Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2010
Welcome to the fourth edition of our Top 10 Medical Innovations. We are pleased to share with you the final
results of a rigorous selection process that started many months ago when we asked scores of our clinicians and researchers at the
Cleveland Clinic the simple question: "What game-changing medical technology, device, or therapy do you see breaking through in 2010?"
Cleveland Clinic's culture of innovation naturally fosters a good deal of discussion about "hot" new technologies and which ones will have
the greatest impact each year. The purpose of our annual "Top 10 Medical Innovations" is to share the perspective of our leaders on what
innovations they felt would help to re-shape health care in the next year. As you turn the pages and move from innovation #10 through to
the #1 selection for 2010, we are certain that you will be amazed by the diversity of these innovations, their unique utility, and by their
truly game-changing nature.
Cleveland Clinic Top 10 for 2010
1. Bone Conduction of Sound For Single-Sided Deafness:
A new non-surgical, removable hearing and communication device designed to imperceptibly transmit sound via the teeth to help people with single-sided deafness.
2. Low-Volume, Low-Pressure Tracheal Tube Cuff To Reduce
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia:
A device that dramatically reduces the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia and death in the hospital ICU by providing continuous effective airway seals.
3. Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Devices:
Tiny 3-ounce devices surgically attached alongside the heart that quietly and effectively take over the pumping ability of the heart.
4. Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants:
Predictable and well-tolerated alternatives to the oral anticoagulant warfarin that provide a more convenient-and safe-way for patients to dose themselves and prevent blood-clot formation.
5. Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Cryopreservation:
A rapidly-improving technology that allows eggs of a healthy woman to be safely frozen and stored, ready to be thawed and fertilized at a later date.
6. Forced Exercise To Improve Motor Function in Patient's With Parkinson's:
Pedaling at 90 RPMs on a tandem bike to dramatically improve motor functioning of patients with Parkinson's disease.
7. Outpatient Diagnosis of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders:
Self-contained, reliable, at-home sleep-monitoring devices for screening, diagnosing, and treatment assessment of sleep-related breathing disorders.
8. Oral Thrombopoeitin (TPO) Receptor Agonist That Stimulates Platelet Production:
A recently approved drug that stimulates production of cells in bone marrow that form platelet cells in the blood.
9. Devices for Occluding Left Atrial Appendage to Reduce Stroke Risk:
Device alternatives to long-term warfarin use that can prevent clots from developing in patients with atrial fibrillation.
10. Whole-Slide Imaging for Management of Digital Data In Pathology:
A technology for creating digital pathology slides with excellent image quality that can be viewed, stored, streamed over the Internet, and analyzed on a computer.