Category: Sensors
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Strong, elastic artificial “skin” mimics collagen structure
Jang Kyung-in, of the Rogers Research Group at the University of Illinois, has developed artificial skin, intended for health monitoring, that mimics the structure of collagen. The strong and elastic platform is well suited for silicone-based electronic sensing systems. It will attach to real skin like a band-aid. Users can apply and remove it multiple times without damage.…
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Sensor probe to prevent hospital pressure ulcers
GE and the US Dept of Veterans Affairs have developed a multi sensor probe to detect the earliest signs of pressure ulcer formation. The device combines computer vision with motion detection, thermal profiling, image classification, 3-D object reconstruction and vapor detection to identify patients at risk and improve treatment. Hospitals generally advise caregivers to turn…
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Suit, patch allow doctors to safely treat Ebola patients
At SXSW this week, USAID unveiled a biomedical suit and a wearable sensor patch to protect doctors while treating Ebola patients. The John’s Hopkins developed suit takes two minutes to put on. It has anti-fogging capabilities and will contain a cooling system, allowing doctors to wear it for longer periods. Past protective suits took 30 minutes to put on, were…
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Biosensor patch to manage obesity, diabetes
Mayo Clinic and Gentag have announced the joint development of wireless, disposable patch sensors to monitor and manage obesity and diabetes. The wearables will communicate with smartphones via a closed-loop diabetes management system. Other indicators monitored by Gentag patches include heart rate, temperature, hydration, sweat, blood sugar, lactic acid, electrolytes and other biomarkers. It is unclear how many of these…
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Home + wearable sensors detect motor function issues
Fujitsu Laboratories, CASALA, and Insight@UCD have developed technology that detects abnormal motor function early using wearable and home embedded sensors. 110 ambient sensors were installed in a home which, combined with wearable sensors, collected extensive daily routine data. Researchers discovered abnormalities that often go unnoticed by doctors by extracting “opened door” or “walked” events that…
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Bio-ink pens for “do-it-yourself” sensor monitoring
Led by Joseph Wang, creator of the non-invasive glucose monitor ApplySci described in January, UCSD engineers are developing “do it yourself” sensors, drawn directly on skin and smartphones. The simple, cheap sensors could be used in the clinic, at home, or on the battlefield. The bio-inks react with several chemicals, including glucose. Biocompatible polyethylene glycol is…
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Cheap, self powered, wireless, disposable health tracker
The University of Tokyo‘s Hiroshi Fuketa has created a flexible, wireless, self-powered, cheap, disposable continuous vital sign monitor. The armband’s temperature sensor measure body heat under the arm, piezoelectric speaker provides audible feedback, and amorphous silicon solar cells provide power. Its organic ink circuits are printed onto a plastic film. Other sensors could be incorporated to…
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Patch detects breast cancer temperature patterns
Cyrcadia Health‘s iTBra contains patches that detect circadian temperature changes within breast cells. The data is sent to a lab via smartphone, and analyzed with Nanyang Technical University developed algorithms. Abnormal temperature and cellular signaling patterns are immediately sent to one’s doctor. The technology detects normal circadian cellular baselines, as well as abnormal patterns…
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DNA sensor detects cervical, bladder, kidney cancer
University of Twente MESA+ professor Wilfred van der Wiel is developing an electrode to detect cervical, bladder and kidney cancer in DNA. NanoGap is a 100 nanometer wide gap in a metal electrode with receptors that provide notifications when urine DNA is degraded. Hypermethylated DNA is bound to the receptors. By covering the DNA with metal particles, a live…
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Breath test to detect early stage lung cancer
University of Leicester and Owlstone Nanotech are developing a breath test to detect early stage lung cancer. Clinical trials for the device will begin soon. Last year ApplySci described a Cleveland Clinic developed sensor with a similar purpose. The study is being led by Leicester’s Dr Salman Siddiqui. LuCID (Lung Cancer Indicator Detection), based on Owlstone’s GC-FAIMS (Gas…
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Smart bandage continuously measures pH and oxygen
Harvard professor Ali Khademhosseini, a doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is developing a smart bandage that determines a wound’s healing progress and distributes medicine accordingly. The prototype bandage looks like rubber, and has visible sensors tracking pH balance (for bacterial infection), and oxygen, automatically delivering oxygen or antibiotics topically. Diabetic foot ulcers might be better treated this…
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Smartphone sensor detects cancer in breath
Professor Hossam Haick at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has developed a sensor equipped smartphone that screens a user’s breath for early cancer detection. SNIFFPHONE uses micro and nano sensors that read exhaled breath. The information is transferred through the phone to a signal processing system for analysis. According to Haick, the NaNose system can detect benign…