Hasta La Gadget!

We have seen a real life car that is controlled using a remote control, as well as a mind-controlled Parrot AR.Drone, but here is something else that certainly reminds me of how Professor Xavier walked using his psionically-powered exoskeleton as he led his X-Men to attack Asteroid M and put a stop to Magneto’s machinations, although this is after the adamantium was ripped out of Wolverine. Enough about comic folklore at the moment, but back on earth, we have this robotic leg prosthesis that is fully controlled using brain waves, making it a potential game changer for those who suffer from spinal cord injury.

This prosthetic lower limb’s predecessor can be controlled in real time by EEG (electroencephalogram) signals that are fed into a computer, and it works great as long as you have a brain, regardless of whether you are able-bodied or otherwise. It takes around 10 minutes to master the new mind-controlled robotic leg, which is touted to deliver a 100% response rate without any mistaken steps or false alarms – essential if you are about to cross a road. Obviously, more tests need to be done before this robotic leg can be FDA-approved, and hopefully, it will be affordable enough for the masses when that happens.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: DARPA enlists gamers’ help to cure blood infection, Bio-Retina make the blind see again,

Batteries used to be the only way to power implantable gadgets, but additional surgeries are needed to replace the power packs once their juice runs out — a less-than-ideal solution for patients. Recent discoveries, however, have such medgadgets being powered by photons, hip hop and now high-frequency radio waves. Electrical engineers at Stanford built a cardiac device that uses a combination of inductive and radiative transmission of power, at about 1.7 billion cycles per second, to its coiled receiving antenna.

Previous prevailing opinion held that the high frequencies needed for wireless power delivery couldn’t penetrate the human body deep enough, and the lower frequencies that would do the trick require antennas too large to work as implants. That conundrum was solved by getting the high-frequency signals to penetrate deeper using alternating waves of electric and magnetic fields. That allowed a 10x increase in power delivery — up to 50 microwatts to a millimeter radius antenna coil — to an implant five centimeters below the skin. That antenna also was also designed to pull power regardless of its orientation, making it ideal for applications inside always-moving human bodies. Of course, the implant’s really just a proof-of-concept at this stage, but hopefully it won’t be long before battery powered implants go the way of the dodo TouchPad.

Filed under: Science

Stanford researchers make heart implant powered by radio waves, put batteries out of a job originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 23:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t you find it interesting that an Israeli company known as Nano Retina has come up with the Bio-Retina, where this small chip might make the blind see again? Now we only need to heal lepers and make the lame walk, and the hat-trick of miracles would be complete. I would not mind water being turned into wine either, but it would be best to remain sober while at work. According to Nano Retina’s managing director Ra’Anan Gefen, this particular Bio-Retina chip is capable of restoring lost function in the eyes of those who suffer from retinal degeneration, which is one of the primary causes of blindness.

Gefen said, “We’re talking about millions of people affected by this disease and introducing this artificial photoreceptor, artificial retina, will enable them to function again, to see again, to be productive in the society.” The Bio-Retina chip will make sight possible thanks to a photovoltaic cell which is activated by glasses that have been fitted with a laser energy source. This laser will empower the photovoltaic cell to deliver the necessary amount of electricity required to power the ocular implant, sending images to the brain through the optic nerve. In essence, we have a bionic eye that replicates the damaged retina functions. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Hyginex wristband reminds doctors to wash their hands, New Nanoparticle Can Instantly Limit Brain Damage,

Molecular biology has played a significant role in a number of recent advancements in the field of neurosurgery. It has helped the researchers understand brain functions better and tackle any untoward circumstances which may damage the brain.

Now, the researchers at Rice University are working on a nanoparticle which may turn out to be an elixir for instances where blood flow to the brain is slowed down. Normally, our body releases ROS molecules which contain oxygen. Antioxidant enzymes in the cells are also present in balanced number to counter the ROS molecules. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Brain wave meter shows off desire, concentration, sleepiness and stress levels, Overclock your brain with a $99 DIY kit,

It may look like an early prototype of the Power Glove, but this wearable “tricorder” is not only less embarrassing than the doomed Nintendo peripheral — it’s also quite a bit more advanced technologically. This second prototype of the medical gadget is home to a veritable arsenal of sensors, including an accelerometer, pressure and temperature modules. Eventually, Med Sensation hopes to place ultrasound pads on the fingertips, allowing physicians to peer inside the body while they poke and prod in an attempt to diagnose you. At the moment, the system is better suited for providing feedback — guiding trainees in the proper techniques for giving exams. Ultimately though, the hope is to put these in (or would that be on?) the hands of average Joes and Janes. Individuals could then check for lumps or enlarged organs at home, without having to spend half the day sitting in a waiting room. For a brief demonstration, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Glove Tricorder helps train doctors, may lead to DIY cancer screening

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Glove Tricorder helps train doctors, may lead to DIY cancer screening originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 01:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  Med Sensation  | Email this | Comments