Emory Technology Transfer Blog

What is the most common, permanently debilitating birth effect? Affecting approximately 166,000 individuals across the United States, spina bifida, which in Latin, literally translates to “split spine,” is a neural tube defect that causes damage to the spine. The condition can happen anywhere along the spine where neural tubes do not close all the way so that the backbone does not develop and protect the spinal cord. Spina bifida causes disabilities that can be intellectual and physical and range from mild to severe. Referred to as a “snowflake condition” because no two cases of the defect are the same, severity Read More …

Parkinson’s disease (PD), one of the most common neurological conditions, afflicts around 1.5 million people in the United States alone. More globally, it is estimated that that number grows to around 5 million people. Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder. It impacts the nervous system and can seriously influence one’s ability to walk and talk. Additionally, those with PD often exhibit behavioral and mental changes, sleeping problems, memory difficulties, and fatigue. The disease is usually seen in those aged 60 and older, and cases of PD are more commonly observed in men than women. The symptoms of PD Read More …

With the rise of products like vapes and e-cigarettes, the warning of lung cancer is not unheard of to most teenagers. Lung cancer is the most common cancer across the world, and the third most common cancer in the United States after skin cancer and breast cancer. In a normal, healthy lung, air enters through the bronchi that divide into bronchioles that ultimately lead to tiny air sacs known as alveoli. The alveoli are the site for gas exchange where oxygen is absorbed, and carbon dioxide is removed. Different types of lung cancer affect different parts of the lungs, but Read More …

Skin cancer is the unmanageable growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis, the skins’ surface layer. Mutations in DNA lead skin cells to quickly multiply and form malignant groups of tissue, creating tumors within the skin. While skin cancer is a relatively common illness, it has the potential to be deadly, especially when left undetected. Overall, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States than all other cancers combined, yet nearly two people die of the disease every hour. The only way to detect skin cancer is through examination of the skin, so it is essential to Read More …

Most of us perceive sleep as the one period of our day where our bodies, as well as our minds, are completely still and unmoving. When we sleep, we assume our bodies are completely at rest. This is partially true, as healthy sleep is an essential aspect of our rest and restoration processes. However, our brains remain active throughout our sleeping state. This active state is equally essential for brain function, to allow it to carry out the restorative and important processes that promote our overall health and wellbeing. Sleep impacts our mental and physical functions, our metabolism, and even Read More …

Haven’t heard of sarcoma? You’re not alone. Although there are more than seventy different types of sarcoma, it is a rare form of cancer. Sarcoma is the general term used to describe cancers that form in connective tissues, which are the cells that connect and support other kinds of tissue in your body. Sarcoma most commonly appears in muscles, fat, nerves, or the lining of your joints, though it can also appear in other parts of the body. Generally, sarcoma is separated into two main types: soft tissue sarcoma and primary bone sarcoma, with soft tissue being more common. Primary Read More …

Therapeutic Uses of VR Virtual reality has expanded the options for therapy through creating simulations that help patients overcome physical and mental ailments, making it easier for people to find methods of therapy that work with their condition and lifestyle. This last part of the Virtual Reality in Healthcare series will explore the types of VR found in this important healthcare field. Revisit part 1 in the series Introduction to Virtual Reality in Healthcare and part 2 Uses of VR in Medical Procedures and Education. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Like surgery, using VR in physical rehabilitation was first explored in Read More …

Uses of VR in Medical Procedures and Education Virtual reality helps medical professionals plan for and execute complex procedures, especially in the surgical field. This technology is being implemented in medical schools and surgical training programs so that the next generation of doctors can be trained in innovative techniques to prepare for their future in the medical field and the operating room. Revisit part 1 in the blog series Introduction to Virtual Reality in Healthcare. Surgery  VR has been used in surgical procedures since the early 1990s when technology was used to plan out surgeries and present complicated information visually. Read More …

Introduction to Virtual Reality in Healthcare Communication in the healthcare industry can improve healthcare experience and outcomes for everyone involved. Whether it’s a doctor explaining treatment options to a patient or an instructor teaching a class how to perform surgery, medical work relies on clear and effective instructions. However, in situations when verbal explanations can be complicated or difficult to follow, how do we make information easy to understand? One technology that has cost-efficiently increased communication in clinical medicine by “showing” rather than just “telling” is virtual reality (VR). VR, also known as a virtual environment, produces simulations that help Read More …