Anyone can browse through the website which includes accessories such as running gear, bags and backpacks. If you click on patient accessories, there are batteries, bags and filters that are relevant products for patients. Potential buyers need to have a SynCardia certified implant center actually order the products.  Patients need to sign in with a username and password, and to get those need to e-mail the company via a link on the shop “Contact Us” page. And only staff members at certified centers can order the device and the equipment needed to implant it.

In May 2010, the Mayo Clinic Arizona became the first hospital in U.S. history to discharge a patient implanted with the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart to wait at home for a matching donor heart.

The temporary total artificial heart was originally approved by the FDA back in 2004 as a bridge to heart transplantation, for use in the hospital. More than 850 of the devices have been implanted, according to the company. According to an FDA summary of the safety and efficacy data, overall survival in patients who received the device was 75.3%, 70.4%, and 67.9% at six, 12, and 24 months. More than three-quarters (79%) ultimately received a heart transplant.

Based on - Syncardia Press Releae

Proteus Biomedical has been pioneering a new method which integrates in-body computers, sensor and communications technologies. This week they received CE approval for their ingestible sensor and personal monitoring system, called the Raisin^TM System. It was also approved by the US FDA in April. The idea is to swallow a pill and it can monitor how patients react to taking medications. It measures the event along with related information such as heart rate, activity, body angle and patient-logged information. The ingestion event and personalized physiologic information are then sent via Bluetooth to any computerized device, such as an iPhone where it can undergo further analysis.

Proteus and its partners are developing these integrated product systems in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, organ transplantation and infectious disease. Proteus has also announced the creation of a new product development group focused on user experience. Arna Ionescu, formerly Connected Health domain lead at the global design firm IDEO, has joined Proteus as Director, Product Development, User Experience. She will lead a team focused on applying the principles of human-centered design to create intelligent medicine products that empower consumers and transform the delivery and management of health care. Ms. Ionescu also teaches product and interaction design at Stanford University and California College of Art.

Previously in our directory of biotechnology was a category called Pill Cameras. The only product in there to date has been the PillCam Colon Pill which is basically a miniature camera that was swallowed and wirelessly beamed back images for a doctor to analyze. After adding the new system below I have renamed the category to Ingestible Monitoring

Based on Press Release from BusinessWire - Proteus Biomedical Announces European CE Mark Approval of Ingestible Sensor and Monitor System

Professor Babak Parviz, from the University of Washington has made a new presentation at a NASA research center in Hampton USA. Back in 2008, his work was focused on creating virtual displays on contact lenses and it seems by using advancements in nanotechnology, they have now come up with a contact lenses that can display information to the user and continuously monitor the person's health through the biochemistry of the eye surface. The researchers are working on integrating small optical, electronic and biosensing devices into contact lenses.

Parviz' research at the University of Washington includes nanotechnology, bionanotechnolgy and microsystems. In 2008 his work was chosen by Time magazine as one of the top inventions of the year. The device doesn't seem to have a name yet that I can find, however it's referred to as the E-Lens on the London Museum of Science website, where his work is on display.

Press Release: PRNewswire

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