The year 2006 is about to go away and we are ready to take on 2007 with a healthy body. As other years that have passed away, the year of 2006 also became the year of many significant medical breakthroughs. So, now let us have a glimpse of those medical breakthroughs, which caught our attention.
1. Gardasil
The biggest health story of the year is a huge milestone for women’s health: FDA approved Gardasil, which is the world’s first vaccine against cervical cancer and other diseases caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Gardasil has especially been designed to prevent infection with HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11. HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of HPV-related cervical cancer cases. HPV types 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital wart cases.’
2.OCT
Second significant medical breakthrough of the year 2006 has been ‘Optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT uses noninvasive imaging technology and would revolutionize the way eyes are diagnosed.
3. Endografting technique
Third major breakthrough that appeared in the periphery of medical sciences was introduction of endografting technique. It is based on the technique, which is normally used in cardiology. However, doctors are now using endografting technique for treating vascular diseases, such as thoracic abdominal aneurysms.
4. LVAS
Fourth major breakthrough of the medical world was introduction of LVAS
5. BT
BT or Bronchial Thermoplasty grabs the fifth position coming as a major relief for the patients with asthma symptoms. Bronchial Thermoplasty has been tailored to keep a patient away from asthma attacks. Actually, BT helps improving pulmonary function and thus, helps bringing down the symptoms of asthma.
6. 3D computer program
The advent of 3D computer program has made it easier for the researchers detect pain areas in the body. Experts are nourishing the idea that with computer program doctors would find it easier to know the actual pain area as well as severity of the pain.
7. NxOpinion
The development of software called ‘NxOpinion’ has also come to the limelight as a major breakthrough in the field of medical sciences. Actually, this software has been developed by keeping in view the patients who resides in underdeveloped and developing countries. So, it would not be wrong if we say that the way patients are treated in developing countries would be transformed.
8. Artificial hearts pumping life
‘AbioCor’ was certainly a boon for ailing hearts. We saw the dawn of HearMate II device that provides constant blood flow without pumping. Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a bioengineered heart muscle or BEHM that functions like a natural heart muscle.
9. Insulin-producing islet cells
Transplant of insulin-producing islet cells was another major breakthrough occurred in the arena of medical sciences. In fact, this transplant was first of its kind. Besides, the transplantation of insulin-producing islet cells has come as a major gift from the year 2006, which they will not forget easily.
10. Targeted cancer therapies
Another major medical breakthrough was introduction of targeted cancer therapies. These targeted cancer therapies uses second generation, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors to block the spread of the disease. This type of therapies has been developed, especially by keeping in mind patients with advanced cancers.