Latest news with #FVS
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
'No faith in the system' as mother waits year for epilepsy drug inquiry
Debbie Adams has been waiting a year to address an inquiry into the prescribing of epilepsy medicine containing Valproate to pregnant women. Her daughters, aged 13 and 11, were diagnosed with Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS) in 2020. This came after years of diagnosis for individual symptoms. Their youngest daughter also had double surgery for hip dysplasia at Temple Street Hospital. A letter advising that she needs a review as part of investigations into these surgeries has only added to the worries for Debbie and her husband. Last June, an inquiry was launched into the prescribing of valproate, which can cause serious birth defects and development disorders. Families were told the inquiry would begin "within weeks" but there is still no sign of it starting. Debbie chose not to attend the launch event. 'I wanted to get excited but the pessimistic side of me said 'how long are we going to be waiting?' and that's probably why I didn't go," she said. One year on, she is just tired. 'I've no faith in the system,' she said. This should not have happened. This has changed the trajectory of our family's life. She wants answers: why does she have a wall-planner in the kitchen covered with therapy appointments? 'The children have grown up like this and they think everybody's life is like this. We had different dreams for them,' she said, tearfully. The HSE now advises if a woman or girl becomes pregnant while taking valproate (brand name Epilim), their baby is at risk of serious birth defects and developmental and learning disorders. Debbie, who has been taking Epilim to control her epilepsy seizures, recalled speaking with her neurologist when pregnant with Isobelle. Debbie Adams took Epilim to control her epilepsy seizures. Picture: Moya Nolan 'I was warned about spina bifida and cleft lip and palate; they were the two things that I was aware of,' she said. She was relieved early scans showed no signs of these but does not recall discussion of wider risks under Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS). Isobelle and her sister Isla, who uses a mobility scooter, faced similar challenges as babies. 'My youngest was showing all the same delays — not crawling, not walking, not speaking, and I said this can't be normal to happen twice in the one house,' she said. She was reassured during a neurology appointment about any potential links to her medication. But soon afterwards, while in Portugal at a family wedding, she saw a report from the British parliament on Sky News. Devastating information They were talking about FVS, and she recalls racing out to find her husband to share the devastating information. Returning home, they met up with Karen Keely, founder of patient group OACS Ireland, which represents more than 130 families. 'It's a horrible reality,' she told the Irish Examiner,sitting in Karen's kitchen. 'You live in fear for them [the children] for when you're gone.' She pointed out that despite pledges to support affected families, they still had to battle long waiting lists and delays for therapies. She is aware of recent High Court cases taken by other families struggling for answers. 'For me that was like validation, it's happened, acknowledgement somewhere has taken place,' she said. Ms Keely said families feel "absolutely disgusted' by the delays to the inquiry. She said people want 'acknowledgement this has happened; harm has happened'. The Department of Health said when work on data protection issues are finished, 'it is anticipated that the public-facing elements of the inquiry will commence shortly thereafter". No definitive timeframe was given.
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
RetinAI and FVS Announce CE-MDR Certification for Co-developed AI-based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Algorithm, LuxIA®
BERN, Switzerland and MADRID, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RetinAI US Inc. (RetinAI) and Fundación Ver Salud (FVS) are pleased to jointly announce that LuxIA®, their co-developed innovative AI algorithm for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) screening, has successfully received CE-MDR certification as a Class IIb medical device under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745). The certification was granted through Ikerian AG, RetinAI's parent company. LuxIA is designed to screen adult diabetic patients for more-than-mild diabetic retinopathy (mtmDR). This indication for use provides critical support for ophthalmologists, general practitioners and trained healthcare professionals across the European Union to achieve an earlier diagnosis of mtmDR, a vision-threatening eye disease. This new certification demonstrates the strong collaboration between FVS and RetinAI, emphasizing both entities' commitment to deliver AI-driven tools that meet stringent regulatory standards and significantly enhance patient management and clinical outcomes. The device is indicated for processing digital 45-degree colour fundus images from NW200, NW400 or equivalent Topcon cameras, ensuring seamless placement into existing clinical workflows. Together with RetinAI's existing portfolio of AI-based OCT analysis solutions, LuxIA complements a comprehensive suite of clinically validated, CE-certified AI modules focused on ophthalmology. Dr. Carlos Ciller, CEO and co-founder of RetinAI, commented: 'Receiving CE-MDR certification for LuxIA underscores our shared commitment with FVS to advance leading-edge ophthalmic care to patients through reliable and impactful AI technology. This milestone is pivotal, enabling healthcare providers to improve patient management and outcomes for diabetic retinopathy across Europe, reinforcing our joint mission of transforming vision care through innovation.' Dr. Juan Donate, MD, President of Fundación Ver Salud stated: 'We are excited about the newly received certification and look forward to the significant impact LuxIA will have in the European ophthalmology market. AI-driven screening solutions are critical to improving patient care, and we anticipate LuxIA will play a central role in achieving this.' For further information or to request a demonstration of LuxIA and other ophthalmic solutions from FVS and RetinAI, please visit For further information please contact: At the company Carlos Ciller, PhD, CEO - Ikerian AG and RetinAI Inc US [email protected], [email protected] Media enquiries Sue Charles, Charles Consultants - [email protected] +44 (0)7968726585 About Ikerian AG and RetinAI Inc. US Established in 2017, Ikerian AG (formerly RetinAI Medical AG) and its subsidiary, RetinAI U.S. Inc. ('Ikerian', 'RetinAI' and, together, 'the company'), develops software solutions to accelerate clinical, research and pharmaceutical workflows globally using advanced machine learning and computer vision, across ophthalmology, neurodegenerative disorders, vascular conditions, and rare diseases. RetinAI builds tools to collect, organize and analyze health data from the eyes, enabling healthcare professionals to make the right decisions sooner in healthcare. RetinAI's international team leverages its clinical, technical, and scientific expertise to foster the transition from reactive to preventive medicine for severe eye diseases. Follow us on LinkedInand About FVS FVS is a non-profit organization focused on training, research, and medical innovation, particularly in the field of ophthalmology. Its mission is to develop solutions that promote better clinical outcomes and enhance the quality of patient care. Follow us on LinkedIn and X
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spain wants a more affordable VAR in its women's liga and coaches' challenges
Barcelona's Irene Paredes, second right, scores her side's second goal during the Women's Champions League, quarter-final first leg, soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP) Barcelona's players celebrate their side's third goal during the Women's Champions League, quarter-final first leg, soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP) Barcelona's players celebrate their side's third goal during the Women's Champions League, quarter-final first leg, soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP) Barcelona's Irene Paredes, second right, scores her side's second goal during the Women's Champions League, quarter-final first leg, soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP) Barcelona's players celebrate their side's third goal during the Women's Champions League, quarter-final first leg, soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Barcelona in Wolfsburg, Germany, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP) MADRID (AP) — The Spanish soccer federation will ask FIFA for permission to introduce a more cost-effective video review system in the women's liga next season. The federation wants to give coaches the ability to challenge on-field decisions similar to those used in sports leagues in the United States. Thursday's announcement of the intention to use FIFA's so-called Football Video Support (FVS) system came after a Barcelona goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside in the women's clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday. Madrid earned its first ever win over the Catalan rival in the women's game. Advertisement The federation said having the new system would be a step toward implementing full VAR in the women's game. VAR is fully operational in the men's liga but not in the women's. FIFA, which trialed the new system in a youth competition last year, said on its website that FVS was designed to be portable and more affordable than traditional VAR that requires greater infrastructure, including more cameras at stadiums and constant monitoring by VAR match officials. FIFA said it started looking into an alternative system after it 'received requests from a number of member associations to find a more affordable system to support referees in their decision-making.' It said FVS was aimed at 'meeting the needs" of associations that can't implement VAR "because their human and financial resources are limited and very few cameras are in use in their competitions.' Even matches with only one camera, whether human-operated or automated, can have FVS in place, according to FIFA. Advertisement Coaches can challenge a call 'by twirling their finger in the air and giving a review request card to the fourth official,' FIFA said. Coaches are expected to have two challenges, and if the review results in the original decision being changed, the team doesn't lose the challenge. Major sports leagues in the United States, including the NFL and the NBA, offer coaches challenges. After goals are scored, FIFA said the fourth official will check the footage on the monitor and inform the referee if there was any clear and obvious irregularity. A fully finalized version of the system that Spain could potentially use has not been presented yet, though FIFA has said that FVS must include 'minimal stadium connectivity or fixed installation, with the possibility of being installed pitch-side and/or within the TV compound.' Advertisement The instant-replay functionality should provide images 'from at least one camera angle to assist officiating decisions effectively,' and the setup 'must be lightweight and transportable by a single person for ease of deployment in a range of different stadium environments.' FIFA acknowledged that because FVS involves a small number of cameras, 'the replay footage will often be inconclusive and thus the original decision may not be changed.' If the technology malfunctions, the match must be played or continue without FVS, FIFA said. ___ AP soccer:
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Spain's Liga F to be first league to introduce ‘cost-effective' alternative to VAR
Spain's Liga F is set to be the first senior professional league to introduce Football Video Support (FVS), a 'cost-effective' alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced plans to implement FVS — which will allow managers to challenge two on-field decisions per game — into the top flight of Spanish women's football for the 2025-26 season. Advertisement The RFEF says the decision to introduce FVS is the first step towards the full implementation of VAR in Liga F. The federation will 'seek FIFA's permission and guidance' to bring in the technology with a view to 'aligning the top men's and women's leagues with an equivalent VAR system in the medium term.' The decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting on Spanish refereeing reform in the women's game, with referee, club and player representatives agreeing to the introduction of FVS. FVS is billed as a 'cost-effective alternative to VAR' and was trialled at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in May and the Women's Under-20 World Cup in September. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the game's laws, announced in December that FVS trials were being extended. Similarly to VAR, the FVS system is designed to be used 'in the event of a possible clear and obvious error or serious missed incident' — a goal/no goal, straight red card, penalty/no penalty or case of mistaken identity, according to a FIFA press release from May. However, unlike VAR, those decisions are not automatically checked as there is no video match official, and instead the coaches make a review request to the on-field referee. FIFA states a coach can indicate they are challenging the decision by 'twirling their finger in the air' and handing a review request card to the fourth official. Only the team's head coach can make a review request, but players are entitled to ask their head coach to do so. FIFA said in May that FVS is its response to requests from member associations who are unable to implement VAR due to cost and number of cameras available, and it is not intended as a VAR replacement. VAR was introduced in La Liga from the beginning of the 2018-19 season and while the technology is used across international women's competitions, the knockout stages of the Women's Champions League and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), it is not common in domestic women's leagues. Advertisement The introduction of officiating technology in Spain comes after Real Madrid's historic win over Barcelona on Sunday was marred by a controversially disallowed goal. Barcelona's Jana Fernandez had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside with the game level at 1-1, before Madrid went on to win the game. ()
Associated Press
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Spain wants a more affordable VAR in its women's liga and coaches' challenges
MADRID (AP) — The Spanish soccer federation will ask FIFA for permission to introduce a more cost-effective video review system in the women's liga next season. The federation wants to give coaches the ability to challenge on-field decisions similar to those used in sports leagues in the United States. Thursday's announcement of the intention to use FIFA's so-called Football Video Support (FVS) system came after a Barcelona goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside in the women's clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday. Madrid earned its first ever win over the Catalan rival in the women's game. The federation said having the new system would be a step toward implementing full VAR in the women's game. VAR is fully operational in the men's liga but not in the women's. FIFA, which trialed the new system in a youth competition last year, said on its website that FVS was designed to be portable and more affordable than traditional VAR that requires greater infrastructure, including more cameras at stadiums and constant monitoring by VAR match officials. FIFA said it started looking into an alternative system after it 'received requests from a number of member associations to find a more affordable system to support referees in their decision-making.' It said FVS was aimed at 'meeting the needs' of associations that can't implement VAR 'because their human and financial resources are limited and very few cameras are in use in their competitions.' Even matches with only one camera, whether human-operated or automated, can have FVS in place, according to FIFA. Coaches can challenge a call 'by twirling their finger in the air and giving a review request card to the fourth official,' FIFA said. Coaches are expected to have two challenges, and if the review results in the original decision being changed, the team doesn't lose the challenge. Major sports leagues in the United States, including the NFL and the NBA, offer coaches challenges. After goals are scored, FIFA said the fourth official will check the footage on the monitor and inform the referee if there was any clear and obvious irregularity. A fully finalized version of the system that Spain could potentially use has not been presented yet, though FIFA has said that FVS must include 'minimal stadium connectivity or fixed installation, with the possibility of being installed pitch-side and/or within the TV compound.' The instant-replay functionality should provide images 'from at least one camera angle to assist officiating decisions effectively,' and the setup 'must be lightweight and transportable by a single person for ease of deployment in a range of different stadium environments.' FIFA acknowledged that because FVS involves a small number of cameras, 'the replay footage will often be inconclusive and thus the original decision may not be changed.' If the technology malfunctions, the match must be played or continue without FVS, FIFA said. ___
