The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering recently launched the “NIBIB Bionic Man,” an interactive Web tool detailing 14 sensor based technologies they are supporting. They include:
1. A robotic leg prosthesis that senses a person’s next move and provides powered assistance to achieve a more natural gate.
2. A light sensitive biogel and biological adhesive to help new cartilage grow and become functional.
3. A blood clot emulator used to optimize ventricular assist devices to reduce the risk of blood clots.
4. An artificial kidney that could be used in place of kidney dialysis for treatment of end-stage kidney disease.
5. A micro needle patch that delivers vaccines painlessly and doesn’t require refrigeration.
6. An interstitial pressure sensor to help doctors determine optimal times for delivering chemotherapy/radiation to cancer patients.
7. Glucose-sensing contact lenses to provide a non-invasive solution for continuous blood sugar monitoring.
8. A tongue drive system to help individuals with severe paralysis navigate their environment using only tongue movements.
9. A wireless brain-computer interface that records and transmits brain activity wirelessly and could allow people with paralysis to use their thoughts to control robotic arms or other devices.
10. Implantable myoelectric sensors to detect nerve signals above a missing limb and can use these signals to move a prosthesis in a more natural way.
11. A synthetic glue modeled after an adhesive found in nature that could be used to repair tissues in the body.
12. Focused ultrasound used to temporarily open the blood brain barrier to let gene therapy treatments reach the brain.
13. Flexible electrode arrays that record brain activity from the surface of the brain and could be used to control robotic arms or provide real-time information about brain states.
14. Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord used in individuals with paralysis to help restore voluntary movement and other functions.