Tag Archives: medical

Tricorder-like device concept envisions a futuristic portable health scanner

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Smartphones and smartwatches today have a variety of sensors and apps that give us a glimpse of our health. We can track heart rates, blood oxygen levels, and even temperatures, and combine that data to create a more holistic picture and actionable steps. Of course, nothing beats professional medical equipment, but we can’t carry those around with us.

Phones and wearables might be convenient, but they don’t always offer the best user experience for specific needs. This concept device, for example, tries to imagine a dedicated health scanner that is able to cram more features while still retaining its portable size. And it even looks and feels quite advanced to boot!

Designer: Vadim Trofimenko

When talking about handheld scanning devices, many sci-fi and pop culture buffs will probably think of Star Trek tricorders. These fictional devices can detect and analyze almost anything, from materials to creatures to people. Of course, we haven’t yet reached that level of technology, but we’re getting pretty close thanks to computer vision and AI.

The MediScan Pro concept design tries to deliver some of that futuristic experience to the realm of personal health. It’s a pocket-sized metal box that offers more specialized functionality than generic smartphones and smartwatches, at least in theory. Based on the concept, it still scans your finger to get data, similar to how IR and laser scanners work today.

In terms of design, the MediScan Pro has a bit of a retro-futuristic aesthetic. It’s quite box and angular, not hiding the fact that it’s a technological product. There’s a sizeable fingerprint scanner near the top, a small display in the middle, and buttons and wheels at the bottom for controlling the devices. It has an aluminum body but, curiously, the textured surface on its back is supposed to be made from recycled plastic.

Much of the functionality it tries to offer is, to be honest, already available today, especially with the limited data you can glean from a fingerprint. It also uses AI to evaluate the data, give you recommendations, or contact your health provider. The difference from smartphones and smartwatches that already exist today is that MediScan Pro offers a distraction-free experience so you don’t suddenly forget what you’re doing because of the flood of notifications and alerts that greet you.

One unrealistic feature, however, is the use of holograms to display your health status. We’re not yet at that point where small devices can display detailed holograms, let alone ones that contain enough information at a glance. That’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility, but by then we might also have less bulky and more elegant designs by then.

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Helmet helps mitigate hair loss for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

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One of the most common side effects on patients undergoing chemotherapy is the loss of hair. It may seem like not a big deal anymore these days because people are more “accepting” of baldness, but there is still of course an effect on self-esteem and self-image of the patient. They say that hair loss is one of the most traumatic parts for them when it comes to their cancer treatment. A new product that will help them prevent this chemotherapy side effect will soon be available for commercial purchase.

Designer: Luminate

Lily is a helmet created by cancer treatment tech startup Luminate. The basic idea for the device is that when worn during chemotherapy sessions, the helmet applies pressure across the scalp that stops the chemicals from getting into the patient’s hair follicles. The helmet is also made from soft materials so it’s still comfortable when worn and will not add to the common discomfort patients experience when having their chemotherapy session. Just think of the helmet as a compression garment for the head.

The wearable device looks like your typical helmet but with additional paddings on the cheek and under the chin. The way it’s built and designed is to bock off the capillaries to prevent the toxic chemo cocktail from affecting the patient’s hair. In their initial trials, 75% of the participants retained their hair while undergoing chemotherapy while wearing the Lily helmet. There will be another trial this November involving 85 patients across the U.S.

Luminate is also developing a glove and boot set called Lilac that will help prevent neuropathy, another side effect of chemotherapy. The company’s goal is to make cancer treatments more comfortable for patients by creating products that will address the side effects.

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Top 5 Breakthrough Medical Technologies You Need To Know About

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An attitude of preparedness, as well as proactive action, are essential for taking good care of our health. By taking the right precaution, and being prepared always, we can handle a medical emergency to the best of our ability. And the medical industry has been coming up with ingenious innovations, that are completely transforming the healthcare game. Designers have been coming up with new and improved, life-saving medical designs that not only boost medical care but also relieve some of the pressure from our tireless medical force. From a device that can smell diseases on your breath to a smart ring designed especially for women and their health – these innovations are upping the medical arena.

1. Transcutaneous Oxygen Sensor

Named the Transcutaneous Oxygen Sensor, this wearable medical device is a functional gadget that performs its duties, while being aesthetically ideal as well. The gadget is used for the accurate detection of blood oxygen levels of the skin issue, and the underlying vessels and capillaries. Created for ASON Co. Ltd., the device is created for the mass consumer market, and will probably hit it in a few years. It utilizes luminescent gas sensing and soft electronics technology to produce the readings.

2. DiagNoze

Dubbed DiagNoze, this portable diagnostic tool is designed to ‘smell’ disease by analyzing your breath. The innovative gadget reads the volatile organic compounds in your breath, identifying and analyzing the biomarkers for different diseases including tuberculosis. DiagNoze works to provide real-time and portable diagnostics that can be accessed anytime anywhere, helping to tackle the healthcare issues in developed and underserved areas. The tool is amped with next-generation machine intelligence with NASA-derived sensor tech.

3. Syntropic’s Headset

Designed by the Vienna-based startup Syntropic Medical, this device uses light-based brain stimulation to provide a drug-free solution for those wanting to overcome depression. Using goggles light is shone into the eyes, while a head-worn apparatus observes and measures the effects. This device is based on the ideology that light therapy can be used to improve neuroplasticity. The innovative design is an excellent alternative for those who didn’t get satisfying results with antidepressants and other traditional treatments.

4. MedWand

Named the MedWand, this handheld medical device lets you book remote appointments with doctors! The unique device lets doctors perform medical examinations over the internet, anytime anywhere. It also facilitates real-time monitoring and recording of vitals such as core temperature, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, electrocardiogram and more. The device can be used to offer high-definition otoscopic, dermatoscopic, and oropharynx images as well. It can also capture multiple 3rd party vitals like weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

5. Evie Smart Ring

Meet the Evie Smart Ring – a thoughtfully designed wearable for women! Evie is a medical-grade health wearable for women, amped with a variety of features to help women track their health. The wearable can track your health, menstrual cycle, and activity, and monitor your sleep quality. It is intended for women, featuring an open and flexible construction, so it fits well and feels comfortable to wear throughout the day. Evie merges and personalizes data to offer you a reading on how to better achieve your goals.

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Hands-On with the First FDA-Approved OTC Hearing Aid Software Device: Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 Transform Accessibility

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially authorized Apple’s over-the-counter Hearing Aid Feature (HAF), marking a breakthrough for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Designed exclusively for the AirPods Pro 2, this software transforms the popular earbuds into customizable hearing aids. This development comes at a crucial time, as over 30 million American adults report some level of hearing loss, a condition that affects communication, relationships, work, and emotional well-being.

Designer: Apple

With the FDA’s recent approval, Apple’s Hearing Aid Feature allows users to tailor their listening experience without needing a prescription or professional fitting. Users can adjust personalized settings through the software using an iPhone or iPad, which enables them to fine-tune their hearing experience based on their specific needs. By offering this self-fitting functionality, Apple eliminates the need for costly audiologist visits. Instead of relying on traditional hearing aids, which often carry a stigma and high price tag, consumers can now use a product they may already own, making hearing support more accessible, affordable, and discreet.

“Hearing loss is a significant public health issue impacting millions of Americans,” said Dr. Michelle Tarver, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Today’s marketing authorization of an over-the-counter hearing aid software on a widely used consumer audio product is another step that advances the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.”

The benefits for consumers are clear. The Hearing Aid Feature uses Apple’s HealthKit data to create a personalized audio profile tailored to the user’s hearing levels. This profile automatically adjusts amplification settings to enhance environmental sounds and media playback. The self-fitting process, which can be done entirely through an iPhone or iPad, is simple and intuitive, giving users complete control over their hearing aid experience. The ability to customize sound directly from a personal device reduces the barriers that often deter people from seeking hearing assistance.

The Hearing Aid Feature’s Core Functionality

This feature is specifically designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. After completing the hearing test, users receive a customized audio profile that adjusts environmental sounds and media playback to their hearing needs. The feature is not intended for those with severe or profound hearing loss, who will be advised to seek professional care. However, it’s a groundbreaking tool for users with moderate impairment, offering convenient adjustments on-the-go without specialized equipment or professional fitting.

Another key benefit is the feature’s ability to address asymmetric hearing loss. If a user has different levels of impairment in each ear, the software automatically adjusts for each side, ensuring an optimal hearing experience for both ears.

The software was tested in a clinical study with 118 participants who had perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The results were impressive: individuals who used the self-fitting software experienced similar benefits to those who underwent professional fittings. Tests also showed that the Hearing Aid Feature provided comparable performance in amplifying sounds in the ear canal and improving speech understanding in noisy environments. Notably, no adverse events were reported during the study, further validating the safety and effectiveness of the software.

This FDA approval builds on the agency’s 2022 regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids, which allowed consumers to purchase hearing aids directly from stores or online without needing a medical exam or prescription. Apple’s software-only mobile medical application integrates advanced hearing aid technology into a familiar, everyday product. With the Hearing Aid Feature, users can now fit and adjust their hearing aids independently, avoiding the traditional challenges and costs associated with professional services.

How to Run the Hearing Test

I ran the hearing test within the Settings app during the demo after pairing the AirPods Pro 2. Users can easily access the Hearing Health section by selecting their AirPods Pro in Settings and scrolling down to the Take a Hearing Test option. From there, the on-screen instructions guide users through the process step-by-step.

The test is modeled after clinical hearing assessments, asking users to listen to tones that alternate between the left and right ears. Each tone starts faint and gradually increases in volume. All users need to do is tap the screen whenever they hear a tone. The system leverages active noise cancellation during the test, blocking out external sounds to ensure the results are accurate and unaffected by surrounding noise. Once the test is complete, the results indicate the level of hearing loss, such as mild or moderate, and automatically generate a personalized sound profile.

This profile is used to activate the Hearing Aid Feature, adjusting amplification settings based on the test results. Users can apply this profile to environmental sounds, phone calls, music, and other media, tailoring their experience to suit their hearing needs.

Reaction to the Demo

The process was simple, intuitive, and impressively smooth. As someone who demoed an incomplete version of the test, I found the setup straightforward and user-friendly, even for those without prior experience using hearing aids. The software intelligently adjusted the tones in real-time based on my responses, adapting the volume and frequency dynamically to create an accurate hearing profile.

Despite receiving generalized results indicating moderate hearing loss during the demo, the system gave me a clear understanding of how the Hearing Aid Feature would adjust to the user’s specific needs. Even though the profile was generic, the sound amplification was highly noticeable, even 5-8 feet away from the people speaking in the room. Additionally, the tonality and pitch of voices sounded sharper rather than just louder, offering a refined listening experience rather than a mere increase in volume. The real-time feedback and adaptability of the software reassured me that users could rely on this technology to provide an effective, custom-tailored hearing solution once fully functional.

Media Assist, Health Data Security, and Availability

The Hearing Aid Feature automatically enables Media Assist, which fine-tunes audio for phone calls and media playback, making conversations, music, and videos easier to hear. This feature can benefit even users with minimal hearing loss, as it automatically adjusts to individual needs without manual input.

All hearing test results are securely stored in Apple’s Health app, where users can export them as PDFs to share with healthcare providers. This ensures users have full control over their health data, maintaining privacy and security.

Apple’s FDA-approved Hearing Aid Feature transforms accessibility by integrating advanced hearing technology into a popular consumer device. This innovation reduces the stigma and cost barriers associated with traditional hearing aids, offering millions of users with mild to moderate hearing loss a discreet and more affordable way to manage their hearing health independently.

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Breakthrough AI-Powered Device that can ‘Smell’ Diseases is disrupting the Healthcare Industry

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Humans breathe approximately 25,000 times a day, yet within each breath lies untapped health data that a Canada-based promising startup aims to decode with their innovative handheld device. Meet the DiagNoze, a portable diagnostic tool can ‘smell’ diseases simply by analyzing your breath. The device reads volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled air, identifying biomarkers for various conditions including tuberculosis (TB). By identifying these compounds with impressive accuracy, DiagNoze offers real-time, portable diagnostics that are accessible almost anywhere, addressing critical healthcare gaps in both developed and underserved regions. The device integrates next-generation machine intelligence with NASA-derived sensor technology, delivering quick and cost-effective health insights where traditional diagnostics fall short due to high costs and slow processing.

Designer: Noze

While the most common use of breathalyzers has been to detect alcohol levels, this device can identify diseases simply by scanning your breath.

DiagNoze’s compact design and ease of use make it a practical solution for healthcare settings with limited resources. In regions where access to timely testing is scarce, the device’s rapid diagnostics can lead to earlier interventions, improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of diseases. The company’s mission received a significant boost through additional funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing their total grant to $1.8 million. This investment will support a clinical study aimed at using DiagNoze to detect TB in high-burden countries, directly contributing to global efforts to curb the spread of this deadly disease, which claims 1.3 million lives annually.

Looking ahead, Noze envisions DiagNoze becoming a staple in everyday healthcare, where real-time health monitoring is as routine as a checkup. The device’s ability to offer actionable insights from a simple breath could revolutionize diagnostics, moving us toward a proactive healthcare model focused on prevention and early detection… quite literally a breath of fresh air in the medical industry, if you ask me!

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Ground-breaking headset uses targeted light pulses to cure depression without medicines or surgery

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The idea that light can cure depression goes WAY beyond simple SAD lamps and light-therapy devices for people experiencing seasonal affective disorder during the dark months of winter.

Developed by the Vienna-based startup Syntropic Medical, this device harnesses light-based brain stimulation to offer a drug-free alternative for those who have not found success with conventional antidepressants. Light is shone into the eyes using a set of goggles, while a head-worn apparatus measures its effects – similar to using electromagnetic fields or certain sounds to treat pain, tinnitus, or depression. The approach builds on the premise that light therapy can enhance neuroplasticity—essentially, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. For individuals who have struggled with the side effects of pharmaceuticals or seen little improvement from traditional treatments, this technology could offer a fresh path forward.

Designer: Syntropic

Syntropic’s device leverages flickering lights to target microglial cells in the brain, which play a crucial role in maintaining healthy neural circuits. By stimulating these cells, the device encourages them to remodel brain structures associated with depressive disorders. This method addresses a significant challenge in mental health care: some patients’ conditions remain unresponsive to drugs because those treatments may not directly target the underlying brain dynamics causing the disorder. The non-invasive nature of this technology also means it avoids the systemic side effects often linked to antidepressant medications, offering a more tolerable and potentially safer option for long-term use.

Syntropic’s breakthrough has already attracted significant attention and financial backing. In July 2024, the company secured €1.1 million in funding from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), adding to earlier investments from Xista Science Ventures and AWS. This support not only validates the scientific foundation of the technology but also highlights the growing interest in non-pharmaceutical therapies for mental health. With more resources at their disposal, Syntropic Medical is poised to advance their device through clinical trials and bring it closer to widespread adoption. As the mental health field continues to explore innovative solutions beyond traditional medications, this light-based therapy could represent a crucial development for those seeking alternative ways to manage their depression effectively and safely.

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Heal your gut and Calm your mind with this pair of innovative wearable devices

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Our health is the single most important investment we can make, but most people tend to take it for granted or are at a loss for what to do. Some pay no attention to the discomfort in their gut, simply attributing it to indigestion, while others belittle the stress and anxiety they feel each day, deciding to just “tough it up.” Others do take the effort to address these concerns but end up with solutions that are costly, uncomfortable, and worse, ineffective. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case, thanks to these innovative wearable devices that target the centers of physical and mental health, providing people with easy-to-use, portable, safe, and comfortable tools to enjoy a pain-free gut, a stress-free mind, and a happy, healthy life in j just weeks.

Designer: Kineon

Click Here to Buy Now: $359 $998 (64% off). Hurry, only 20 left! Raised over $200,000.

It’s almost too easy to take the discomfort that we feel in our guts for granted, but that can actually affect not only our physical health but our mental state as well. If the brain is the control center of the body, the gut or gastrointestinal tract is the health hub and reflects the general state of the body. Gut problems are often a symptom of or lead to more serious health disorders, and these, in turn, also affect our mental well-being.

Revitalize Gut Health With Red Light Laser Therapy

HEAL+ is a non-invasive solution that makes sure that your gut is working properly in order to improve your overall health. The science behind HEAL+ is laser therapy, specifically low-level laser therapy or LLLT to reduce inflammation and pain that commonly occurs with gut-related disorders such as IBS, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and more. It also assists in recovery from long-COVID by boosting your immune system and improving your overall health. This non-invasive method regulates microbial balance in the gut which is necessary for proper digestion and enhanced immune functions. Going beyond your gut, HEAL+ also supercharges nitric oxide for improved blood circulation and enhances dopamine signaling in the brain to improve your mood, giving credence to the saying “A Happy Gut Means a Happy Mind.”

Best of all, HEAL+ is not some complicated machine or nauseating drug but a wearable device you simply wrap around your waist. Attach the removable laser modules to the front of the waistband and you’re good to go, enjoying the relief that HEAL+ brings to gut issues. It’s easy to use and comfortable to wear, allowing you to bring this health-promoting device anywhere with you.

Calm+ is a neck-worn device, easy to use and helps stack with daily habits. Ease the ‘fight or flight’ state triggered by daily stress within just 15 minutes. Calm+ stimulates the Vagus nerve that’s responsible for signaling the brain to release calming neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and serotonin, chemicals that are associated with calmness and relaxation. The device includes built-in sensors that will integrate optical heart measurements, allowing you to personalize the dosage to your own optimal outcomes.

Together, HEAL+ and CALM+ help improve your physical and mental well-being through a combination of red light therapy and vagus nerve stimulation. Thanks to its compact and portable design, it can keep your gut healthy and your mind happy whenever and wherever you are. The Kineon App is your ultimate guide to wellness. Seamlessly schedule, track your progress, customize your programs, and get access to expert insights, anywhere, anytime. Say goodbye to gut ouchies and stress-induced headaches and live your healthiest and happiest life with the innovative HEAL+ and CALM+ wearables. Together with the wealth of information and community assistance through Kineon’s Pain to Possible Program, you can quickly embark on a journey to wellness and calm right now!

Click Here to Buy Now: $359 $998 (64% off). Hurry, only 20 left! Raised over $200,000.

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Breakthrough Titanium Heart Design Successfully Implanted in a Human

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In a significant medical breakthrough, the Texas Heart Institute and BiVACOR have successfully implanted the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) in a human patient at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. This development marks a substantial advancement in treating severe heart conditions, particularly for patients with biventricular and univentricular heart failure, who are unsuitable candidates for traditional devices like left ventricular assist devices.

Designer: BiVACOR

The BiVACOR TAH features a titanium rotary blood pump utilizing magnetic levitation technology. This innovation minimizes the wear and tear commonly seen in traditional artificial hearts. With only one moving part, the TAH emulates the human heart’s function by efficiently pumping blood while reducing damage to blood cells.

The maglev technology allows the rotor inside the heart to operate without contacting other parts, reducing friction and extending the device’s lifespan. Inspired by high-speed trains, this technology enables the artificial heart to function quietly and smoothly, enhancing patient comfort. The TAH is designed to sustain patients until a suitable donor heart is available for transplant.

This successful implantation is part of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration study to assess the TAH’s safety and effectiveness in real-world conditions. Daniel Timms, founder and CTO of BiVACOR, noted that this technology brings us closer to providing more options for patients ineligible for traditional heart transplants.

Heart failure is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions. In the U.S. alone, about 6.2 million adults suffer from heart failure. The National Institutes of Health estimate that up to 100,000 U.S. patients could immediately benefit from mechanical heart support like the TAH.

Dr. Joseph Rogers, president and CEO of the Texas Heart Institute, emphasized the importance of this new technology. Collaborating with BiVACOR and Baylor College of Medicine, they aim to revolutionize heart failure treatment and offer new hope to patients in need.

Comparing the Titanium Maglev Heart and the Biological Heart

The titanium maglev heart looks and functions quite differently from a natural human heart. Constructed from titanium, this heart implant features a strong, metallic design, which stands in stark contrast to the soft muscle tissue of a biological heart. The maglev heart’s sleek design includes various ports and connectors that allow it to work seamlessly with medical devices. Meanwhile, a biological heart has a more organic look, with textures and colors that highlight its living nature, without the industrial elements present in the titanium heart.

BiVACOR: The Total Artificial Heart, made of titanium

Design-wise, the maglev heart appears more mechanical, with visible joints and parts tailored for specific functions, resembling a machine more than an organ. Conversely, the biological heart is smooth and compact, with chambers and valves seamlessly flowing together without sharp edges or mechanical parts.

Functionally, the maglev heart includes technology for monitoring and control, allowing for potential remote adjustments. Its ports and cables are designed to connect to external devices. In contrast, the natural heart’s connections are biological, including arteries and veins, without external interfaces.

Size-wise, the titanium maglev heart may be larger than a biological heart due to the space required for mechanical components like motors and the magnetic levitation system. A biological heart is typically more compact, fitting efficiently within the chest cavity.

The titanium maglev heart shows how science and engineering can merge to provide new solutions for patients who cannot receive a biological heart transplant. Its design and features highlight advancements in medical devices, offering a promising option for those in need.

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10 Best Medical Designs Innovating & Upping The Healthcare Industry

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When it comes to taking care of our health, proactive action and a mindset of preparedness are always necessary. By taking the right precaution, and being prepared always, we can handle a medical emergency to the best of our ability. And the medical industry has been coming up with ingenious innovations, that are completely transforming the healthcare game. Designers have been coming up with new and improved, life-saving medical designs that not only boost medical care but also relieve some of the pressure from our tireless medical force. From an award-winning inflatable stretcher design to a prosthetic foot that achieves human-level flexibility – these innovations are upping the medical arena.

1. Cast21 Cast

Chicago-based startup Cast21 created a unique sleeve that fits over any hand! The cast takes the perfect shape around your hand, once filled with a patented gel which then hardens. A sleeve size is selected depending on if the patient is a child or an adult. The sleeve is then slipped on, and filled with a patented mixture of resins which form a malleable gel after a certain point in time. The doctor can also adjust the gel to ensure it perfectly fits the limb. You can even choose different gel colors, giving the cast a less serious look.

2. Pinsoft

Named Pinsoft, this James Dyson National Award-winning design is essentially an injection attachment that helps people who are afraid of needles or Trypanophobia. It is placed around an injection and is equipped with multiple round-tipped prongs that confuse the skin as needles prick through it. This creates a gentle stimulation that distracts the mind, so you are unable to differentiate between the touch of the prongs and the needle.

3. SoftFoot Pro

Designed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), the SoftFoot Pro is a prototype prosthetic foot designed to be a literal and metaphorical leap forward in the world of prosthetic design. The foot replicates the structure and movement of the human foot. Unlike the conventional prosthetics which often focus on sturdiness or provide minimal flexibility, the SoftFoot Pro is equipped with an ingenious design that offers human-like foot flexibility and agility without any motor, servo, circuit board, or battery.

4. The Wearable Mobility WIM Robot

Designed by WIRobotics, the WIM mobility assist wearable device is created for young consumers to walk and exercise better with a new age technique. The Wearable Mobility WIM robot is designed for those who suffer from issues with their legs, and have problems walking long distances. But the wearable is also great for those who work out for long hours in the gym, strengthening their lower body.

5. Inflatable Stretcher

Meet the Inflatable Stretcher – a truly innovative medical design. Designed by Yu-Hsin Wu, a student at Taiwan’s Shih Chien University, this stretcher is intended to be an incredible upgrade to the typical stretcher. The stretcher can be used to carry patients from the site of the accident to the hospital in a pretty safe manner. The stretcher cushions and protects the patient in the same manner as you would wrap someone in bubble wrap.

6. Samsung Galaxy Ring & Watch

Recently Samsung unveiled its latest wearables – the Galaxy Ring and the new Galaxy Watch lineup which includes the Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Galaxy Watch 7. Both have been jam-packed with amazing features to ensure you are always healthy and connected, irrespective if you’re into sports, or simply trying to improve your everyday wellness. A standout feature of the Ring is the Energy Score – which measures seven health metrics relating to sleep, heart rate, and activity. Wellness Tips are also provided based on your health data.

7. Augmented Limb

Called the Augmented Limb project, this innovative design offers astronauts an extra limb, helping them move around with ease in zero gravity. The limb is inspired by how animals like monkeys move around in 3-dimensional space, utilizing their tails as extra limbs, as well as the motion of reptiles like snakes, or even dinosaur tails when it comes to structural integrity and rigidity. The Augmented Limb is essentially a tail-like limb that can be attached through a backpack-like contraption.

8. MedEasy

Named MedEasy, this cleverly designed medicine box is intended for the elderly. It serves as a dependable everyday companion for the older generation, assisting them in keeping track of their medicines and managing them. A lot of the senior citizen will live, and deal with loneliness, and this product helps them to focus on their health and well-being, letting them take better care of themselves, and making sure they don’t miss any meds.

9. Transcutaenos Oxygen Sensor

This wearable medical device was designed by Deokhee Jeong, and it helps patients who are suffering from any kind of disease related to peripheral capillaries like peripheral arterial disease (PAD). When it comes to these diseases, it is quite important to take proactive action and to take good care once identified. This device keeps a check on the early signs by measuring skin oxygen levels. It is wearable and named the Transcutaneous Oxygen Sensor.

10. Wethm

Named Wethm, this compact device forms gentle vibrations of a train ride to slow down the thoughts in your head, and this is known as cardiovascular synchronization. The accessory is quite simple and effective, and it utilizes soft and gentle sounds to lull your mind and body to sleep. This device provides a peaceful and calm state of sleep. It uses soft buzzing to gently wake you up, helping you feel fresh and recharged.

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Revolutionary Prosthetic Foot achieves human-level flexibility and grip without motors or electronics

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Imagine the constant challenge of navigating everyday life without the natural flexibility of your feet. This is the reality for many amputees who rely on prosthetic feet that can feel clunky and restrictive. These prosthetics often lack the ability to adapt to uneven terrain or provide the natural push-off needed for a smooth gait. However, a groundbreaking design from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is poised to change the game for amputees everywhere. The SoftFoot Pro is a prototype prosthetic foot that is a literal and metaphorical leap forward in prosthetic design, mimicking the structure and movement of the human foot. Unlike conventional prosthetics that prioritize sturdiness or offer minimal flexibility, the SoftFoot Pro boasts an ingenious design that offers human-like foot flexibility and dexterity… without a single motor, servo, circuit board, or battery.

Designer: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Shedding the weight and complexity of motors and electronics, the SoftFoot Pro achieves impressive functionality through a clever combination of mechanics and materials. At its core is a mobile arch mechanism, crafted from lightweight yet robust titanium or aluminum alloy. This arch connects to five parallel chains, made from high-strength plastic segments that replicate the metatarsal and phalange bones of the human foot. Elastic connectors, acting like tendons, link the segments within each chain.

The brilliance of the SoftFoot Pro lies in the details. Running through each chain is an internal steel cable that anchors to the prosthetic’s heel. This cable, along with the elastic connectors, mimics the plantar fascia – the band of tissue in the human foot that stores and releases energy with each step. This ingenious design allows the SoftFoot Pro to absorb impact, propel the user forward with a natural push-off, and even conform to uneven surfaces. This enhanced flexibility translates to greater stability and a more natural gait for users.

Weighing in at a mere 450 grams (1 pound), the SoftFoot Pro is incredibly lightweight despite its ability to support users weighing up to 100 kg (220 lbs). Initial trials conducted at Hannover Medical School and the Medical University of Vienna have yielded promising results. Amputees who participated in the trials experienced a significant improvement in their gait, with increased balance and a more natural walking experience on various terrains.

The applications of the SoftFoot Pro extend beyond human users. Researchers have also successfully tested the design on robots, including the Anymal quadruped robot and the HRP-4 humanoid robot. This versatility highlights the potential of this design to revolutionize not just prosthetics but also the field of robotics.

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