Category: Sensors
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Real-time estrogen sensor
Natalie Plank and Victoria University colleagues have developed an estrogen sensor that sends an electrical signal when it detects the hormone in liquids. The device attracts DNA pieces called aptamers, which attach to estrogen molecules, to carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes act like transistors, emitting an electric signal if estrogen molecules are present. The technology…
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Ingestible sensor continuously monitors heart, breathing rates
MIT researchers are developing ingestible sensors that measure heart and breathing rates from within the gastrointestinal tract using sound waves. This type of sensor could make it easier to assess trauma patients, monitor soldiers in battle, perform long-term evaluation of patients with chronic illnesses, or improve training for professional and amateur athletes, the researchers say.…
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Self-healing sensor improves “electronic skin”
Hossam Haick and Technion colleagues are developing materials to be integrated into flexible electronics that mimic the healing properties of human skin. The goal is to quickly repair incidental scratches or damaging cuts that might compromise device functionality. The synthetic polymer can “heal” electronic skin in one day, which can improve the materials used to…
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Smart walker monitors gait, assesses falling probability
Footprints by Quanticare is a walker that continuously collects passive and contextual gait data, with the goal of predicting and preventing senior falls. Its computer vision algorithm captures spatio-temporal gait metrics of the user and sends the data to a health care provider. The company claims that the walker could measure an osteoarthritic limp to improve PT protocols, and…
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Sensors allow more natural sense of touch in prosthetics
Stanford’s Zhenan Bao is developing technology that could restore a more natural sense of touch in prosthetics. Her flexible, thin plastic sensors send signals to the brain that more closely resemble nerve messages of human skin touch sensors. The disruptive technology has not yet been tested on humans, and researchers still need to find a safe way to…
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Remotely controlled capsule endoscope captures lower GI images
A new type of capsule endoscope may improve cancer diagnostics, providing comprehensive, non-invasive imaging, including lower GI images. The 3D printed Tadpole Endoscope (TE) has a soft tail that allows it to be remotely guided around the stomach. The technology was developed by Yong ZHONG, Ruxu DU and Prof Phillip W Y CHIU of the Chinese University of…
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External power supply for Google contact lens
Power efficiency in wearables is key to continuous, accurate monitoring, for both medical and fitness applications. Google has filed a patent application suggesting that an external device will power the sensor of its contact lens, and it could be handheld or embedded into a companion wearable. The application states that “an external reader device or ‘reader’…
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Sleep sensor directs appliances, allows remote monitoring
Samsung’s SleepSense measures breathing, heart rate, and movement in real time, without touching the body. The company claims that this monitoring results in a 97% accurate sleep score, delivered to one’s phone. SleepSense can communicate with a television, audio system, thermostat, and other household devices, to create a favorable sleep environment. TVs can be turned off…
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Mouthguard monitors health markers via saliva
A prototype mouthguard that monitors health markers via saliva is being developed at UCSD. The large device must be streamlined and miniaturized for mass adoption, but the concept of noninvasive monitoring of lactate, cortisol, and uric acid, is excellent. Previously, this was only possible through a blood test. The device can be worn by athletes,…
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Sensor detects orthopedic implant infections early
RPI‘s Eric Ledet is developing tiny sensors to detect infections in implanted orthopedic prostheses early. Surgical site infections are a common complication and can result in additional surgery, implant removal, delayed wound healing, increased antibiotics, and death. The simple, cheap sensor will be incorporated into the implant during surgery, enabling continuous, non-invasive infection monitoring.
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Accurate, self powered health monitoring technologies
The NSF‘s ASSIST center, based at NC State, is using nanotechnology to build clinically accurate, self-powered health monitoring technologies. The team, led by Veena Misra, is developing tiny devices harvesting energy from body heat (which creates thermal energy) and body motion (which creates mechanical energy). They can be used on various areas of the body.…
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Mirror sensors, imaging systems, assess cardio-metabolic risk
Wize is a mirror that its developers claim can monitor health with breath monitors, 3D scanners, video cameras, and imaging systems. It assesses cardio-metabolic risk through changes in face shape and circulation, signs of anxiety, and breath tests for heart attack-inducing chemicals. After a user looks into the mirror for one minute, a health score…