Tech Briefs

New Wearable Sensor Tracks Vitamin C Levels in Sweat

The noninvasive technology could support dietary adherence and detect nutritional deficiencies.

Spinal Stimulators Repurposed to Restore Touch in Lost Limb

Spinal cord stimulators could provide sensory feedback to a prosthetic arm.

Robotic Arm Helps Perform Delicate Surgeries

Sending small electrical currents to the fingertips of someone operating a robotic arm can help surgeons during robot-assisted procedures.

Fast-Tracking Diagnostic Testing for COVID-19 and Other Viruses

Plasma equipment manufacturer PVA TePla America was asked by a manufacturer of real-time PCR diagnostic tests to treat hundreds of thousands of plastic cartridges used to test for COVID-19.

Four Critical Challenges of Prehospital Infusion

Infusion pump manufacturers must address challenges to support paramedics.

Tiny, Magnetically Powered Implant Stimulates Brain Without Battery

Tests show that ‘magnetoelectric’ power is viable option for clinical-grade implants.

Simple Device Monitors Health Using Sweat

A single opening reduces the amount of evaporation.

Paper-Based Technology Advances Earlier Cancer Detection

The technology is more than 30 times more sensitive than current lab-based tests.

Wearable Patch May Provide New Treatment Option for Skin Cancer

The patch uses fully miniaturized needles, enabling unobtrusive drug delivery.

Multicolor Super-Resolution Imaging Made Easy

The number of colors is not limited by the microscope’s spectral channels or exploiting spectral crosstalk.

Smart Textiles Powered by Soft Transmission Lines

The fibers measure subtle and complex fabric deformations.

Engineers Design a Reusable, Silicone Rubber Face Mask

The prototype mask, which includes an N95 filter, can be easily sterilized and worn many times.

Implantable Biosensor Operates Without Batteries

The biodegradable motion sensor paves the way for implanted nanotechnology.

Virtual Reality Blood Flow Simulation to Improve Cardiovascular Interventions

3D interface provides cellular-level, full-body blood flow modeling to study and treat cardiovascular disease.

Device Simulates Filtering and Ion Transport Functions of Human Kidney

The technology could transform treatment options for people in the final stage of renal disease.

Cooling Insoles Reduce Foot Temperature, Tissue Breakdown

The insoles could prevent amputations caused by diabetic foot ulcers.

New Device Quickly Detects Lithium Ions in Blood of Bipolar Disorder Patients

The paper-based device allows point-of-care testing in one step.

Researchers Incorporate Computer Vision, Uncertainty into AI for Robotic Prosthetics

The software enables people using robotic prosthetics to walk in a more natural manner on different types of terrain.

Wireless, Skin-Mounted Sensors Monitor Babies, Pregnant Women

The affordable monitoring system can easily be implemented to provide clinical-grade care in nearly any setting.

Light-Based Deep Brain Stimulation Relieves Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Fast-acting, light-reactive genetic tools could reveal how deep brain stimulation works.

Additive Manufacturing Helps Isolate Cells In Aggressive Breast Cancer

The 3D structures recreate those found in tissues.

Off-the-Shelf Artificial Cardiac Patch Repairs Heart Attack Damage in Rats, Pigs

The patch can deliver cardiac cell-derived healing factors directly to the site of heart attack injury.

The Benefits of Embedding Marker Bands vs. Swaging

Advancements have enabled marker bands to be applied more safely and consistently.

Smart Devices Help Reduce Adverse Outcomes of Common Heart Condition

Mobile health devices can help with screening and detection.

Cardiac Patch with Bioink Developed to Repair Heart

The new method could be a breakthrough treatment of myocardial infarction.

Wearable Sensor Powered by AI Predicts Worsening Heart Failure before Hospitalization

Device could help doctors remotely detect changes in patients.

Disposable Device Treats Severe Side-Effect of Cancer

The device eliminates oral mucositis, a side effect of chemo- and radiation therapy.

Stretchable, Wearable Coils May Make MRI, Other Medical Tests Easier on Patients

The stretchable fabric is embroidered with conductive threads that provide excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

New Imaging Technology Provides Greater Definition

The SEER method is 67 times faster than current techniques.