Robo OPS. And other amazing health breakthroughs

Scoence fiction is becoming science fact as exciting advances revolutionise medicine. Here’s 15 developments that could radically improve your life.

1 EARLY BREAST CANCER DETECTION

A NEW scan called thermography can detect breast cancer up to 10 years earlier than any other procedure, plus it's radiation-free and suitable for all ages. It works using a heat-sensitive camera to pick up areas of the breast that are very slightly hotter than the surrounding skin, which can indicate abnormal tissue and the possibility of cancer.

A thermography scan costs £ 175 and is available at London's Chiron Clinic. Call 0870 7109988 or go to www.chironclinic.com  

2 DIY SMEAR TEST

A HOME cervical smear test kit called Insight is being developed, made from plastic with small "petals" that open out to get good access to the cervix. You then use a small brush to take a sample of cells, place it in a sterile bottle and send it to a health centre. The product isn't expected to be on the shelves for at least a year but in a survey of 200 women of all ages, 70 per cent said they would use it.

For more information, log on to innovation@rca.ac.uk  

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3 'VIAGRA' FOR WOMEN

INTRINSA is a testosterone patch that claims to heighten sexual arousal in menopausal women. The patch, worn on the abdomen, releases 300 micrograms of testosterone daily to help increase desire, arousal and pleasure. It's being revised after being rejected for licence approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year, despite 75 per cent of women in one trial reporting increased desire and more satisfying sex.

In the meantime, you could try the Phirago Patch, said to boost libido using herbal extracts of sable palm. A month's supply costs £ 19.99. Available from www.indigohealth.co.uk  

4 HEALING PLASTERS

BURNS victims and people with weeping wounds could soon benefit from special plasters that release controlled amounts of healing drugs, including antibiotics, on to injuries.

The freeze-dried plasters have been developed by scientists at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

More trials are under way, with a view to them being first used by medical professionals then adapted for sale over-the-counter.

5 MACHINE THAT CAN SNIFF OUT MRSA

ABOUT 8,000 people a year develop the potentially deadly superbug, MRSA. Now an electronic "nose" has been invented that sniffs out the bug and can trace infections within 15 minutes, compared to culture tests which can take up to three days.

It's the brainchild of surgeon David Morgan from Birmingham's Heart of England Hospital, who had the idea when he noticed that neck abscesses had slightly different smells.

The device has a 96 per cent success rate although, as yet, it can't tell the difference between different strains of MRSA.

6 AN AIR-CON BED

INSOMNIACS, asthmatics, menopausal women or anyone who suffers night sweats can benefit from the new FreshBed. The air-conditioned bed not only maintains body temperature but also protects from dust mites (up to 90 per cent of asthmatics are sensitive to them and an average bed contains up to 10 million). It comes with a small (iPod-like) control.

Available from £ 900 online at www.FreshBed.com, Feather & Black stores nationwide and soon major pharmacies.

7 NEW THERAPY FOR STROKE VICTIMS

PEOPLE who have suffered strokes and children with cerebral palsy have seen massive improvements after having a new treatment in the States, ACQUIRE therapy at the UAB Sparks Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.

It involves casting the fully-functioning limb so the patient starts to use, and build up strength in the less mobile one. This intensive three-week treatment (seven hours a day, seven days a week) helps to awaken neural pathways that have been dormant.

Not cheap at £ 7,000 for the three weeks therapy but it may influence NHS treatment in the UK. See www.circ.uab.edu/sparks  

8 ROBO DOCS

In an overstretched NHS, hospital specialists often need to be in two places at once. Which is why St Mary's Hospital and Imperial College London have piloted a scheme where medical "robots" will help cover ward rounds. Remote Presence (RP6) Robots help experts to visually examine and communicate with a patient from anywhere in the world, via a machine using wireless technology.

The "robots" are controlled by a joystick with the doctor driving it to view the patient, ask questions, as well as view records and test results. It's not intended to replace doctors but as extra tool.

The trial is currently ongoing to see how best to use the RP6 on wards.

9 PELVIC FLOOR HONING AT HOME

LEAKING urine when you guffaw, sneeze, cough or exercise is no laughing matter. Yet 6.6 million women in the UK will experience stress or post-pregnancy incontinence. The Vielle Pelvic Floor Toning System is designed to use at home to strengthen the muscles, helping to control bladder function and enhancing sex.

Costs £ 19.95 from Boots, Lloyds and independent phamacies. For further information, or to buy, go to www.vielle.co.uk  

10 DRUG TO BOOST ALERTNESS

A NEW drug, provisionally called CX717, is said to increase alertness without causing jitteriness. In recent trials the drug was found to improve performance in tests of memory, attention, alertness, reactions and problem-solving in healthy, but sleep-deprived, men.

The drug, which is undergoing trials in the US and at the University of Surrey, is being looked at as a possible treatment for narcolepsy, jet lag, Attention Deficit Hyperactivy Disorder (ADHD) and age-related memory loss.

11 MEN'S HOME FERTILITY TEST

STUDIES have shown that sperm counts have fallen dramatically in recent years. The test measures the amount of motile (freely-moving) sperm within minutes. And it's been found to be 93 per cent accurate in identifying samples containing 20 million or more motile sperm per ml (the cut-off quantity recommended by the World Health Organisation between fertile and infertile).

The FertilitySCORE Home Male Fertility Test costs £ 19.99 and is available by calling 0871 871 0691 or www.homechec.co.uk  

12 NEW 'HAIR' FOR ALOPECIA SUFFERERS

A TREATMENT called Hair Reconstruction Device (HRD) was created for cancer patients. The scalp is measured in a clingfilm-like material, after which a fine lace skullcap is made to fit the head. If possible, a sample of the patient's natural hair is taken to recreate the colour and density from real hair, which is then woven into the skull cap.

The HRD System starts at £ 850. Based on a similar concept, the White Cliffs Farrell Hair System costs from £ 1,250. For details, log on to www.whitecliffshairstudio.com  

13 ULTRASOUND TUMOUR TREATMENT

A MAJOR breakthrough in treating women with fibroids (which can cause painful periods and miscarriages) could also have the potential to treat tumours without surgery.

The technique uses soundwaves to destroy non-cancerous tumours of the womb. St Mary's Hospital in London and Imperial College London are taking part in a trial where so far more than 200 women have had the pain-free three-hour procedure.

Work has just begun using the same MR Focused Ultrasound to treat liver and bone cancers. See www.uterine-fibroids.org  

14 STATE-OF-THE-ART HEARING AIDS

ONE in seven people suffer from hearing problems but a new hearing-aid uses ear-to-ear wireless technology, allowing adjustments to be made automatically between two virtually invisible devices in each ear.

The ACURIS Life hearing system from Siemens starts at £ 1,850 but cost depends on severity of hearing loss. Call 01293 423789 or see www.siemens.co.uk/hearing  

15 FREEZING CANCER

PROSTATE cancer is the most common cancer among men, claiming more than 10,000 lives a year in the UK. Now a new treatment that freezes tumours is being used. Experts at BUPA Hospital Manchester say it's being used potentially as an alternative to surgery or radiation and/or chemotherapy. The technique - cryotherapy - freezes cancerous tissue through very fine needles.

It's still being investigated as an NHS treatment but is available privately. Log on to www.hcd2.bupa.co.uk/factsheets/html/prostatecancer.html