| Show Number |
Air Week |
Title |
Program Description |
| SHOW #152 |
Week of May 24, 1998 |
Arrhythmia Network |
The Stanford Transtelephonic Arrhythmia Network (STAN) is an outpatient
service for people with known or suspected cardiac arrhythmia. The technology allows
patients to use a small hand-held device to record specific episodes of cardiac
disturbance, and transmit the recorded data over telephone lines to their doctors, who can
monitor their situations more accurately. The service is staffed by experts 24 hours a
day, and occasionally recommends that a patient receive emergency care. CONTACT: Kelly J.
Cook, RN, BSN, CCRN, Program Coordinator, Stanford Transtelephonic Arrhythmia Network,
Stanford, CA, (650)498-7717, email: cook@hosp.stanford.edu
|
| |
|
EVERYDAY BREAKTHROUGHS: Tea & Skin Cancer |
Dr. Zhi Yuan Wang of Columbia University has found evidence that tea can
prevent skin cancer. His studies showed that treatment with tea extracts could protect
animals against UV light-induced skin cancer. Further studies show that topical and
ingested doses of either green or black tea extracts can protect against sunburn and skin
cancer related to exposure to the sun. CONTACT: Carolyn Conway, Media Relations Manager,
Office of External Relations, Health Sciences Division, Columbia University, (212)305-4243
|
| |
|
Corneal Rings |
Intrastromal corneal ring implants are the newest treatment available for
mild forms of myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness. The surgery involves inserting a
tiny, transparent polymer ring into the cornea, which reshapes the cornea to correct for
the vision problem. Unlike other surgical procedures such as PRK and RK, this procedure is
reversible. Corneal rings could eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses for
moderately nearsighted individuals. The implants are still in clinical trials, but could
become generally available in the near future. CONTACTS: Kathi Ovnik, Public Affairs,
Emory University, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, (404)727-5686, email: covnic@emory.edu; website: www.emory.edu/WHSC; Judy Walker, Clinical Research
Coordinator, Emory Vision Correction Center, (404)250-1525, website: www.emory.org/vision_correction |
| |
|
FUTUREX: CyberKnife |
The CyberKnife, a robotic linear accelerator, is currently being tested
at six sites worldwide, including the Cleveland Clinic. The device is actually a form of
targeted cancer radiotherapy, utilized mainly to treat brain and spinal tumors. It uses
technology originally developed in the Star Wars program to precisely track the position
of tumors in real time, correcting for slight movement by the patient. This distinguishes
it from similar systems which require that the patient's head be immobilized. CONTACTS:
Dr. Richard Crownover, Cleveland Clinic, (216)444-1925; Dr. Roger Macklis, Cleveland
Clinic, (216)444-5576; manufacturer's website: www.neoforma.com.prod/n0_/n0_sj0tj.html
|
| SHOW #201 |
Week of May 31, 1998 |
REVIEW SPECIAL |
This episode features highlights of Breakthrough's first year on
the air. The retrospective is broken down into several discrete segments. References are
to the original stories - see those Program Summaries for details and contact information.
|
| |
|
Minimally Invasive Procedures |
Perhaps the biggest trend in the world of surgery today is toward what
are known as minimally invasive procedures - operations using miniaturized instruments and
tiny television cameras that allow surgeons to see and work deep inside the body through
very small incisions. As the equipment and expertise have progressed, so has the
willingness of surgeons to employ these techniques in new areas. SEE "Spinal
Fusion," Show #132, Week of 1/4/98; "Uterine Fibroids," Show #111, Week of
8/10/97; "Heart Port," Show #135, Week of 1/25/98 |
| |
|
Diagnostics |
Our coverage of diagnostics has mainly centered around the remarkable
progress in recent years in imaging devices. Non-invasive and harmless methods of
detecting and diagnosing disorders are reaching previously unimaginable levels of
sophistication, and the boundaries of their capabilities are continually being pushed.
SEE: "Depression" & "Virtual Diagnostics," Show #103, Week of
6/15/97; "Stuttering," Show #104, Week of 6/22/97; "PET Scan/Heart
Disease," Show #146; "Endoscopic Ultrasound," Show #122, Week of 10/26/97 |
| |
|
Pharmaceuticals |
Our coverage of new pharmaceuticals has concentrated mainly on drugs we
consider to be distinct advances in the treatment of their target diseases, particularly
when they represent a completely new class of compounds. We have also from time to time
reported on new drugs that are delivered in unique ways. "Raloxifene," Show
#119, Week of 10/5/97; "Schizophrenia," Show #149, Week of 5/3/98; "New
Cancer Drug," Show #133, Week of 1/11/98; "Liquid Breathing," Show #102,
Week of 6/8/97; "Photodynamic Therapy," Show #103, Week of 6/15/97 |
| |
|
Restoring Function |
Until fairly recently, if you lost function in a part of your body, that
was that. Today that's no longer the case, and there's some absolutely fascinating work
going on that will yield marvels in the years to come. SEE: "Functional Neuromuscular
Stimulation (FNS)," Show #101, Week of 6/1/97; "UPDATE: Jim Jatich," Show
#140, Week of 3/1/98; "Vocare," Show #106, Week of 6/29/97; "Prosthetic
Sensors," Show #134, Week of 1/18/98; "Biofeedback," Show #136, Week of
2/1/98; "Ocutech VES (macular degeneration)," Show #102, Week of 6/8/97;
"FUTUREX: Artificial Retina," Show #101, Week of 6/1/97; "Cataract
Surgery," Show #131, Week of 12/28/97; "Corneal Rings," Show #137, Week of
2/8/98 |
| |
|
New Approaches |
Breakthroughs often involve new approaches to age-old problems. Many of
the advances featured in this segment are oriented a bit more toward the future, although
some are available today. These innovations are among the first inklings of what are
expected to be major new lines of therapy in the years to come. SEE: "Artificial
Liver," Show #119, Week of 10/5/97; "Carticel (knee cartilage
transplantation)," Show #145, Week of 4/5/98; "Artificial Skin," Show #101,
Week of 6/1/97; "BREAKTHROUGHS IN HISTORY: Pacemaker," Show #106, Week of
7/6/97; "Pallidal Stimulation (Parkinson's)," Show #104, Week of 6/22/97, Show
#144, Week of 3/29/98; "Vagus Nerve Stimulator (Epilepsy)," Show #151, Week of
5/17/98; "Vibrant Soundbridge (Hearing Loss)," Show #146, Week of 4/12/98;
"Guglielmi Detachable Coil (Brain Aneurysms)," Show #127, Week of 11/30/97;
"Neuroperfusion (Stroke)," Show #117, Week of 9/21/97 |
| SHOW #202 |
Week of June 7, 1998 |
Artificial Ribs (T.I.S.) |
Although it's a rare condition, there are children born each year with
missing or fused ribs due to a variety of rare birth defects. Ten years ago, Drs. Melvin
Smith and Robert Campbell of the University of Texas Health Science at San Antonio were
asked to help a patient born with no ribs on the right side. The case led them to develop
an expandable artificial rib made of titanium, designed to function like a real rib in
terms of supporting the chest wall. As they began getting referrals for similar cases,
they eventually coined the term Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome to describe the condition.
As a child grows, the device is expanded every 4-6 months. Surgeons make a 1-inch
incision, unlock the prosthesis, and expand it in 1/2 centimeter increments. So far, the
team has performed the procedure on more than 50 children, many of whom would not have
survived without it. CONTACTS: Myong Covert, Public Affairs, University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, (210)567-2570; March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation,
(914)428-7100, website: www.modimes.org ; National
Organization for Rare Disorders, (800)999-6673, website: www.pcnet.com/~orphan |
| |
|
EVERYDAY BREAKTHROUGHS: CPR Plus |
CPR Plus is a non-invasive, hand-held device that allows a person to
monitor and modify compression technique during CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). The
result is substantial improvement in performance, benefiting the patient. Correct
compression techniques result in optimal blood flow without unnecessary thoracic trauma.
CPR is far more effective when the depth of compression is correct. CONTACT: Ken Kelly,
Kelly Medical Products, Inc.; (800)CPR-PLUS (277-7587), website: www.kmp.com |
| |
|
Heartburn Surgery |
A new laparoscopic surgical procedure that involves wrapping part of the
stomach around the esophagus is bringing tremendous relief to patients suffering from
severe heartburn - patients whose symptoms are not relieved by medication or diet and
lifestyle changes. An estimated 19 million Americans suffer from a potentially serious
condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. When the sphincter valve at the
bottom of the esophagus doesn't work properly, stomach acid can flow back into the
esophagus, causing the discomfort of heartburn. Most patients can effectively control the
disease without surgery, but for those who cannot, this minimally invasive approach to
heartburn surgery is not only relieving symptoms, but brings the added benefits of reduced
post-surgical pain and quicker recovery. CONTACTS: Linda Anderson, Office of Marketing
& Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia
Campus, (804)828-5378; GERD information, website: www.gerd.com
|
| |
|
FUTUREX: Yellowstone Enzymes |
Organisms able to withstand the rigors of life in some of the world's
most extreme environments - so-called "extremophiles" - are now providing
science and industry with enzymes useful in enhancing the efficiency of chemical
processes. One company has even entered into a first-of-its-kind
"bioprospecting" agreement with Yellowstone National Park. The company is
allowed to carry out research on microorganisms sampled from Yellowstone's hot springs,
and is in turn required to share any resulting revenues and scientific information with
Yellowstone. CONTACT: Diversa Corp., (619)453-7020, website: www.diversa.com |
|
