Scientist-led conferences at Harvard, Stanford and MIT
-
EEG + embedded sensors anticipate driver actions
José del R. Millán, EPFL and Nissan researchers are using EEG to read a driver’s brain signals and send them to a smart vehicle to anticipate if the driver will accelerate, brake or change lanes. Embedded sensors also monitor its environment to help in difficult conditions. Frontal motor cortex signals are detected using EEG and processed…
-
Software records, organizes, analyzes 1 million neurons in real-time
Martin Garwicz and Lund University colleagues have developed a novel method for recording, organizing, and analyzing enormous amounts of neurohysiological data from implanted brain computer interfaces. The technology simultaneously acquires data from 1 million neurons in real time. It converts spike data and sends it for processing and storage on conventional systems. Subject feedback is provided in…
-
Heart attack, stroke, predicted via retinal images
Google’s Lily Peng has developed an algorithm that can predict heart attacks and strokes by analyzing images of the retina. The system also shows which eye areas lead to successful predictions, which can provide insight into the causes of cardiovascular disease. The dataset consisted of 48,101 patients from the UK Biobank database and 236,234 patients…
-
Throat-worn sensor-sticker transforms stroke rehab
John Rogers‘ latest stretchable electronics breakthrough will transform stroke rehabilitation. The throat-worn wearable, developed with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, measures patients’ swallowing ability and patterns of speech, and aids in aphasia diagnosis. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab uses the throat sensor in conjunction with Rogers-developed biosensors on the legs, arms and chest to monitor stroke patients’ recovery…
-
Tissue-paper sensor tracks pulse, finger and eye movement, gait
University of Washington’s Jae-Hyun Chung has developed a disposable wearable sensor made with tissue paper. It can detect a heartbeat, finger force, finger movement, eyeball movement, gait patterns, and other actions. Tearing the nanocomposite paper breaks its fibers and makes it act as a sensor. It is light, flexible and cheap, and meant to be thrown…
-
3D, real-scale blood brain barrier model used to study new therapeutics
Gianni Ciofani of ITT Pisa has created a device that reproduces a 1:1 scale model of the blood-brain barrier. The combination of 3D printed artificial and biological components will allow the study of new therapeutic strategies to overcome the blood-brain barrier and treat brain diseases, including tumors, Alzheimers, and multiple sclerosis. A laser that scans…
-
Inflammation-free e-skin sensor monitors health for one week
Takao Someya at the University of Tokyo has developed a hypoallergenic, inflammation free, wearable e-skin health sensor that can be worn comfortably for a week. Somaya believes that this technology is the basis for truly long term, continuous health monitoring. The electrode is based on nanoscale meshes containing a water-soluble polymer, polyvinyl alcohol and gold.…
-
Remote photodynamic therapy targets inner-organ tumors
NUS researchers Zhang Yong and John Ho have developed a tumor-targeting method that remotely conveys light for photodynamic treatment. The tiny, wireless, implanted device delivers doses of light over a long period in a programmable and repeatable manner. PDT is usually used on surface diseases because of low infiltration of light through organic tissue. This remote…
-
Lightweight, highly portable, brain-controlled exoskeleton
EPFL’s José Millán has developed a brain-controlled, highly portable exoskeleton, that can be quickly secured around joints with velcro. Metal cables act as soft tendons on the back of each finger, with the palm free to feel hand sensations. Motors that push and pull the cables are worn on the chest. Fingers are flexed when…
-
Closed loop EEG/BCI/VR/physical therapy system to control gait, prosthetics
Earlier this year, University of Houston’s Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal developed a closed-loop BCI/EEG/VR/physical therapy system to control gait as part of a stroke/spinal cord injury rehab program. The goal was to promote and enhance cortical involvement during walking. In a study, 8 subjects walked on a treadmill while watching an avatar and wearing a 64…
-
Biodegradable piezoelectric sensor monitors lungs, brain
UConn’s Thanh Duc Nguyen has developed a biodegradable pressure sensor to monitor chronic lung disease, swelling of the brain, and other health issues. It is small and flexible and designed to replace existing, potentially toxic, implantable pressure sensors. Those sensors must be removed, subjecting patients to another invasive procedure, prolonging recovery, and increasing infection risk.…
-
Neural microcircuits mapped in greater detail; surrounding tissue left intact
Andreas Schaefer and Francis Crick Institute colleagues have developed a brain mapping technique that is said to be far more comprehensive than previous methods, and could be a breakthrough if successfully tested on human brains. It has, so far, only been tested on mice. 250 cells that make up a microcircuit in part of a…
Got any book recommendations?