Advanced Medical Techniques

Today in Cell, we published new research showing how AI can help accelerate cancer discovery. With GigaTIME, we can now simulate spatial proteomics from routine pathology slides, enabling population-scale analysis of tumor microenvironments across dozens of cancer types and hundreds of subtypes.   Developed in partnership with Providence and the University of Washington, our hope is that this work helps scientists move faster from data to insight, revealing new links between genetic mutations, immune activity, and clinical outcomes, and ultimately improving health for people everywhere. https://lnkd.in/dSpPdtzz

Scientists at POSTECH University in South Korea have developed an injectable gel capable of naturally regenerating bone. Made from algae extracts and mussel proteins, the material hardens when exposed to regular light, creating a solid base that integrates with existing bone. The body gradually absorbs the gel as bone cells grow into it, allowing damaged areas to be restored without the need for invasive surgeries or bone grafts. Laboratory tests have been successful, paving the way for faster, safer, and less painful treatments for people with bone injuries or diseases.

A 34 year old male patient presented to my office for a second opinion after undergoing a TLIF at an outside facility one year ago. He had been told that “nothing was wrong,” but his pain never improved. After listening to his concerns, we obtained new imaging studies, which showed several significant issues. There was a pseudoarthrosis—meaning the bones never fused—and the TLIF cage had migrated (or was inadvertently placed) into the spinal canal. The pedicle screws were also malpositioned, including screws placed into the disc space and neural foramen. These findings explained his continued pain and neurologic symptoms. An EMG done preoperatively revealed an acute L5 radiculopathy. Given the severity and location of the problems, I offered surgical intervention. We approached this using a “back–front–back” reconstruction. We revised the screws, removed the migrated TLIF cage through an anterior approach, and performed an ALIF to restore alignment and stability. There was no osseous union at the prior level, confirming that the original fusion never healed. The goal of the reconstruction was to decompress the nerves, correct the hardware issues, restore disc height, and finally achieve a solid fusion so he could return to normal quality of life. ALIF procedures have several advantages over TLIFs in select patients. ALIFs allow for more complete disc space preparation, placement of larger interbody cages, and better restoration of lumbar lordosis and foraminal height. The anterior approach also avoids working around the nerves, reducing the risk of nerve retraction injury compared to a posterior approach. This often allows for improved fusion rates and more predictable alignment correction. TLIFs can be excellent procedures when performed accurately, but they also carry potential downsides. Because the surgery is done through the back, the working space is narrow, and the nerves must be retracted to place the cage. Improper visualization can lead to complications such as malpositioned pedicle screws, cages entering the canal, violation of the foramen or disc space, and incomplete disc preparation that increases the risk of pseudoarthrosis. These complications are exactly how this patient presented—persistent symptoms, hardware in the wrong place, and a fusion that never healed. This case is a reminder that persistent pain after spine surgery should never be ignored. A second opinion can be critical, especially when symptoms don’t match what a patient is being told. As surgeons, our job is not just to operate—it is to listen, evaluate carefully, and help patients understand all their options so they can make informed decisions about their spine health. www.antoniowebbmd.com

Posted with informed patient consent. This surgical content is shared solely for educational purposes.  Educational purposes. Together with Yoaav Krauthammer Krauthammer and our outstanding team at Deer Valley, we successfully performed the second ever robotic hybrid ablation for inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) at our DV Location. This marks a significant advancement in the procedural treatment of IST. IST is a complex, often underdiagnosed condition characterized by a persistently elevated heart rate (resting >100 bpm, 24-hour average >90 bpm) accompanied by symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, and reduced exercise tolerance. Standard therapies, beta blockers, ivabradine, and catheter ablation frequently produce suboptimal outcomes, with high recurrence rates and procedural complications. Our approach combined: • Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic access using the da Vinci Xi system • Direct pericardial visualization for enhanced precision and safety • Electrophysiological mapping using the Abbott HD Grid system • Targeted ablation of the sinoatrial node region based on earliest activation patterns Compared to traditional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), robotic-enhanced hybrid ablation offers superior visualization, access, and procedural control, reducing potential risks and improving operator ergonomics. This case demonstrates the potential of robotic hybrid approaches to redefine IST management, especially in patients with refractory disease or limited response to conventional treatments. Proud of our team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in rhythm surgery. Follow Zain Khalpey, MD, PhD, FACS for more on Ai & Healthcare. #RoboticSurgery #HybridAblation #Electrophysiology #InappropriateSinusTachycardia #IST #CardiacSurgery #CardiothoracicSurgery #MinimallyInvasiveSurgery #ArrhythmiaManagement #HeartRhythm #MedicalInnovation #RoboticAssistedSurgery #Cardiology #EPCommunity #SurgicalInnovation #AdvancedMapping #SinusNodeAblation #daVinciSurgery #FutureOfSurgery #RoboticCardiacCare

Meningitis stole her hands at 15 months. Now she plays piano with $9,000 bionic arms. Traditional prosthetics cost $150,000 and barely grip a cup. Tilly Lockey lost both hands as a baby. For years, she faced the same choice millions do: Basic hooks that look medieval. Or advanced prosthetics that cost more than a house. Then Open Bionics changed the game. The numbers that redefine possibility: ↳ Hero Arm: $8,000-$9,000 ↳ Traditional myoelectric: $30,000-$150,000+ ↳ Weight: Half of legacy devices ↳ Production time: Days, not months Think about that. A teenager applying makeup with precision. Playing instruments. Gaming with friends. All with arms that cost less than a used car. Traditional Prosthetic Reality: ↳ Months-long fitting process ↳ Generic, medical appearance ↳ Limited grip patterns ↳ Repairs cost thousands Tilly's Reality: ↳ 3D printed in days ↳ Marvel-themed designs ↳ Multi-grip wireless control ↳ Modular parts, affordable fixes But here's what stopped me cold: She doesn't hide her bionic hands. She shows them off. At 19, Tilly's become the face of accessible bionics. TV appearances. Viral videos. Public events where kids see prosthetics as superhero gear, not medical equipment. Watch her demonstrate: Applying eyeliner with robotic precision. Gripping drumsticks. Typing messages. Each movement proving that advanced prosthetics shouldn't bankrupt families. Open Bionics didn't just cut costs by 94%. They made bionic limbs that kids actually want to wear. 3D printing slashes production. Muscle sensors read intentions. Disney partnerships inspire confidence. Already 100+ children have Hero Arms. $1.5 million raised for more. The Multiplication Effect: 1 affordable design = dignity accessible 100 Hero Arms = children playing again 1,000 units = industry disrupted At scale = 2 million lives transformed Traditional manufacturers argued it couldn't be done. A UK startup proved them wrong. They started with a different question: Not "What will insurance pay?" But "What do kids actually need?" Tilly's journey from meningitis survivor to bionic ambassador shows what happens when innovation starts with people, not profit. The future of prosthetics isn't in protecting six-figure price tags. It's in making bionic normal. Follow Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld for innovations that expand human possibility. ♻️ Share to spread hope to 2 million people living with limb difference. #BionicTechnology #AccessibleHealthcare #Innovation #Prosthetics

2026: No socket. No straps. Just bone + AI. Facinating? Mike’s above-elbow prosthesis isn’t incremental innovation. It’s a convergence of orthopedics, robotics, and machine learning. And the numbers make this bigger than one story. 🌍 Global context • ~40 million people worldwide require prosthetic or orthotic devices • In the U.S. alone, ~2.1 million people live with limb loss • That number is projected to reach 3.6 million by 2050 • Advanced myoelectric prostheses are still used by a minority of upper-limb amputees Now look at what’s changing. Osseointegration A titanium implant anchored directly into the humerus. The prosthesis connects to the skeleton — eliminating sockets entirely. Why it matters: • Improved load transfer • Increased range of motion • Reduced skin complications • Greater mechanical stability • Potential for osseoperception (bone-conducted sensory feedback) This transforms biomechanics. AI Pattern Recognition by Coapt Traditional myoelectric control: One muscle → one motion. Pattern recognition: Multiple EMG signals → ML classification → intended movement prediction. Result: • More intuitive control • Faster signal interpretation • Simultaneous multi-joint actuation • Reduced cognitive fatigue This is real-time bio-signal processing running on embedded systems. ⚙️ Myoelectric elbow + hand + custom linkage adapter Engineered for: • High torque transfer • Signal integrity • Structural stability • Seamless skeletal integration This isn’t just a prosthetic. It’s a cyber-physical system: Human intent → EMG data → AI inference → robotic execution → skeletal feedback loop. The prosthetics market is projected to exceed $10B+ globally within this decade. But the real shift isn’t market size. It’s capability. 2026 won’t be defined by smarter devices. It will be defined by smarter human-machine integration. #AI #Robotics #MedTech via @astepaheadprosthetics #Bionics #AdvancedEngineering #HealthTech

August 2025 🏖️ Tendinopathies 💡I want to share my thoughts on this topic and work with you to optimize the management of tendinopathies in sports. Since this is a topic that's always relevant, especially at the start of the season, when training sessions are consistently resuming, I'd like to share my thoughts: The main authors guiding my clinical practice are undoubtedly (E. Rio, J. Cook, P. Malliaras, and C. Purdam), thanks to whom we know that the main cause of tendon pain is overload, which can lead to pathological and clinical changes such as: - Tendon thickening - Neovascularization - Disorganization of collagen fibers - Overproduction of nitric acid - Increased fat deposition - Increased proteoglycans We also know that pain originates primarily from the innervation of the peritenon, within which we find high levels of glutamate and pro-inflammatory peptides (SP and CGRP), leading to increased intratendinous pressure that triggers activation of mechanoreceptors. https://lnkd.in/dTE93d2Q 💊On a pharmacological level, the administration of corticosteroids and phloroquinolone antibiotics (Ciproxin), which inhibit tenocyte proliferation and ECM synthesis, is discouraged (N. Maffulli et al. 2003, Van der Vlist et al. 2019). 💉PRP injections remain a red flag, as the literature is still divided on the quality of results and treatment standardization: how much PRP should be injected? What quality? How many injections should be administered? 🏃🏻Training load management remains a gold standard that must be respected within the weekly microcycle, where athletes need to reduce the number of workouts or their duration and physical effort (Alfons Mascaró et al. 2018 - Gabbet) 💔We also know that tendons dislike compression, so we must consider not only avoiding eccentric loading or stretching in the acute phase, but also evaluating direct compression from a soccer shoe or a tight bandage. https://lnkd.in/dmVGNvEk 🔬For the physical therapies most commonly used in rehabilitation, we can consider laser therapy (although there are several laboratory and animal studies) and ESWT, which improve function by reducing pain, promoting inflammatory and catabolic processes, and stimulating connective tissue healing, cell proliferation, and collagen synthesis. 💪Therapeutic exercise combined with training load management remains the winning strategy, and my clinical practice finds good results with a protocol by P. Malliaras et al. (2015), always respecting the SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) principle for exercise progression, which is well explained in the study by Robert-Jan de Vos et al. (2021) "There's no need to rush to perform plyometrics or specific movements explosively... but it's better to respect physiological adaptations and responses by increasing motor control and sensory feedback." How do you approach this issue? What are your key principles? 😉 I'm waiting for your comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

The missing phase in most rehab protocols Most post-surgery rehab stops when you can function again. You can walk. You can bend. You can get through the day. But your body still feels unsure. There’s stiffness. Guarding. That pause before you move because you don’t fully trust it yet. Rehab shouldn’t end at “manageable.” It should bring you back to strength, control, and confidence. That’s where Pilates fits and the research backs it. After surgery, the body doesn’t just lose strength. It loses coordination. Deep stabilising muscles switch off. The nervous system stays in protection mode. So the body compensates - loading the wrong tissues while avoiding the right ones. Pilates works in the space most rehab skips. > It retrains deep core and stabilisers first. >Uses low-load, controlled movement shown to improve neuromuscular control. > Integrates breath, alignment, and gradual load - which research shows helps restore movement efficiency and reduce re-injury risk. This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about teaching the body how to move again. Not flexibility. Not aesthetics. Just intelligent, progressive movement that helps the body feel safe and strong again. Because recovery isn’t complete when motion returns. It’s complete when control and confidence return with it. — Dr Deepali Gupta #research #pilates #health #wellness #training

This $2M machine saves many of the 15M+ lives affected by stroke every year. You lose 2M neurons/min during a stroke and have ~4.5hrs to live. New Computed tomography (CT) perfusion tech extends that window to 24hrs. Yet we know so little about these life saving devices.. The hardware. A rotating X-ray tube spun at 10,000 RPM shoots high-energy beams through your brain while iodine drip flows in your vessels. 128-640 rows of scintillator detectors capture X-rays every few microseconds. The scan takes 30-60s. Each scan generates >100GB raw data. Custom ASICs & GPU clusters process this in real-time, handling 10^9 data points. The image reconstruction pipeline in C++/CUDA uses deconvolution algos to convert X-ray attenuation data into high-def blood flow maps. Takes < 2min. Companies like Rapid AI & Viz ai revolutionized interpretation. Their deep learning systems analyze perfusion maps in minutes, automatically alerting stroke teams. What took experts hours can now happen fast enough to save critical brain tissue. Takes 2-3mins. The entire process, from door to completed scan is done in 15-20mins. Four giants dominate the space — Siemens' SOMATOM Force claims best speed — GE Revolution claims best AI — Canon Aquilion claims widest coverage — Philips claims unique spectral imaging Two trials changed everything in 2018. DAWN showed 49% good outcomes vs 13% control up to 24hrs after stroke. DEFUSE 3 proved similar results up to 16hrs. Both used CT Perfusion to find salvageable tissue, revolutionizing the "time is brain" paradigm. Before, doctors just used time (4.5hr) after which treatment risk outweighed benefits. Now, we can see exactly which brain tissue is dead (red) vs salvageable (green). Some people's backup blood vessels keep tissue alive for 24hrs - we can spot and save them. CT Perfusion isn't just for strokes: — helps catch aggressive cancers — guides biopsies — finds blocked heart arteries — spots internal bleeding — checks if treatments work By tracking blood flow anywhere in the body, it saves lives in many ways. The tech industry rarely talks about breakthroughs in healthcare and medical imaging. CT Perfusion is just one such technology that combines hardware and software innovation to beat the clock in stroke care.