Tuesday, January 5, 2010

2009 TOP TEN HEALTH INNOVATIONS

If you have yet to grow weary of the 2009 reviews published in virtually every magazine and newspaper, here's more! Below are six of CNN's pick of the top ten health innovations of 2009. To find out what the others are, click here.

As you have noticed, I have focused more on innovations that will make a positive difference to our health and well-being. Do share if you know of any other health or medical innovations that will benefit older adults.


For those with hearing problems, this LYRIC HEARING AID might be the answer. It is embedded 4mm from the eardrum so it is invisible from the outside, and because it is so close to the eardrum, the wearer is able to receive sounds that are clearer and more natural. And you can wear it for 120 days without having to remove it. However, it is not for everyone. Click here to know why.

MIT's 'Electronic Eye' is still in the development stage, but it is giving hope to the visually impaired. A microchip encased in titanium is implanted onto the eyeball. The patient has to wear special eyeglasses equipped with a tiny camera that transmits images directly to the chip, which in turn sends them to the brain. However, the patient will enjoy only partial vision that will allow him to be more mobile and more independent.


The Neurostar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy System offers patients with depression an alternative to taking anti-depressants. It is the first and only TMS approved by the FDA in the US. In this non-invasive procedure, the part of the patient's brain that controls moods is stimulated by pulses of magnetic fields. Each session lasts about 40 minutes. The full course of treatment consists of 30 sessions over a 4-6 week period.


Scientists in Italy have discovered a technique to create new bone from wood. The spongy texture of old wood interacts better with the skeleton. Click here to find out why using wood might be a better alternative than using ceramics or metal to replace bone.



Stanford scientists have developed a low-cost, high-performance prosthetic knee joint for amputees in the developing world. Costing only USD20, the JaipurKnee will bring back mobility to people who have lost their legs in war or diseases such as diabetes.


If you are interested, you might want to check out TIME's pick of the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2009.

1 comment:

CheaHSan said...

Whoa interesting! Thanks