Medical Design Briefs - October 2021 - 37

in dentistry and some of the custom hearing products in
audiology. The company plans to sell Gynethotics as a premium
conservative therapy - much like how custom
orthotics were introduced when only Dr. Scholl's orthotics
were available - and an alternative to existing treatment
options. Standard pessaries cost between $50 and $150,
but that money is wasted if patients can't find the right fit
and stop using them. Surgeries, Sham says, cost between
$5,000 and $50,000 and have complication and reoperation
risks.
Cosm's work shines a light on a common, growing, underserved,
and global women's health issue. Whether it's an individual's
struggle or a loved one's, it's clear that the old way of
doing things is not sufficient, and this new solution could positively
impact many lives.
References
1. S. Shah, et al., " The history and evolution of pessaries for pelvic
organ prolapse, " Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct, 2006 Feb;
17(2):170-5, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15830115
2. S. Sarma et al., " Long-term vaginal ring pessary use: discontinuation
rates and adverse events, " BJOG, 2009 Dec;116(13):1715-21,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19906018/
3. I. Nygaard, et al., " Prevalence of Symptomatic Pelvic Floor
Disorders in US Women, " JAMA, 2008 Sep 17; 300(11): 1311-1316,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918416/
This article was written by freelance writer Megan Nichols, with
additional reporting by Paul Sohi, Product Marketing Manager for
Autodesk. A version of this article originally appeared on Autodesk's
Redshift, a site dedicated to inspiring construction, manufacturing,
engineering, and design leaders. For more information, visit
http://info.hotims.com/79418-367.
Technology Responds Swiftly to Worldwide Pandemics
The pandemic of 1918 raced around the globe, killing at
least 50 million worldwide, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Protection. Nearly 675,000 of those
deaths occurred in the United States. The H1N1 virus, also
called the Spanish flu, was first observed in Europe, the United
States, and parts of Asia.
In a now familiar ordeal, people were required to wear
masks. Businesses, schools, and theaters were shuttered, as
hospitals were overrun with flu patients.1 There is no universal
consensus as to where the pandemic started, but in the
United States, it was first identified in military personnel in
the spring of 1918.
The similarities between the pandemic of 1918 and the 2020
coronavirus pandemic are eerie. There is, however, one other
similarity that generates optimism. The Spanish flu sparked a
wave of innovation to help stop the spread of communicable
diseases. The same trend seems to be occurring in response to
the coronavirus.
" Pandemics have ravaged civilizations through history, "
Glenn McDonald wrote on History.com last June. " But global
health crises have sparked progress in culture and society,
changing lives for the better. Water and sanitations systems
improved, and revelations led to innovations in limiting disease
spread as well as in treatments and vaccines. " 2
Some innovations began before the pandemic and saw swift
growth. Others were tied directly to the pandemic. They incorporated
different technology and came in all shapes and sizes.
The most important takeaway, though, is that innovation will
never be a pandemic casualty.
■ Using Ultraviolet Light
The products that help stop the spread of communicable
diseases range from simple to sophisticated. Some are large,
others are small, some are costly, and others are quite inexpensive.
They all play a piece in supporting a global fight.
One strategy many businesses found during the pandemic
to help stop the spread of communicable diseases was the
use of ultraviolet light. CleanSlate UV, which is headquartered
in Toronto, ON, Canada, uses UV light to reduce
germs on mobile devices. The business was founded in 2014
Medical Design Briefs, October 2021
Intro
Cov
The hands-free door opener includes shafts and sleeve bearing flanges
from igus. (Credit: MYT Wares)
but saw its sales soar last year. Its year-over-year growth grew
by 1,200 percent, and its products sanitized more than
60,000,000 mobile devices.
While CleanSlate UV's products are used extensively in
the medical industry, it branched out last year to include
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Dexai Robotics of Massachusetts designed an automated solution for food
preparation. (Credit: Dexai Robotics)
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15830115 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19906018/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918416/ http://info.hotims.com/79418-367 http://www.History.com http://www.medicaldesignbriefs.com http://info.hotims.com/79418-966
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