AHJ S1E4: TAVI 10 Year Anniversary
2018 marks the 10 year anniversary of the TAVI device, short for the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. The TAVI system enables the replacement of a diseased aortic valve without open-heart surgery or surgical removal of the native valve.
This minimally invasive surgical option reduces operating time and allows for a shortened recovery period for patients.
AHJ met with the cardiologist teams in Melbourne’s Epworth and Alfred Hospital who have involved in implanting the device over the past 10 years.
Interviews:
- Associate Professor Tony Walton, Epworth Hospital, Director of Catheter Laboratory and Deputy Director of Cardiology – Alfred Health
- Associate Professor Ron Dick, Director of Cardiac Sciences – Epworth Healthcare
- Professor Stephen Duffy, Alfred Health
Investigating use of dietary supplements for osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability affecting over 2 million Australians, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on Chronic musculoskeletal conditions (2024) and 595 million people globally, according to BD 2021 Osteoarthritis Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of osteoarthritis, 1990–2020. It represents a significant public health burden that diminishes quality of life among ageing populations.
Consumer Commission Report – What consumer-centred health and social care should look like
ANDHealth CEO Bronwyn Le Grice steps us through key report data from 317 emerging high growth potential digital health companies across Australia. Each of these companies has been supported in some way by ANDHealth since 2017.
Success in WA pilot to observe babies showing delays in social interaction & communication development
Inklings – led by The Kids Research Institute Australia – is a program for babies aged 6-18 months whose communications skills are developing differently to expected milestones. In early 2025 it has completed the first year of a pilot program.
At the time of filming (Nov 2024), Inklings has received more then 300 enquiries across WA and started to deliver services to 160 children, with almost 60 who have completed the program.
Addressing the perinatal mental health clinician shortage
Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) impacts 100,000 Australians each year, equating to one in five mums and one in ten dads, with PNDA costing Australia $877 million annually. To address the nationwide shortage of specialist perinatal mental health clinicians, Gidget Foundation Australia has partnered with Federation University to launch the Graduate Diploma in Perinatal Mental Health.
Australian Healthcare Week 2019: Pitch Fest Finalist Lumin
Startup company Lumin was a Pitch Fest Finalist at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week Expo in Sydney. The Lumin platform is used in aged care where loneliness and isolation can be a trigger for stroke and dementia. Lumin helps the connection to care providers, family members and duress monitoring services in a device that has been designed for those with dementia, vision impairment or find complex devices difficult to use.
Managing Director and Co-Founder Paul Wilson spoke at the Mepacs booth with Anne Dao from Australian Health Journal about the market they target and the design of the user experience, including the remote servicing and monitoring. The integration allows the monitoring team in the call centre see and hear the personal raising the alarm. Mepacs is a provider of personal duress alarms and have teamed up with Lumin.