Scientist-led conferences at Harvard, Stanford and MIT
-
Brain scans for customized treatment
MIT‘s John Gabrieli is investigating the use of neuroimaging to predict future behavior to customize brain health treatments. Professor Gabrieli believes that neuromarkers, determined by fMRI, can be used to develop personalized interventions to improve education, health, addiction, criminal behavior and to analyze responses to drug or behavioral treatments. According to Gabrieli, “Presently, we often wait for failure,…
-
Video game eye movement to diagnose brain disorders
University of Chicago professor Leslie Osborne believes that the classic Atari game “Pong” is ideal for tracking eye movement, therefore helping diagnose Parkinson’s, TBI or autism Osborne’s lab focuses on eye movement behavior, known as smooth pursuit, that allows eyes to track moving targets. At the recent Brain Research Foundation conference, her paper showed that “when motion becomes predictable, gaze…
-
Stroke detecting headset prototype
Samsung’s Early Detection Sensor & Algorithm Package (EDSAP), developed by Se-hoon Lim, is meant to detect early signs of stroke. A multiple sensor headset records electrical impulses in the brain, algorithms determine the likelihood of a stroke in one minute, and results are presented in a mobile app. EDSAP can also analyze stress and sleep patterns, and potentially…
-
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…
-
Sensor glasses support retinal prosthesis
The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and Second Sight are developing glasses with embedded vision and eye tracking sensors to be used with a new retinal prosthesis system. The system will identify obstacles, doorways, hallways, and household objects and their relative positions. The information will be projected into the retinal prosthesis, bypassing the damaged rods and cones…
-
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…
-
Brain imaging technique identifies autism
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute professor P. Read Montague has developed a brain imaging technique that may be able to identify autism in children. Current diagnosis is a long an unquantifiable process based on clinical judgment. The study demonstrates that a perspective tracking response can be used to determine whether someone has autism spectrum disorder. It investigates…
-
Vagal blocking implant to treat obesity
Maestro by EnteroMedics is an implanted vagus nerve blocking sensor that could suppress appetite to treat obesity. The rechargeable neuroregulator device is implanted into the lateral chest wall with flexible leads placed laparoscopically around the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is stimulated, sending signals to the brain that the stomach is empty or full. Patients…
-
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…
-
50 Cent’s biometric, battery free earbuds
A fun highlight of CES was rapper 50 Cent‘s demonstration of his new wearable, BioSport In-Ear. Infrared and accelerometer sensor data will be sent to one’s smartphone via the audio jack, and processed by software that monitors heart rate and steps taken. Wearers can play music in accordance with those metrics to help sustain a…
-
Physiological and mathematical models simulate body systems
Another CES standout was LifeQ, a company that combines physiological and bio-mathematical modeling to provide health decision data. LifeQ Lens is a multi-wavelength optical sensor that can be integrated into wearable devices. It monitors key metrics, with what the company claims to be laboratory level accuracy, using a proprietary algorithm. Raw data is translated through…
-
Wearable relieves pain while active or sleeping
Quell by NeuroMetrix is one of the more impressive wearables we discovered at CES. It is a non-invasive neurostimulation technology (TENS) intended to provide chronic pain relief. Its developers list diabetes, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and knee osteoarthritis as conditions causing pain that can be relieved by the device. Quell is worn beneath the knee, irrespective of…
Got any book recommendations?