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3D-bioprinted human skin can replace animal testing, potentially used in burns

José Luis Jorcano at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has developed a 3D bioprinter capable of replicating the structure of skin. The human-like  skin that is produced  includes an epidermal layer that protects against the environment, and a collagen-producing dermis that provides elasticity and strength. The bioink material  contains human plasma, and  primary human fibroblasts and keratinocytes…

Sensor, AI, and data-driven primary care

Forward has brought advanced technology to well-care. Patient/Members are integrated into the practice with a baseline  screening via body scans, blood and genetic tests.  They are then given consumer and medical wearables, which work with proprietary algorithms, for continuous monitoring (and access to data), personalized treatment, and emergency alerts. Physical exam rooms display all of the…

Machine learning tools predict heart failure

Declan O’Regan and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences colleagues believe that AI can predict when pulmonary hypertension patients require more aggressive treatment to prevent death. In a recent study,  machine learning software automatically analyzed moving images of a patient’s heart, captured during an MRI. It then used  image processing to build a “virtual 3D heart”, replicating how…

Consumer wearable + medical monitor track exercise’s impact on glucose

Consumer wearables can complement medical devices by integrating activity data into a disease management strategy. Fitbit movement data will now be used with a Medtronic diabetes management tool, with the goal of users predicting the impact of exercise on glucose levels. Diabetics can monitor glucose with Medtronic’s iPro2 system continuously for 6 days. Fitbit data will integrated into the…

Multiple wearable sensors predict illness

Stanford’s Michael Snyder has published the results of a health wearable study, in which 2 billion measurements were taken from 60 subjects, concluding that such devices can be used to predict illness. Continuous biosensor data, plus blood chemistry, gene expression and other tests,  were included. Participants wore 1-7 commercial wearables, which collected more than 250,000 measurements per day.…

Brain-to-brain link allows one person to read another’s thoughts

University of Washington researchers used a direct brain-to-brain connection to enable pairs of participants to play a question-and-answer game by transmitting signals from one brain to the other over the Internet. The experiment is thought to be the first to show that two brains can be directly linked to allow one person to guess what’s on another person’s mind. Lead author Andrea Stocco…

Piezoelectric sensor car seat monitors respiration, heart rate

Faurecia‘s “Active Welness” car seat monitors respiration and heart rate with embedded piezoelectric sensors.  The goal is to detect driver stress or alertness.  When low energy is detected, the seat responds with specific massage patterns and air flow through the ventilation system.  The non-contact sensors were developed by Hoana Medical.  Combined with advanced algorithms and signal…

Virtual coaching for TBI patients

The Office of Naval Research is developing MOVER (Mobile, Virtual Enhancements for Rehabilitation) to help TBI patients maintain therapy regimens.  Confusion, forgetfulness or depression can prevent injured veterans from completing necessary exercises for rehabilitation. Featured movements include including lunges, knee raises and squats, which are standard for TBI therapy. When a user turns on a…

Remotely controlled capsule endoscope

A new type of capsule endoscope may improve cancer diagnostics, providing comprehensive, non-invasive imaging, including lower GI images. The 3D printed Tadpole Endoscope (TE) has a soft tail that allows it to be  remotely guided around the stomach.  The technology was developed by Yong ZHONG, Ruxu DU and Prof Phillip W Y CHIU of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The TE is activated…

Sonogenetics – Neuron stimulation via ultrasound

Salk‘s Sreekanth Chalasani‘s “sonogenetics” technique uses ultrasound to stimulate individual brain cells.  A nature paper describes the technology as tested on worms.  The goal is noninvasive stimulation of specific cell types or individual neurons in humans, with out using implanted electrodes or fiber-optic cables. Current optogenetics therapies  rely on inserting light-sensitive channel…

Wearable monitors newborns within 40 mile radius

WAAA!  is a text-based neonatal surveillance system developed by David Swann of the University of Huddersfield.  It is a finalist project of UNICEF’s Wearables for Good Challenge. Appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiratory data is captured, via a patch, during the first day of life.  Any deterioration triggers an immediate text alert to a carer. Globally, more than 1 million babies die…

Cheap, accurate, 3D printed stethoscope

Dr. Tarek Loubani has created a 3D printed stethoscope that can be made for $2.50 – $5.00.  Stethoscopes usually cost $150 and are often not available in poor regions. Through his Glia Project, Dr. Loubani aims to provide cheap, accurate medical supplies, including stethoscopes, electrocardiograms, and pulse oximeters,  to places in need. “This is simple, cheap and it’s enough for us here,” said…

Cancer patient receives 3D printed rib cage

For the first time, a chest wall sarcoma patient has received a  fully customized 3d printed sternum and rib cage portion, created using high resolution CT data. This part of the chest is difficult to recreate with traditional prosthetics.  Thoracic surgeons typically use flat and plate implants for the chest, which can loosen over time and increase complications.  Rapidly prototyped 3D printed…

Big data / pharma partnership to model diseases, treatments

IBM and Israeli generic drug giant Teva will partner to develop treatments for chronic conditions using the  Watson Health Cloud. Their stated goal is “to put the best information and insights in the hands of physicians, care teams and patients, to empower treatment optimization for individuals and populations across the spectrum of acute and chronic conditions.”   Asthma, pain, migraine and…

Connected wheelchair enhances safety, comfort, independence

AT&T and Permobil have developed a connected wheelchair concept meant to increase user comfort and independence. The system monitors seating position, cushion pressure (to prevent pressure ulcers), whether a chair has turned on its side, battery level, and location, and it also predicts the need for maintenance. The data, including location, can be remotely accessed from the cloud and shared with…

Sport performance game app to train the brain

Games are increasingly recognized as a method of enhancing cognitive abilities.  HeadTrainer is meant to improve the brain with 5-10 minutes of daily gameplay. The sports games were designed to exercise 5 cognitive skills:   decision making, processing speed, focus, memory, and visual/spatial awareness.  Developer Deborah Attix of Duke University focused on testing and training the brain with…

External power supply for Google contact lens

Power efficiency in wearables is key to continuous, accurate monitoring, for both medical and fitness applications. Google has filed a patent application suggesting  that an external device will power the sensor of its contact lens, and it could be handheld or embedded into a companion wearable. The application states that “an external reader device or ‘reader’ can radiate radio frequency…