Researchers at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in the U.K. are developing urine-powered EcoBots that run on microbial fuel cells modeled after the heart. They described their technology in the Nov. 8 issue of Bioinspiration and Biomemetics. Here is a demonstration of the fuel cell converting urine into electricity to charge a mobile phone.

Novartis today announced the winners of its Mobile Health (mHealth) Challenge, a competition for developers and mobile technology start-ups to participate in creating mobile solutions that can positively impact the lives of caregivers and their loved ones with heart failure. The intensive two-day Challenge brought individuals and teams together to compete for cash prizes totaling $40,000.

An overview of coronary artery anatomy will be reviewed in a live, interactive format that simulates clinical practice.

Digisonics, a Best in KLAS provider of cardiovascular information systems (CVIS), has introduced functionality for Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) calculations.  Appropriate Use Criteria are evidence-based guidelines to assist referring physicians and other providers in making the appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition/indication. Digisonics recognizes that reimbursement audits will be tied to appropriate use scores in the future, so there is considerable benefit for facilities that utilize the Digisonics CVIS to monitor appropriate use scores and produce the required structured reports.

UltraSPECT, a leading provider of image reconstruction technology that reduces radiopharmaceutical dose and acquisition time for nuclear medicine (NM) exams, announces today that study data has shown UltraSPECT solutions are a viable method for meeting American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) low dose guidelines. Furthermore, technologists are able to rely on their existing imaging protocols, providing added confidence in overall results. UltraSPECT will be demonstrating this solution to conference attendees at the upcoming ASNC Annual Meeting, September 26-29, in Chicago.

Two new facilities have selected the Digisonics Cardiovascular Information System.  The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. and Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center, in Eagle Pass, Texas will implement the Digisonics CVIS for cardiovascular image review and structured reporting. 

The medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, will begin giving credit to students who edit articles on Wikipedia. In an article in the New York Times, the course’s teacher explained that the project will help students develop layman-level communication skills.

Cardiovascular Associates’ website, www.nycva.org, was selected as winner of the Web Marketing Association’s 2013 WebAward for Outstanding Website. The New York City health center’s site, unveiled earlier this year, was designed and developed by the healthcare marketing agency Paramount/MD.