Minimally Invasive Treatment Removes Uterine Fibroids

A new minimally invasive MR-guided focused ultrasound can remove uterine fibroids in women, removing the need for surgery, a new study has found.
Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound MRgFUS uses high-energy ultrasound waves to generate heat at a specific point, to destroy uterine fibroid tissue and relieve symptoms, according to the Society of Interventional Radiology researchers.
A study conducted on 119 patients at the Mayo Clinic shows MRgFUS can give lasting relief from uterine fibroid-related symptoms for women.
MRgFUS is a newer technology than another interventional radiology fibroid treatment, uterine fibroid embolisation or UFE, a widely available treatment that blocks blood flow to fibroid tumours.
Uterine fibroids are very common non-cancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus, causing prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding that can be severe enough to cause anaemia or require transfusion.
MRgFUS has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat uterine fibroids, but is not widely available and not all insurance carriers cover it.
www.medicaldevice-network.com

Home Healthcare Market

The global home healthcare market is estimated to grow to $20,520m by 2016 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%, a new report has found.
This boom in the global home healthcare market will be driven by an increasing ageing population, according to GBI Research's report The Future of the Home Healthcare Equipment Market to 2016.
The report also points to the growing focus on self-monitoring to curb spiralling healthcare expenditures due to reimbursement reforms as another major driver of the home healthcare sector.
Major drivers for home healthcare equipment in developing countries include the increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes, along with growing affordability and awareness, the report said.

http://www.medicaldevice-network.com/