Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nokia and X-Prize put medical sensors on the spot for next challenge]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/nokia-and-x-prize-put-medical-sensors-on-the-spot-for-next-chall/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/nokia-and-x-prize-put-medical-sensors-on-the-spot-for-next-chall/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/nokia-and-x-prize-put-medical-sensors-on-the-spot-for-next-chall/#comments Nokia and X-Prize put medical sensors on the spot for next challenge

Sometimes the X-Prize foundation gets a little ahead of itself. We couldn't get a private mission to the moon off the ground and apparently we can't built a tricorder either. But, we can take baby steps. Presumably that's what the newest X Challenge is all about. The group has teamed up with a certain Finnish phone maker to introduce the Nokia Sensing X Challenge. Rather than dive head first into Star Trek tech, the two are offering $2.25 million to further the development of health sensors and their associated technology. Nokia's interest is clear: it's widely expected that those tricorders of our dreams will one day become a reality and take the form of our cellphones. The challenge will actually be broken up into three different events to be held over the next three years, with many of the same competitors expected to follow up by entering Qualcomm's competition. For more, check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Nokia and X-Prize put medical sensors on the spot for next challenge

Nokia and X-Prize put medical sensors on the spot for next challenge originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>medicalmedical sensorsmedical technologyMedicalSensorsMedicalTechnologymedicinenokianokia sensing x challengeNokiaSensingXChallengesensingsensorsx challengex-challengex-prizeX-Prize FoundationX-prizeFoundationXChallengeFri, 25 May 2012 21:23:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC wants to set aside wireless spectrum for medical body area devices, our hearts are literally aflutter]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/fcc-wants-to-set-aside-spectum-for-medical-body-area-devices/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/fcc-wants-to-set-aside-spectum-for-medical-body-area-devices/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/fcc-wants-to-set-aside-spectum-for-medical-body-area-devices/#comments Smartphone brain scanner

The FCC has been making a big push towards freeing up the airwaves for medical uses, and it just took one of its biggest steps on that front by proposing to clear space for wireless body area networks. Agency officials want to let devices operate in the 2.36GHz to 2.4GHz space so that patients can stay at home or at least move freely, instead of being fenced in at the hospital or tethered to a bed by wires. Devices would still need the FDA's green light, but they could both let patients go home sooner as well as open the door wider for preventative care. Voting on the proposal takes place May 24, which leaves our tech-minded hearts beating faster -- and if the proposal takes effect, we'll know just how much faster.

FCC wants to set aside wireless spectrum for medical body area devices, our hearts are literally aflutter originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.4 ghz2.4Ghzbody area networkbody area networksBodyAreaNetworkBodyAreaNetworksFCCfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissionhealthhealth careHealthCarehospitalmedicalmedical devicesMedicalDevicesmonitorproposalproposalssciencespectrumtrackerwearablewearableswirelessWireless SpectrumWirelessSpectrumThu, 17 May 2012 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung biological analysis patent app has your best heart at interest]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/samsung-biological-analysis-patent-app-has-your-best-heart-at-in/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/samsung-biological-analysis-patent-app-has-your-best-heart-at-in/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/samsung-biological-analysis-patent-app-has-your-best-heart-at-in/#comments Samsung biological analysis patent app has your best heart at interest

In Patent-application-land, the hills roll on forever, while buttercups gently ripple with the breeze. Anything is possible in Patent-application-land. In this particular filling, Samsung lays out some ideas about helping you to keep your health in check. An "internet phone" and a "biological analysis device" would combine to send your vitals off to a diagnosis server, hospital or remote doctor. There's also a provision for the use of "biochips," which we hope refers to a data gathering medium, and not a half-time snack. While we're not sure if this was a precursor to the freshly announced S-health service, if this ever came to be, at least you wouldn't need to leave the house to get that agoraphobia diagnosis.

Samsung biological analysis patent app has your best heart at interest originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationbiochipbiological analysis deviceBiologicalAnalysisDevicemedicalpatentpatent apppatent applicationPatentAppPatentApplicationremote doctorRemoteDoctorsamsungFri, 04 May 2012 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Cybram 001 simulator helps doctors practice brain surgery without risking lives (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/cybram-001-brain-surgery-simulator/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/cybram-001-brain-surgery-simulator/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/cybram-001-brain-surgery-simulator/#comments Cybram 001 simulator helps doctors practice brain surgery without risking lives (video)

Sometimes it's awesome to be a guinea pig; take for example, getting down and dirty with the Consumer Preview of Windows 8. When it comes to brain surgery, however, there are no happy little accidents -- and let's face it, Bob Ross would've been a horrible surgeon. Thankfully, a new invention out of Japan promises to keep surgeons from taking practice swings at your noggin. Known as the Cybram 001, it's said to properly simulate the flow and pressure of one's arterial system from the cerebrum to the groin, and should allow doctors to gain greater familiarity with inserting surgical instruments into these delicate spaces. As the entire model is transparent, it's ideal for both students and instructors to see what's being done, and because variables such as blood pressure and heart rate can be adjusted, it's a useful simulator for different scenarios in the operating room. Not all of us will grow up to be brain surgeons, but if you'd like a peek into the frontiers of the field, just hop the break.

Continue reading Cybram 001 simulator helps doctors practice brain surgery without risking lives (video)

Cybram 001 simulator helps doctors practice brain surgery without risking lives (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainbrain surgeryBrainSurgerycybramcybram 001Cybram001fuyojapanmedicalmedicineSaitama Medical UniversitySaitamaMedicalUniversitysimulationsimulatorsurgeryvideoWed, 18 Apr 2012 21:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Another reason to buy gold: nanoparticles help to kill brain tumors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/gold-nanoparticles-cancer-brain-tumor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/gold-nanoparticles-cancer-brain-tumor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/gold-nanoparticles-cancer-brain-tumor/#comments Another reason to buy gold: nanoparticles help to kill brain tumors

Stanford scientists have used lab-made gold nanoparticles to highlight malignant tissue in the brain, making it easier for surgeons to cut out tumors while leaving healthy bits in tact. Measuring just five millionths of an inch in diameter, these tiny glistening orbs are injected into the patient and then left to bleed out through leaky blood vessels in parts of the brain that have been damaged by the disease. They then get stuck in the bad tissue itself, marking it out for the scalpel when viewed with the right type of imaging. It's not totally new -- we've actually seen gold nanotech deployed against the Big C in stem cells before, but better to be useful than avant-garde.

[Brain image via Shutterstock]

Another reason to buy gold: nanoparticles help to kill brain tumors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainbrain cancerbrain tumorBrainCancerBrainTumorcancerdiseasegoldimagingmedicalmedicinenanoparticlenanoparticlessciencestanford universitystanford-universityStanfordUniversitytumorTue, 17 Apr 2012 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[83-year old woman gets replacement 3D printed titanium jaw, makes her the coolest member of the bridge club]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/83-year-old-woman-gets-replacement-3d-printed-titanium-jaw-make/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/83-year-old-woman-gets-replacement-3d-printed-titanium-jaw-make/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/83-year-old-woman-gets-replacement-3d-printed-titanium-jaw-make/#comments3D printers are continuing to force their way into medical circles and the latest beneficiary is an 83-year old woman. She's the first to receive a titanium jaw crafted by those not-so dimensionally-challenged printers. The method was developed by the BIOMED Research Institute at Hasselt University in Belgium and creates the lower jaw replacement from layer-upon-layer of titanium dust. A computer-controlled laser then ensures that the correct molecules are fused together. The technique, the first to replace the entire jaw, takes mere hours to make the substitute choppers, while previous options would take several days. Although the final product weighs a bit more than its natural predecessor, but that didn't stop the patient returning close to "normal speaking and swallowing" the day after the operation.

(Photo credit: ZDNET.de)

83-year old woman gets replacement 3D printed titanium jaw, makes her the coolest member of the bridge club originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d printer3d printing3dPrinter3dPrintingjawmedicaltitaniumtitanium jawTitaniumJawMon, 06 Feb 2012 05:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Biomask project could regrow burn victims' faces]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/biomask-project-could-regrow-burn-victims-faces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/biomask-project-could-regrow-burn-victims-faces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/biomask-project-could-regrow-burn-victims-faces/#comments BiomaskWe know it's cliche to say something sounds like science fiction, but this is seriously one of the more far out there concepts we've ever heard. Researchers from UT Arlington and Northwestern University are working with surgeons from the Brooke Army Medical Center on a project called Biomask. The idea is to skip surgery and have patients wear a mask, layered with sensors, actuators and medicine delivery tools for several months while their face slowly regenerates. The outside of the medical miracle would be a hard shell to protect the electronics and the injured person's healing face. Underneath, a second layer would monitor tissue growth, watch for infections and feed data back to doctors. An on board system would be able to dynamically alter the treatment, sending antibiotics or stem cells where they're needed. The team actually hope to turn this facial reconstruction mask into a reality by 2017, a goal that we'll diplomatically call optimistic. Full PR is after the break.

Continue reading Biomask project could regrow burn victims' faces

Biomask project could regrow burn victims' faces originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biomaskbrooke army medical centerBrookeArmyMedicalCenterfacial reconstructionFacialReconstructionmedicalmedicinenorthwestern universityNorthwesternUniversityut arlingtonUtArlingtonTue, 31 Jan 2012 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists produce stronger T-rays, bring Tricorders closer to reality]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/scientists-produce-stronger-t-rays-bring-tricorders-closer-to-r/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/scientists-produce-stronger-t-rays-bring-tricorders-closer-to-r/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/scientists-produce-stronger-t-rays-bring-tricorders-closer-to-r/#comments
A group of scientists from Imperial College London and Singapore's Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) have developed a new technique that could have far reaching impacts for Star Trek fans everywhere. It all involves something known as Terahertz (THz), or T-rays: electromagnetic rays that have already been used in full-body airport scanners and have the potential to be used across a much broader range of medical and environmental applications. Because every molecule can be uniquely identified within the THz range, these T-rays can be used to pick up on cancerous cells and other biological matter, perhaps even within a Tricorder-like scanner. Now, Imperial College's Stefan Maier and his team of scientists say they've found a way to create a stronger beam of T-rays, using so-called "nano-antennas" to generate an amplified THz field. In fact, this field can produce about 100 times more power than most other THz sources, which could allow for sharper imaging devices. "T-rays promise to revolutionize medical scanning to make it faster and more convenient, potentially relieving patients from the inconvenience of complicated diagnostic procedures and the stress of waiting for accurate results," Maier explained. "Thanks to modern nanotechnology and nanofabrication, we have made a real breakthrough in the generation of T-rays that takes us a step closer to these new scanning devices." For more details, check out the links below.

Scientists produce stronger T-rays, bring Tricorders closer to reality originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beamcancerenvironmenthealthimperial collegeimperial college londonImperialCollegeImperialCollegeLondonmedicalmedical scannerMedicalScannermedicinenanotechnologypowerresearchscannerstar trekStarTrekt-rayterahertzterahertz imagingTerahertzImagingthzMon, 23 Jan 2012 05:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic unveils new line of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/panasonic-uneveils-new-line-of-bluetooth-enabled-hearing-aids/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/panasonic-uneveils-new-line-of-bluetooth-enabled-hearing-aids/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/panasonic-uneveils-new-line-of-bluetooth-enabled-hearing-aids/#comments Panasonic R1-W Hearing aids aren't the sexiest gadgets on Earth, but Panasonic has done some interesting stuff with its R1-W series of in-ear audio-boosters. For one, they come packing Bluetooth for directly tethering to a mobile or landline phone using the Hearing Hub and have an add-on audio transmitter than can beam content from a TV or other source directly to the aids. The Hearing Hub also has a voice memo feature so that wearers can take notes for themselves and play them back in an easy to hear format. All that and it manages a pretty impressive 300 hours on a single set of batteries. Check out the complete PR after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic unveils new line of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids

Panasonic unveils new line of Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothhearing aidhearing aidsHearingAidHearingAidsmedicalpanasonicpanasonic r1-wPanasonicR1-wr1-wr1-w hearing aidR1-wHearingAidThu, 05 Jan 2012 06:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Health's New Year's Resolution is to cease to exist, countdown begins to save your data]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/31/google-healths-new-years-resolution-is-to-cease-to-exist-coun/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/31/google-healths-new-years-resolution-is-to-cease-to-exist-coun/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/31/google-healths-new-years-resolution-is-to-cease-to-exist-coun/#comments Back in June, Google announced that it would be 'retiring' Health effective January 1, 2012. Now, everything appears to be on-track for the shutdown, with Google sending out a final reminder to Health customers earlier today. You have until the stroke of midnight to access the service or port your data to a competitor -- after which point you'll no longer be able to view information saved to your account, though it'll remain available to download in .zip format for another year. Want to know more? Hit up the source link for the Google Health FAQ.

Google Health's New Year's Resolution is to cease to exist, countdown begins to save your data originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood pressureblood pressure monitorBloodPressureBloodPressureMonitorclosesclosinggooglegoogle healthGoogleHealthhealthheart rateheart rate monitorHeartRateHeartRateMonitormedicalmountain viewMountainViewShut DownShutDownwithingsSat, 31 Dec 2011 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Researcher brings modified Touchpad into the MRI room, breakthrough ensues]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/researcher-brings-modified-touchpad-into-the-mri-room-breakthro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/researcher-brings-modified-touchpad-into-the-mri-room-breakthro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/researcher-brings-modified-touchpad-into-the-mri-room-breakthro/#comments
Yes, the Touchpad is officially dead, but that hasn't stopped Stanford researcher Andrew B. Holbrook from using HP's tablet in a somewhat unexpected setting: the MRI lab. Holbrook, it turns out, has been developing a new, webOS-based system that could make it a lot easier for doctors to conduct interventional MRI procedures. Unlike its diagnostic counterpart, this brand of MRI can only operate within highly magnetic fields, thereby posing a threat to many electronic devices. Holbrook, however, may have found a way around this barrier, thanks to a modified Touchpad. With the help of HP engineers, the researcher stripped his tablet of metallic components, including its speakers and vibration motor, resulting in what the manufacturer calls a "minimally metallic device that could be used almost anywhere within the magnet room." With his Touchpad primed and loaded with apps for data manipulation, Holbrook went on to successfully integrate the device within an MRI system. He also developed a series of apps that allow technicians to monitor and manipulate an MRI procedure on their devices, regardless of whether they're in the magnet room itself, or outside. Holbrook says he's already started applying the same approach to webOS phones, in the hopes of providing doctors and researchers with an even more compact way to keep track of their patients. For more details on the system and future developments, check out the source link below.

[Thanks, Mina]

Researcher brings modified Touchpad into the MRI room, breakthrough ensues originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andrew B HolbrookAndrewBHolbrookappapplicationhealthhewlett-packardhphp touchpadHpTouchpadimaginginterventional MRIinterventional scanInterventionalMriInterventionalScanmagnetmagneticmagnetic resonance imagingMagneticResonanceImagingmedicalmedicinemetallicmodMRIoperating systemOperatingSystemOSphoneresearchscanningsciencesmartphonestanfordtablettouchpadwebosThu, 08 Dec 2011 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[High school senior kills cancer with nanotech, still can't legally drink]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/high-school-senior-kills-cancer-with-nanotech-still-cant-legal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/high-school-senior-kills-cancer-with-nanotech-still-cant-legal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/high-school-senior-kills-cancer-with-nanotech-still-cant-legal/#comments Ever ask yourself, "What am I doing with my life?" No? Well, a little existential crisis is in order then. Because while you and the rest of Team teen America were busy dressing like Gaga, dancing to the Bieber and playing Angry Birds, high school senior Angela Zhang was killing cancer. Yes, this 17-year old medical prodigy from Cupertino was just awarded the Siemens Foundation grand prize -- a $100,000 payday -- for her work "Design of Image-guided, Photo-thermal Controlled Drug Releasing Multifunctional Nanosystem for the Treatment of Cancer Stem Cells." It's certainly a mouthful, but this nanotech is what one fellow researcher's calling the "Swiss Army knife of cancer treatment," as her gold and iron-oxide nanoparticle does double duty delivering the drug salinomycin to a tumor site, in addition to aiding MRI and photoacoustic imaging. If that's not impressive enough, this real-life lady Doogie Howser's also won Intel's ISEF grand award in both 2010 and 2011 for other health science-related work. Sure, Angela might inadvertently fall into the overachiever category, but girlfriend definitely deserves to win that Prom Queen crown.

High school senior kills cancer with nanotech, still can't legally drink originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angela ZhangAngelaZhangcancercupertinodoogie howserDoogieHowsergrand prizeGrandPrizehigh schoolHighSchoolmedicalnanotechnanotechnologyprodigyresearchSiemensSiemens FoundationSiemensFoundationteensThu, 08 Dec 2011 18:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Exmobaby links up with AT&T, lets you keep tabs on sleeping babes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/exmobaby-links-up-with-atandt-lets-you-keep-tabs-on-sleeping-babe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/exmobaby-links-up-with-atandt-lets-you-keep-tabs-on-sleeping-babe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/exmobaby-links-up-with-atandt-lets-you-keep-tabs-on-sleeping-babe/#comments Ask any parent of a newborn what they miss most and they'll almost always mention sleep. That particular baby-borne exhaustion can take an even greater turn for the worse if said rents happen to be worrywarts. But wouldn't it be nice if bleary-eyed Moms and Pops could outfit those fussy babes with bio-monitoring pajamas and catch up on Zzzz's? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. Exmovere's already introduced tech along those very lines and, now, the company has AT&T as a partner to push its Exmobaby onesies forward. The transmitter-equipped pjs work by collecting critical data from sleeping tots -- like heart rate and temperature -- that can be sent as alerts to phones, tablets and even PCs running the appropriate software. There's no launch date announced for the washable scifi duds nor has pricing been set at this preliminary stage, but chin up -- those night sweats should soon be a distant memory.

Continue reading Exmobaby links up with AT&T, lets you keep tabs on sleeping babes

Exmobaby links up with AT&T, lets you keep tabs on sleeping babes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementATTbabiesbabybaby monitorbaby monitorsBabyMonitorBabyMonitorschildrenexmobabyexmovereexmovereholdingshealthmedicalmobilepostcrosssidswirelessThu, 08 Dec 2011 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC grants radio spectrum to muscle-stimulating wireless devices for paralysis patients]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/fcc-grants-radio-spectrum-to-muscle-stimulating-wireless-devices/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/fcc-grants-radio-spectrum-to-muscle-stimulating-wireless-devices/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/fcc-grants-radio-spectrum-to-muscle-stimulating-wireless-devices/#commentsThe medical community is all smiles today, because the FCC has decided to allocate a chunk of radio spectrum for potentially life-altering wireless devices. Designed for stroke patients and those suffering from brain or spinal cord injuries, these so-called medical micropower networks (MMN) use a set of implanted electrodes and a wearable wireless controller to stimulate the muscles of a paralyzed user. In a statement issued last week, the FCC announced that these devices have been approved for use within the 413 to 457MHz range, as requested in a petition from the Alfred Mann Foundation, which has already constructed several prototype MMN systems. The organization's CEO, David Hankin, immediately lauded the ruling, adding that the Foundation now plans to launch trials of MMN systems on humans, in the hopes of receiving clearance from the FDA. "The FCC's decision removes the most significant roadblock to helping people," Hankin said. "The frequency that has been approved for use is the most efficient for penetrating tissue with radio waves and without which the new generation of our implantable neurostimulator technology would be impossible to advance."

The significance of the occasion wasn't lost on FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, either. "These broadband-enabled technologies are life-changing, impacting individuals, families, and communities in ways we can only begin to imagine," Genachowski said in a prepared statement. His sentiments were echoed in remarks from fellow commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who heralded the decision as "one of the most important the commission has adopted during my tenure," citing its potential to "greatly improve the lives of those who are faced with some of today's most difficult medical challenges."

FCC grants radio spectrum to muscle-stimulating wireless devices for paralysis patients originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced microstimulator devicesAdvancedMicrostimulatorDevicesalfred mann foundationAlfredMannFoundationfccFDAfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissiongovernmenthealthmedicalmedical micropower networkMedicalMicropowerNetworkmedicinemicrostimulatorMMNneurologyneuroscienceneurostimulatorparalysispatientradioregulationregulatoryspectrumspinal cordSpinalCordstrokeWed, 07 Dec 2011 03:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Get diagnosed by spitting on an iPhone, social graces terminal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/get-diagnosed-by-spitting-on-an-iphone-social-graces-terminal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/get-diagnosed-by-spitting-on-an-iphone-social-graces-terminal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/get-diagnosed-by-spitting-on-an-iphone-social-graces-terminal/#comments

Korean scientists reckon that the capacitive touchscreens on our phones and tablets could help diagnose diseases from what's floating around in your mouth. It works through the screen's ability to detect minute capacitive differences in disease-carrying liquids placed on its surface. Experiments by Hyun Gyu Park and Byoung Yeon Won at the Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology in Daejeon managed to detect chlamydia microbes in three different concentrations. Once again, the iPhone acted as medical chief, although the setup isn't yet able to distinguish between different bugs. There are also teething troubles with the touchscreen, as capacitive read-outs can be affected by moisture and sweat that are on the screen alongside your 'sample.' One solution to this would be to create a disposable film that attaches to the iPhone surface. There's a second reason for this, as Park diplomatically puts it: "Nobody wants direct application of bio-samples onto their phone." Let's hope Siri doesn't take it personally.

[Sneezing photo via Shutterstock]

Get diagnosed by spitting on an iPhone, social graces terminal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecapacitivecapacitive touchscreenCapacitiveTouchscreendiagnosisdiseaseiphonemedicalmedicinemobilepostminisciencesneezespitWed, 30 Nov 2011 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Freescale Home Health Hub wants to usher in the era of connected medical devices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/19/freescale-home-health-hub-wants-to-usher-in-the-era-of-connected/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/19/freescale-home-health-hub-wants-to-usher-in-the-era-of-connected/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/19/freescale-home-health-hub-wants-to-usher-in-the-era-of-connected/#comments Home Health Hub Freescale has its little silicon hands in all sorts of things: e-readers, smartphones, tablets, even refrigerators. Now the manufacturer is looking to make a dent in the healthcare industry with a connected platform called Home Health Hub (HHH). The i.MX28-based HHH isn't an actual product, but a reference platform for others to build on. The ARM9 processor is connected to a host of networking interfaces, including WiFi, Bluetooth (as well as its low-power implementation), Zigbee, sub-1GHz and Ethernet. The Hub is supposed to be just that, a central point for connecting various medical devices like blood pressure monitors or glucometers that then feeds data to a tablet. Developers and other interested parties can get their hands on the reference platform from Digi International as the iDigi Telehealth Application Kit for $499. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Freescale Home Health Hub wants to usher in the era of connected medical devices

Freescale Home Health Hub wants to usher in the era of connected medical devices originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothbluetooth low energyBluetoothLowEnergyDigi InternationalDigiInternationalfreescalehealthhealthcarehhhhome health hubHomeHealthHubi.mx28iDigi Telehealth Application KitIdigiTelehealthApplicationKitmedicalsub-1ghzwifizigbeeSat, 19 Nov 2011 18:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: Rolls Royce 102EX test drive, electric unicycle and a sun-powered leaf]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/inhabitats-week-in-green-rolls-royce-102ex-test-drive-electri/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/inhabitats-week-in-green-rolls-royce-102ex-test-drive-electri/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/13/inhabitats-week-in-green-rolls-royce-102ex-test-drive-electri/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Electric vehicle momentum swept the states this week as Inhabitat took a spin in the new Rolls Royce 102EX Phantom EV, and we brought you exclusive photos of BMW's brand new i3 and i8 electric cars. We also showcased six sexy electric vehicles set to hit the streets in 2012, watched a 350MPG EV win the Future Car Challenge, and saw scientists create the world's smallest electric vehicle from a molecule and four motors. Meanwhile, El Al airlines announced plans to launch a line of hybrid-electric Boeing 737 airplanes, Ryno unveiled a crazy electric unicycle, and a team of students revealed Uganda's first electric car.

It was a big week for alternative energy as well as Kenya announced plans to tap lava power with a newly Toshiba-built geothermal energy plant and scientists made a breakthrough in using urine as a viable power source. We also looked into a scientist claiming to have achieved cold fusion, a 'solar cucumber' that harvests fresh drinking water from the ocean, and a sun-powered leaf capable of making ice in the desert.

In other news, green textiles advanced by leaps and bounds as scientists wove fabric from 24-karat gold, researchers developed a reusable fabric that administers drugs through the skin, and the University of Kiel's developed a super-adhesive tape inspired by Gecko skin. We also showcased an incredible set of sculptures made from recycled circuit boards, we watched a crop of styrofoam robots invade Germany's streets, and we saw an innovative self-powered irrigation system win the 2011 James Dyson award. And just in time for the chilly winter season, we found these oh-so-handy texting gloves which feature conductive fingertips that allow you to touch, tap, or type on any mobile touchscreen outdoors without having to remove your gloves.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Rolls Royce 102EX test drive, electric unicycle and a sun-powered leaf originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwboeingdrugdrugsdysonecoeco-friendlyelectric carElectricCarevgeckogermanygoldgreeni3inhabitatinhabitats Week in GreenInhabitatsWeekInGreenirrigationmedicalrolls royceRollsRoycetoiletWeek in GreenWeekInGreenSun, 13 Nov 2011 20:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Oregon Scientific trots out Gaiam Touch button-free heart rate monitors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/oregon-scientific-trouts-out-gaiam-touch-button-free-heart-rate/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/oregon-scientific-trouts-out-gaiam-touch-button-free-heart-rate/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/oregon-scientific-trouts-out-gaiam-touch-button-free-heart-rate/#commentsThey're being hailed as the first button-free, touch screen heart rate monitors, with Oregon Scientific and Gaiam teaming up to produce the wearable SE338M and SE336. According to the companies, these things are a scant two millimeters thinner than any competing product on the market, and they've even captured an International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award in the Health & Wellness category. Looking more like a watch than a fitness / health tool, the Touch line supports both wrist and chest-worn options, utilizing ECG technology that requires but a single touch of the finger on the monitor's sensor for an accurate heart rate reading. For those eying the strap model, that one operates in digital and analog modes and tracks fat burned, though the strap-free model will also track calories burned and heart rate data. Predictably, you'll also find a stopwatch, zone alarm, clock and calendar, and those itching to find a stocking stuffer this early can plop down $99.99 to $109.99 right now at the Oregon Scientific Online Store, Target, Sports Authority, Academy Sports, MC Sports and Athleta.

Continue reading Oregon Scientific trots out Gaiam Touch button-free heart rate monitors

Oregon Scientific trots out Gaiam Touch button-free heart rate monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryexercisefitnessGaiamGaiam TouchGaiamTouchhealthheartheart rateheart rate monitorHeartRateHeartRateMonitormedicalminipostOregon ScientificOregonScientificperipheralse336se338mFri, 11 Nov 2011 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[New sensor can read your heart from afar, but knows not your feelings]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/new-sensor-can-read-your-heart-from-afar-but-knows-not-your-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/new-sensor-can-read-your-heart-from-afar-but-knows-not-your-fee/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/new-sensor-can-read-your-heart-from-afar-but-knows-not-your-fee/#comments
Are you fed up with your current ECG sensor? Tired of all the mess of electroconductive gels, sticky electrodes and tangled wires? How about this: Britain's Plessey Semiconductors offers an ECG sensor that promises heart-monitoring without the hassle. We've seen similar technology before, but according to the company, the Electric Potential Integrated Circuit -- or EPIC, as it's humbly called -- can read heartbeats even through a sweater; future versions might be embedded in hospital gurneys for constant, unobtrusive monitoring. Like an extremely sensitive voltmeter, it detects tiny changes in electric fields, which means it could also be used for Kinect-style motion interfaces. The company even imagines a future system where firefighters can use the EPIC to find humans in a smoke-filled room. If you're thinking, "My, that sounds just like my Deus Ex dreams" -- hey, we're right there with you.

New sensor can read your heart from afar, but knows not your feelings originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biometricbiosensorBritainecgElectrocardiogramepicepic sensorEpicSensorhealthhearthospitalmedicalmonitormonitoringPlessey SemiconductorsPlesseySemiconductorssensorsensorsThu, 03 Nov 2011 05:38:00 EST<![CDATA[New high-precision eye surgery robot helps doctors stay sharp]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/new-high-precision-eye-surgery-robot-helps-doctors-stay-sharp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/new-high-precision-eye-surgery-robot-helps-doctors-stay-sharp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/new-high-precision-eye-surgery-robot-helps-doctors-stay-sharp/#comments A researcher at the Netherland's Eindhoven University of Technology has invented a new type of eye surgery robot designed to steady the ophthalmologist's hands and minimize error -- always a good thing when it comes to having needles and knives near your peepers. Kind of like an Igor to a mad scientist, the robot is considered a "slave" to its "master" doctor, who controls the automaton's arms using two joysticks. The doctor is still in charge of the cuts, but the technology makes sure the MD jabs that needle in at the exact same entry point each time without shaking to minimize ocular marring. Another notable feature is the robot's ability to switch between tools quickly, ensuring that if this whole doctor thing doesn't work out, it'll at least have a job at Hibachi waiting. Jump past the break to check out the full PR.

Continue reading New high-precision eye surgery robot helps doctors stay sharp

New high-precision eye surgery robot helps doctors stay sharp originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doctordoctorsEindhoveneyeeyesmedicalmedicineNetherlandsNetherlands University of TechnologyNetherlandsUniversityOfTechnologyrobotslavesurgeryThijs MeeninkThijsMeeninkTUeFri, 28 Oct 2011 23:37:00 EST<![CDATA[MobiUS smartphone ultrasound hits the market two years too late for relevancy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/mobius-smartphone-ultrasound-hits-the-market-two-years-too-late/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/mobius-smartphone-ultrasound-hits-the-market-two-years-too-late/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/mobius-smartphone-ultrasound-hits-the-market-two-years-too-late/#comments Mobisante MobiUS smartphone ultrasound Mobisante's MobiUS smartphone ultrasound system scored FDA approval back in February, a big step towards getting the product out the door. Now the brainchild of former Microsoft bigwig Dr. Sailesh Chutani is finally available to order, the only problem is that it's based around two-year-old tech. At the heart of the MobiUS system is a Toshiba TG01 (it of Windows Mobile 6.5 stock) a now hopelessly outdated handset. Still, the probe and phone together cost $7,495, just a tiny fraction of what traditional ultrasound systems cost. We're sure there are small clinics, especially in poor and remote parts of the world, that are already eyeing Dr. Chutani's solution and, if his company scores enough orders, he hopes to cut the price in half. Maybe they can put some of that money towards developing a system that works with smartphone platforms people actually use -- like Android and iOS. Check out the demo video after the break.

Continue reading MobiUS smartphone ultrasound hits the market two years too late for relevancy

MobiUS smartphone ultrasound hits the market two years too late for relevancy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>medicalmedicinemobisantemobisante mobiusmobisante mobius smartphone ultrasoundMobisanteMobiusMobisanteMobiusSmartphoneUltrasoundMobiUSmobius smartphone ultrasoundMobiusSmartphoneUltrasoundSailesh ChutaniSaileshChutanismartphone ultrasoundSmartphoneUltrasoundTG01toshibatoshiba tg01ToshibaTg01ultrasoundultrasound stethoscopeUltrasoundStethoscopewindows mobilewindows mobile 6.5WindowsMobileWindowsMobile6.5Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers say nanorockets could deliver medicine quickly within the blood]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/researchers-say-nanorockets-could-deliver-medicine-within-the-bl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/researchers-say-nanorockets-could-deliver-medicine-within-the-bl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/researchers-say-nanorockets-could-deliver-medicine-within-the-bl/#comments Faster delivery is always better when it comes to pizza, Thai food and now... drugs? Doctors seem to think so as they're experimenting with a new method of delivering medicine to the bloodstream via tiny nanotubes powered by rocket fuel. By storing healing meds within the platinum-coated metal tubes, doctors have been able to propel the tiny vessels up to 200 times their own length per second -- faster than swimming bacteria. It works as such: by introducing a hydrogen peroxide/water solution, the platinum reacts, sending it zipping forward and catalyzing the peroxide into water and oxygen. The downside? Even though the fuel is only .25 percent peroxide, it's still slightly toxic -- so it looks like it's back to the drawing board until they can develop a safer alternative. Spiders, perhaps? Check out the video demonstration after the break.

Continue reading Researchers say nanorockets could deliver medicine quickly within the blood

Researchers say nanorockets could deliver medicine quickly within the blood originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blooddoctordoctorsdrugdrugshydrogen peroxideHydrogenPeroxidemedicalmedicinenano technologynanorocketsnanotechnanotechnologynanotubesperoxideplatinumrocket fuelRocketFueltoxicvideoMon, 03 Oct 2011 23:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Print your own blood vessels, no need for red toner]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/print-your-own-blood-vessels-no-need-for-red-toner/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/print-your-own-blood-vessels-no-need-for-red-toner/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/19/print-your-own-blood-vessels-no-need-for-red-toner/#comments Barely 24 hours after we told you about printing your own bones, the franken-science continues with the announcement that blood vessels are next on the body-parts-you-can-print list. Unsurprisingly, you'll need more than just regular toner if you want to start printing your own at home, but pioneering work by application-oriented research organization Fraunhofer has claimed to have cracked it by adding some good old 'two-photon polymerization' into the mix -- yeah, obvious once you know. The added photon special sauce is what makes the printed synthetic tubes biofunctionalized, which in turn enables living body cells to dock onto them -- we're guessing that's important. Sounds cute, but how long until we can start printing whole people -- Weird Science, anyone?

Continue reading Print your own blood vessels, no need for red toner

Print your own blood vessels, no need for red toner originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d print blood3d printing3dPrintBlood3dPrintingbloodblood vesselsBloodVesselshealthmedicalmedicineprint bloodprint body partsprint vesselsPrintBloodPrintBodyPartsprintingprinting bloodPrintingBloodPrintVesselsresearchscienceuniversityweirdMon, 19 Sep 2011 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Brain scanner app lets you show off your smarts on-the-go]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/brain-scanner-app-lets-you-show-off-your-smarts-on-the-go/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/brain-scanner-app-lets-you-show-off-your-smarts-on-the-go/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/brain-scanner-app-lets-you-show-off-your-smarts-on-the-go/#comments Forget learning how to open a champagne bottle with a saber, because this smartphone brain scanner probably has it beat for coolest party trick ever. After you pull out that 14-channel EEG headset you have lying around, all you need to do is attach the probes to your date's dome piece to measure his or her neural activity on your Nokia N900. The app then goes to work, taking binary data and reconstructing it on screen in 3D. The result? A new way to elimi-date Match.com candidates based on the real-time image of his or her melon. We can't promise it'll get you a second date, but we can give you a glimpse of the app in action after the break.

[Thanks, arek]

Continue reading Brain scanner app lets you show off your smarts on-the-go

Brain scanner app lets you show off your smarts on-the-go originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Dappappsbrain scannerBrainScannerBrainWavesDepartment of Informatics and Mathematics ModellingDepartmentOfInformaticsAndMathematicsModellingDTUEEGElectroencephalogrammedicalmedicineMobile Informatics LabMobileInformaticsLabn900NokiaNokia N900NokiaN900QTsmartphoneFri, 16 Sep 2011 07:10:00 EST<![CDATA[IBM's Watson set to tackle health insurance, takes 'Diagnosis for $1,000']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/ibms-watson-set-to-tackle-health-insurance-takes-diagnosis-fo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/ibms-watson-set-to-tackle-health-insurance-takes-diagnosis-fo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/ibms-watson-set-to-tackle-health-insurance-takes-diagnosis-fo/#commentsAfter tackling your tech support woes, the famed Watson is moving on to mop up the health insurance industry. That's right, the IBM showstopper we all know and love for trouncing trivia kings on Jeopardy has been hired by one of the largest health insurance company's in the US. WellPoint Inc. will make use of the system's breakneck speed and healthcare database alongside patient records -- allowing the supercomputer to guide treatment options and prescribe medicines. Once implemented, data will be combined from three sources in a matter of seconds: a patient's chart / records from a doctor, the insurance company's patient history and the medical knowledge that Watson already possesses. A pilot program will roll out next year to a number of cancer facilities, academic medical centers and oncology practices. No word yet on when The Watson School of Medicine will start accepting applications.

IBM's Watson set to tackle health insurance, takes 'Diagnosis for $1,000' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicAIartificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligencecancerhealthhealthcareibminsurancemedicalmedicinepilotrobotSuperComputertrialwatsonWellpointMon, 12 Sep 2011 17:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists develop blood swimming 'microspiders' to heal injuries, deliver drugs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/scientists-develop-blood-swimming-microspiders-to-heal-injurie/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/scientists-develop-blood-swimming-microspiders-to-heal-injurie/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/scientists-develop-blood-swimming-microspiders-to-heal-injurie/#comments Scientists at Penn State would like to release tiny spiders into your blood -- no, it's not the premise for a new horror movie, but rather, it's a medical breakthrough. The spider-like machines are less than a micrometer wide (just so you know, a red blood cell is around six to ten micrometers), and are designed to travel through veins delivering drugs and a little TLC to damaged areas -- not a totally new concept, per se, but even minor advancements can open up all sorts of new doors for troubled patients. Made of half gold, half silica, these microspiders are self-propelled by a molecule called the Grubbs catalyst, which scientists can control directionally using chemicals. Although still in the preliminary phases, lead researcher Ayusman Sen hopes to one day attach the creepy crawlers to nanobots, which could maneuver through the body to detect tumors, helping the immune system and scrubbing vessels clean of plaque. Not like that's doing anything to diffuse your arachnophobia, but hey...

Scientists develop blood swimming 'microspiders' to heal injuries, deliver drugs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ayusman SenAyusmanSenbloodblood vesselblood vesselsBloodVesselBloodVesselsdoctordoctorsGrubbs catalystGrubbsCatalysthealthmachinesmedicalmedicinemicrospidersnanobotspenn statePennStatepennsylvania state universityPennsylvaniaStateUniversityspidersveinsThu, 08 Sep 2011 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists develop the world's smallest single-molecule electric motor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/scientists-develop-the-worlds-smallest-single-molecule-electric/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/scientists-develop-the-worlds-smallest-single-molecule-electric/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/scientists-develop-the-worlds-smallest-single-molecule-electric/#comments Bigger is certainly not better when it comes to the world's first single-molecule electric engine, which measures in at one nanometer wide -- for perspective, that lash hanging from your left eye is around 60,000 times larger. Single-molecule engines have been used for years, but the new method uses a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope to power and control the molecule more effectively. In the future, scientists could use the technology for things like lab-on-a-chip devices, miniature medical testing equipment that require a motor to push fluid through tiny pipes. Tufts researchers responsible for the discovery warn that a practical application is still a ways off, but are hopeful that they'll snag a Guinness world record, regardless. After hearing the news, both Pinky and The Brain are feeling entirely more confident about their lifelong goals.

Scientists develop the world's smallest single-molecule electric motor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charles sykesCharlesSykesdoctordoctorslab-on-a-chiplow-temperature scanning tunneling microscopeLow-temperatureScanningTunnelingMicroscopemedicalmedical testingMedicalTestingmedicineresearchsciencesingle-moleculesingle-molecule engineSingle-moleculeEnginetuftsTue, 06 Sep 2011 19:33:00 EST<![CDATA[UCLA creates portable microscope that uses holograms, not lenses]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/31/ucla-creates-portable-microscope-that-uses-holograms-not-lenses/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/31/ucla-creates-portable-microscope-that-uses-holograms-not-lenses/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/31/ucla-creates-portable-microscope-that-uses-holograms-not-lenses/#comments Instead of lugging a heavy microscope into the field, doctors and nurses in remote regions may have a more portable choice -- a lightweight microscope that replaces lenses with holograms. Researchers at UCLA announced a prototype dual-mode microscope that's lightweight, costs between $50 and $100 to produce and is similar in size to a banana. Like a hologram that uses interfering rays to create an image, this device shines light on a sample where its sensor chip (apparently also found in iPhones and BlackBerrys) and a cloud-based software program analyze the interference pattern and reconstruct an image of the sample. Since it's dual-mode, both large samples and small samples can be analyzed through processes called "transmission" and "reflection," and doctors could potentially use their laptops or smartphones to access the images remotely. Although still considered a prototype, researchers think the development has the opportunity to revolutionize health care by allowing doctors to test things like water, blood and food. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading UCLA creates portable microscope that uses holograms, not lenses

UCLA creates portable microscope that uses holograms, not lenses originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aydogan OzcanAydoganOzcandoctordoctorsdual-modehealthhealth carehologramhologram microscopeHologramMicroscopehologramsmedicalmedicinemicroscopemicroscopesMyungjun LeeMyungjunLeephysicssciencescientistsUCLAUniversity of California Los AngelesUniversityOfCaliforniaLosAngelesWed, 31 Aug 2011 20:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Eyeborg filmmaker fires up eye-cam to document cutting edge prosthetics (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/eyeborg-filmmaker-fires-up-eye-cam-to-document-cutting-edge-pros/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/eyeborg-filmmaker-fires-up-eye-cam-to-document-cutting-edge-pros/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/eyeborg-filmmaker-fires-up-eye-cam-to-document-cutting-edge-pros/#comments Eyeborg In late 2008 filmmaker Rob Spence, caught our attention when he announced his plan to jam a video camera in his skull to replace an eye he lost to an unfortunate accident. Instead of connecting the camera to his brain, Spence sought to become a so-called "lifecaster," recording the feed on an external device. Now his bionic eye is up and running, and he's even partnered with a little company called Square Enix to create a documentary about state-of-the-art prosthetics and cybernetics. The short film, embedded after the break, was commissioned to celebrate the launch of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. But, this isn't just some over-long commercial for a game, it's a serious exploration of cutting edge leg, arm, and eye replacement technology. Check it out below, but be warned -- there are a few image that might not sit well with weaker stomachs.

Continue reading Eyeborg filmmaker fires up eye-cam to document cutting edge prosthetics (video)

Eyeborg filmmaker fires up eye-cam to document cutting edge prosthetics (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyberneticscyborgcyborgsdeus exDeus Ex: Human RevolutionDeusExDeusEx:HumanRevolutioneye implanteyeborgeyeborg projectEyeborgProjectEyeImplantimplantimplantsmed techmedicalmedicineMedTechprostheticprostheticsrob spenceRobSpencesquaresquare enixSquareEnixvideoSun, 28 Aug 2011 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[EES packs circuits into temporary tattoos, makes medical diagnostics fashionable]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/ees-packs-circuits-into-temporary-tattoos-makes-medical-diagnos/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/ees-packs-circuits-into-temporary-tattoos-makes-medical-diagnos/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/ees-packs-circuits-into-temporary-tattoos-makes-medical-diagnos/#comments
Flexible circuit pioneer John Rogers and his team are at it again. This time he's developing a wearable, ultra-thin circuit that attaches to your skin just like a temporary tattoo. The Epidermal Electronic System (EES) consists of circuits which could contain electrodes capable of measuring brain, heart and muscle activity in the same way an EEG does now, transmitting this data wirelessly to your doctor. Because it's flexible and bonds to the skin, it can be worn for extended periods, unlike traditional diagnostic pads used in hospitals today. In the lab, the devices were solar-powered with embedded photovoltaic cells -- heavier duty circuits would require inductive charging to be practical. Rogers' team also looked into the tech acting as a game controller (they wired it up to someone's throat and played Sokoban with voice commands, still managing to yield a 90 percent accuracy rate), but it's some way off from replacing your SIXAXIS. One of the problems encountered concerned RF communication -- perhaps they should get on the horn to their friends in Oregon and build those fashionable diagnostic pants we're eagerly waiting for.

EES packs circuits into temporary tattoos, makes medical diagnostics fashionable originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diagnosticsEESEpidermal Electronic SystemEpidermalElectronicSystemJohn RogersJohnRogersmedicalmedical devicesmedical researchMedicalDevicesMedicalResearchmetamaterialmetamaterialsUniversity of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversityOfIllinoisUniversityOfIllinoisAtUrbana-champaignFri, 12 Aug 2011 23:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/robot-skin-captures-super-detailed-3d-surface-images/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/robot-skin-captures-super-detailed-3d-surface-images/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/robot-skin-captures-super-detailed-3d-surface-images/#comments Remember those awesome pin art toys where you could press your hand (or face) into the pins to leaving a lasting impression? Researchers at MIT have taken the idea one (or two) steps further with "GelSight," a hunk of synthetic rubber that creates a detailed computer visualized image of whatever surface you press it against. It works as such: push the reflective side of the gummy against an object (they chose a chicken feather and a $20 bill) and the camera on the other end will capture a 3-D image of the microscopic surface structure. Originally designed as robot "skin," researchers realized the tool could be used in applications from criminal forensics (think bullets and fingerprints) to dermatology. The Coke can-sized machine is so sensitive, it can capture surface subtleties as small as one by two micrometer in surface -- finally solving the mystery of who stole the cookies from the cookie jar. (Hint: we know it was you Velvet Sledgehammer).

Continue reading Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images

Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D3D models3dModelsarticial intelligenceartificial intelligenceArtificial Intelligence LaboratoryArtificialIntelligenceArtificialIntelligenceLaboratoryforensicsmassachussetts institute of technologyMassachussettsInstituteOfTechnologymedicalmicroscopemicroscopesmicroscropicmitrobotrobotsrubbersiggraphsiggraph 2011Siggraph2011syntheticWed, 10 Aug 2011 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiny RFID amulet stores medical records, makes paramedics' lives easier]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/tiny-rfid-amulet-stores-medical-records-makes-paramedics-lives/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/tiny-rfid-amulet-stores-medical-records-makes-paramedics-lives/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/tiny-rfid-amulet-stores-medical-records-makes-paramedics-lives/#commentsMedical RFIDUsing RFID to store medical records, ultimately making the jobs of paramedics and doctors that much easier, is hardly a new concept. But, for the most part, such devices have been limited to clinical trials. Asahi Kasei Corp. is hoping to change that with the debut of a tiny, 3cm-square charm that can be read by a computer or smartphone. In addition to basic info, such as name, birth date, and blood type, the chip could transmit links to more storage-intensive data like X-rays images. Instead of building out a proprietary system, the company is relying on established technology called FeliCa from Sony. That means the device will enjoy broad compatibility with existing products, and should be inexpensive to produce. Asahi Kasei hopes to begin selling the medical amulets to cities and hospitals within a year, for as little as ¥2,000 (around $25).

Tiny RFID amulet stores medical records, makes paramedics' lives easier originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Asahi KaseiAsahiKaseifelicahealthhealth careHealthCarehospitalmedicalmedical recordsMedicalRecordsmedicineparamedicsrfidsonyMon, 08 Aug 2011 04:23:00 EST<![CDATA[$1 chip tests for HIV in 15 minutes flat, fits in your wallet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/1-chip-tests-for-hiv-in-15-minutes-flat-fits-in-your-wallet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/1-chip-tests-for-hiv-in-15-minutes-flat-fits-in-your-wallet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/1-chip-tests-for-hiv-in-15-minutes-flat-fits-in-your-wallet/#comments Getting tested for STDs used to mean a doctor's visit, vials of blood, and days, weeks, or even months of anxiously waiting for results. mChip aims to change all that, while simultaneously ridding your brain of viable excuses not to get tested. It works as such: one drop of blood goes on the microfluidics-based optical chip, 15 minutes pass, and boom, the AmEx-sized device will confirm whether or not you have syphilis and / or HIV. The bantam gizmo is practically foolproof, as reading the results doesn't require any human interpretation whatsoever. Plus, it's cheap -- cheaper than a coffee at Starbucks. One dollar cheap. Researchers at Columbia University claim the mChip has a 100 percent detection rate, although there's a four to six percent chance of getting a false positive -- a stat similar to traditional lab tests. As you'd likely expect, there's hope that the inexpensive mChip will help testing efforts in places like Africa to detect HIV before it turns into AIDS. Next stop: the self-service pharmacy at CVS?

$1 chip tests for HIV in 15 minutes flat, fits in your wallet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaaidsbloodcolumbiacolumbia universityColumbiaUniversityhealthhealthcareHIVmchipmedicalmedicineresearchscienceSTDstdstesttestinguniversityThu, 04 Aug 2011 07:32:00 EST<![CDATA[RIBA-II healthcare robot now stronger, smarter -- still a bear]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/riba-ii-healthcare-robot-now-stronger-smarter-still-a-bear/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/riba-ii-healthcare-robot-now-stronger-smarter-still-a-bear/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/riba-ii-healthcare-robot-now-stronger-smarter-still-a-bear/#comments RIKEN's original RIBA healthcare robot was already fairly adept at lifting patients while not completely terrifying them but, as is the case with such things, it's now been succeeded by a new and improved model. While its outward, bear-like appearance hasn't changed, the new bot boasts a series of upgrades that now lets it bend over and lift patients up directly off the floor, not just off a bed or wheelchair. It's also now able to lift patients that weight up to 176 pounds (41 pounds more than before), and it packs an array of new sensors that let it more accurately gauge a person's weight and carry them more comfortably -- not to mention some touchscreen controls on its back for when it needs a bit of direction. Hit the source link below for a video.

[Thanks, robotbling]

Continue reading RIBA-II healthcare robot now stronger, smarter -- still a bear

RIBA-II healthcare robot now stronger, smarter -- still a bear originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botcarryhealthhealthcarehealthcare robotHealthcareRobotmedicalribariba 2riba iiriba-iiRiba2RibaIirikenrobotTue, 02 Aug 2011 16:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists find less damaging defibrillation method, heart tissue relieved]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/16/scientists-find-less-damaging-defibrillation-method-heart-tissu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/16/scientists-find-less-damaging-defibrillation-method-heart-tissu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/16/scientists-find-less-damaging-defibrillation-method-heart-tissu/#commentsGood news, aging Earthlings: a team of researchers have found a way to shock a coding patient's heart, while leaving other organs and tissues undamaged from the defibrillator. The device send a single high voltage pulse of electrical energy to a patient's chest in order to fix an irregular or nonexistent heart beat; traditionally, what often results is damage to point of contact and surrounding skin cells, muscles and tissues, but a team of whiz kids have seemingly figured out a way to dodge the dreadfulness.

Led by scientists Stefan Luther and Flavio Fenton, the team claims that by using a series of five pulses of less potent shocks (instead of a single concentrated charge), docs can see an 84 percent reduction in damaging power. This new technology -- coined low-energy antifibrillation pacing (LEAP) -- can also be used in implanted defibrillators, not just the well-known flappy paddles. Due to the relatively low emissions, both the patient and such implants have extended lives. And that, friends, is good for us all -- given the impending Robot Apocalypse, we'll be needing those extra years just to hold down the fort.

Scientists find less damaging defibrillation method, heart tissue relieved originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargedefibdefibrillatorDefibrillatorsdoctorsElectricalElectrical chargeElectricalChargefibrillationFlavio FentonFlavioFentonhealthheartHeart attackHeartAttackHospitaljoltLEAPlow-energymedicalpatientpulseResearchResearcherResearchersScientistscientistsshockStefan LutherStefanLutherSat, 16 Jul 2011 01:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung study finds no link between cancer and work conditions, might not be released in full]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/samsung-study-finds-no-link-between-cancer-and-work-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/samsung-study-finds-no-link-between-cancer-and-work-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/samsung-study-finds-no-link-between-cancer-and-work-conditions/#commentsSamsung has finally wrapped up that investigation into alleged cancer risks at its chip facilities, but it might not share the details with the rest of the world. In the study, which the company commissioned last year, researchers from US-based Environ International Corp. found that cancers affecting six semiconductor employees were unrelated to any chemicals they may have been exposed to on the job. Of those six workers, four have already died and five of the families are currently pressing charges. Last month, a South Korea court determined that two of the cases could be linked to toxic chemical exposure -- a ruling that Environ's report clearly contradicts. Samsung, however, is reluctant to disclose the results in full, for fear that doing so may reveal some proprietary information. Environ's Paul Harper declined to say how much Samsung paid for the investigation, due to client confidentiality, while confirming that the research was carried out in consultation with a panel of independent experts. Semiconductor exec Kwon Oh-hyun, meanwhile, denied that the company commissioned the study in order to use it as evidence in the ongoing court case, in which Samsung isn't even listed as a defendant.

Samsung study finds no link between cancer and work conditions, might not be released in full originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allegationcancercancer riskCancerRiskchemicalchemical exposureChemicalExposurechipcourtemployeeenvironexposurehealthillnesskorealawsuitlitigationmedicalmedicinereportresearchsafetysamsungsemiconductorsouth koreaSouthKoreastudytoxicworkwork conditionWorkConditionworkerFri, 15 Jul 2011 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[British researchers design a million-chip neural network 1/100 as complex as your brain]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/british-researchers-design-a-million-chip-neural-network-1-100-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/british-researchers-design-a-million-chip-neural-network-1-100-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/british-researchers-design-a-million-chip-neural-network-1-100-a/#commentsIf you want some idea of the complexity of the human brain, consider this: a group of British universities plans to link as many as a million ARM processors in order to simulate just a small fraction of it. The resulting model, called SpiNNaker (Spiking Neural Network architecture), will represent less than one percent of a human's gray matter, which contains 100 billion neurons. (Take that, mice brains!) Yet even this small scale representation, researchers believe, will yield insight into how the brain functions, perhaps enabling new treatments for cognitive disorders, similar to previous models that increased our understanding of schizophrenia. As these neural networks increase in complexity, they come closer to mimicking human brains -- perhaps even developing the ability to make their own Skynet references.

British researchers design a million-chip neural network 1/100 as complex as your brain originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andrew BrownAndrewBrownARMARM processorsArmProcessorsbrainbrainsmanchestermedicalmedical researchMedicalResearchneural netneural networkneural networksNeuralNetNeuralNetworkNeuralNetworksSkynetSouthhamptonSpiking Neural Network architectureSpikingNeuralNetworkArchitectureSpiNNakerSteve FurberSteveFurberUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of SouthamptonUniversityOfManchesterUniversityOfSouthamptonMon, 11 Jul 2011 11:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Insert Coin: Prosthetic eye digital camera (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/10/insert-coin-prosthetic-eye-digital-camera-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/10/insert-coin-prosthetic-eye-digital-camera-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/10/insert-coin-prosthetic-eye-digital-camera-video/#commentsIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.


Nobody with binocular vision would consider replacing a functional natural eye with a digital camera. But Tanya Vlach's vision is monocular, after losing one of her eyes in a car accident. A matching ocular prosthesis gives the San Francisco native a normal appearance, but it's unable to provide vision -- in its current state, at least. Vlach turned to Kickstarter for donations that would allow her to install a unique, waterproof in-eye camera, theoretically capable of transmitting 720p HD video wirelessly to a mobile app, and zooming and capturing still images using a blink-activated sensor. Features also on the wish list: facial recognition, a dilating pupil that changes based on light, infrared / UV capture, and geotagging, just to name a few.

The embedded camera obviously can't replace a natural eye, but it certainly brings more life to an otherwise useless cosmetic shell. Vlach needs to raise $15,000 by August 3rd in order to achieve her funding goal and commission an engineer to design the new optic. Donations of less than $5,000 will be rewarded with a variety of small-ticket items, while a pledge greater than that amount will net the donor their very own "souvenir eye camera" -- whatever that means. You can jump past the break for a video explanation from Tanya, who may very well be on her way to being the first human to use a digital pseudo-bionic eye.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Prosthetic eye digital camera (video)

Insert Coin: Prosthetic eye digital camera (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>720pbionicbionic eyeBionicEyecamcordercameradigital cameradigital camerasDigitalCameraDigitalCamerasfacial recognitionFacialRecognitiongeotaggingHDHD videoHdVideoinsert coinInsertCoinmedicalvideowirelessSun, 10 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ultrawideband tech could connect your body to doctors, bring Tricorders to the mainstream]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/ultrawideband-tech-could-connect-your-body-to-doctors-bring-tri/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/ultrawideband-tech-could-connect-your-body-to-doctors-bring-tri/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/ultrawideband-tech-could-connect-your-body-to-doctors-bring-tri/#comments
The academic paper 'Experimental Characterization of a UWB Channel for Body Area Networks' won't reshape your mental state, but that's because academic papers are rarely titled 'OMG. Tricorders!'. A team of scientists at Oregon State University have examined ultrawideband tech to see if it's capable of transmitting the enormous load of data required to monitor a human body. Imagine it; your heart rate is monitored on your watch, smart bandages examine your blood insulin levels and feedback-pants measure your muscle responses, all viewed online by a doctor. Sadly you can't rush to your nearest hospital and demand to be wired with some X Prize - winning kit -- there's a couple of hurdles to overcome before you can more efficiently post your bodily functions to Twitter. Transmission had to be line-of-sight and the energy needs are too vast for a handheld device. Still, given how sophisticated the network technology will be when it's perfected, don't be surprised if civilization grinds to a halt when Quake is ported to your temporal lobe.

Ultrawideband tech could connect your body to doctors, bring Tricorders to the mainstream originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Academichealthmedicalmedical devicesmedical researchMedicalDevicesMedicalResearchoregon stateoregon state universityOregonStateOregonStateUniversityScienceTricordertricorder-like-deviceultrawidebanduniversityUWBFri, 08 Jul 2011 00:12:00 EST<![CDATA[London's E-Health Cloud program will send patient records to the stratosphere next month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/londons-e-health-cloud-program-will-send-patient-records-to-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/londons-e-health-cloud-program-will-send-patient-records-to-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/27/londons-e-health-cloud-program-will-send-patient-records-to-the/#commentsYou'd think that the recent spate of high-profile cyberattacks would've deterred the healthcare industry from sending patient records to the cloud -- but you'd be wrong. Beginning next month, all data on patients at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital will be stored in a centralized database, accessible from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Under the National Health Service's pilot program, known as E-Health Cloud, patients will be able to decide which doctors, nurses or family members can view their records, allowing them to easily share their data with other specialists. Flexiant, the Scottish software company that developed the platform, hopes to eventually expand it to other treatment phases, including assisted living, and insists that its system will help the NHS save money in the long-term. Security, however, will likely prove critical to the program's success. Users will have to pass multiple ID checkpoints to access the database, but privacy-wary Londoners might demand protection a bit more robust than an automated bouncer. You won't need to adhere to a dress code to view the full PR, available after the break.

Continue reading London's E-Health Cloud program will send patient records to the stratosphere next month

London's E-Health Cloud program will send patient records to the stratosphere next month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud computingcloud storageCloudComputingCloudStoragedatadatabasedoctorE-Health CloudE-healthCloudflexiantGPhealthhealth recordshealthcareHealthRecordslondonmedicalmedical recordsMedicalRecordsmedicinenhsnursepatientpatient recordsPatientRecordspilot programPilotProgramsecuritytreatmenttrialukMon, 27 Jun 2011 10:13:00 EST