The US Army and USC Prof Maryam Shanechi have developed an algorithm that can determine which specific behaviors—like walking and breathing—belong to specific brain signals. Segmenting brain signals has been notoriously difficult, as all signals associated with tasks mix together. Shanechi and her team used the algorithm to separate behaviorally relevant brain signals from behaviorally […]
Sensors
“Ambient intelligence” monitoring to prevent medical errors, send alerts
Stanford’s Fei Fei Li, Arnold Milstein and albert Haque have developed AI and sensor based “ambient intelligence” protocols to prevent medical errors and improve outcomes. Applications include alerting clinicians and visitors when they fail to sanitize their hands before entering a hospital room; monitoring the elderly for behavioral clues of impending health crises; prompting caregivers, […]
Covid-19 / Sensors
Electrostatic and electrochemical sensors rapidly detect airborne viruses
Jang Jae-sung and Ulsan colleagues have developed a method to quickly and accurately detect airborne viruses, to inform public health and quarantine efforts. Electrostatic force captures and condenses viruses in the air, and a paper electrochemical sensor checks samples for antigens and virus antibodies. Liquid particles as small as 1 micrometer have been successfully collected. […]
BCI / Brain / Sensors
Polymer improves medical implants, could enable brain-computer interface
David Martin and University of Delaware colleagues have developed a bio-synthetic coating for electronic components that could avoid the scarring (and signal disruption) caused by traditional microelectric materials. The PEDOT polymer improved the performance of medical implants by reducing their opposition to an electric current. Pedot film was used with an antibody to stimulate blood […]
Covid-19 / Sensors / Wearables
Presymptomatic COVID detection with wearables
Stanford’s Michael Snyder and colleagues have used smartwatch data to detect early, presymptomatic COVID-19 in 31 individuals out of a cohort of 5,000. They demonstrated that COVID-19 infections are associated with alterations in heart rate, steps and sleep in 80% of cases. Physiological alterations were detected prior to, or at, symptom onset in 85% of […]
Pharmaceuticals / Sensors
Sweat sensor monitors drug levels, informs dosage
Sam Emaminejad, Shuyu Lin, Carlos Milla, Ronald Davis and UCLA and Stanford colleagues have developed a watch which monitors drug levels inside the body by analyzing a wearer’s sweat. The goal is individually tailored drug dosages. Dosages are currently prescribed based on statistical effectiveness averages driven by weight and age. However, constantly changing body chemistry […]