May 13, 2013

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Neuropathy Awareness Week

Posted by Stephanie Zakala

It’s the ninth annual Neuropathy Awareness Week, an initiative launched by The Neuropathy Association to promote awareness, research, education, support and advocacy for neuropathy and its warning signs.  According to The Neuropathy Association, peripheral neuropathy impacts well over 20 million Americans (at least 1 in 15), making it one of the most coming chronic diseases and a leading cause of adult disability.  Neuropathy disrupts the body’s ability to communicate with its muscles, organs, and tissues.  Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain.  With early diagnosis, it can often be controlled and quality of life restored.  If ignored, symptoms can intensify to...
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March 15, 2013

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The Cochrane Collaboration Weighs In On Pressure and Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Posted by Stephanie Zakala

Foot ulceration is a significant complication associated with diabetes with pressure often playing a pivotal role in wound formation.  These wounds can have devastating complications, with their presence often predicting the need for future amputation.  In fact, every 30 seconds, a limb is lost to diabetes. Amputation presents a significant health risk to patients, and is a major contributor to morbidity.  A recent Cochrane Review further emphasizes the critical role that pressure plays in ulcer formation, and thus, the need for pressure-sensing and alerting devices. This review from the Cochrane Wounds Group focused on examining literature that has studied pressure-relieving...
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December 12, 2012

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Viva Innovation!

Posted by Amanda Hehr

Dr. Everett has just been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming 2013 Medical Innovations Summit in London, England. The Summit is an annual event hosted by The Royal Society of Medicine, and offers a range of extraordinary presentations with speakers from the UK and overseas. The day-long programme promises to provide a snapshot of amazing medical innovations and advancements taking place all over the globe. A few speakers that caught our attention include a 15 year old Baltimore student who invented a test for pancreatic cancer which is 168 times faster and cheaper than the gold standard in the field,...
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November 14, 2012

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Today is World Diabetes Day!

Posted by Amanda Hehr

What is World Diabetes Day, you may ask? World Diabetes Day marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Drs. Charles Best, John Macleod and James Bertram Collip co-discovered insulin 91 years ago. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United...
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September 07, 2012

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Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention: Best Practices

Posted by Amanda Hehr

Dr. Perry Mayer is the principal at The Mayer Institute (TMI) in Hamilton, Ontario. TMI is one of Canada's preeminent Preventative Diabetic Foot Care, Advanced Wound Care and Diabetes Education clinics. Dr. Mayer and his team are strongly committed to advancing technologies and prevention practices in the area of diabetic foot care, and Orpyx is thrilled to have him as a valued member of our Medical and Technical Advisory Board. 

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August 24, 2012

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It's Not The Size of Your Data, It's How You Use It

Posted by Amanda Hehr

We recently stumbled across an article in Wired UK that predicts that "Mathematicians will lead the next consumer tech market disruption". Intrigued, we read on only to find that we agree wholeheartedly with their forecast. The volume of data being made available to consumers these days is beyond overwhelming. Technology is affording us access to an unprecedented level of detailed social, physical, biometric, medical and resource information. How can one ever disseminate all available information to focus in on what's relevant, and apply it meaningfully into their lives? Mathematicians, it seems, will be the key. Here is an excerpt from...
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July 31, 2012

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Quantified Self Movement, Meet Healthcare

Posted by Breanne Everett

It’s been five years since Wired editors coined the term “quantified self”, and it’s becoming clear that the trend is starting to catch on with consumers in applications outside of the realm of athletics. For those unfamiliar with the concept of quantified self (QS), it refers to the habit of using technology to acquire data about your daily life in terms of outputs, stats and performance. Over the past half decade, QS-based products have begun to typify consumer life; mobile apps and bodily affixed technologies have enabled people to track how fast they run, how many hours they sleep, and...
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July 06, 2012

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Dr. Breanne Everett speaks on Medical Innovation at TEDxYYC

Posted by Amanda Hehr

Dr. Breanne Everett is the CEO and Cofounder of Orpyx, as well as a Medical Doctor and Resident in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Calgary. Early in her residency, Dr. Everett developed a keen interest in neuroplasticity, the potential for the brain to "rewire itself," and the possibility of developing medical solutions premised on this amazing potential of the human mind. Dr. Everett's clinical experience has given her ample exposure to diabetic patients requiring surgical management of diabetic foot complications. Seeing the burden these complications pose on both patients and the healthcare system, and...
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June 28, 2012

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Books on Brains

Posted by Amanda Hehr

We recently came across a fabulous collection of book recommendations relating to neuroplasticity published in the Globe and Mail. Neuroplasicity, the ability of the brain to rewire itself, is the concept that inspired the development of the SurroGait Rx. Orpyx Founder and CEO, Dr. Breanne Everett wanted to discover a way to restore lost peripheral sensation in patients with neuropathy in order to help reduce the thousands of diabetes-related amputations performed each year. We are also hoping that the clinical trial outcomes will demonstrate that the device works to improve gait, mobility and balance in those with severe peripheral nerve...
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June 18, 2012

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DIY Healthcare

Posted by Amanda Hehr

Athletes have been doing it for years… Measuring their biometric data in order to improve performance, meet personal goals and help prevent injury. Self-monitoring athletic devices don't negate the need for the professional advice of a coach or therapist, however, they do allow athletes to take a more informed and proactive approach to their sport of choice. One of the biggest trends to come out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year was 'The Quantified Self'. Consumers are quite simply obsessed with measuring their personal data.  This trend is quickly moving into the medical space, especially since...
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