Cell-infused ‘spray-on-skin’ helps leg ulcers heal more quickly

Cell-infused 'spray-on-skin' helps leg ulcers heal more quickly

Spray-on medical solutions packed with cells certainly seem to be catching on. A new study published in The Lancet highlights a spray infused with skin cells and blood clotting proteins that helps leg ulcers heal quicker. Normally, the open wounds only undergo a compression bandage treatment and typically heal after six months. Patients who were also spritzed with the cell-imbued solution, however, experienced a rapid decrease in ulcer sizes soon after being treated. Three months into the regimen, 70 percent of those who had the mist applied were healed of the malady. Not only does the new remedy speed up the healing process, but it also avoids the need for a skin graft, another method used to hasten rehabilitation. Cost is a potential concern, but further tests are still needed to determine the therapy’s practicality.

[Image credit: Shutterstock]

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Cell-infused ‘spray-on-skin’ helps leg ulcers heal more quickly originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink BBC News  |  sourceThe Lancet  | Email this | Comments

3D-Printed Exoskeleton: Toddler’s Magic Arms

We saw the dark side of 3D printing with the 3D printed semi-automatic rifle. Here’s a counter-example of the technology’s vast potential: a lightweight assistive device that might not have been made if not for 3d printing.

stratasys nemour wrex exoskeleton

Two-year old Emma Lavelle has arthrogryposis multiplex congenita – more commonly referred to as AMC or arthrohryposis – a condition wherein multiple joints in the body are fixed, limiting one’s movement. In Emma’s case she could barely move her arms and legs. But now she’s able to move her arms, thanks to a 3D-printed version of the Wilmingtong Robotic Exoskeleton or WREX. Emma can only wear the 3D-printed version because it’s made of ABS plastic, which makes for a device that’s significantly lighter than the default WREX that was made of metal.

My eyes just printed water. Check out Stratasys’ website for the full story. You can also read more about the WREX at Nemours’ website.

[via Buzzfeed]


Researchers develop cell spray to repair hearts, healthy dose of electricity included

Researchers develop spray patch to repair damaged hearts, with a healthy dose of electricity

Spray-on solutions have found a place in green technology and even in transmitting radio waves, and they’re no strangers to medical research, either. Researchers at the British Heart Foundation are working on a bioelectric spray composed of heart cells to help mend that most vital of organs. Because the cells need to be extremely thin to form a sheet of heart tissue, they are passed through a conductive needle that charges them with up to 30,000 volts. Exposing the cells to an electric field turns the solution into small droplets, which in turn form the cardiac sheet. The scientists can also add other types of cells to create “three-dimensional” tissue, which can be grafted onto injured hearts or sprayed onto scar tissue to help patients’ tickers pump more strongly. As is so often the case, the next step will be testing the technology on animals, and the project’s ultimate goal is to use this spray-on solution rather than making patients wait for donor hearts.

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Researchers develop cell spray to repair hearts, healthy dose of electricity included originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink BBC  |  sourceBritish Heart Association  | Email this | Comments

Epson E200 wrist watch pulse monitor

We have seen our fair share of smart watches in the past, but here we are with a relatively smart watch – the Epson E200 wrist watch pulse monitor. As its name suggests, the Epson E200 is a revolutionary and yet simple-to–use timepiece that will also be able to keep track of your pulse, courtesy of Epson’s advanced sensing technology incorporated within. The Epson E200 is part of Epson’s plan to grow their healthcare device business, and it does seem to be a good start. Using the Epson-made sensor, the E200 will measure your pulse rate through contact with your wrist, while the LCD display points out the amount of exercise that you need in order to raise your heart rate to a level that burns fat.

Fitness buffs will definitely find the Epson E200 useful, but it is rather strange to hear that the Epson E200 is only sold in Japan at the moment – perhaps things might change in the future? The screen icons will let you know current versus the optimum fat-burning heart rate levels, while using the light-absorbing property of the hemoglobin in blood so that it can keep an accurate count of your heart rate. No idea on pricing for this puppy though, but you can check out a rather interesting rear shot of the Epson E200 right after the jump. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Epson Moverio BT-100 see-through wearable display runs on Android, Epson iProjection wireless app,

FDA Approves Indigestible Medical Sensor You Swallow Like a Pill

The FDA has issued approval for an interesting medical gadget that is designed to be swallowed. The digestible sensor is designed to report back to doctors on a patient’s adherence to medications, as well as to share their vital signs. The device is called the Ingestion Event Marker system and uses what appears to be a pill with a sand grain sized transmitter embedded inside.

digi med

The product comes from a company called Proteus Digital Health and the information the sensor gathers is collected on an iPhone app. The sensor was approved for use in Europe in 2011. The sensor itself is embedded inside of a pill or other consumable item and gathers power from stomach fluid.

The sensor sends signals to a patch worn on the user’s stomach that then sends information out to a smartphone application. Information the sensor gathers includes heart rate, body position, and activity. Once the data is received by the smartphone application it can also optionally be sent automatically to a physician. The sensor eventually makes its way out of the body and into the toilet.

[via CBS News]


FDA approves Proteus Digital Health’s e-pills for dose monitoring

FDA approves Proteus Digital Health's e-pills for dose monitoring

An “ingestible sensor” doesn’t sound like the tastiest of snacks, but soon it might be just what the doctor ordered. A tiny microchip which activates upon contact with stomach acid has recently been given the green light by health regulatory agencies in the US and Europe. When the sensor is swallowed, an external patch picks up its signal and shoots a message over to whoever it’s supposed to. The technology is aimed at tackling an issue known in the healthcare biz as compliance — or, following instructions. Correct timing and dose are important for many drugs, and lax schedules can be responsible for treatment failures or the development of nasty drug-resistant bugs. Although the necessary trials used placebo pills, one pharmaceutical heavyweight has already bagged a license to the technology for real-world applications. If the thought of passing microchips is troubling you more than the thought of eating them, no need to worry — the kamikaze sensors dissolve in your stomach shortly after completing their mission.

Continue reading FDA approves Proteus Digital Health’s e-pills for dose monitoring

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FDA approves Proteus Digital Health’s e-pills for dose monitoring originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDVICE, Proteus Digital Health  | Email this | Comments

Slow But Steady: This LEGO Motorized Wheelchair Actually Works!

Being confined to a wheelchair is a bummer. But while this LEGO wheelchair won’t necessarily take the frustration at having to use one away, it will make the entire thing a bit more bearable.

LEGO WheelchairThey say a positive attitude helps a lot with the healing process, so maybe this wheelchair is what most people need. At least, the ones who love LEGO, anyway.

This chair was built by master builder Simon “Burf” Burfield. It weighs 44 pounds, which isn’t heavy compared to most standard wheelchairs, and is downright lightweight compared to most motorized chairs. To build it, Burf used six Mindstorms NXTs, 12 Mindstorms motors, 12 Mindstorms touch sensors, 12 Rotacaster multi-directional wheels, and ‘a whole load’ of LEGO Technic.

See the chair in action in the video below:

Sure, it doesn’t move quickly, but it’s still impressive that it’s entirely built out of LEGO components.

[via TecheBlog]


Proteus digestible microchips

I guess it is safe to say that one should not ingest microchips at any time – not only is the feeling uncomfortable, passing it out on the other hand does not sound as though it is one of the more pleasant and comfortable experiences to date. Not only that, I do not think you will be able to get the kind of taste that you look forward to in terms of just desserts. Well, the Proteus digestible microchips are pills that are meant to be eaten (hopefully you are able to choose from a wide range of flavors), and once you have swallowed them, they operate right from within your body, where all important medical data will be transmitted directly to your phone.

The amount of technology has yet to progress to a stage where the ingested pills will be able to rewire your insides, transforming you into a cyborg of sorts. Apart from that, Proteus Digital Health wants to continue working on a system which is capable of verifying whether you are have been a good patient who has been taking your medication. The Proteus digestible microchips are made out of little amounts of silicon, magnesium, and copper, and upon swallowing it, your stomach’s acid will result in the microchip to generate a small voltage signal which can be detected using a skin patch. This patch will transmit a confirmation message to your handset which in turn sends it over to your doctor.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Artificial jellyfish uses rat cells as its building blocks, Bathing Unit has 300-micron Particle Mist Shower ,

FDA Approves the First Smart Pills That Track When You’ve Taken Your Meds [Medication]

Remembering if you’ve taken your medication could be a thing of the past now that the FDA has approved Proteus Digital Health’s new chip-embedded pills that can report back to a sensor and your smartphone when meds have been ingested. More »

AAQ chemical can reportedly restore sight to blind mice

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley have been working with the University of Munich and University of Washington in Seattle to develop a chemical that could one day help people suffering from degenerative blindness. Using mice as their subjects, the team of researchers were able to discover a chemical that can reportedly restore vision temporarily. The chemical is called AAQ and it works by making the blind cells in the retina sensitive to light. AAQ is based on a photoswitch that binds to protein ion channels on the surface of retinal cells. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: A “chemputer” that prints out the drugs we need, 17-year-old programs artificial ‘brain’ that can diagnose breast cancer,