AHTA - National Horizon Scanning Unit (NHSU) prioritising summaries - 2004
Australia and New Zealand Horizon Scanning Network - Technologies Assessed
The reports below are available in pdf format.
Print versions may be requested by sending an email to the healthpact.secretariat@health.gov.au
October 2004
- Vocera® wireless communication.
- Breath test for lung cancer detection in high-risk patients.
- Enteryx™: for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
- Apligraf®: for the treatment of diabetic foot and venous leg ulcers.
- PulseTrace: non-invasive, rapid assessment of arterial stiffness to identify patients at risk of heart disease and stroke.
- ZstatFlu®: point-of-care influenza test.
- Frequent home visits by nurses for hypertensive patients.
- Whole-body MRI for the detection of metastases in patients with known malignant tumours.
- Modified urine collection pad (UCP) for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections in infants.
- Implantable collamer lens for the correction of myopic vision.
August 2004
- NeuroForm2™ microdelivery stent system for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.
- A rapid foetal fibronectin assay as a predictive test for women suspected of being in pre-term labour.
- CrystaLens™: an accommodating intraocular lens replacement for patients with cataracts.
- Bispectral index monitoring (BIS) for measuring the depth of anaesthesia and to facilitate anaesthetic titration.
- Meniett™: an alternating pressure ear device for the treatment of people with Meniere's disease.
- Perfusion CT scanning to evaluate cerebral perfusion in patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke symptoms.
- Dermagraft®: dermal substitute wound cover for patients with Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa.
- ArtAssist®: intermittent pneumatic limb compression device for lower limb ischaemia and peripheral vascular disease in patients with diabetes.
- PoleStar™ N-10: Intraoperative MRI for neurosurgical procedures.
- Alternative site blood glucose meter, other than finger-tip, for diabetic patients.
- Thermal ablation of small breast tumours: a minimally invasive technique for the destruction of breast tumours.
- FibroTest-ActiTest: A diagnostic test for liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C.
May 2004
- I-STAT® Cardiac Troponin I (cTnl) test for the assessment of biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting to emergency departments.
- RESPeRATE™: self guided breathing device for the treatment of hypertension in the home.
- Heartsbreath: diagnostic test of grade III heart transplant rejection in heart transplant recipients.
- AutoPulse™ Resuscitation System: automatic chest compressor for patients in cardiac arrest (PDF 134 KB)
- ScopeGuide™: magnetic endoscopic imaging of the colon for patients requiring colonoscopy.
- Guardian™ Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: blood glucose monitoring in diabetic patients.
- Enpulse™ Pacing System: implantable heart pacemaker that automatically adjusts electrical impulses for patients with cardiac arrhythmia.
- Anodyne Therapy System: treatment of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients.
- Cool Care System™: head cooling device to prevent/minimise effects of hypoxia ischaemia in newborn infants.
February 2004
- AlphaCor™, artificial cornea: corneal replacement in patients considered at high risk for conventional keratoplasty.
- Computer aided detection systems in mammography: a breast cancer detection tool for women attending screening and/or diagnostic mammography services.
- Brahms PCT Assays for the diagnosis and control treatment of systemic bacterial infection in emergency and intensive care patients.
- Contegra® pulmonary valved conduit for the correction or reconstruction of the outflow tract of the right ventricle in congenital heart malformations in patients aged under 18.
- Uni-Gold™ Recombigen® HIV test to detect antibodies to HIV-1 in the plasma and whole blood of individuals at risk of HIV infection.
- Elecsys® proBNP immunoassay for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure.
- MRI for the assessment of liver iron stores: management of patients with suspected or diagnosed haemochromatosis.
- Medtronic® InSync® III Biventricular Pacing System: cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with congestive heart failure.
January 2004
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of chronic calcifying tendonitis of the rotator cuff.
- Yag laser for blocked retinal venouscirculation to prevent or restore visual loss in patients suffering non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (PDF 88 KB)
- Cyberknife®: minimally invasive precision radiosurgery for conditions where radiation treatment is indicated.
- Catheterisation guided by MRI: cardiac catheterisation guided by MRI in children and adults with congenital heart disease.
- MRI screening for breast cancer: screening for breast cancer with MRI in genetically high-risk women (PDF 139 KB)
- GlucoWatch® G2™: a watch designed primarily for children with Type I diabetes to continuously monitor glucose levels (PDF 105 KB)
- ImageChecker CT-LN: a computer-aided system for the detection of lung cancer nodules (PDF 77 KB)
- Symmetry™ Bypass Connector: to facilitate the attachment of saphenous vein grafts to the aorta in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (PDF 84KB)
- Gynecare TVT Obturator System for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.
Reports presented on the Horizon Scanning website are based on information available at the time of research and cannot be expected to cover any developments arising from subsequent improvements to health technologies. The reports are based on a limited literature searches and are not a definitive statement on the safety, effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of the health technology covered. The Commonwealth does not guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information in the reports presented on this site. The reports are not intended to be used as medical advice and are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should they be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for a health professional's advice. The Commonwealth does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information contained within these reports.
Page currency, Latest update: 28 October, 2009
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