In 2018, a nomination was received for the establishment of a service to produce a mould for the fabrication of burns face masks and orthotics for a range of conditions.
In 2018, a nomination was received for diode laser for use in outpatient hysteroscopy. This laser may allow intrauterine pathology to be diagnosed and treated at one outpatient visit as no general anaesthesia is needed.
The committee have received a number of nominations for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS), for a range of indications. MRgFUS is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for cancer of the brain, liver, breast and prostate and for the management of uterine fibroids and pain from bone metastases. Transcranial MRgFUS is an alternative to deep brain stimulation for patients with medication resistant Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia.
The committee recommended that additional advice on both of these technologies should be sought.
In 2018, an update was received for a laser scanner and robot carver to replace traditional plaster casting. The robot has the capacity to produce orthoses for other healthcare services that have the appropriate scanner and software in place.
The committee received a number of nominations for robot-assisted surgery (RAS) for various surgical specialties, such as upper gastrointestinal, trans-oral, colorectal, urology for radical prostatectomies and gynaecological oncology surgery.
The committee advised the technology was not new to the NSW public system.
In 2018, an update was received for a 3D bioprinter to produce prostheses for surgical planning. The committee recommended an evidence review of 3D printing with a review of the evidence and an audit to understand the current role of 3D printing in the Australian public health system.
In 2019, an update was received for an adjunct to mammography, to allow biopsy of potentially malignant lesions in difficult to reach locations. The TGA recalled this technology in 2017 due to issues with device installation, which were addressed prior to submission of the update.
In 2015, an update was received for software that allows a 3D reconstruction of the bronchial tree to assist with surgical planning.
In 2019, an update was received for an organ perfusion system that may extend usability of organs after removal from the body and prior to transplant.
In 2017, an update was received for a new method to identify sentinel lymph nodes during surgical removal of endometrial cancer.
In 2019, an update was received for a device used to photograph the back of the eye to identify changes in intracranial blood pressure that may be associated with stroke.
In 2019, an update was received for an electroretinogram which may take digital photographs of the retina for transfer to a specialist centre to be evaluated. This could improve access for patients in rural and remote areas.
In 2018, an update was received for an alternative diagnostic procedure for patients with previous negative transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy who continue to have increasing levels of prostate serum antigen.
The Ministry sought additional information on this technology from the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, which highlighted significant changes in the detection, diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer over the past decade. NSW Health is undertaking a review of methods to detect and diagnose prostate cancer.
In 2019, an update was received on uterus transplantation, which is an emerging experimental option for women with absolute uterine factor infertility who want to bear children.
In 2019, an update was received for an implant to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Advice was sought from the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation’s ophthalmology which confirmed demonstrated significant cost savings and operating efficiencies when compared to traditional trabulectomy.
New health technology enquiries can be emailed to: MOH-HealthTechNominations@health.nsw.gov.au