Category: Sensors
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Sensors, software to understand MS progression
Biogen Idec and Google X will use sensors and software to collect and analyze data from MS patients. The goals is to understand environmental and biological factors that contribute to the disease’s progression, and why it progresses differently in every patient. Andrew Conrad, head of Life Sciences at Google X, believes that this will lead to earlier interventions and better outcomes.…
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Silver nanowire wearable claims greater accuracy
Yong Zhu and North Carolina State colleagues have developed a silver nanowire wearable sensor to monitor EKG and EMG. They claim that the dry sensor is as accurate as wet electrode hospital sensors and works while a wearer is moving. According to Zhu, “the silver nanowire sensors conform to a patient’s skin, creating close contact. Because…
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Ear sensor monitors driver alertness
Fujitsu’s FEELythm is a wearable sensor that tracks pulse to detect drowsiness in drivers. An algorithm monitors vital signs via a sensor attached to the earlobe, gauges drowsiness, and notifies the driver. When used commercially, it notifies the driver’s fleet manager. It can connect to onboard devices and link to fleet management systems for real…
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Noninvasive sensor tattoo detects glucose levels
UC San Diego professor Joseph Wang has developed an ultra-thin, flexible device that sticks to skin like a tattoo and can detect glucose levels. The sensor has the potential to eliminate finger-pricking for diabetes. The wearable, non-irritating sensor tattoo can detect glucose in the fluid just under the skin. It is based on integrating glucose extraction…
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Smart earring monitors heart rate, calories, activity
Ear-o-smart is a crowdfunded smart earring that monitors heart rate, calories, and activity level. Its sensor is combined with a changeable earring. Its app, via voice instruction, tells wearers to speed up or slow down based on heart rate data. The tiny wearable was created by minimizing PPG Technology and Bluetooth data transfer. PPG…
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Multiple measurements, including blood pressure, from shirt sensor insert
Nike was recently awarded a patent for a skin-touching sensor system that can be inserted into a shirt. It can measure heart rate, blood pressure, hydration, and skin temperature, and transmit the data over radio frequencies, Bluetooth and WiFi. If it works, the ability measure blood pressure from shirt sensors, combined with other vital signs, is…
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Artificial skin detects pressure, moisture, heat, cold
MC10‘s Roozbeh Ghaffari and a team of researchers from the US and Korea have developed artificial skin for prosthetics that mimics the sensitivity of real skin. Its silicon and gold sensors detect pressure, moisture, heat and cold. It is elastic enough for users to stretch and move a bionic hand’s fingers as they would…
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Hormone sensor + cloud platform for women
Open Source Health, a cloud based women’s healthcare platform, has unveiled a device for self-measuring hormones using a drop of blood from one’s finger. Each single use bio-sensor chip performs up to 5 tests at home. Estrogens, progestogens and androgens can be measured. Future plans include the ability to measure thyroid hormones (TSH, T3 and T4)…
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Light tracking wearable to prevent seasonal depression
As the shortest day of the year approaches, we all risk the impact of a lack of sun on our personal wellness. Bright light exposure has myriad mental health benefits, including improved mood, and enhanced digestion, energy and sleep. Studies show that light therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication, with additional benefits and no…
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Less obtrusive sleep monitoring
Stevens Institute of Technology and Florida State University researchers have developed a sleep monitoring system using earbuds with an in-line microphone plugged into an iPhone. The microphone monitored study participants’ breathing to within half a breath per minute of what could be recorded with a chest-worn respiration monitor and collar clipped microphone. The novelty of…
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Flexible, wearable, disposable pulse oximeter
Conventional pulse oximeters use LEDs to send red and infrared light through one’s fingertip or earlobe. Bright, oxygen-rich blood absorbs more infrared light, and darker, oxygen-poor blood absorbs more red light. The ratio of the two wavelengths, determined by sensors, reveals how much oxygen is in the blood. Berkeley professor Ana Clauda Arias has built pulse oximeter…
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Wearable optical sensor controls prosthetic limbs
Ifor Samuel and Ashu Bansal at the University of St. Andrews have developed a wearable optical sensor that can be used to control the movement of artificial limbs. Plastic semiconductor based sensors detect muscle contraction. Light is shined into fibrous muscle, and the scattering of the light is observed. When muscle is contracted, the light scatters…