Technowood Newsroom

November 21, 2023

Medical Conference Roundup

The medical conference landscape has seen cancellations or virtual formats for the last couple of years. However, this year, almost all events have returned to their pre-COVID in-person format. Here is a roundup of conferences Technowood has recently participated in.

October 19, 2023

Majority of TAVR Patients Do Not Enroll in Cardiac Rehab

International guidelines highly recommend cardiac rehabilitation for patients who had gone through cardiovascular procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, a recent study has shown that a majority of TAVR patients do not enroll in cardiac rehabiliation programs.

September 20, 2023

Use Case for the SoftNAV pigtail catheter

Right ventriculography is used to evaluate the function of the right ventricle and diagnose conditions like valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy. A pre-shaped catheter specifically designed for right ventriculography via percutaneous femoral approach was invented by Dr. Yasushi Nishiya of Toyama Prefectural Central Hospital.

August 22, 2023

COVID Antibody Levels Rebound After CPB

Patients who need cardiac surgery often have significant underlying medical conditions making them more susceptible to infection. As most of the population is now vaccinated against SARS-CoV (COVID-19), there are now questions on whether the antibodies gained after vaccination still offer adequate protection to patients after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

59th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

July 14, 2023

Medical Conference Roundup

The 59^th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery (JSPCCS) was held from July 6-8, 2023 at Pacifico Yokohama North, Kanagawa, Japan. Furthermore, leading pediatric cardiac surgeons from Asia were also in attendance as this year featured a joint event with the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Asian Association for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery (AAPCHS).

June 20, 2023

No Hand Function Impairment in Distal Radial Approach

The radial artery has become the preferred access point for interventional cardiology procedures in most hospitals because it is associated with less bleeding complications and faster patient recovery. Recent studies have looked into whether distal radial access may be a safe alternative to the conventional radial artery approach.

May 19, 2023

Gene Mutation Linked to Pediatric Heart Failure

Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine found a genetic mutation that may be linked to the development of heart failure in infants. The new research published in the April issue of Circulation suggests that instead of a heart transplant, drug treatments that can reverse the gene mutation’s effect on heart muscle cells could be utilized.

April 14, 2023

Does heart shape matter?

Different from the popular heart symbol, the anatomical heart looks more similar to a strawberry - elongated with a wide top and a narrow tip. The heart does undergo aging-related structural changes which may make it more susceptible to disease but does heart shape matter for young, healthy individuals?

Clark Development Corporation
Japan National Day 2023

March 15, 2023

TMC joins CDC's Japan National Day

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) hosted a Japan National Day at the Quest Plus Conference Center last February 20, 2023 to celebrate the close relationship between Japan and the Philippines. Technowood president Eiji Tonokura was invited to the event representing Technowood Manufacturing Corporation (TMC).

Cardiac amyloidosis biopsy findings (K.et al., 2013)

February 17, 2023

ACC releases 2023 Expert Consensus on Cardiac Amyloidosis

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) published online the 2023 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Care for the Patient with Cardiac Amyloidosis. Cardiac amyloidosis is a type of restrictive cardiomyopathy (CM) that occurs when amyloid, an abnormal protein, builds up in the heart.

January 18, 2023

Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Football fans were enjoying an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023 when one of the players, Damar Hamlin, collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Medical staff immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore his pulse. After 9 days of hospitalization, the 24-year-old athlete was discharged to continue rehabilitation at home.

December 14, 2022

Use Case for the SoftNAV pigtail catheter

Unlike standard 13mm-loop pigtail catheters, the SoftNAV pigtail catheter is tipped with a 8mm micro loop designed to easily pass through the aortic valve. This can be advantageous in TAVI cases with small aortic annulus.

November 25, 2022

November Medical Conference Roundup

The medical conference landscape in Japan is gradually recovering; though many are now adopting the hybrid approach of having both in-person and virtual format as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a roundup of events Technowood has participated in this month.

October 14, 2022

Heart transplant using hearts that "died" from circulatory death

Based from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study, there are 64 million people suffering from heart failure, with over half having severe heart failure. For end-stage heart failure, heart transplant is the only treatment of choice. Unfortunately, the donor pool for hearts suitable for transplantation is limited and many patients die while on the waiting list.

September 16, 2022

Use Case for Disposable Forceps Pocket

During surgery, doctors use various medical instruments to dissect or cut away tissue and blood vessels. Operating room nurses, like myself, hand over these instruments during critical points for the operation to proceed smoothly.

Standard Judkins vs Judkins Safety in coronary engagement

August 17, 2022

Use Case for the SoftNAV Catheter Judkins Safety

Unlike regular Judkins catheters, the Judkins Safety has a uniquely curved tip designed for easy coaxial engagement and reduced risk of coronary artery injury. Its braided shaft with hydrophilic coating ensures improved catheter maneuverability through tortuous vessels, especially in TRA procedures.

July 20, 2022

Using Filters To Reduce Infections Associated With Heater-cooler Units

The US-FDA has issued a notice last month regarding the need for new strategies in preventing infections from the use of heater-cooler units. Over the last few years, there have been reports on the association of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection and the use of heater-cooler units on patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

Technowood PTS NEO 人虎心肺回路セット鉗子ポケット　
Disposable Forceps Pocket

June 17, 2022

Use Case for Disposable Forceps Pocket

Various medical instruments are used in cardiac surgery, and OR nurses have to quickly and efficiently hand over the right instrument at different stages of the procedure. Frequently used devices, like tweezers, forceps and scissors, are usually placed within the surgeon’s reach to shorten the procedure time.

May 17, 2022

CTO PCI Outcomes Similar with Radial or Femoral Access

The Femoral or Radial Approach in the Treatment of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion (FORT CTO) study showed that transradial access (TRA) is as effective as transfemoral access (TFA) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO).

April 15, 2022

Drinking Coffee May Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Three separate studies presented during the recently held American College of Cardiology ACC 2022 Scientific Session report that regular coffee drinking may be beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

March 18, 2022

Baby Gets World's First Combined Heart-and-Thymus Transplant

A baby received a first-of-its-kind combined heart and thymus transplant at Duke University Hospital in a bid to help prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.

FEBRUARY 12, 2022

Shorter Hospital Stay after a Heart Attack

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in certain regions due to the spread of the omicron variant, hospitals are hard-pressed finding hospital beds. Barts Heart Center in London showed a safe way to shorten the hospital stay of low-risk heart attack patients to just 24 hours compared to the usual 3 days.

JANUARY 14, 2022

Genetically-modified pig heart successfully transplanted to live Human

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) in Baltimore, USA has announced the first-in-the-world successful transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart to a 57-year-old patient who has end-stage heart disease.

DECEMBER 15, 2021

How TAVI affects CAG and PCI

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was first introduced in 2002 by Cribier et.al. as an alternative to inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Now, after two decades of advancements in device design and operational techniques, the use of TAVI has become widespread as its use was expanded to a wider range of patients. Still, there are challenges with the use of TAVI. One such difficulty is coronary artery cannulation after TAVI.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

With cities continuing to open up, authorities are doubling their efforts to convince vaccine holdouts. Though vaccination have been shown to reduce hospitalization and death, many are still worried about potential side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. One such side-effect often heard on the news is vaccine-induced myocarditis.

OCTOBER 13, 2021

Heart attack, injury after surgery

With global COVID-19 cases on the decline, there are signs of society returning back to normal. One such example is the return of elective surgical procedures that were postponed during the height of the pandemic. While COVID-19 infection is still a concern before and after surgery, another issue to be careful of is Myocardial Injury after Non-cardiac Surgery (MINS).

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

The role of ECMO in COVID-19

With the delta mutation of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing rapid spikes in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ECMO is again getting a lot of attention in the news. In August 2021, Japan logged a record of 117 patients on ECMO.

AUGUST 20, 2021

COVID-19 and the heart

While respiratory illness associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are well known, there is growing evidence that infection from the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also increases the risk for a heart attack or stroke.

NEWSROOM

November 21, 2023

Medical Conference Roundup

October 19, 2023

Majority of TAVR Patients Do Not Enroll in Cardiac Rehab

September 20, 2023

Use Case for the SoftNAV pigtail catheter

August 22, 2023

COVID Antibody Levels Rebound After CPB

July 14, 2023

Medical Conference Roundup

June 20, 2023

No Hand Function Impairment in Distal Radial Approach

May 19, 2023

Gene Mutation Linked to Pediatric Heart Failure

April 14, 2023

Does heart shape matter?

March 15, 2023

TMC joins CDC's Japan National Day

February 17, 2023

ACC releases 2023 Expert Consensus on Cardiac Amyloidosis

January 18, 2023

Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest

December 14, 2022

Use Case for the SoftNAV pigtail catheter

November 25, 2022

November Medical Conference Roundup

October 14, 2022

Heart transplant using hearts that "died" from circulatory death

September 16, 2022

Use Case for Disposable Forceps Pocket

August 17, 2022

Use Case for the SoftNAV Catheter Judkins Safety

July 20, 2022

Using Filters To Reduce Infections Associated With Heater-cooler Units

June 17, 2022

Use Case for Disposable Forceps Pocket

May 17, 2022

CTO PCI Outcomes Similar with Radial or Femoral Access

April 15, 2022

Drinking Coffee May Reduce Heart Disease Risk

March 18, 2022

Baby Gets World's First Combined Heart-and-Thymus Transplant

FEBRUARY 12, 2022

Shorter Hospital Stay after a Heart Attack

JANUARY 14, 2022

Genetically-modified pig heart successfully transplanted to live Human

DECEMBER 15, 2021

How TAVI affects CAG and PCI

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

OCTOBER 13, 2021

Heart attack, injury after surgery

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

The role of ECMO in COVID-19

AUGUST 20, 2021

COVID-19 and the heart