Harvard, hospital researchers create UV catheter to apply biodegradable patch to holes in the heart

Researchers published in the winter of 2014 on the creation of a biodegradable adhesive patch to repair holes in the heart.  Now, they have developed a UV-light-based catheter that can deliver the patch, thereby obviating the need for open-heart surgery, sutures or stoppage of the heart.  This latest work, as well as the initial patch development, was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Apple is developing an electronic ring full of biosensors

A patent filing reveals that Apple is developing a ring computing device.  Worn on the finger, the gizmo is expected to house technology that includes biometric sensors for monitoring cardiac rhythm and perspiration.

MIT researchers develop noninvasive, fingertip device to count white blood cells in real time

A group of bioengineers have developed a noninvasive, portable device that resembles a finger-worn, pulse oximeter to count white blood cells.  They have three workable prototypes that are being tested with chemotherapy patients to track their immune system in real-time.  The researchers aim to have an initial beta product that it can support via crowdfunding in 2017, with a product on the market potentially in 2019.

Study: Oraya radiation tech reduces need for eye injections in AMD patients

Oraya Therapeutics seeks to reduce the number of eye injections required to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the developed world.  It’s CE-marked X-ray device safely delivers radiation to the back of the eye, improving the efficacy of anti-VEGF injectable eye drugs like Genentech’s Lucentis.

Robert Califf aces Senate floor vote and takes the FDA commissioner job

Despite an intense flurry of pushback, the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to confirm cardiologist Robert Califf as the next Commissioner of the FDA.  The Senate had passed a procedural vote two days prior; however, several Senators had held up the final vote the following day in an effort to push the Agency to be more engaged in its review of opioid analgesics.

JDRF, ADA redefine Type 1 diabetes framework to encourage early diagnosis, prevention

In an effort aimed at encouraging earlier diagnosis and even potentially prevention for Type 1 diabetes, the JDRF and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have published a new evaluation of the presymptomatic staging of Type 1 diabetes.  Currently, Type 1 diabetes is typically not diagnosed until the patient in symptomatic–frequently in the emergency room with acute symptoms.