Meet the VBMax e-Series line of PFT filters! We’re excited to introduce the latest member of the VBMax™ family of pulmonary function test filters.

The patient-side of the new filter features an integrated elliptical mouthpiece that eliminates the need for an additional paper mouthpiece. But if you prefer, a disposable thermoplastic rubber mouthpiece can slip over the elliptical connector with a tight seal.

Unlike many other PFT filters with elliptical connectors, the mouthpiece of the VBMax e-Series has a gentle downward curve that conforms to the natural arch of your mouth. And the form didn’t come at the expense of function.

Like the standard VBMax PFT filters with a round connector, the e-Series PFT filters exceed standards published by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society.

The e-Series VBMax PFT filters are individually packaged and come in a case of 50. Depending on the quantity, a case of PFT filters costs as low as US$48.75, or US$0.98 per filter. Contact us today for a sample!

An early study of COPD patients for gender-related clinical differences showed that women appeared to develop the chronic condition at younger ages, had more exacerbations, and experienced more dyspnea than men. The Spanish-led study was published in the journal Chest in 2005.

A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2010 affirms the earlier findings and called for more studies:

Female gender was associated with lung function reduction and more severe disease in subjects with COPD with early onset of disease or low smoking exposure. The findings may suggest a gender difference in susceptibility to the lung-damaging effects of cigarette smoking, but alternative explanations should be considered.

In the U.S., women were more likely than men to report having COPD (6.7% vs. 5.2%), according to a survey conducted by a division of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of the disease decreased with higher education and/or income.

Internationally prevalence of COPD among women has increased to a point where the disease affects men and women almost equally, says the World Health Organization. At least one reason for the increase, the group says, is an increase of tobacco use among women in wealthier countries.

If you think you’re at risk of developing COPD, visit the COPD Foundation for tips and more information. Also ask your physician for spirometry, a simple pulmonary function test designed to identify and/or asses asthma, COPD and other lung-related conditions.

Infinity Imagined (over at tumblr) found strange but visually compelling similarities between man-made cities and neurons by juxtaposing images of cities as seen from the International Space Station and of neurons.

In the comparison above, an unidentified city center and thoroughfares resemble the shape of the soma, dendrites and axon. The neuron of a neonatal rat was captured by the Wadsworth Center using a confocal microscope.

In this juxtaposition, the source of the neuronal image was identified incorrectly as Reabilitação Cognitiva, an online portal for cognitive rehabilitation. The image belongs to flickr user thelunch_box who stained Edinger-Westphal neurons in culture and captured the images using a Zeiss microscope and camera.

Check out more illustrations by Infinity Imagined here.

[Via Laughing Squid]

Stop by our booth #230 and check out our gear!

“After a couple of weeks of neurorehabilitation with a combination of a robotic harness and electrical-chemical stimulation, our rats are not only voluntarily initiating a walking gait, but they are soon sprinting, climbing up stairs and avoiding obstacles when stimulated,” Dr. Gregoire Courtine said in an interview with EPFL media.

What’s more, A-M Systems electrophysiology instruments were used during the experiment (Science 336, 1182 (2012); doi: 10.1126/science. 1217416).

Can you identify which instrument was used? Watch the video below.

A-M Systems exhibits electrophysiology instruments at Neuroscience 2012 in New Orleans.

Stop by our booth at Neuroscience 2012 in New Orleans and test-drive our latest electrophysiology gear before you leave. Our engineers and product specialists are on hand to answer any questions you might have.

In the U.S., nearly one in six women who develop breast cancer die as a result of it or from complications, according to the National Cancer Institute. While many organizations are promoting women’s health throughout the year, October is the designated month to boost breast cancer awareness.

A-M Systems stands with many private and public groups that have made strides in the search for a cure and joins them in supporting a search for a cure.

Neuroscience 2012

The Society for Neuroscience returns to the Big Easy after a nine-year absence from the Gulf Coast. We’re excited to return to New Orleans in a bigger booth to showcase all of our electrophysiology instruments.

Dr. Jonathan Bakin, the physiology product manager, Dr. David Mittmann, the senior engineer, and Ian Flaherty, our field engineer, will be on hand to answer your questions and help you test-drive our instruments, including MultiStim: Programmable 8-Channel Stimulator.

MultiStim: Programmable 8-Channel Stimulator (Model 3800)

In addition to this state-of-the-art stimulator, all of our instruments will be on display, including our Patch Clamp Amplifier (Model 2400), our 16-channel Extracellular Amplifier (Model 3600), and our 4-Channel Differential AC Amplifier (Model 1700).

Dr. Bakin is also excited to sample more beignets, a must-have treat that’s undeniably New Orleans. During the exhibit, however, you’ll find Dr. Bakin and our engineers at booth 1423 (map).

Stop by and give us your feedback on our instruments and share any customization needs you might have.