DEEP TECH HEALTH + NEUROTECH
UConn chemists Islam Mosa and Professor James Rusling have developed a sensor that could detect pressure, temperature, and vibration when placed on skin. The sensor and silicone tube are wrapped in copper wire and filled with an iron oxide nanoparticle fluid, which creates an electric current. The copper wire detects the current. When the tube […]
Zhenan Bao and colleagues have developed a wireless, battery-free, biodegradable sensor to provide continuous monitoring of blood flow through an artery. This could provide critical information to doctors after vascular, transplant, reconstructive and cardiac surgery, with out the need for a visit. Monitoring the success of surgery on blood vessels is difficult, as by the […]
Microsoft has submitted a patent application for a wearable band that uses haptic feedback for stimulation when wrapped around limbs or joints. It is meant to alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms, including tremors and muscle stiffness. Haptic actuators are distributed across a band that is adjusted to a “duty cycle” which responds to data derived from wearable […]
MIT’s Bob Langer and Giovanni Traverso have developed a 3D-printed, wirelessly-controlled, ingestible capsule that can deliver drugs, sense environmental conditions, or both. It can reside in the stomach for a month. Data is sent to a user’s phone, and instructions from the phone are sent to the device. The sensor could also communicate with other wearable […]
Ana Claudia Arias and Berkeley colleagues have developed a flexible, adhesive sensor that maps blood-oxygen levels over large areas of skin, tissue and organs, making it possible to monitor wound healing in real time, or oxygen levels in transplanted organs. It can also be used to continuously monitor blood oxygen levels in diabetes, respiration diseases and […]
Northwestern’s John Rogers has created another minimal, flexible, wireless, adhesive wearable — this time to help hydrocephalus patients manage their condition. The band-aid like sensor determines whether a shunt is working properly. Shunts often fail. When this happens, a patient can experience headaches, nausea and low energy, and must go to a hospital immediately. However, […]
Texas professor Kaya de Barbaro is creating a mother-child wearable system to detect and attempt to prevent postpartum depression. Mother stress levels are measured via heart rythm, and encouraging messages are sent. Mom wears the sensor on her wrist, and baby wears it on her/his ankle. The child’s sensor collects heart rate and movement data, […]
Subhanshu Gupta and Washington State colleagues have developed an implantable sensor, powered by harvested blood glucose, for long term monitoring. The electronics consume only a few microwatts of power, while being highly sensitive. Combined with the biofuel cells, the sensor is more efficient than (and non-toxic as compared to) traditional battery-powered devices. Fueled by body […]
VitalTag by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a chest-worn sticker that detects, monitors and transmits blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and other vital signs, eliminating the need for multiple medical devices. It is meant for emergency responders to quickly assess a person’s state. Additional sensors are worn on the finger, and in the ear. Data […]
Sheng Xu, Brady Huang, and UCSD colleagues have developed a small, wearable ultrasound patch that monitors blood pressure in arteries up to 4 centimeters under the skin. It is meant to detect cardiovascular problems earlier, with greater accuracy Applications include continuous blood pressure monitoring in heart and lung disease, the critically ill, and those undergoing […]