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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Our body protects us from many environmental substances such as pollen, foreign chemicals, and pathogens. The immune system is a surveillance system of specialized white blood cells and tissues that recognize self from foreign matter. An antigen is any foreign environmental substance that elicits an immune response. Antibodies are proteins developed by the immune system that recognize and bind antigens. Sometimes our immune system responds excessively to antigens, causing inflammation and tissue damage. This is called an allergic response. Antigens causing an allergic response are allergens. There are four major types of hypersensitivity: immediate, cytotoxic, immune complex, and delayed. The most common type of hypersensitivity is type one, or immediate. This type includes allergies elicited by antigens such as pollen. After initial exposure to this allergen, immune cells create immunoglobulin E antibodies for subsequent exposures. These antibodies are bound to certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils. Immunoglobulin E encounters and binds to the allergen, triggering the release of inflammatory substances such as histamines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes from mast cells and basophils. If severe and left untreated, type one can lead to anaphylaxis, an acute, life threatening condition that occurs quickly after antigen exposure and is characterized by low blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Treatment of type one hypersensitivity or allergic reactions induced by environmental substances or biological agents includes treatment of mild symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive medications, treatment of severe reactions and anaphylaxis with an epipen, discontinued exposure to the environmental agent, and if the hypersensitivity is in response to a necessary drug treatment, substitution with another agent. In some cases, no reasonable alternative exists, in which case a regimen of desensitization by repeated and monitored exposure to low doses of the drug or agent may be necessary.
"Our firm was able to settle our case at an all day mediation yesterday and
I am confident that the detail and overall appearance of the medical
illustrations significantly contributed to the settlement. When we require
medical illustrations in the future, I will be sure to contact [MLA]."
Noel Turner, III
Burts, Turner, Rhodes & Thompson
Spartanburg, SC
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Daniel J. Costello
Proner & Proner
New York, NY
"[Your staff] was extremely efficient, cooperative and gracious and [their]
efforts produced a demonstrative exhibit that we used effectively throughout
our trial. The jury verdict of $3,165,000.00 was, in no small measure, due
to the impact of the demonstrative evidence. You may be sure that we will
call again."
David J. Dean
Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo, P.C.
New York, NY
"The illustrations have consistently been well documented, accurate and
timely. Most important though is that the illustrations demonstrate to
juries and claims people the persuasive power of visual communication. Our
firm has achieved multiple eight figure settlements and verdicts over the
past ten years... Medical Legal Art has been there with us on every case."
Thomas C. Jones
Davis, Bethune & Jones, L.L.C.
Kansas City, MO www.dbjlaw.net
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
