gadgets

Study shows FaceTime with iPhone is successful in teaching Cardiac Ultrasound remotely
A novice with limited training can perform CLUE using PUD when wirelessly guided by an expert (using FaceTime — explained in the Methods section below). This method can increase the use of PUD and help in emergency settings and medical triage. Article: (Feasibility of remote real-time guidance of a cardiac examination performed by novices using a pocket-sized ultrasound device.) iMedicalApps

Pocket Doctor Lite app for Android is a reference tool
Conclusion: Pocket Doctor Lite is a good enough health encyclopedia. However, lacking proper references is quite a drawback for the app. The Doctor Q feature is a good idea and will certainly be useful to patients who are interested in communicating more efficiently with their physicians. iMedicalApps

Smartwatches and the battle for your health
While the smartwatch offers the ability to sync with a smart device (e.g. smartphone, tablet computer) and serve as an adjunct tethered tool, it may play a significant role in healthcare due to several features. Aside from the built in microphones, 1.9-megapixel camera, and speaker, there is the built in gyroscope and accelerometer. iMedicalApps

Study finds natural compound can be used for 3-D printing of medical implants
Researchers from North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Laser Zentrum Hannover have discovered that a naturally-occurring compound can be incorporated into three-dimensional (3-D) printing processes to create medical implants out of non-toxic polymers. The compound is riboflavin, which is better known as vitamin B2. PhyOrg

Google Glass prototype enables surgeons to view vital signs continuously while operating
A prototype of a system that allows surgeons to view vital signs though a head-mounted Google Glass was recently presented at a proof-of-concept-demonstration by Phillips and Accenture.

The Google Glass prototype allows the doctor to walk into a patient’s room and talk to them while looking at key data from the EMR on Google Glass. This helps prevent the doctor from continuously looking at the computer while speaking to the patient, according to Frances Dare, managing director of Accenture’s connected health business. iMedicalApps

Interactive medical case. A curious case of chest pain (slides)
A 67-year-old man presented to the emergency department with chest pain. He had presented to the emergency department at another hospital 10 days earlier with an episode of periumbilical discomfort, nausea, and nonbloody emesis. At that time, laboratory tests revealed minor thrombocytosis, and an abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan, obtained after the intravenous . . . NEJM