Story posted on: July 01, 2008

The Antimicrobial Wound Dressing from Silverleaf is an electrically activated wound dressing, where proprietary material enables electric current to flow through the wet parts of the fabric.
CMB Antimicrobial Wound Dressing with PROSIT is a single layer dressing consisting of a polyester fabric layer containing biocompatible, proprietary formulas which are held in position on the polyester with a biocompatible binder. The polyester fabric is single ply and is made from multi-filament spun threads woven together. PROSIT activates and generates a voltage at the surface when moistened. When active, PROSIT prevents microbial penetration. Present device can be left on for 3 days. Other indications are currently being applied for.
Good to know just like in the computer world, you can zap infections away.
Story posted on: June 30, 2008
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has started to test its experimental walking assist device by helping the elderly as well as folks with weakened leg muscles get around without any assistance, letting them regain their pride and mobility. If there is one country that needs this device, Japan is it considering the fact that they have the highest number of senior citizens within. The whole idea of this walking assist device is to help people relearn to walk safely and efficiently. I hope to see a commercial version ready soon without breaking the bank.
Story posted on: June 30, 2008
The battle of the bulge is a never ending one, and more often than not your pot belly emerges truimphant. Small Bite Inc. has developed a tiny device that could help you lose weight simply by preventing you from taking large bites during your meal. This small contraption fits in the mouth and restricts jaw movement, and you will be able to see results within six to nine months, so those looking for a quick fix can give this a miss and rely on other get-slim-quick schemes. Well, I'd take a more pro-active step and hit the treadmill at the gym daily instead. Which is your preferred weight loss method?
Story posted on: June 30, 2008

There's been a breakthrough where folks experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can now be treated thanks to the Epley Omniax system which uses glasses equipped with infrared sensors that are able to track the eye of a patient sitting in a free-rotating chair that performs "canalith repositioning maneuvers". Since many people have loose particles known as otoconia which are found in the semi-circular canals of the inner ear, the monitoring of the eyes will be able to detect the particles' presence while shaking them out of the sensitive areas by rotating the patient so that the sense of vertigo can be cured.
Story posted on: June 26, 2008

It seems that Internet-based care does help when it comes to blood pressure monitoring, according to a group of researchers in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association. I suppose having some sort of accountability with the doctor will help spur the patients to keep a closer eye on their blood pressure levels, as compared to walking the talk only before an appointment. This is one glaring example where technology can be used for the betterment of all mankind. The use of electronic medical records and Web communications are nothing to be sneezed at when it comes to empowering patients to play a greater role in their, so now would be a good time to introduce grandpa to the world of computers, starting with the Asus Eee PC.
Story posted on: June 26, 2008
I remember Will Smith in I, Robot, spraying his bionic arm with some sort of instant skin to cover up the damage, and this time round we have something out of the world of science fiction that could be a reality. The spray-on Skin Gun could be the result of a $250 million research project that sprays new, stem-cell infused skin onto a wound to expedite the healing process to just hours (minutes are still an unrealistic target). Well, it might not be Wolverine's healing factor but at the very least it is better than waiting for a week for it to heal.
Story posted on: June 24, 2008

Being a diabetic is no fun, but thankfully medical advances has made this disease all the more manageable. Debiotech and STMicroelectronics have teamed up to deliver the Nanopump, a device that relies on microfluidic MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) technology to help inject insulin into the patient. It is roughly four times smaller than today's pumps, but can hold up to double the amount of insulin. Each pump actuation will inject 200 nanoliters of drug, offering a reproducibility rate which is better than 2%, placing it very near the physiological delivery of insulin. It is ready for volume manufacturing so expect to see this hit pharmacies sometime in the near future.
Story posted on: June 24, 2008
Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology have managed to cobble together a remote health monitoring device by wiring a cell phone, a GPS receiver, and an ECG unit. This DIY device is more than capable of tracking a patient's rehabilitation regiment closely. It was specially designed to focus on post MI patients, sending ECG , speed and walking incline data to a monitoring clinician remotely. Should the patient experience any difficulty, the cardiologist will be able to weigh in with relevant advice, greatly reducing the risk of death thanks to speedy action and notification.
Story posted on: June 23, 2008

The Smoke Block emergency mask just shows the kind of times we're living in - dangerous ones, of course. It is being bandied about as an effective means of protection against hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide seems to be all the rage these days in Japan, being a trendy "detergent suicide" method which involves mixing a plethora of household cleaners. This mask boasts a 3-layer filter that buys you up to 20 minutes of time, offering ample opportunity to flee from the situation. The full-face and half-face versions will retail for $185 and $130, respectively.
Story posted on: June 19, 2008
Diabetics now have yet another non-invasive method to check their blood glucose level, thanks to the efforts of Freedom Meditech to come up with an eye scanner, scanning the front portion of the eye to find out just how much glucose resides in that segment. This technique will have a major impact on reducing laser exposure, abating any potential long-term safety hazards. It won't pose any risk to patients who have already developed diabetic eye disease, but the only downside would be corneal scarring. Perfect for those who hate needles.
Story posted on: June 18, 2008

The CPR Pad could potentially save the lives of many, if and only if it moves beyond the concept stage. This design is meant to be applied to the patient's chest during an emergency, where the monitor/aid will show how to push the chest correctly, giving out a click when you do it right. A flashing light will ensure that a proper rhythm is maintained, making anyone able to perform CPR without having to read through first aid manuals or doing it wrongly. Medical equipment manufacturers, are you listening?
Story posted on: June 17, 2008
Good thing cell phone cameras have progressed beyond the VGA quality models back in the early days, as multi-megapixel monsters comparable to older dedicated digital cameras are now a norm, making this accessory - the cell phone microscope, a viable purchase. It provides you with an imprompty microscope that will be able to view even red and white blood cells individually, and this is no child's play since it was developed by a research team led by Dan Fletcher, professor of bioengineering, at the University of California, Berkeley. Guess medical personnel in faraway places can rely on this for an instant microscope, solving the problem of scarcity of medical equipment in developing countries. The cell phone microscope will apparently cost around $100 if it was mass-manufactured.
Story posted on: June 16, 2008

Other than slapping a generous amount of sunblock on yourself this summer, why not tote around this Portable UV Monitor? At least you get more accurate readings while spending time under the sun, knowing just when to get into the shade should things get too hot to handle. Measuring 8cm in length, this won't be too much of a hassle to carry around with you, right? It offers a detailed analysis of what's going on, letting you know how much exposure you are privy to depending on your skin type. This nifty device is also equipped with a user-defined countdown timer that alerts you with a beep, letting you know it is time to turn over lest you turn out like a baked lobster. The Portable UV Monitor will retail for £24.99 a pop.
Story posted on: June 13, 2008

The joys of motherhood might mean an end to partying for some women, but for those who still insist on getting their crazy Saturday nights out with their respective girlfriends can always rely on the Milkscreen system that ensures you will be able to booze without compromising the health of the latest addition to your family who is still breast-dependent. In essence, the Milkscreen is a breast milk tester kit that can be purchased via mainstream stores, where the results can be seen in as little as a couple of minutes. Milkscreen will retail for approximately $20 for a large pack, helping countless women release some stress at local clubs without endangering the life for their newborn. Good thing we men don't have to give birth, eh?