Category: Wearables

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Sensors Wearables

Flexible, sweat sensing, health wearable

Berkeley’s Ali Javey has developed a prototype band that uses sweat non-invasively assess medical conditions.  It could also spot drug abuse, or provide information to optimize sports performance.  The flexibility and computing power of the device build on the capabilities of earlier sweat sensors.

A flexible plastic band contains sensors that measure the concentrations of sodium and potassium ions, glucose and lactate, which provide insights into cell processes.  A temperature sensor calibrates the information.  A flexible circuit board with 11  computer interprets the data and transmits it wirelessly to a phone or computer.

Cincinnati professor Jason Heikenfeld developed sweat sensing technology for wearables in 2014, described by ApplySci here.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

 

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Apps Data Sensors Virtual Reality Wearables

Virtual clinic uses apps, VR, data, wearables in remote care

USC’s Center for Body Computing, led by Professor Leslie Saxon, has created the Virtual Care Clinic, featuring vetted, best of class partners providing integrated remote healthcare solutions.  The eight initial partners are Doctor Evidence, IMS Health, Karten Design, Medable, Planet Grande, Proteus Digital Health and VSP Global.

Mobile apps, virtual doctors, data collection and analysis systems,  and diagnostic and monitoring wearables  will provide on-demand access to care.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

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Brain Wearables

Smart helmet + rate activated strap could minimize head injury severity

The Army Research Lab continues to develop technology aimed at protecting soldiers, athletes and others from impact related head injury.

Its rate-activated helmet-strap can prevent violent head motions, while permitting (necessary) voluntary head motion. The material stretches with low, elastic force at slower speeds, and resists with high force when pulled quickly upon impact.

Used in combination with sensors that quantify impact in real time, and detect and monitor biological and physiological indicators of TBI, the strap system might be able to minimize injury.

The project is being funded by the NFL, GE, and  UnderArmour. Click to view the video of project manager Eric Wetzel describing the technology.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5,2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Misson Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

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Sensors Wearables

Sensor patch, app, quantify sun exposure

MC10 has partnered with L’Oreal to develop MyUV Patch, a small, flexible adhesive patch that uses MC10’s advanced sensors to determine sun exposure.  Photosensitive dyes incorporate skin tone into the equation, and change colors as UV exposure increases. Users upload photos of the changing patch to an app that determines exposure levels.

Last year ApplySci described related technology in the Spinali Bikini, which has integrated sensors that measure UV and send smartphone alerts.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

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Sensors Wearables

Flexible bio-sensor wearable + cloud system + research portal

ApplySci has long followed the disruptive work of John Rogers and Roozbeh Ghaffari at MC10.  At last year’s Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC conference, Dr. Ghaffari described the company’s bio-medical sensor based wearable electronics, its focus on movement disorder and cardiac monitoring to both measure the impact of medicine and track quality of life, and its plans to develop an ecosystem meant to better inform physicians.

Today MC10 unveiled BioStamp Research Connect — a closed loop platform that combines flexible, bendable, stretchable sensors with a cloud system for researchers to share data across several sites in real time.

BioStamp Sensors can be placed simultaneously on locations across the body to monitor and understand multiple health parameters. This will reduce observation error and improve data capture, and can be used in a clinical setting, or comfortably through daily life, including through exercise and sleep.

Ghaffari will be a featured speaker at Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco on April 5th.  Click to view his interview with Unity Stoakes at the 2015 Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC conference.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

2nd annual Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech  NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

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Wearables

App controls heat, comfort, fitness monitors in smart shoe

Digitsole is a smart shoe company that creates app controlled footwear.  A phone can be used to:  control a heating system that can raise the shoe’s temperature to 110 degrees fahrenheit; tighten or loosen laces; or activate a light.  And, of course, sole placed sensors provide data on steps taken and calories burned, as well as when a worn sole must be replaced.

A variety of shoe styles will all have the same functionality.

 

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

2nd annual Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

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Wearables

Smart ring controls home devices; health applications possible

Samsung has joined Apple, Microsoft, and Google in patent filings for smart rings. Patently Mobile describes features including the ability to control phones, TVs, and home automation systems.  Health and fitness applications have not yet been detailed, but are a logical extension.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

2nd annual Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

 

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Wearables

Smart belt measures waist size, eating, sitting, steps taken

As health sensors are increasingly integrated into everyday items, Samsung has announced a multi parameter monitoring belt, which will debut at CES next week.  WELT records one’s waist size, eating habits, steps taken,  and the amount of time spent sitting.  Data is sent to an accompanying app.  It is speculated that the smart belt will use the Bio-Processor described by ApplySci last month.

The belt was developed in Samsung’s Creative Lab (C-Lab), where employees are encouraged to pitch ideas with creative or altruistic elements. Winners are given time off  to develop their ideas.

Other C-Lab releases will include TipTalk, which allows smartwatch listening from touching a finger to the ear, and rink, a VR motion controller.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

2nd Annual Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

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Sensors Wearables

Comprehensive health wearable chip; no external processing required

Samsung’s Bio-Processor is an “all-in-one health solution chip” that includes multiple control and sensor units and does not require external processing.  The self sufficient chip integrates  Analog Front Ends, a microcontroller unit, a power management integrated circuit, a digital signal processor,  and eFlash memory.

The five AFEs include bioelectrical impedance analysis, PPG, ECG, and galvanic skin response.  This enables the tracking of  body fat, skin temperature, and heart rate, among other measures.

 

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

2nd Annual Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

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Wearables

Wearables monitor health, safety at work

Portrait of Engineer

IBM Research in Haifa, Israel, is developing wearable tech to monitor health and safety at work. Sensors will be integrated into helmets, vests, and gloves, to track worker activity and location.  Data can identify risky situations, such as exposure to extreme temperatures, noise, and gas.  Lifting angles that can injure the spine, overexertion and hydration can also be monitored. The worker and control center can be notified before an accident happens, and treatment can be hastened in the event of a accident.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

 

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Wearables

Multi-function wearable tracks steps, sleep, ovulation

Many who wear multiple wearables like the idea of streamlined, multi-function devices. Leaf by Bellabeat is one such monitor, designed for women.  It tracks steps taken, sleep quality, menstruation and ovulation, and  offers guided breathing exercises to reduce stress. The attractive device can be worn as a pendant around the neck, as a bracelet on the wrist, or clipped to a collar or hem.

ApplySci sees this trend  of niche, customized, modular, multi-function wearables increasing in 2016.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

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Brain Parkinson's Personalized Medicine Wearables

Implant + wearable to track neuromodulation effectiveness

Medtronic is linking its implanted devices with Samsung’s phones and tablets to better monitor the effectiveness of neuromodulation technologies.  (Click to view Samsung release.)

Those with implanted neurostimulators, which  send electronic signals to targeted areas of the brain to block symptoms, can have a more active role in the management of their diseases.  Parkinson’s, essential tremor and dystonia patients will hopefully benefit from the initiative.

Data from the devices will be sent to a patient’s mobile devices, including phones, wearables and tablets, in real time.  It can also be sent directly to a doctor to help them better understand patient symptoms and progress, and appropriately adjust therapies.

The two companies announces a similar partnership for the management of diabetes earlier this year.

Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 @ the Mission Bay Conference Center

NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 @ the Misson Bay Conference Center

Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC – June 7, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences

NeuroTech NYC – June 8, 2016 @ the New York Academy of Sciences