Scientist-led conferences at Harvard, Stanford and MIT
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Less invasive Alzheimer’s neurostimulation
A less invasive neurostimulation device for Alzheimer’s patients is being reviewed by the FDA. SONS — Sphenoid and Olfactory Nerve Stimulation System — is a nose catheter that targets nerve trunks and stimulate brain structures that control memory and cognition. Requiring an outpatient procedure, small, adjustable and targeted electrical impulses will be delivered through the…
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Google Glass software provides visual feedback in surgery
A challenge in surgical training is facilitating an attending surgeon’s visual feedback to residents conducting operations. CrowdOptic‘s software lets one Google Glass wearer receive another’s point of view by looking in the other user’s direction. It is being used in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center to improve resident training in complex…
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Transparent mouse technique impacts brain, cancer research
CalTech researchers, led by professor Viviana Gradinaru, have developed a chemical treatment that makes an entire organism (in this case, a mouse) transparent. The goal is to help scientists study organs and tissues in the lab, which could help diagnose illnesses in humans. Professor Gradinaru believes the most significant application will be in neuroscience, as researchers could see…
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Sensor seatbelt detects fatigue
HARKEN is a sensor embedded driver’s seatbelt and seat cover that monitors cardiac and respiratory rhythms. Its hidden signal processing unit analyzes the data in real time. The prototype is being developed at Spain’s Biomechanics Institute in Valencia. When the sensor data indicates the person is falling asleep, an alarm will wake the driver. Closed track testing…
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Robotic fingers enhance grip
MIT researchers, led by Professor H. Harry Asada, have developed a robot that enhances the grasping motion of the human hand. Worn around one’s wrist, the device works like two extra fingers adjacent to the pinky and thumb. It consists of actuators linked together to exert forces as strong as those of human fingers during…
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Apple granted “iTime” patent
Apple‘s U.S. Patent No. 8,787,006 for a “Wrist-worn electronic device and methods therefor” describes a wearable touchscreen device that can be docked into a wrist strap, turning it into a smartwatch. One illustration names it “iTime”. The device connects to an iPhone, iPad or computer to access information and receive alerts. Its strap could contain haptic mechanisms, various…
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Sensor / 3D printing / bandage combination for continuous monitoring
Bioscope bandages, developed at the National Taiwan University, wirelessly transmit temperature, heart rate, movement and vital sign data to doctors to monitor or remotely diagnose. The bandage comes with an integrated thermometer, accelerometer, and sensors to measure electrical activity. A microphone can track organ sound patterns to detect disease. The area holding the modules is…
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Mental health app analyzes data for early intervention
Ginger.io is a mental health app used to collect data and prompt early intervention of symptomatic patients to prevent relapses. By passively analyzing mobile data, the app can detect if a patient with mental illness is acting symptomatic. Symptoms may include lethargy (decreased movement captured by motion sensors) or infrequent texts (captured by the message…
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Google/Novartis “smart lens” monitors diabetic eyes, helps presbyopia
Google announced its “smart lens” prototype 6 months ago. (See ApplySci, January 14 2014). Today they have partnered with Novartis to accelerate its development as a tool to manage eye conditions. Non-invasive sensors and microchips embedded in the lens monitor fluid to provide continuous, minimally invasive glucose measurement. The data is sent wirelessly to a…
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Reading ring provides audio, haptic feedback
FingerReader is a 3D printed reading device, worn on the index finger. It was designed for the vision impaired, but could also be used as a translation tool. Its camera scans text when a finger is moved over it. Software tracks finger movement, identifies words and processes the information. Wearers receive audio feedback of the words…
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Eye tracking virtual keyboard
Click2Speak is SwiftKey based software that allows users to type on a virtual keyboard using eye movements. AI technology predicts words from texts, facebook, and twitter. A camera tracks eye movement, and one can click with a foot mouse or by looking at a button for a few seconds. Founder Gal Sont, who has ALS,…
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Brain controlled car steers, accelerates, brakes
AutoNOMOS and the Freie Universität Berlin are developing BrainDriver, the first car that steers, accelerates, and brakes based on its driver’s thoughts. In a recent experiment, Henrik Matzke drove a car at speeds up to 31 mph. Neuro-signals are acquired with a commercial EEG tool. After training with virtual objects in the software toolkit, bioelectric signals measured by the wireless…
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