band-aid
Latest
Color-changing bandages detect and treat drug-resistant infections
It may sound dramatic, but antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it's urgent that we change the way we prescribe and use antibiotics. One approach might be to use bandages that sense and treat bacterial infections, even when the pathogen shows resistance. In a paper published by ACS Central Science, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Science explain how they've developed a way to do just that.
Antenna-aid bandages your iPhone 4 reception issue, hopes for role in next Eminem video
Oh, Steve -- you should've known better. You show up and remove a laptop from a manila envelope, and Earth's most creative go and create a case fashioned out of one. You go and suggest that Eminem could "come out with a band-aid that goes over the corner" of your controversial iPhone 4, and well... this happens. You could wait for a free case, or you could buy six of these Antenna-aids for five bucks. The choice is obvious.
Sensium wireless digital band-aid begins clinical trials
It hasn't been a year since it was first announced, and now clinical trials have begun for Sensium. Billed as a "digital plaster," the thin patch contains a power source and sensors for monitoring heart rate, temperature, and perspiration -- all of which can then be sent to your doctor via smartphone / PDA. Sure, it might not have the inherent drama of the rack of loud, blinking machines we're used to seeing in ICUs, but on the other hand it is cheap, disposable, and has a battery life of several days. The device is based on the company's AMx semiconductor IP platform for Body Area Networks, so if you work at a hospital or are a supplier for a large medical concern, hit the read link to see if you can get in on the clinical trials. If not, we're sure that Adafruit will figure out how to build one with an Arduino any day now. PR after the break.
Wireless chip-on-a-band-aid to monitor patients from home
UK startup Toumaz Technology is bringing band-aids into the 21st century with a new technology that can remotely monitor patients. The solution involves a custom mini-chip with a 5-7 day battery, with built-in 800-900MHz wireless and a price as low as $5 a pop when the disposable patch is released next year. The chip is designed to relay data from sensors such as electrocardiogram, a three-axis accelerometer, blood glucose, ph-level and blood pressure monitors. Consumers will be able to wear the patch at home, and hopefully a Lisa Frank version will be soon in the making.
