Tag: Featured
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Implant captures neural signals, leaves surrounding tissue intact
Lund professor Jens Schouenborg has developed implantable multichannel electrodes that can capture signals from single neurons over a long period — without causing brain tissue damage. While not yet tested on humans, Schouenborg believes that the discovery will make it possible to understand brain function in both healthy and diseased individuals. Potential applications include Parkinson’s and chronic…
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Noninvasive 3D scan identifies coronary artery blockages
Fractional flow reserve computed tomography is a high-definition 3D scanner used to identify blocked arteries around the heart. The technology, developed by Heartflow, eliminates the risk of diagnostic methods where vessels are probed. The risk of death from an angiogram is one in 1,000, and can be caused by a rupture of an artery, or…
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Swallowed sensors interact with smart devices
At a recent conference, Jawbone CEO Hosain Rahman said that his company is researching swallowable and implantable fitness sensors. They would remain in a user’s bloodstream and be capable of monitoring multiple factors. The sensors could interact with smart devices, including adjusting thermostats if one’s body is too warm or cold, or not turning a car on…
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DARPA peripheral nerve modulation project launches
In September, 2014, ApplySci described DARPA’s proposed ElectRX (Electrical Prescriptions) project. The agency has now selected 7 research teams to begin work on the program, which is lead by Douglas Weber. The goal is to develop a closed-loop system to treat disease by modulating the activity of peripheral nerves. The teams will work to develop a…
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Device detects heart attacks with one drop of blood
UCLA’s Chi On Chui has developed a device that brings lab quality bio-molecular assessments to point-of-care settings, such as clinics, ambulances or homes. SELFA (Semiconductor Electronic Label-Free Assay) could reduce emergency room time for heart attack patients by hours. Similar to a diabetic glucose sensor, SELFA uses a single drop of blood, taken wherever symptoms occur,…
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Cheap, accessible mini-brain for biomedical research
Brown University‘s Diane Hoffman-Kim, Yu-Ting Dingle and Molly Boutin have developed a cheap method for developing a 3D mini brain for biomedical research. The central nervous system tissue sphere can produce electrical signals and form synapses. Applications include drug testing, neural tissue transplant testing, and stem cell experiments. The mini-brains are not the first or most sophisticated working cell…
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Robot leads senior fitness classes, corrects participant form
Robocoach uses motion-sensor technology to coach seniors during exercise classes. Created by Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Lim Pei Xuan, the robot has blue eyes and two teeth, and mimics human movements, Voices are recognized, including instructions to start the session. In large group workouts, the pace is slowed, to ensure that everyone can keep up. Robocoach…
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Norwest’s Robert Mittendorff on digital health investing
Norwest Venture Partners’ Robert Mittendorff participated in ApplySci’s recent Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC conference. Here is his interview with StartUp Health’s Steven Krein on digital health investing. UPCOMING APPLYSCI CONFERENCES: Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016 – Early registration discount ends October 10th NeuroTech San Francisco – April 6, 2016 –…
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Wearable Tech + Digital Health San Francisco – April 5, 2016
As sensors, connected devices and data analysis techniques are continually refined, the life enhancing and saving potential of wearable tech grows exponentially. Health systems are incorporating wearables and digital health protocols into patient care plans. Consumers are buying smart watches, smart clothes, smart jewelry, and of course the latest phones and gadgets, to quantify their…
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Smart shirt monitors posture, sends correcting alerts
TruPosture is a smart shirt with embedded nanosensors that continuously measure the curvature of one’s spine. It is being crowdfunded on indiegogo. The wearer, and a physical therapist, set a personalized posture goal. When the spine diverges, vibrations are sent as posture reminders. One vibration burst happens when a wearer is leaning too far forward,…
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Faster, personalized, 3D printed heart models for surgery planning
MIT and Boston Children’s Hospital researchers are converting heart MRI scans into 3D printed physical models, for surgical planning, in 3-4 hours. Previously, the process took 10 hours. The project, which limits human input to increase accuracy, is led by Professor Polina Golland. Physicist Medhi Moghari enhanced the precision of the MRI, decreasing the dependence on generic models,…
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Personalized medicine via “medical avatars”
The European Commission’s DISCIPULUS project, led by UCL researcher Vanessa Diaz, aims to build a roadmap towards the “digital patient”. The dynamic, virtual version of an individual, which Diaz describes as a “medical avatar” could run simulations of treatments to find the best course of action. If a symptomatic patient arrives at hospital, a virtual “twin”…