New Process Means Faster 3D Printing

Researchers have developed a printing process that prints strong nonmetallic materials in record time — five times faster than traditional 3D printing. The process, called SWOMP, which stands for Selective dual-wavelength Olefin metathesis 3D printing, uses dual-wavelength light, unlike the traditional printing process. Read on to learn more.

Smart Contact Lens for Glaucoma Detection

Researchers have been testing ways to continuously and more comfortably detect these tiny fluctuations in pressure. A prototype smart contact lens measures eye pressure accurately, regardless of temperature. The contact lens wirelessly transmits real-time signals about eye pressure across a wide range of temperatures. Read on to learn more.

2024 Create the Future Design Contest: Medical Category Winner - A Smart Contact Lens for Glaucoma Management

Learn more about the 2024 Create the Future Design Contest Medical Category Winner: A Smart Contact Lens for Glaucoma Management.

New Imaging Device Improves Ear Disease Diagnosis

Read on to learn about a groundbreaking advancement from the University of Southern California’s Caruso Department of Otolaryngology: a portable OCT otoscope that integrates optical coherence tomography with the traditional otoscope, to improve diagnostic capabilities in hearing clinics.

Tunable Lasers Expand for Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

Many research labs are turning to tunable lasers, or optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), for nanosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. OPOs have long been utilized in sophisticated test and measurement applications such as mass spectrometry and photoacoustic imaging. Read on to learn why these tunable pulsed lasers are being utilized.

Ultrahigh Sensing Platform

New research unlocks the power of exceptional points (EPs) for advanced optical sensing. Unlike traditional methods that require modifications to the sensor itself, the system features an EP control unit that can plug in to physically separated external sensors. Read on to learn more.

Medical Imaging: Trends Shaping Diagnostic Advancements

This article explores key modalities like ultrasound, MRI, OCT, x-ray, CT, and PET, as well as several emerging trends that are driving performance improvements. Read on to learn more.

Therapeutic Ultrasound: Contactless Drug Delivery and Treatment Enabled by Piezo Transducers

Therapeutic ultrasound opens up numerous new fields of application for the treatment of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, or cancer diseases. Read on to learn how.

Implant Targets Optical Stimulation

A new device platform allows for smaller wireless light sources to be placed within the human body. Research indicates that such light sources will enable novel, minimally invasive means of treating and...

Linear Motion Design Considerations for Medical Device OEMs

Medical device designers must consider several factors when selecting the appropriate technologies and evaluating their development partners. Read on to learn what these factors are and more.

How Medical Robotics Is Transforming Healthcare

In this Q&A, Graysen Vigneux, medical analyst at GlobalData, explores how AI and machine learning are playing crucial roles in enhancing the precision and safety of these devices, enabling remote surgeries, and providing real-time assistance during operations.

Optical Sensor Enables Continuous Noninvasive Glucose Sensing

A team has discovered new aspects of glucose’s infrared signature and have used this information to develop a miniaturized optical sensor only 5mm in diameter that could one day be used to provide continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring in diabetes management.

The Role of Photochemical Etching in Thermal Management

The PCE process efficiently manufactures precise metal parts for thermal management in micro electronic devices, ensuring high accuracy without stress or deformation. It handles diverse metals, creating tailored thermal solutions like heat sinks and TIMs for everything from smartphones to powerful computers.

A Miniaturized Robotic-Assisted Surgery System

The goal of Virtual Incision is to offer a way for facilities to add systems and improve their efficiency without disrupting their existing infrastructure. To do this, the company designed and manufactured MIRA, the world’s first miniaturized RAS platform that aims to be easily transported and set up in any operating room.

Smart Earrings Can Monitor a Person’s Temperature

University of Washington researchers introduced the Thermal Earring, a wireless wearable that continuously monitors a user’s earlobe temperature. In a study of six users, the earring outperformed a smartwatch at sensing skin temperature during periods of rest.

The Use of Parylene-Coated Mandrels in the Balloon Catheter Manufacturing Process

The process of manufacturing high-quality and reliable balloon catheters is critical to a number of advanced medical treatments for patients including balloon angioplasty, stent and drug delivery, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, atherectomy, renal denervation, and laser balloon angioplasty.

OPO Lasers: Putting Optical Components to the Test

Optical parametric oscillator (OPO) lasers test optical fibers and components to characterize the spectral response of optical components. Now, these tunable pulsed lasers are being used to facilitate a range of tests at different wavelengths to qualify and quantify the performance of optical components such as fiber optic strands, filters, lenses, and coated mirrors.

Diamond Quantum Sensors Improve Magnetic Imaging

A research team has developed diamond quantum sensors that can be used to improve resolution in magnetic imaging.

Ultra-Sensitive Photoacoustic Microscopy Enables New Biomedical Applications

A research team from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) developed a multi-spectral, super-low-dose photoacoustic microscopy system with a significant improvement in the system sensitivity limit, enabling new biomedical applications and clinical translation in the future.

Pocket-Sized Device Could Spot Infected Wounds Faster

Scientists have developed a device that works with a smartphone or tablet to capture medical images that can identify infected wounds. By capturing the heat produced by a wound and the fluorescence of bacteria, it helps clinicians tell the difference between inflammation and a potentially dangerous infection.

Sensor Uses Computer Vision-Based Optical Strain Technology

A research team has successfully overcome the limitations of soft strain sensors by integrating computer vision technology into optical sensors. The team developed a sensor technology known as computer vision-based optical strain (CVOS).

OPO Lasers Spur Advances in Mass Spectrometry Diagnostics

As mass spectrometry technology continues to evolve, so will the applications that can benefit from this important tool.

Assembly Technology for Next-Generation Robot-Assisted Surgery Systems and Instruments

The experience of technology providers in developing minimally invasive surgical instruments and RAS systems assembly offers significant advantages for the leading manufacturers of robot-assisted surgical systems.

Overcoming Blockers to Digitizing Manufacturing Operations

The digitized manufacturing environment is here and continues to gain momentum. For many companies in the life sciences arena, industry 4.0 is a business strategy.

Bioinspired Imaging Sensor Advances FGS

There is a high risk of cancer recurrence if even a small number of cancerous cells are left behind after surgical resection. To prevent this, researchers have developed fluorescence-guided surgery...

3D Imaging Sensor Offers High Angular Resolution

A research team has developed a 3D imaging sensor that has an extremely high angular resolution, which is the capacity of an optical instrument to distinguish points of an object separated by a...

Linear Motion Design Considerations for Medical Device OEMs

Linear actuators — in particular, electromechanical linear actuators — have become integral components of modern medical devices because of their high precision, accuracy, and ability to deliver repeatable motion control.

MRI Safety Testing: How Device Manufacturers Can Ensure Safety of Patients with Implants

With a view to the absolute safety of patients, medical device manufacturers must be aware of the potential risks of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Wearable Sensor Uses Ultrasound to Provide Cardiac Imaging ‘On the Go’

Engineers and physicians have developed a wearable ultrasound device that can assess both the structure and function of the human heart.