Christmas window display

Gorgeous window display in Terenure Office Supplies<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk-fkLWYG7_aUQswmDmBieVzEoatMZpWg4d5_07pTU1bexb62UUelcyBSaaD2j9UoQCgS75MlU3WMPgQIRmV-mqEQEU0ZhB9i0MJo3-kK93nGmUMK6pJWrjtfvaaTvRmyODF-RYjw7Tc_/s1600/20121208_095319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk-fkLWYG7_aUQswmDmBieVzEoatMZpWg4d5_07pTU1bexb62UUelcyBSaaD2j9UoQCgS75MlU3WMPgQIRmV-mqEQEU0ZhB9i0MJo3-kK93nGmUMK6pJWrjtfvaaTvRmyODF-RYjw7Tc_/s400/20121208_095319.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhqJ3JUq0rz2gjXRJP1tS-5cct30JDfL5rvDNqGagVITbFrDhOgGs6WkHlGfhOyrGKdhZ6XByk60erJZmi6YITQg4-aPCZQRrJW2GF1p7H7CQrdyM9ODGQ1Db8vy7GaAPh3cZ-hm3xb42/s1600/20121208_095411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhqJ3JUq0rz2gjXRJP1tS-5cct30JDfL5rvDNqGagVITbFrDhOgGs6WkHlGfhOyrGKdhZ6XByk60erJZmi6YITQg4-aPCZQRrJW2GF1p7H7CQrdyM9ODGQ1Db8vy7GaAPh3cZ-hm3xb42/s400/20121208_095411.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUql3ScUNDPAi3IV2JmOs4iGe4_KGhyphenhyphenDWDfH38l2wwyTqrST4XQR8HAcpWZk6V1bLMNP1JT2ZLPypLiYJGNUV6U-EgKd9tCip7Nn6wgkvOq4GFCcEwCc9UJRwzlsMIDrm2UwFlsimDyP7G/s1600/20121208_095247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUql3ScUNDPAi3IV2JmOs4iGe4_KGhyphenhyphenDWDfH38l2wwyTqrST4XQR8HAcpWZk6V1bLMNP1JT2ZLPypLiYJGNUV6U-EgKd9tCip7Nn6wgkvOq4GFCcEwCc9UJRwzlsMIDrm2UwFlsimDyP7G/s400/20121208_095247.jpg" /> </a> </div>

Christmas window display

Gorgeous window display in Terenure Office Supplies

Read more »

Open House

We had our Open House on Saturday. We were so happy with how it turned out.  We got to meet a lot of our new neighbours and the ODKM Architects got to showcase our house to interested parties.<br /><br />The contractor, kitchen designer and our lighting consultant also met with lots of perspective clients.<br /><br />Have a look at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460873767282298.91793.122333021136376&type=1">pictures</a> of the event.

Open House

We had our Open House on Saturday. We were so happy with how it turned out.  We got to meet a lot of our new neighbours and the ODKM Archite...

Read more »

Trim the tree!!

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My tree is </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love putting up the tree and looking at all the deorations that I have amassed over the years.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6Zq2jcVHHMn1h-Ib9DlijMpISRsN0noN6I_f79pAzu6n2knfjaM5fgN93dYCLJjsoGjhxm7zn2gWs6vl_qECmmbwxAzvk0MkXJr8cJKRL4vdk42qOcoEuJ_AIb418_rSG2wubK7uO9X_/s640/20121209_172520.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6Zq2jcVHHMn1h-Ib9DlijMpISRsN0noN6I_f79pAzu6n2knfjaM5fgN93dYCLJjsoGjhxm7zn2gWs6vl_qECmmbwxAzvk0MkXJr8cJKRL4vdk42qOcoEuJ_AIb418_rSG2wubK7uO9X_/s1600/20121209_172520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0OwdXvtGEjnBaQVzvb5QbGoAkyucLwifDdS7oEVkA19NflGNyYsX7QMGyHptFfylsylHMvAqpEYjXWk8pl-xEA5b8kKqll7H7FFDJVqFYgu_XLA2H44SP3yTqTUO3k4-HRqkRQHiR5Zr/s1600/20121209_192124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0OwdXvtGEjnBaQVzvb5QbGoAkyucLwifDdS7oEVkA19NflGNyYsX7QMGyHptFfylsylHMvAqpEYjXWk8pl-xEA5b8kKqll7H7FFDJVqFYgu_XLA2H44SP3yTqTUO3k4-HRqkRQHiR5Zr/s640/20121209_192124.jpg" /> </a> </div>

Trim the tree!!

My tree is  I love putting up the tree and looking at all the deorations that I have amassed over the years. Add caption

Read more »

The Touchable Earth project touches down in SA

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="133"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYWsr0gG37NCoaR1AFjnkbVfhWuXA8C5Hb-Us2Y5ysn6ebOdf6L1zOvcnHQeP4AkLKefDI4Xu6kF5aqTSHH2xAnOYFrBKhNLmm2RLTEaoX0iQ86jAZHqfR2_nDcXQZuM6igyic-5AFPs/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image002" border="0" height="35" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb43fQqm0NZ9LtEa6IsO6U2mMRujPBefq9K-0ELuEYhFRcGZLOEFsQF9uAKCAY9hXIOS43yXs-KyHBNlfS8BWw4DuWFDEBgINZwB92CX6YnHgKwviMMM_8_YdHSEAbil58aRfrRnwnzGQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image002" width="240" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="133"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4xCTLHRekOsMM8H8EhiWmC1-y7RU5WVqnLgXbj6tLbSNueuuPuww55cHJ_9yrNOewfZc9y4XE0GwSnqicl7T3cHz0JsYzEoYGx0uOm0NQf4xEuGL43yJq3bMKZ_Vk4HBsC6tCWrGDq8/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9IMiQ4P36-X83J8BAaEenj5tNglYNgSISZwIt0Y-IO07ph094Rf6t6LbZ30qiGgCvbRWtbbsQsBtPYa6Uzv9HUMEQalticGl-vXf-jgrh00biCBXS2PyV9iwmkao583YR_SAYzcOpZk/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="109" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="133">                               </td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="200"></td> <td valign="top" width="200"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>Submitted by Janet Thomson CEO of SchoolNet</i><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tudor Clee from New Zealand returned to South Africa this week - bearing tablets!</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9FiJ6m7mHq4moUWyIadb5vGEv_Pentrx6gvNjf7dnhUWf74OfxN1tx1Fi3p-hQm-6f1kZWz_DZhNjIAaGxnWA2cc17_HD0krQRlTHpABn-8BII2rFpfq7476Heaet0B4yEr9AjXkXSc/?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="clip_image008" border="0" height="147" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9FiJ6m7mHq4moUWyIadb5vGEv_Pentrx6gvNjf7dnhUWf74OfxN1tx1Fi3p-hQm-6f1kZWz_DZhNjIAaGxnWA2cc17_HD0krQRlTHpABn-8BII2rFpfq7476Heaet0B4yEr9AjXkXSc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image008" width="244" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SchoolNetters will remember in July we reported about the development of a digital world atlas application for tablets that would allow children from around the world to teach each other about their own countries. You can read the blogpost <a href="http://e-blogschool.blogspot.com/2012/07/schoolnet-hosts-tudor-clee-who-is.html">here</a>.  SchoolNet had become involved through Ed Gragert of IEARN (International Education and Resource Network). Now, the developer, Tudor Clee has made another flying visit to South Africa; this time to donate 10 Google Nexus tablets to each of the schools that took part in the creation of videos for the world atlas app. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RexsmEy39L2JwaF6J-gfp-q1XWrXVcQMcCRZ_32cgTNaPzZgfxPuvtVbCcKOqpMIkTsaRa2LiM_nq8bh1E6jYVcV1D82lLed-e1FLw-Kx2F0V2qBqyFkf1xN3W0Z9yHOpHDLG9oTX-4/s1600-h/clip_image008%25255B3%25255D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Touchable Earth</i></b> is an application for tablets that provides engaging, hands-on information for children in countries across the world. The project has captured children in their authentic environments showcasing indigenous culture, schooling, friends and every day facts about their country. Now it was time to test the app and find out whether it really is as easy and as engaging as everyone had hoped. </span><br />  <br /><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Delivery to Lakeview Full Service Primary – Soweto </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyEXZfBJs5QiQickcJ7X4cNfsvSzF81Q9yo1lxuQl91vsD6oA4Ag-x1cEzDA72tzBZn1LokFhlf10zKJLPWyBYMO02EGq7uV9rT03pHifU9S1xBFNlkX4_qfODHlLAyUVLD7DgCs2chI/s1600-h/clip_image012%25255B3%25255D.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="clip_image012" border="0" height="197" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIry03Lehtqr9ldVhNxjWNnKVOFY_j3nhV9qN68ZTxTdJB_XKzF3Cgvf70SuAC6Dfbm-6tH1QuSywzv-RD0HT5xg1n_BIZK8spDvDAPW07ktrHlbx9p9dj9L12mjJM40rRqNaWCb_05Co/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image012" width="244" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tudor arrived in Johannesburg after a whirlwind sprint from Auckland via Sydney, New York and London. He sourced the hardware in New York and arrived at O R Tambo with 30 tablet computers as carry-on luggage. Once in Johannesburg SchoolNet’s Omashani Naidoo helped him source some serious antennae for boosting the internet speed to the schools and then spent many hours configuring the devices and loading <b><i>Touchable Earth</i></b>. They then sped on to Soweto, to Lakeview Full Service Primary school where Tudor donated 10 Google Nexus tablets. </span><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 215px;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="213"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNuOWMVGJVbqkvZJb-UB6HTeMT7CpCg5Yvk-25p4ABx0B6loIIu4qBRzpi6KzShHY35rgXFEFNrlPXkVj6M5EWmD2pVNAjWXdeIlaJk65w3_c5qVqBw2mKSRBsIwyUjMjlpnTNQvYPNY/s1600-h/clip_image010%25255B3%25255D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="clip_image010" border="0" height="244" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAXrVJUhp5KnGnuc0PTNwdYjEr39H5yIg1WOHPL7RvTdjHLnIuW3fOg0lNkyOZUYioUnXrLwAMLvG-4Vqr6OTr2rJd15q8nkirk9AqM39LuNNpVCCTdcVIgDr4KSMvkL811aFJYnOHcE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image010" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off they had to ensure that the wi-fi was connected and was working. A Gauteng thunderstorm prevented installation of the antenna. However the router was installed and tested. Tudor and Omashani tested the connectivity and speed using Skype video conference. This connection proved stable for up to 20 metres from the principal’s office. One of the amazing anecdotes is a little boy who arrived to see Tudor talking via Skype and he was given the tablet to play with. He was awe struck that he could talk and see someone without physically being next to him. He kept looking behind the tablet for the physical Omashani. After playing on the Touchable Earth app he remarked, “I am going there to Nepal” </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkp-ITRUR8UGDnru9WZLI1qm895jT6C-CHyml3lbBrMzgN7Xm1lUBNi-sZFC12TvSl2UUL6jwYzCPLEd2RyB9H8YXwOzPD4GLEAzvYQkt0XXVyqDemPQEgSCr_AENNbxN4HI5PwypuLE/s1600-h/clip_image014%25255B3%25255D.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="clip_image014" border="0" height="197" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl6DHoo4XgSD7zoDWTcT10U5xsRJUigBaSWufmBoYQ1yA7Yn5isoGE9uvuOGm9x0vCVDSBeuRV9Cussd89av9rUOglfCypGLDlu3up5xFGFAo8ln7wQnV5h1bTgtjdxKM3R-UeBX7VwI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image014" width="244" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the antenna was finally installed a download speed of 5 mbs was achieved. This is a phenomenally good speed and Tudor remarked that this is what he gets in New Zealand. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ms Elizabeth Shiburi, Deputy Chief Education Specialist in the E-Learning Unit of the Johannesburg Central District was on hand to receive Tudor and expressed her gratitude for connecting Lakeview to the world.</span><br /><h3></h3><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Delivery to Isibongo Primary School in Mpophomeni </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO2bZsFy6CViO2_J8q6AsiguJes7cGH5mHY5oG_yAFBJVDsiJkZD_Du45nCm3Twk0M3Tv7MQl8FdkkzNc8EEmBe_KzrMo39XsLYZW9bqQtuNVDUNaxzaGd_EGeUmRCuTAKQ8PAuxGZUM/s1600-h/clip_image016%25255B3%25255D.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="clip_image016" border="0" height="244" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzJ0tSoVVGwa1bLbVu5P4ec23yFjC0rijBgjP3o7iN-fBmEZpgVWxKqsVs9KxpM5bW6j813X8Seeg50KZWR6Q4V2lYBd62OiVSjCNFZ456jtDKk_sJ28_OITtWcYY1OvJLvL56vGOiPY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image016" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With his load a little lighter now, Tudor was able to fly to Pietermaritzburg and arrived at Isibongo Primary, Mpophomeni in the KZN Midlands carrying all the tablets, the modem and the rest of his connectivity paraphernalia. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mrs Ndlovu, principal of Isibongo welcomed Tudor warmly to the school and was the first person to eagerly use the tablet, soon followed by other teachers and ably assisted by Hlengiwe Mfeka from SchoolNet SA. Mrs Nldovu expressed her gratitude on behalf of the school and the Department for the generous donation of tablets from Tudor. She promised to make every effort to ensure full use of the potential for these new devices. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Tudor spent time with the handyman erecting the antenna outside, those children who had taken part in the filming for the South African part of the project, were called into the principal’s office to see themselves on video for the first time and to see how other children around the world would see them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="385"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKT1zGZxAOsNZI67-Zs62oicPgBNjXWvwJ1G7ctg70V0WqAvunfHtJt6mDQWc5SJzfwovKHFhdSyclH_Ml5_9sRni8Ru1ic0Ed49yYO_ELzWJE8PogPGJu3-zR8tG1iqaKRNxluMOqfQ/s1600-h/clip_image018%25255B3%25255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="clip_image018" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0BcoO6v1lVHyHJygkEVuqr1oqjGxwgOG7NpvcKlAZwPIA3WSI3SnGVotNYbpjx3-OTtDnCbL-agcN4jbdp6bpf97A6iw-khysRzZk5GqvxyqtVYb2dF1q7eCdM8Vg0rUZsTa77DZWas/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image018" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Siphokazi seeing herself on video for </span></i></div><div style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">the first time</span></i></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td> <td valign="top" width="385"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrTb2pFGzzl17RhRreSB2_RZe4scRlCACGfwoqErsuJ8ATOTMXpq-w8wSLmCvyKdV767GAneSU4LPubb7G8DIf4Ic0f1wCjjpkd2JoTvAsF2g8qFjV0-NA9hmz_KfgvUI_bXNFTmFQZo/s1600-h/clip_image020%25255B3%25255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="clip_image020" border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwWLZAyHywlorbtV-yagRMb1qCp9hYjd6P2-zEpSZnoVL9nHBKHkulqgvjKsL5DBnAzGXDOSKBrE6GqydJdO2brJgcSeAZPgxpgISuu5RzlHLVgVFHz6-ZrpNRkQslS_Jyr0WCK9QYn8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image020" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hlengiwe Mfeka, Nokuthula Buthelezi and Mrs Ndlovu (principal)</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr> <td valign="top" width="385"></td><td valign="top" width="385"><br /></td></tr><tr> <td valign="top" width="385"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kLt7GuAwxFOLElR_iv-HlG2pdMkHdbq0p6H8r3hS8TDwWR6CPjtNbYcAdeucpKPuA1ndVUoJMRF8xxm-dylYph1x89MB1kXHCpFnownCsAsisFocd_qwtETsgBn4qvvaZSvGXCEnYq0/s1600-h/clip_image022%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="clip_image022" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rsaEiQn4kKRT_IAq6GH5foOxQI3_qXA1pKS_qYBxInX9pVYMkVh84kYUywg4Xr_T_S-5glILJ9Q_LTkYV2oom2eykf1NZSr6JBtcw7MFaSodd62ikNGsfuYpWaNZlmDp9ccQNfpe4ks/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image022" width="210" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="385"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Ey3WC6XiidhSJWFgv5K_TzPsnucBBog7VFT3YoPXAIcS3b-JET7Z7-Mfe0YyygHaNX3Q-uelGMg5S4gM0qAXhrbpN4P98cx1dnbiAPdfpJGEn8TKD1nAIsk60yZaODdt5z7KNsZWy8/s1600-h/clip_image024%25255B3%25255D.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="clip_image024" border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvtTRf6LqGpkAiNw9b58VSMrzvT7-KFsH2Hg1rSiXWdphQ3ukRBIR-SsqLd1r5a4rG9rByD9UucXHHLgltgR0nylYe4RazRah6SAVN3WouKEIgAsedXWLo22qwKChKy9bBy9wQxpwkUo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image024" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They did not tire of watching, listening and reading</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr> <td valign="top" width="385"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nandipha seeing herself  for the </span></i><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">first time on Video</span></i></td> <td valign="top" width="385"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gradually more and more children squeezed into the principal’s office to crowd around the tablets. There was delight combined with a little self-conscious embarrassment when children first saw themselves on video but before long they were hooked on exploring the lives of other children from around the world. They also had considerable interest in the footage of children from other parts of South Africa and were soon trying to replicate the dancing and the singing that they saw in the videos. Four girls quickly leant a song with actions about a butterfly that they watched being sung by a grade 4 learner from Nepal.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The learners occupied the principal’s office for hours and hours; some of the boys were eventually lying on the floor to carry on watching, listening and reading, simply because they were too tired to stand or sit in the same position any longer. At four in the afternoon the tired bodies were sent home after reluctantly handing back the tablets. The learners said they could not wait to get back to school next year! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a YouTube video that Tudor uploaded to the Touchable Earth Facebook page.Tudor says, "<i>This is Isibongo Primary School in Mpophomeni township South Africa. Touchable Earth with great assistance from SchoolNet South Africa and iEarn.org have just donated 10 Google Nexus tablets with Touchable Earth preloaded. The kids are seeing themselves in the videos as we made the program here. We are installing 3G Internet prepaid for a yea</i>r."</span><br /><br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gcIYky-B3BQ" width="420"></iframe> </span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Further uses in the classroom</span></b><br /><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFpAEnq3C6WtXF9HYbVzOsRSO97mAgx1gNT6IbZjA62ss3jVnR2ZN39T9v82UaczsDMgFZGuaMy30XapMgnY7uY0rEc4GdTR57E53wreY3eiI9t5u_tEZLcEd5c1U_UI9_pjzZa9dYQA/s1600-h/clip_image026%25255B3%25255D.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="clip_image026" border="0" height="175" hspace="12" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPgsGGrJ0odJyEAAoEMIigCnjADl6kmJPcef6TK96O_WGikZDNHCucS5_bJ3jh1KO9LUGj4qhUhC3jWB_u0pTKzBJZc0g7MyRRNwLvvWFm0R7WhstCdyiY2wXo7_Zr-0ijqRQwfysPB8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image026" width="244" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SchoolNet SA has worked closely for many years with all of the high schools in Mpophomeni and will now be supporting teachers at Isibongo Primary. SchoolNet has donated 25 netbooks to the Zenzeleni Community Centre for use by those primary schools in Mpophomeni that still do not have any technology. Hlengiwe Mfeka will be assisting teachers to explore other effective learning uses for the donated tablets - apart from using Touchable Earth. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">S</span><span style="font-size: large;">choolNet's tablet course for educators  has been developed</span></b></span><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qwz7nNOrAv30WjWbH_6BQkNgrqp30vV8Z3WAre9ucTqFYViib6oiPjJVPCAH9xt3D5u1nlntR2466zr19cy5RuktNcUgW6MJYZTknzH59X5e3icDEvPwpzliFsZktfQcYNGSOztVfCM/s1600/tablet+course.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qwz7nNOrAv30WjWbH_6BQkNgrqp30vV8Z3WAre9ucTqFYViib6oiPjJVPCAH9xt3D5u1nlntR2466zr19cy5RuktNcUgW6MJYZTknzH59X5e3icDEvPwpzliFsZktfQcYNGSOztVfCM/s320/tablet+course.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SchoolNet SA has recently developed a comprehensive course for teachers to help them use tablets in the curriculum and in their professional lives generally. The course takes teachers on a learning journey through the use of a tablet as an e-reader, a planning tool, a writing tool, a creator of content (using the camera and the recorder) as a communication tool, for research and assessment as well as an educational content provider. SchoolNet will be sourcing digital content and e-text books as well as allowing the teachers to join the SchoolNet Premium Membership programme that provides resources and peer support for teachers using technology in their teaching. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The potential of the tablets to revolutionise learning is well-documented in first world countries but the <i>Touchable Earth</i> initiative has given children in some of the poorest areas of South Africa the chance to participate in this digital revolution. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><h3><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Touchable Earth… moving forward </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although there are a number of countries already available and featured on the app, Tudor is promising to have <b><i>Touchable Earth</i></b> updated with more countries included over the next few months. He is leaving South Africa immediately to continue on his whirlwind tour to deliver tablets to children in other parts of the world. His next stop on Sunday will be Iraq. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit these Facebook pages <a href="http://www.facebook.com/touchableearth">http://www.facebook.com/touchableearth</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/schoolnetsa">http://www.facebook.com/schoolnetsa</a> as well as SchoolNet’s website <a href="http://www.schoolnet.org.za/">www.schoolnet.org.za</a></span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>You can link from here to more information about </i></b><a href="http://www.schoolnet.org.za/reports/touchableearth.pdf"><i>Touchable Earth </i></a></span> </div>

news The Touchable Earth project touches down in SA

                               Submitted by Janet Thomson CEO of SchoolNet Tudor Clee from New Zealand returned to South Africa this ...

Read more »

Living in a Van Down by the River

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Cheers Bitches, and Happy Monday…Matt-Man here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQacY9MJyzQsEilReQweBE8p_J02qsxznA9fNwT9ictH99_dxNJh2V3pOI0LZ32TQcqMxCxAFrGVjUGgVRlOofRtXaW96Ov-wrzWnCsbpXqjX2hz43ZiVlURWbIluhD1zDkGHx1H2Ve4o/s1600/karma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQacY9MJyzQsEilReQweBE8p_J02qsxznA9fNwT9ictH99_dxNJh2V3pOI0LZ32TQcqMxCxAFrGVjUGgVRlOofRtXaW96Ov-wrzWnCsbpXqjX2hz43ZiVlURWbIluhD1zDkGHx1H2Ve4o/s400/karma.jpg" width="400" /></a>There are quite a few things going on and going down in my life this week, so I’d thought I’d do a pre-cap of all the action that will be unfolding, so when I go over the edge, you’ll know what is going on and why I will have lost my mind.<br /><br />Found out yesterday that my BFF/OSP Schmoop who hasn't worked since October 22 due to health issues, has been denied at least her first two weeks of unemployment compensation, and may not get any whatsoever.<br /><br />Apparently, her newly former boss who laid her off, claims to the powers that be, when questioned by the those who give the thumbs up or down to a claimant’s request, that…<br /><br /><i>“Laid her off!?  Oh no, that’s crazy talk.  There’s plenty of work for her to do here.”</i><br /><br />The whiplash that I incurred when Schmoop informed me that that is what the folks at unemployment told her that that is what they had been told by said boss left me feeling and sounding like Dr. Phil.<br /><br />I…was…STUPIFIED!!<br /><br />The entire thing would be inexplicable except for one incredibly undeniable and transparent fact…her newly former boss is, and always has been, a completely selfish and self-centered dick who has no regard for anyone unless they are making money for him.<br /><br />And here is what really disconcerting and foremost in my mind…This Friday, the lovely, yet soon to be indigent Schmoop is going under the knife at OSU Medical Center.<br /><br />She will be on the table and under the knife for anywhere from 4-7 hours, as <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/10/dr-rawalpindi-speaksyou-listen.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Dr. Rawalpindi</i></span></a> removes a mass from her bile duct.<br /><br />It’s bad enough that she has to worry about that, but due to the actions of her newly former boss, she has to worry that after her discharge from the hospital, which will take anywhere from 7-10 days, Schmoop will have to worry if she and we, have a home in which to stay come January.<br /><br />Am I being hokie?  Am I being melodramatic?<br /><br />No.<br /><br />During the chaos surrounding her surgery , the battles over not being compensated, and the trepidation she has over the possibility of having cancer, Schmoop has had only one overriding fear and a singular point of ultimate sorrow…<br /><br />She said to me…<br /><br /><i>“This apartment, for as small as it is, is home. I never felt that way at my house growing up, nor when I lived with John, but this is <b>our</b> home, and I don’t want to lose it.”</i><br /><br />Here is what this unfeeling, un-thinking, ego-centric, self -serving jerk of a boss doesn’t understand…<br /><br />With the arrogant and flippant statement he made to the folks at the unemployment office, he not only prevented Schmoop from garnering her opulent unemployment salary of $230.00 per week, he may have kicked her out of the home she loves as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsASM-FsGSZqv-VP5YfQ9xx7ufigaJ91T3CX476kxVlBUASm-vbmV-20CtYPp4Jqy0hnxj5_qFmuA7qi9SlZF1380GgduzYf_zcQkWOheN5boUBcBs9Rb013yTWFDnhMMF0Fpq6UFOa4/s1600/Van+Down+by+the+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsASM-FsGSZqv-VP5YfQ9xx7ufigaJ91T3CX476kxVlBUASm-vbmV-20CtYPp4Jqy0hnxj5_qFmuA7qi9SlZF1380GgduzYf_zcQkWOheN5boUBcBs9Rb013yTWFDnhMMF0Fpq6UFOa4/s400/Van+Down+by+the+River.jpg" width="400" /></a>Perhaps he doesn't realize that, or…perhaps he does.  Either way…<br /><br />Even after twelve years of dedicated and loyal service on Schmoop’s behalf to him and his company, confidence is high that he doesn't really care.<br /><br />And sadly, because of his actions, instead of merely worrying about her surgery, Schmoop has to worry about the financial situation as well.<br /><br />Well…As I am not one to stand idly by, I will make sure he has to worry about his as well.  Letting his customers know the truth about him and his business practices is one way to do just that.<br /><br />It won’t make our financial situation any better, but when Schmoop and I are living in a van down by the river, it’ll make me feel much better.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><br />Matt-Man<br /><i><span style="color: blue;"><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a></span></i><br /><i><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@mattman_iws</span></a></i><br /><br />On a lighter note…Jay and I broadcast a most festive and astounding celebration of Hanukkah on the <i>IWS Radio Show</i> Saturday night.  We had music, frivolity, and a regaling of all things Jewish.  We also checked-in with Dour Mike and Ariel Sharon.  If you missed it live, you can catch the magic right here:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.adobe.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="105" id="143577" name="143577" width="210"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fplaylist.aspx%3Fshow_id%3D4117531&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf" flashvars="file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2Fplaylist.aspx%3Fshow_id%3D4117531&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=210&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded" width="210" height="105" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="143577" id="143577" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object></div><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;"><br /></div></div>

Living in a Van Down by the River

Cheers Bitches, and Happy Monday…Matt-Man here. There are quite a few things going on and going down in my life this week, so I’d thought I’...

Read more »

The bloody patent battle over a healing machine - Fortune Management

<base href="data:"><div style="text-align: left; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">A patent royalty is a beautiful thing. It is so much sweeter than found money because it is more than just good luck. It means that one party is paying another to use an invention. And before the lawyers got to arguing over claim constructions and prior art, before the government regulators and hospitals screamed enough was enough, and before the Russians came to Texas to explain Soviet-era library policies, there were few things more beautiful or lucrative in the world of patent royalties than the VAC.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">It's pronounced "vack" and stands for vacuum-assisted closure. Here's what it is: You cut a piece of foam to size and place it in a wound as a barrier and protector. Then you cover the wound and seal it up. One end of a tube goes through the seal and the other goes into a small pump. The pump produces negative pressure, creating an even vacuum through the foam, and the wound is pulled together and heals. If it sounds simple, it's because it is simple.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">For much of the past 20 years this device was controlled by a San Antonio company called Kinetic Concepts Inc. The VAC transformed KCI from a second-tier medical manufacturer into a global juggernaut.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">For Wake Forest University, which licensed the VAC patents to KCI, the device has meant about $500 million in royalties. Based almost entirely on the VAC deal, the university was ranked fifth by the Association of University Technology Managers in its most recent survey of licensing income, trailing only Columbia, New York University, Northwestern, and the University of California system. In recent years the KCI payments have propped up the bottom line of the university's medical center, and the VAC money has paid for research, recruiting, and construction that probably wouldn't have happened otherwise.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">As you might imagine, all that success gave KCI and Wake Forest a powerful incentive to build a fence, to protect the patents at all cost. And it gave everybody else an equally powerful incentive to find a way through the fence.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">This is the story of what happens when there are billions of dollars wrapped up in a prosaic piece of technology that at its core is closer to your kid's science-fair entry than the Human Genome Project, one that despite all the commercial success and some 4 million or so patients still has its share of doubters in the medical community. It's a story about luck and timing and the squeezing of the health care dollar. It is about betrayal and wrangling over patents. And mostly it is about invention, the tenuous and uncertain act of breathing life into an idea that may or may not have been yours all along.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Dr. Louis Argenta says he invented the VAC, and he has the patents to prove it. He's a plastic surgeon at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., but is quick to point out that he isn't <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">that</i> kind of plastic surgeon. He deals with messy and nasty injuries that often can't or won't heal on their own. One night in the late 1980s, he was lying in bed and unable to sleep. He was reading <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The Gulag Archipelago</i> and was worried about a patient who was slowly dying from an infected wound that couldn't be closed with surgery because the stitches would make things worse. "And, just suddenly," he would say later, "the concept of just using a giant vacuum -- we had played with vacuums in the laboratory a little bit, but this was the concept of using a giant vacuum to pull this whole thing together." He sketched a rough drawing in the margins of his book, and his wife told him to go back to sleep.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><a href="http://fortuneaskannie.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/how_it_works.jpg" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQphZ-WRqbiVX6hnyVasnNQk6b5_g7LjbcYLLV3jFjdLFb7jpVSsi3_cYL9R6B9j8rRD_0kE_DNjTz_BVEUCu_rxcEwDaf9SRwyQTVBY_BuAnqANtmb785Rq5ZqN9zqZ2Uzq1g7iCUg0/s1600/how_it_works-758939.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5819964408468103618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQphZ-WRqbiVX6hnyVasnNQk6b5_g7LjbcYLLV3jFjdLFb7jpVSsi3_cYL9R6B9j8rRD_0kE_DNjTz_BVEUCu_rxcEwDaf9SRwyQTVBY_BuAnqANtmb785Rq5ZqN9zqZ2Uzq1g7iCUg0/s320/how_it_works-758939.jpg" /></a></a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">The next morning he talked to his lab manager, Michael Morykwas, a biomedical engineer, and they began working on a prototype. They tried it with success on pigs. But before they could put a device on a patient, they needed the approval of the hospital's ethics committee, which hemmed and hawed but eventually consented. The primitive VAC, Argenta would say, saved his patient's life.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">For the next few years Argenta and Morykwas tinkered with their invention. In 1991 the university applied for a patent on their behalf and began shopping the device around. Wake Forest agreed to pay them half of any royalties, which to date has meant about $120 million apiece. But back then, getting rich seemed like a pipe dream. The leading medical journal for plastic surgery rejected a paper on their research, and there was little interest from the health care industry's biggest players. A licensing deal was struck in 1993 with KCI, which had a business renting and selling medical beds with air chambers. It already had products that used pumps. This would be one more. The first VAC hit the market in 1995, two years before the patents were granted and any research was published.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Negative pressure is suction, and suction has long been used to drain wounds and draw infections to the surface. What's different in wound therapy is that the pressure is maintained. Before the VAC came on the scene, the prevailing belief was that long periods of suction would damage the healthy skin that surrounds a wound.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">By 1999, KCI had built a $50-million-a-year VAC business through word of mouth, a go-go sales force, and top-notch customer service. That's nothing to sneeze at, but it was only the beginning. In late 2000, Medicare began reimbursing for the use of the VAC, and suddenly a therapy on the fringes came with its own revenue stream as doctors used the devices to treat diabetic ulcers and pressure sores. With the government's seal of approval, VAC revenue climbed to nearly $500 million by the end of 2003, on the way to becoming a billion-dollar product line.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">That brought the money. Respect came in the field hospitals for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">In clinical language, the immense destruction caused by an improvised explosive device, or IED, is referred to as a high-energy soft-tissue injury. These can be devastating wounds, prone to infection and hard to close. Slight variations in healing can mean the difference in whether or where a limb is amputated. Dr. Chris Coppola operated on these wounds during two trips to Iraq. The dust and sand swirled everywhere, forcing the surgeons to use shipping containers as ORs. The VAC became such a critical part of their treatment that the medical staff pushed the military brass to give the device quick clearance for use during the airlift of wounded soldiers from the field to hospitals in Germany.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">"We got our Ph.D. in the VAC over there," Coppola says, and there is little enthusiasm in his voice when he remembers this education. Now a pediatric surgeon in Danville, Pa., Coppola has written two memoirs of his time in Iraq, and he was one of the authors of a widely circulated medical journal article on the use of the VAC for treating traumatic injuries. "Little by little we gain knowledge," he says, "and it's a quite sad reality that we learn more about surgery and trauma during the years of war than we do in the time between wars."</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">It is not surprising that a low-tech product with such a fantastic combination of margin and mission would attract attention from competitors. Medical devices are particularly vulnerable to being copied because, unlike pharmaceuticals, the patents tend to build on previous discoveries and they don't rely on a unique molecule. And over time, as a company fights to hold on to its patents, it is forced to draw an ever sharper line between what's covered by the patent and what isn't.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">More ...</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; "><a href="http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/10/30/kci-vac-patent-fight/">http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/10/30/kci-vac-patent-fight/</a></div></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

The bloody patent battle over a healing machine - Fortune Management

A patent royalty is a beautiful thing. It is so much sweeter than found money because it is more than just good luck. It means that one part...

Read more »

Technology will replace 80% of what doctors do - Fortune Tech

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Healthcare today is often really the "practice of medicine" rather than the "science of medicine."</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Take fever as an example. For 150 years, doctors have routinely prescribed antipyretics like ibuprofen to help reduce fever. But in 2005, researchers at the University of Miami, Florida, ran a <a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/sur.2005.6.369" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">study</a>of 82 intensive care patients. The patients were randomly assigned to receive antipyretics either if their temperature rose beyond 101.3°F ("standard treatment") or only if their temperature reached 104°F. As the trial progressed, seven people getting the standard treatment died, while there was only one death in the group of patients allowed to have a higher fever. At this point, the trial was stopped because the team felt it would be unethical to allow any more patients to get the <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">standard treatment</i>.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">So when something as basic as fever reduction is a hallmark of the "practice of medicine" and hasn't been challenged for 100+ years, we have to ask: What else might be practiced due to tradition rather than science?</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Today's diagnoses are partially informed by patients' medical histories and partially by symptoms (but patients are bad at communicating what's really going on). They are mostly informed by advertising and the doctor's half-remembered and potentially obsolete lessons from medical school (which are laden with cognitive biases, recency biases, and other human errors). Many times, if you ask three doctors to look at the same problem, you'll get three different diagnoses and three different treatment plans.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">The net effect is patient outcomes that are inferior to and more expensive than what they should be. A Johns Hopkins <a href="http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/21/11/894.abstract?sid=647c745e-4b1f-45e4-8883-a700adfc0005" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">study</a> found that as many as 40,500 patients die in an ICU in the U.S. each year due to misdiagnosis, rivaling the number of deaths from breast cancer. Yet another <a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/12/04/technology-doctors-khosla/article.aspx%3Farticleid=486642" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">study</a>found that 'system-related factors', e.g. poor processes, teamwork, and communication, were involved in 65% of studied diagnostic error cases. 'Cognitive factors' were involved in 75%, with 'premature closure' (sticking with the initial diagnosis and ignoring reasonable alternatives) as the most common cause. These types of diagnostic errors also add to rising healthcare expenditures, costing <a href="https://www.rti.org/publications/abstract.cfm?pubid=18681" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">$300,000</a> per malpractice claim.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Healthcare should become more about data-driven deduction and less about trial-and-error. That's hard to pull off without technology, because of the increasing amount of data and research available. Next-generation medicine will utilize more complex models of physiology, and more sensor data than a human MD could comprehend, to suggest personalized diagnosis. Thousands of baseline and multi-omic data points, more integrative history, and demeanor will inform each diagnosis. Ever-improving dialog manager systems will help make data capture and exploration from patients more accurate and comprehensive. Data science will be key to this. In the end, it will reduce costs, reduce physician workloads, and improve patient care.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Replacing 80% of what doctors do?</b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Much of what physicians do (checkups, testing, diagnosis, prescription, behavior modification, etc.) can be done better by sensors, passive and active data collection, and analytics. But, doctors aren't supposed to just measure. They're supposed to consume all that data, consider it in context of the latest medical findings and the patient's history, and figure out if something's wrong. Computers can take on much of that diagnosis and treatment and even do these functions better than the average doctor (while considering more options and making fewer errors). Most doctors couldn't possibly read and digest all of the latest 5,000 research articles on heart disease. And, most of the average doctor's medical knowledge is from when they were in medical school, while cognitive limitations prevent them from remembering the 10,000+ diseases humans can get.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">Computers are better at organizing and recalling complex information than a hotshot Harvard MD. They're also better at integrating and balancing considerations of patient symptoms, history, demeanor, environmental factors, and population management guidelines than the average physician. Besides, 50% of MDs are below average! Computers also have much lower error rates. Shouldn't we take advantage of that when it comes to our health?!</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">Technology compensates for human deficiencies and amplifies our strengths – MDs and less-trained medical professionals can do more. Eventually, computers <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">will</i> replace 80% of what doctors do and amplify their capabilities. Lifecom showed in clinical trials that medical assistants using a diagnostic knowledge engine were 91% accurate <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">without using labs, imaging, or exams</i>. Another clinical study by the same company demonstrated that 75% of cases can be safely triaged to be treated by RNs, with the remainder handled by doctors. A MassGen <a href="http://jamia.bmj.com/content/19/4/591.abstract?sid=f70f49c4-df0d-4e45-8cf3-e3b90490cef0" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">study</a> found that 25% of the time, a medical record for patients who wound up with 'high risk diagnoses' had 'high information clinical findings' before a physician finally made the diagnosis — in other words, there was a significant delay that might have been avoided had a clinical decision support system been used to parse the notes!</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">New technologies will make the receptive doctors better at their jobs – quicker, more accurate, and more fact-based. There is a tremendous opportunity in the influx of data that has never before been available. Once we have a large enough dataset, and an addressable database of research studies, we'll be able to identify patterns and physiological interactions in ways that weren't possible before.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Over time, doctors will increase their reliance on technology for triage, diagnosis, and decision-making. Eventually, we'll need fewer doctors, and every patient will receive the best care. Diagnosis and treatment planning will be done by a computer, used in concert with empathetic support from medical personnel selected more for their caring personalities than for their diagnostic abilities. No brilliant diagnostician with bad manners, a la "Dr. House," will be needed in direct patient contact. Instead, we'll use "Dr. Algorithm" to provide the diagnosis, while the most humane humans provide the care.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Systems will start as clumsy toddlers and develop to maturity and efficiency</b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Don't expect ace diagnosis systems overnight. They may start as seemingly minor point innovations or as clumsy-sounding systems not ready for prime time.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Imagine using the AliveCor* iPhone case to take an ECG every day for less than $1/test. This device and others like it would capture a lot more information than the typical heart patient's semiannual ECG check at the doctor's office (it would also cost a lot less). What if you could send 500 "auto-diagnosed" ECGs to your doctor for less than it costs to get one ECG done in the hospital? Today, most heart disease is identified only after patients have heart attacks. But imagine having preventative cardiac care, enabled by machine-learning software that identifies abnormalities and <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">predicts</i> episodes. We could discover most heart disease before a heart attack or stroke and address it at a fraction of the cost of care that would be needed following such a trauma. But we need a decades-worth of data to be really good at it.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">Dermatology appointments could be handled by CellScope*, which produces low-cost iPhone attachments for imaging skin moles, rashes, ear infections, and (in the future) your retina or throat. Those images could be processed by algorithms to detect patterns that warrant closer inspection. A device like the Eyenetra* could give you an eye test and fit you for glasses at little cost or hassle. Adamant* is attempting to produce a chip that can identify hundreds of gases in your breath, which could be used to detect and even <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">identify</i> different types of lung cancer, all for far less than a big CT scanner that'll just tell you that you have a nodule. Ginger.io* monitors your rate of emailing, tweeting, texting, and calling to gauge your social activity. By watching for changes in your behavior, it can tell how you're doing far better than a psychiatrist.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><a href="http://www.lifecomhealth.com/" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "></a>These point innovations will seem immaterial at first, but, when there are enough of them, they will integrate and start to feel like a revolution. The technologies of 2020 will be as different from today's systems as the car floor-mounted, multi-pound cell phones with bulky handset cords of 1986 are from today's iPhones!</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The human element will survive</b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Some critics of more automated healthcare argue that medicine isn't just about inputting symptoms and receiving a diagnosis; it's about building relationships between providers and patients. Providing good bedside manner and answering certain questions can often be handled better by a person than a machine, but you generally don't need a medical degree to do that. Nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other less expensive, non-MD caregivers could do this just as well as doctors (if not better) and spend more time providing personal, compassionate care. I'm not advocating the removal of the human front-end here. I'm arguing that we should build robust back-end sensor technology and diagnostics through sophisticated machine learning and artificial intelligence operating on data in greater volumes than humans can handle.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">A transition to automation has already happened in other areas where we once thought human judgment was required. Most commercial flying is now done by auto-pilot, not by the captain. Algorithmic trading now drives most stock market volume. Google's (<a href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=GOOG" rel="external" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">GOOG</a>) self-driving car has had zero accidents driving <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-self-driving-car-logs-more-miles-on.html" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">300,000 miles</a> on normal streets. The same replacement of human involvement by computers will also happen in healthcare. This will create a more comprehensive understanding of patients and improve health outcomes with more personalized treatment. Physicians will have MORE time to spend talking to their patients, making sure they understand, socializing care, and finding out the harder-to-measure pieces of information because they'll spend a less time gathering data and referring to old notes. And, they will be able to handle many more patients, reducing costs.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The source of healthcare innovation</b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">Where will all this innovation come from? Some believe we have to work within the constraints of the medical establishment. I disagree.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">Innovation seldom happens from the inside because existing incentives are usually set up to discourage disruption. Pharma companies push marginally different drugs instead of potentially better generic solutions because they want you to be a drug subscriber and generate recurring revenue for as long as possible. Medical device manufacturers don't want to cannibalize sales of their expensive equipment by providing cheaper, more accessible monitoring devices. The traditional players will lobby/goad/pay/intimidate doctors and regulators to reject innovation. Expecting the medical establishment to do anything different is expecting them to reduce their own profits. Granted, these are generalizations and there are many great and ethical doctors and organizations.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; ">Fortunately, it doesn't matter if the establishment tries to do this or not, because it will happen regardless. And it may start at the periphery, e.g. with the 40 million uninsured Americans or the hundreds of millions of people in India with no access. This shift in healthcare delivery will allow for less money to be spent on capital equipment, cutting costs. It will allow us to provide care and basic service to those who can't afford it now. It will help avoid errors. And, it will prevent simple things from getting worse before being addressed.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><a href="http://www.lifecomhealth.com/" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "></a>Entrepreneurs can come at these challenges and inject new insight. They can ask naïve questions that get at the heart of pervasive and sometimes unperceived assumptions. They can leverage the many insiders to provide real understanding of medicine at the right time. They can build smart computers to be objective cost minimizers <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">while</em> being care optimizers.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; ">This evolution will take time, but it won't take as long as people think. The move will happen in fits and starts along different pathways, with many course corrections, steps backward, and mistakes. Maybe we'll start seeing disruption at the fringes. Many naïve innovators, maybe even 90% of them, will attempt this change and fail. But, a few will succeed and change the system. For those of us who support entrepreneurs and companies that create this change, most investments will be lost, but more money will be made than lost through the few successes. None of us knows how this space will turn out, but there's a huge opportunity for technologists, entrepreneurs, and other forward-thinkers to reduce healthcare expenditures and improve patient care at the very same time.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; position: static; z-index: auto; "><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Vinod Khosla is the founder of Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm in Menlo Park, CA. A longer version of this story can be<a href="http://www.khoslaventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/20_percent_doctor_included.doc" target="new" rel="external nofollow" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> found here on its website.</a></i></div></div><a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/12/04/technology-doctors-khosla/">http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/12/04/technology-doctors-khosla/</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Technology will replace 80% of what doctors do - Fortune Tech

Healthcare today is often really the "practice of medicine" rather than the "science of medicine." Take fever as an exam...

Read more »