IMIN Conference Videos

PROCEEDINGS 1^st IMIN CONFERENCE – ORLANDO 2016

The first International conference on Microcirculation presented by IMIN in Orlando Florida, October 2016.  These are some of the presentations.

If you want to know the science and research into the importance of microcirculation, the presentations by Dr. Torres and Dr. Baltazar are a must see.  And of course, the research behind the Bemer is presented by Dr. Klopp.

(there are some audio issues at times due to the live video capture)

Each Doctor is on a separate page, with an abstract of the presentation, and then the video.

Click on the name to view the page.

WELCOMING REMARKS by

Ulises Baltazar, MD, FACS, RVT

The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled
Plutarch, Greek biographer and essayist

I extend a warm welcome to the first International Microvascular Net Conference in Orlando, Florida. Today research scientists, medical doctors, clinicians, chemists, biologists, philanthropists and visionaries in general have gathered to discuss the exciting field of microcirculation. This conference is not industry driven nor does it strive to achieve any commercial goals. It is a purely scientific event, hence the opening quote.

Electromagnetic fields are their own entities and can be manipulated to acquire their own specific characteristics. The Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) per se will be reviewed for these different parameters: wave form or signal; frequency; intensity; and clinical patient outcomes.

The transport phenomena of material exchange between blood and tissues and the first steps of cellular and humoral immune reactions are realized in the area of microcirculation, the area of the smallest blood vessels and lymphatics. Microcirculation is the area of human blood circulation (arterioles, capillaries, venules, initial lymph), the important functional part of the circuit. The efficiency of the nutritional and immunological benefits determines the functional state of organs and the body’s defense mechanisms. Various pathological changes in the flow properties and conditions of the plasma-blood-cell mixture in the microvascular network can limit or interfere with the neural and humoral regulation of organ perfusion. This can result in reduced or impaired organ function and an increased susceptibility to inflammation and subsequent infection.

It is now generally recognized that a large number of microcirculatory disorders are based on clinical syndromes and their disease progression is accompanied by their own dynamics. Drug options for the treatment of microcirculation disorders are currently limited. As a result, the foci of urgently needed research are disorders of local and higher-level perfusion regulation (spontaneous, autorhythmic vasomotion of small-caliber arteriole sections and the neurologically and/or humorally controlled vasomotion of large caliber arteriole sections) and the distribution of the plasma-blood-cell mixture in the capillary networks. Causal drug treatment of many of these disorders is not known, rendering complementary, therapeutically effective treatment options of great importance. New research findings have shown that an effective non-pharmacological influence of impaired vasomotor processes is possible expanding the limited standard width of tissue perfusion to a complementary, therapeutically relevant extent.

Adequate organ blood circulation can be impaired by a number of diseases, e.g. blood loss, heart and lung diseases or vascular damage. Circulatory dysfunction is found in cases of different types of shock with a massive loss of blood pressure such as cardiogenic and septic shock.

Microcirculatory dysfunctions are implicated for the high death rate among shock patients. It is possible to stabilize the macrocirculation using measures to raise blood pressure, diuresis or liquid substitution, but these do not necessarily stabilize the dysfunctional microcirculation. It is therefore of significant clinical interest to improve these patients’ dysfunctional microcirculation in a targeted way, in particular because at present there are no promising medical treatment options. Research is underway to determine whether the functionally impaired microcirculation of intensive care patients with multi organ-dysfunction syndrome (MODS) can be improved with electromagnetic fields of low flux density with biorhythmically defined impulse configurations. This could demonstrate a possible approach to physical therapy for the treatment of the MODS patients’ impaired microcirculation, which could be applied in a complementary manner as an alternative to previous medical measures having lower rates of success.

Physical vascular therapy aims to stimulate inadequate regulation of organ blood circulation so that the body’s own mechanisms are able to rectify the microcirculatory dysfunction. The microcirculation is not only an important reservoir of blood, influencing blood pressure and supporting heat transfer, but is also responsible for the exchange of substances with tissue cells. It is also the location where the initial steps of immune reaction take place. The functional level of microcirculation and its range of regulation, the so-called microcirculatory reserve, are thus decisive for the functionality and performance of the organs and immune defense.

It is now generally recognized that numerous diseases are due to microcirculatory dysfunction or that the progress of the disease is significantly influenced by the function of microcirculation. With regards to organ circulation, the most important microcirculatory regulation mechanism is the arteriolar vasomotion. In the large-caliber arteriole sections, there are receptors for neural controls and humoral substances for the supraordinate regulated vasomotion processes. In the small-caliber arteriole sections, which are connected immediately before the capillary networks, there are in contrast spontaneous, autorhythmic vasomotions with their own biorhythm. In cases of dysfunction or disease, both these vasomotion phenomena would not be in harmony with each other.

Medicinal therapy options are available for large-caliber arteriole sections. Locally regulated, spontaneous-autorhythmic vasomotion in the small-caliber arteriole sections, in contrast, cannot be influenced with pharmaceutical means. The options for treating microcirculatory dysfunctions are limited in this way. A physical energy transfer using a specific biorhythmically defined stimulus can however be used for therapy. New research findings have shown that an effective non-medicinal influence on dysfunctional vasomotor processes is possible, and that in this way the limited range of regulation in the tissue circulation can be expanded to a complementary/therapeutically relevant extent.

Physical vascular therapy has high levels of preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative potential. Despite the great significance of the technology for prevention and the economic benefits resulting from it, physical vascular therapy has not yet been successfully established on a widespread basis. In order to change this first IMIN Conference was convened to explore the possibilities of the method and to disseminate the results of the studies at an international level.

IVO TORRES FILHO, MD, PHD

Dr. Ivo Torres’ research focus has played a significant role in our ability to understand physiological mechanisms in health and disease as it relates to microcirculation. By applying novel techniques and methods, he and his teams use various experimental strategies to investigate the pathophysiology of specific cardiovascular conditions and their treatment. He was one of the pioneers in the early research of vasomotion in a bat wing model. The main focus of his recent studies have been directed towards endothelial cell function, specifically on the glycocalyx structure and function in vivo. As part of the translational physiology research, his studies also focus on hemorrhagic shock, and factors that affect the local distribution of oxygen and blood flow. A key and unique component of the approach is to integrate traditional systemic physiological parameters, blood biomarkers, and microvascular variables such as;microvascular permeability, leukocyte-endothelial interactions, platelet-endothelial interactions, and local blood flow measurements in addition to in vivo glycocalyx determinations. With his extensive experience as research physiologist at the Damage Control Resuscitation Group as well as the US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Dr. Torres has held a key position in the United States Department of Defense research team.

RAINER C. KLOPP, MD, PHD

Dr. Rainer Klopp founded the Institute for Microcirculation in Berlin, Germany and is a leading researcher in the field of Microcirculation. He has over 120 scientific publications in scientific and clinical research and is the recipient of multiple scientific awards. Dr. Klopp has conducted world-renowned research in the fields of Biophysics, Cardiology, Angiology, Oncology, Internal Medicine and Dermatology. He is the founder of the Institute for Microcirculation in Berlin, Germany. Dr. Klopp was commissioned by the International Society of Geriatrics to investigate non-invasive, non-drug alternatives to assist geriatrics with chronic conditions, reducing their need for pharmaceutical medications and medical treatments. He is also a holder of multiple patents and an innovator of technology in science and medicine.

JOSHUA D. BERKA, NMD

Dr. Joshua Berka is certified as a Naturopathic Doctor, Diplomate of Acupuncture, and is a certified Functional Medicine practitioner. He has served as an educator and clinician both in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Berka is also an adjunct faculty member of the Institute of Functional Medicine and has been an Integrative Medicine advocate for many years. His goal has been to build networks, supporting the process of bridging the scientific communities and medical disciplines in support of healthcare and wellness. He specializes in the use of PEMF and LASER Therapies in both clinical and home healthcare. Dr. Berka is a member of the Microcirculation Society in San Diego, CA. He serves as the medical director of Infinity Health Source and BEMER USA as well as board member of multiple organizations.

ULISES BALTAZAR, MD, FACS, RVT

Dr. Ulises Baltazar has vast experience treating venous insufficiency, varicose veins and venous stasis ulcers using laser, radio frequency, mechano-chemical ablation and surgery. Dr. Baltazar completed his medical education at La Salle School of Medicine in 1986. He finished his general surgery residency at the General Hospital of Mexico City followed by general surgery training at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, where he was administrative chief resident and received the award for outstanding performance. He then finished a vascular and endovascular surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where he was again the administrative chief resident and received an award for his performance. Dr. Baltazar is certified by the American Board of Surgery in vascular surgery, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American College of Phlebology. He is also certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography as registered vascular technologist and registered physician in vascular interpretation. Dr. Baltazar is a Vascular Surgeon at Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land, Texas.

ROBERT B. CHESNE, MD, FACC

Dr. Robert Chesne is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He is also involved in academic education in his position as Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of Southern California School of Medicine and Director of the Coronary Care Unit at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan, Los Angeles, California. Dr. Chesne is dedicated to his clinical practice and teaching and has multiple scientific publications regarding vasculature conditions that have provided much support and insight to the research community. His involvement as Director of Cardiology and Chief of Staff at Centinela Freeman Hospital Medical Center has been a remarkable contribution. Dr. Chesne has also contributed his expertise and talent as the Director of Cardiology at the Tommy Lasorda Heart Institute.

SUNIL PAI, MD

Dr. Sunil Pai is a board certified Medical Doctor in Holistic Integrative Medicine. Dr. Pai completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of New Mexico. He is certified by Dr. Deepak Chopra as a Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor and a Creating Health (Ayurveda Lifestyle) Instructor. He is also certified in Functional Medicine, Physiological Regulating Medicine, Medical Acupuncture and Neuro-Acupuncture through UCLA and Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Pai is the Vice President of the Neuro-Acupuncture Institute, a non-profit organization focused on teaching physicians neuro-acupuncture to treat pain conditions and neurological dysfunction such as stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Pai is a Deacon of the House of Sanjevani Integrative Medicine Health & Lifestyle Center located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a nonprofit organization, they provide full service health education and Integrative Medicine services with emphasis on indigenous and natural medicines. Dr. Pai recently released his highly anticipated book, An Inflammation Nation, which describes the health benefits of plant-based diets and the use of natural anti-inflammatories for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and cancer.

D. TODD WYLIE, OD, FCOVD

Dr. Todd Wylie is board certified in Vision Development and Vision Therapy by the College of Optometry in Vision Development. His love for innovative technology has advanced his treatment methods in vision care and rehabilitation at his private practice in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Wylie is also the charter member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association. As a medical director of Advanced Eye Care & Optical, Dr. Wylie’s innovative vision care techniques truly delivered many remarkable results by his patients. Dr. Wylie thoroughly enjoys helping children and adults with vision-related learning disabilities, head trauma rehabilitation utilizing nutrition, PEMF therapy, and other treatment modalities to help improve eye health and wellness.

CAREY BENENSON-TAUSSIG, DO (MP)

Dr. Carey Benenson-Taussig is a certified graduate of the Collège d’Études Ostéopathiques and is affiliated with the Swiss International School of Osteopathy (SICO) as well as the Canadian School of Osteopathy in Vancouver, British Colombia. Dr. Benenson-Taussig specializes in Visceral Manipulation in her practice and is known for her work with the brain, Lyme disease, auto-immune disorders, and performs chemical and nutritional analyses. She is trained in the traditional philosophy of Osteopathy and has a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Boston University. Dr. Benenson-Taussig enjoys public speaking both locally and internationally by offering her lectures on the healing potential of the human body according to classical Osteopathic principles as well as in the field of biodynamics. She also holds a weekly educational radio program, Balance Point, and is known for her achievements in her work with the brain and the immune system.