Candela, a leading global medical aesthetic device company, announced the availability of the Frax Pro™ system. The FDA-cleared, non-ablative fractional device is the first platform featuring dual-depth skin resurfacing with both Frax 1550™ and the novel Frax 1940™ applicators. The two modalities target different skin layers, stimulating growth of new collagen, revealing smoother, more brilliant skin. The Frax 1940 handpiece delivers a 1940 nm wavelength laser beam for a shallow, epidermal approach, with focal reach extending to approximately 200 µm in depth. The 1550 nm wavelength of the Frax 1550 handpiece penetrates deeper, with histological analysis showing up to 800 µm penetration. Clinical studies demonstrate high rates of textural improvement and patient satisfaction with the Frax 1550 and Frax 1940 handpieces.

“With use of both applicators achieving dual depth resurfacing, we saw a complementary effect,” says Jill Waibel, MD of Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute. “Additionally, patients treated in our clinic were extremely pleased with new Frax 1940 treatment results. The outcomes clearly demonstrated intended results of skin resurfacing with improvement in both textural irregularities and skin tone.”

The Frax Pro system revolutionizes the aesthetic space by removing limitations of earlier fractional 1550 nm, 1565 nm and/or 1927 nm laser systems. High return on investment (ROI) treatments of the Frax Pro system make it a wise approach to managing practice costs when compared to a leading competitive device. The Frax Pro system’s exclusive 100% applicator-confined diode laser technology and a reductive design, allows a lightweight, flexible umbilical for a comfortable, ergonomic reach and improved treatment visibility relative to thulium-based systems. Multiple laser scan widths enable more customized treatments. These innovations, along with magnetic roller sensing technology and integrated clinical intelligence for quick learning and data retrieval, are just some of the ways that the Frax Pro system advances the space of non-ablative fractional laser therapies, making it the “smart way to Frax”.

Both the Frax 1550 and Frax 1940 technologies are also available on, and interchangeable with, the NordlysTM platform. This addition makes the Nordlys system the first in its class to provide dual fractional 1550 nm and 1940 nm wavelengths, as well as IPL and Nd:YAG capabilities.

“The Frax Pro and Nordlys systems, both with Frax 1550 and Frax 1940 applicators, extend our legacy of innovation in non-ablative treatments,” says Geoffrey Crouse, Chief Executive Officer of Candela. “Candela has a long history of technological innovation and bringing to market best-in-class medical aesthetic energy-based devices, and we are proud to share this new offering.”

Spinal Elements, a spine technology company, announced the FDA clearance of the Lucent® XP-Curved Expandable Interbody Device. Lucent XP-Curved is the third platform in the Lucent XP family of expandable devices and the fifth expandable device within Spinal Elements’ MIS Ultra™ suite of products and procedures. The device and its instrumentation allow for the steerable placement of the intervertebral implant followed by the expansion of the implant’s height once surgically placed. The company’s line of expandable devices has demonstrated impressive adoption and growth, and the company believes this addition will continue that success.

The Lucent XP-Curved device will come in three lengths with multiple lordotic options of up to 15° to assist surgeons in restoring normal spinal alignment and balance during open or MIS TLIF approaches. The devices comprising the Lucent XP family are made primarily of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and feature Spinal Elements’ Ti-Bond® porous titanium coating. Ti-Bond is a hydrophilic porous titanium coating with nano-scale surface features that has been used in tens of thousands of Spinal Elements fusion procedures.

Matt Colman, M.D. of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL says of the Lucent XP-Curved system, “Lucent XP-Curved contains the ideal combination of TLIF device attributes. I can perform cantilever segmental correction using a more ALIF-like footprint while taking advantage of the benefits of in-situ expandability. Additionally, the radiolucency of the PEEK and Ti-Bond construction allows me to confidently assess the healing process throughout the patient’s recovery, providing increased surface area and stability while promoting fusion.”

Wade Jensen, M.D. of the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopedics, and Spine (CNOS) in Dakota Dunes, SD adds, “With up to 15° of lordosis, I expect the expandable Lucent XP-Curved device to restore height while optimizing lordosis to achieve sagittal correction, which is critically important to long-term successful outcomes.”

“We are thrilled to add this device and procedural solution to the MIS Ultra portfolio. With the recently announced acquisition of the Orbit discectomy technology and the introduction of new expandable platforms such as Lucent XP-Curved, Spinal Elements is able to provide an increasing number of comprehensive solutions to our spine surgeon customers,” stated Jason Blain, President and CEO of Spinal Elements.

The commercial introduction of the Lucent XP-Curved device is expected in the coming months. Spinal Elements introduced the MIS Ultra platform last year. Traditionally, MIS procedures have been focused on the size of the incision required for access to the spine. The MIS Ultra product suite goes beyond small incisions to consider the implications of spine surgery after the procedure has taken place. The surgical instruments of the MIS Ultra platform have been designed to reduce the disruption of the patient’s skeletal and muscle tissue, and the implants have been designed to balance the loads shared between the implants and the body while not disrupting the patient’s surrounding healthy anatomy.

Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. has received FDA clearance for the Aquilion Exceed LB™ CT system, giving clinicians the opportunity to see more during radiation therapy planning for accuracy, precision and speed. As cancer cases continue to increase in the U.S., providing clinicians with the latest technology for accurate simulation across treatment plans remains critical.

The Aquilion Exceed LB supports fast and efficient radiation oncology workflows without compromising on patient position, image quality, or reproducibility. Features include:

Accuracy even in complex simulations through industry-leading capabilities, like the largest bore opening (90 cm), edge-to-edge extended Field-of-View (90 cm) reconstruction and wide detector coverage (4 cm).

Better contouring powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) with sharp, clear and distinct images from Canon Medical’s Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE) Deep Learning Reconstruction (DLR) technology.

Expanded capabilities – the Exceed LB is also uniquely designed to meet the needs of radiology departments requiring the flexibility to handle bariatric patients and challenging patient positioning, and with patient access and technology designed to streamline CT interventions.

“The Aquilion Exceed LB was designed to push the boundaries of traditional simulation,” said Erin Angel, managing director, CT Business Unit, Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. “Deep learning reconstruction will give radiation oncology teams the confidence they need for accurate and precise planning across patients.”

About Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.

Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc., headquartered in Tustin, Calif., markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including CT, MR, ultrasound, X-ray and interventional X-ray equipment.

About Canon Medical Systems Corporation

Canon Medical offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Vascular and MR, as well as a full suite of Healthcare IT solutions, across the globe. In line with our continued Made for Life philosophy, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide medical professionals with solutions that support their efforts in contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide. Our goal is to deliver optimum health opportunities for patients through uncompromised performance, comfort and safety features.

At Canon Medical, we work hand in hand with our partners – our medical, academic and research community. We build relationships based on transparency, trust and respect. Together as one, we strive to create industry-leading solutions that deliver an enriched quality of life.

If you are interested in healthcare, earning a graduate degree in medicine can open up several career options. Once you have your undergraduate degree, you are only scratching the surface of what there is to learn in the field. A graduate program allows you to focus on a particular area of interest that will lead to a rewarding, and well-paying, career.

For those who are considering continuing school for a medical degree without a science-based undergraduate, you may need to do some prep work before being admitted to a program. While there is no need to return for a second bachelor’s, your program will have some specific classes you may need to take to ensure you can keep up once class starts. Likewise, if you have been out of school for more than five years, many programs will require you to retake or test out of certain classes.

Paying for School

After earning your undergraduate degree, paying for additional schooling may be the last thing on your mind. Before deciding this isn’t the right idea for you, look at the career opportunities it will open up. Competition is fierce for the high-caliber jobs you may be interested in, and higher education, even if not mandatory, can open many doors. Taking out a student loan from a private lender allows you to pay for your graduate degree by shopping around and choosing a loan with the interest rate and repayment terms that makes sense for your financial situation. Whether you are a student or are planning to cosign the loan, private lenders can provide an affordable option.

Finding Focus

The medical field is very broad, but to do solid work, you need in-depth knowledge. You only touched the very surface of many areas when working on your bachelor’s degree. When considering a master’s, it is time to find some focus. If you enjoy staying up to date on the latest technology, many career options combine the two, if you prefer working around others and providing educational services, public health is a good choice. For people who find the human body and how it works fascinating, medical school isn’t the only choice. Master’s programs in nutrition or dietetics provide training for an in-demand career.

There Will Always Be a Need for Healthcare

Even if you don’t think working directly with the public is right for you, there is a place for you in the medical community. A master’s degree will provide the background needed to pursue work as a medical researcher, to manage clinical trials, and even to work in emergency preparedness. Continuing your education will open the door for many careers that will only become more important in the future.

Do You Have What It Takes?

Many people hesitate when considering graduate school because they fear struggling academically. If you found your biology classes interesting as an undergraduate and were able to keep up in chemistry, you should have no trouble continuing. The many areas of concentration you can focus on making it easier to gravitate toward your strengths. Healthcare education often includes many opportunities to work as an intern, allowing you to explore options that you otherwise wouldn’t be aware of.

Are you in the process of enrolling in Medicare? If yes, you must also be looking into Medicare supplement plans or Medigap plans.

In a word, Medigap plans help people save their hard-earned dollars. You don’t need to fret about out-of-pocket fees related to your diagnostic tests, doctor consultations, or other healthcare procedures when you avail them. As a result, it’s simpler to access the type of medical treatment you need.

To give you a better idea about this healthcare coverage, this article will discuss why it’s important to understand Medicare supplement plans.

What Exactly is Medicare Supplement or Medigap?

Medicare supplement plans are healthcare insurance policies that can help people lessen their out-of-pocket expenses when consulting doctors or availing medical treatments.

Here are some expenses that the plan covers:

• Coinsurance fees: An obligatory fee one needs to pay as a contribution to the service cost. It’s usually in the form of a percentage and charged after paying the deductibles.
• Deductibles: The fee charged for one’s medical service or prescriptions before any insurance, medicine plan, or Original Medicare.
• Co-payment: A set fee one needs to pay as a contribution for the cost of services, such as outpatient procedures, doctor consultation, or prescription medicine.

Here are the 10 Medicare supplement plans available, each of which has varied costs:

• Plan A
• Plan B
• Plan C
• Plan D
• Plan F
• Plan G
• Plan K
• Plan L
• Plan M
• Plan N

Keep in mind that these plans are standard, which means that you’ll get similar policy coverage regardless of which insurance carrier or state you purchase your plan.

However, an exception is Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, which have their individual Medigap plans. If you want to learn more about these plans’ features, such as those offered by United World Life Medicare, you can try reading websites that are dedicated to reviewing these companies.

Who Can Purchase Medicare Supplement Plans?

Individuals who are qualified to avail of Medicare can purchase Medigap plans. Take note of the requirements below:

• Medicare supplement plans work to augment the Original Medicare (Part A & B) policy. You must have traditional Medicare insurance before purchasing Medigap plans.
• Also, you can’t buy Medigap plans if you have Medicare Advantage insurance. Understand that Medicare Advantage policies are a replacement for the Original Medicare. If you intend to purchase Medigap plans, you’ll need to change coverage.

Why It’s Important to Understand Medigap Plans?

Since you’re now familiar with Medicare supplement plans, you may be wondering why are they important to understand? First of all, you need to have an understanding of this type of plan so you’ll know which policies are suitable and available for you.

They’re likewise valuable to understand for the following reasons:

1. Know The Enrolment Period

In understanding Medigap plans, you’ll need to learn when is your Medicare enrolment period and when you’re initially eligible to avail your insurance. The reason is that this is the phase you’ll have more policy choices and better prices.

When applying during your enrolment period, you have the right to purchase any Medigap plans an insurance company sells, even when you have health issues. You can buy them for an equal price that healthy people purchased them.

On the other hand, if you buy Medicare supplement plans after your enrolment period, companies can utilize medical underwriting to determine your health qualifications and decide your policy’s fees. There’s no guarantee that you can avail the insurance policies if you fail to meet the medical underwriting criteria unless you qualify for guaranteed issue rights.

2. Won’t Clash With Company Coverage

Furthermore, if you have a job or your spouse is presently working, understanding Medigap plans will make you aware that it’s best to enroll in Part B after your company coverage ends. The reason behind this is because company benefits are often the same as Part B, and you wouldn’t want to pay for similar medical insurance.

It’s essential to know that people will have the opportunity to apply for Part B coverage when their company’s benefits end without having to pay penalty fees. Their Medigap enrolment will begin once they’re ready to avail them.

If you’re working and want to understand how Medicare can work around your existing policy, you may consult your benefits administrator or employer.

Final Thoughts

In the long run, Medicare supplement plans or Medigap plans can help you minimize healthcare expenses during unforeseen circumstances. These plans can settle out-of-pocket fees that your Medicare policy may not cover. Take note though that Medigap plans don’t include coverage for eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental or eye care, or long-term treatment.

If you want to get more information about Medigap plans, you can consult your state’s insurance department to help you decide which coverage is best for you.