Multiple Sclerosis
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This eye-tracking system uses AI to monitor multiple sclerosis
For decades, doctors have used eye movement to quickly triage brain health, as eye movement patterns can point to conditions like concussion or stroke. Now, C. Light Technologies, a neurotech and AI company that grew out of the Berkeley Skydeck accelerator, wants to help doctors diagnose neurological conditions with more speed and precision. The company has developed an eye-tracking technology paired with machine learning that can be used to monitor multiple sclerosis (MS).
Cleveland Clinic Foundation develops iPad-based MS disability assessment tool
The portability and power available on the iPad makes Apple's little machine that could a source of incredible opportunity in the medical diagnostic field. Recently the Cleveland Clinic Foundation developed a new app for the device called the Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT). MSPT helps doctors assess balance, walking speed, manual dexterity, visual function, and cognition in patients living with the inflammatory disease. MSPT can be used in a clinical situation or by patients at home. Once the data is collected it's transmitted to a clinical or research database, which in some cases could eliminate the need for a clinic visit by the patient. You can read the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's report on the app and its development here. Their report starts with a wonderful video presentation showcasing the app. Sadly it's not embeddable, but if you have even a passing interest in the development of medical apps or the fight against MS, you should take the ten minutes required to watch. Given the promised innovations coming with Apple's upcoming HealthKit, we're going to be seeing more medical apps coming to iOS in the near future. We can't wait to see what new doors the medical field will be able to open once iOS 8 hits the market.
Longest Journey voice actor seeking help for medical bills
Sarah Hamilton, the voice of The Longest Journey protagonist April Ryan, is currently raising funds via GoFundMe to help pay for medical bills. Hamilton, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2002 and Stage 2 parotic gland cancer 18 months later, recently had part of her spine fused - unfortunately, the cost of the procedure has caused an uptick in stress, which in turn caused Hamilton to experience a relapse of MS symptoms. "So what is my opportunity here?" Hamilton wrote on her GoFundMe page. "It's to acknowledge that I need help. Help with my bills. Once I am given the go ahead to go back to work it will be part time, and in conjunction with all my regular bills I won't be able to pay my previous doctors bills let alone my new ones. I also acknowledge how so very grateful I am for being allowed the time to get well and for having those around me who love me. Yet I need help. And if you are able to do so I would be so grateful to all of you for the rest of my healthy life." Hamilton is seeking $13,800. As of this writing, she has raised $2,916. [Image: Sarah Hamilton]
Guild Wars 2 NPC inspires player with multiple sclerosis
A disabled non-player character in Guild Wars 2 has made a profound impact on a real-life player who shares similar traits. Player Christina put a post on the GW2 forums stating that she has multiple sclerosis and was "overjoyed" when she found a fictional game counterpart in a young Asura named Taimi. "The friend I was playing with pointed her out, and I think I shrieked loud enough to wake the dead," she enthused. Taimi has a degenerative disease that prevents her from walking far and requires her to use a golem to help her get around. She was introduced in a recent living story update and hangs out at the Vigil Keep. At least for Christina, Taimi has inspired her through the NPC's character and place in the story: "I don't know where you're going with Taimi. But honestly I don't care. Because now, in Tyria, I can imagine having a giant golem cart me around when I can't feel my legs or when they hurt too badly to walk. Now when I get derisive or pitying looks, I can take a minute to imagine I'm sitting on a golem's shoulder like a complete kitten. So thank you for thinking of people like me. Thank you for thinking about how someone with a disability might get along in your world. And thank you for making her awesome."
Player vs. Everything: Gaming with a disability
Stephanie Walker was a gamer who had never expected to have to deal with a disability. She was 23 at the onset of her condition, a college student who also worked a full-time job. She liked to spend the little free time she had unwinding online. Initially resistant to the idea of playing EverQuest, Stephanie quickly discovered that slaying virtual orcs and bandits while joking around in party chat was surprisingly fun. It was a great way to keep in touch with long-distance friends and burn some stress after a long day. She didn't have a lot of time to play, but she was good at it when she did. While working at her job one day, Stephanie noticed that her right hand and leg had fallen asleep. When she tried to get up to walk the sensation off, she realized that something was seriously wrong -- the entire right side of her body had just stopped working. Stephanie was rushed to the hospital, and the diagnosis was confirmed the following morning: she had multiple sclerosis, and she would have to deal with it for the rest of her life. Overnight, everything changed. She went from being someone who spent 20 hours per day away from home to someone who really never left. Moving around within her house required an enormous effort on her part. Even feeding herself had become a challenge. The little things, like not being able to get online and chat with her friends (something she really enjoyed) just made her situation that much more painful.
A heart-wrenching tale about Animal Crossing
We're not going to lie, this story moved us - not only for its content, but also because someone managed to use the YTMND format in a way that actually enhanced the storytelling process. This touching tale tells of the impact that Animal Crossing had on an ill family member. We don't want to spoil it, so check it out for yourself. The story is from "a member in IGN" and illustrated by ONESOUND from This Is Game. If YTMND isn't your thing, you can also view a full-sized copy of the comic here and save it for later, or print it out and show your loved ones.Update: As reader RySenkari has warned, the YTMND link had been "altered" to shy people away from the link, and the subsequent imagery was NSFW (try going to the site via Digg and you'll get an idea of what we're talking about). If you're sending this to family members or just don't want to risk seeing such things, we recommend either typing the URL in a separate window or just taking a look at the full-sized comic that we're hosting at the moment.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Multiple Sclerosis patients walk faster thanks to VR technology
Using virtual reality technology coupled with sensors, scientists at Technion, Israel's Institute of Technology have developed a system to enable people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis to walk more effectively. The virtual reality tech takes the form of a small screen attached to glasses which projects a moving, virtual ground computed using sensors that measure the user's eye and body movements. This "virtual floor" apparently improves the walking ability of MS sufferers, and helps them to remain stable. The device even improves walking performance after it has been taken off, so patients won't have to look completely awesome with their goggles on 24/7.[Via TFOT]
Head-mounted display helps disabled walk
Although we've seen gait monitors and even prosthetic feet that assist individuals in regaining a more natural stride, scientists at Technion Institute of Technology in Israel have resorted to a head-mounted display for its rendition. This virtual reality device combines "auditory and visual feedback to improve walking speed and stride length in patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease," and provides the wearer with a "tiled-floor image" that apparently assists them in navigating nearly any terrain. The device is meant to take the place of normal muscle feedback mechanisms, and to provide said feedback to these disabled individuals so they can make adjustments and improve the efficiency of their walk. The HMD has already made its way to several medical centers and has purportedly yielded positive results, but there was no word on when this device would be commercially available.[Via MedGadget]
