Wearables

Contact Lens Could Diagnose Glaucoma

The new contact lenses contain microsensors that monitor changes in IOP over a period of several hours, sending the data collected wirelessly so it can be analyzed by an ophthalmologist and a diagnosis given.

Wireless Drug Patch Shows Promise as Chronic Disease Treatment Delivery System

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists created a new drug-delivery system, called the Spatiotemporal On-Demand Patch (SOP), which can receive commands wirelessly from a smartphone or computer to schedule and trigger the release of drugs from individual microneedles.

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.

Novel ‘Bone Bandage’ Material for Cracked Bones

Researchers have developed a biomimetic scaffold that generates electrical signals upon the application of pressure by utilizing the unique osteogenic ability of hydroxyapatite (HAp). HAp is...

AI-Powered ‘Eye’ Helps Visually Impaired to See

A team of researchers has developed a wearable assistive device that helps people with visual impairment ‘see’ objects around them with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). AiSee...

Electronic Polymer Patch Prevents Misplaced Radiation

Using a simple concept and a patented sensor that detects radioactive materials, a team has developed a patch to stop damage to healthy tissue during proton radiotherapy, one of the best...

Wearable Heart Monitor Offers More Comfort, Less Irritation

A team led by RMIT University has made a wearable ECG device that could be used to prevent heart attacks for people with cardiovascular disease, including in remote healthcare and ambulatory care settings.

Soft Robotic, Wearable Device Improves Walking for Individual with Parkinson’s

Researchers have used a soft, wearable robot to help a person living with Parkinson’s walk without freezing. The robotic garment, worn around the hips and thighs, gives a gentle push to the hips as the leg swings, helping the patient achieve a longer stride.

‘Smart Glove’ Boosts Hand Mobility

A new washable wireless smart textile technology has potential uses in virtual reality and American Sign Language. The glove incorporates a sophisticated network of highly sensitive sensor yarns and pressure sensors.

A Breakthrough in Wearable Neuromodulation

An at home, non-invasive for urge urinary incontinence and urinary urgency without the need for surgery, implants, or drugs demonstrated to potential of wearable neuromodulation.

Navigating Clinical Trials with Wearables

Medical-grade wearables can increase patient engagement and gather robust data for clinical trials.

Powering Wearables: Balancing Battery Life with Power Efficiency

Wearable medical devices must balance the need for continuous monitoring with power efficiency.

Seamless Integration and Interoperability of Wearables

Achieving interoperability as medical-grade wearables integrate with diverse healthcare systems.

Helmet with Sensors Records Brain Function

Researchers have designed a lightweight helmet with tiny LEGO-size sensors that scan the brain while a person moves. The helmet is the first of its kind to accurately record magnetic fields generated by brain activity while people are in motion.

Patch Uses Body Motion for Disc Herniation

The tension-activated repair patches (TARPs) provide controlled release of an anti-inflammatory molecule called anakinra from microcapsules over time, which helped discs in a large animal model regain the tension they need to reverse herniation and prevent further degeneration.

MD&M West Show Preview

MD&M West features products and insights across medical specialties such as medical devices, digital health, hospital equipment and supplies, cardiovascular solutions, pharmaceuticals, and much more. In her keynote, Jennifer Samproni will share her vision for the growing role that human machine interfaces (HMI) will play in the future of medical device innovation.

2024: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Healthcare

As industry navigates technological frontiers, the collective goal is to enhance patient experiences, streamline processes, and make healthcare more accessible and equitable. This article explores key emerging trends that are not only improving patient engagement but are also set to redefine the future of healthcare.

Wearable Ultrasound Monitor Can Aid Rehabilitation from Injury

Parag Chitnis, PhD, of George Mason University led a team that developed a wearable ultrasound system that can produce clinically relevant information about muscle function during dynamic physical activity.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on a lightweight, motorized exoskeleton that can restore much of the sensation of walking with two healthy legs; one on a new method of brain stimulation that does not call for an implant; one on a device that combines wearable biosensors with AI software to help recognize what hand gesture a person intends to make; and more.

Wireless, Handheld, Noninvasive Device Detects Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Biomarkers

An international team of researchers has developed a handheld, noninvasive device that can detect biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The biosensor can also transmit the results wirelessly to a laptop or smartphone.

The Impact of Wearables on the World of Real-Time Sensing

Multimodal assessment allows healthcare professionals to assess multiple domains of functioning, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the disease's impact on an individual.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including an ultrathin cable module for single-use endoscopes from Omnivision, CUI Inc's dc-dc converter, Vision Engineering's stereo microscopes, Henkel's expanded portfolio for wearables, SupplyOne's packaging solutions, and more.

Acoustic Touch Helps Blind to See

A cutting-edge technology known as acoustic touch helps people see using sound. The technology has the potential to transform the lives of those who are blind or have low vision.

Piezoelectric Material Printing

A microprinter can print piezoelectric films 100 times faster for the production of MEMS for sensors, wearable, or implantable medical devices, offering the possibility to lower the mass production costs.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on a pair of earbuds that can be turned into a tool to record the electrical activity of the brain as well as levels of lactate in the body, one on a non-invasive cancer treatment that uses ultrasound to break up tumors in the body, and more.

Medical Devices on the Ice

From injury prevention to player performance monitoring, cutting-edge medical technologies such as wearable devices, advanced imaging, and data analytics have become integral components in the realm of hockey. Take this quiz to learn more about the impact of medical technology on the sport and the players.

Designing Medical Devices That Minimize Healthcare Costs

Experienced design teams that have the expertise in the regulatory aspect of device design during the R&D process (involving UX/UI design, human factors engineering, user research, prototyping) will be coveted, especially with the growth that is occurring in the home medical equipment market.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on a wearable, textile-based device that could compensate for deficiencies in visual and auditory inputs by tapping the sense of touch; one on a 3D-printed heart; one on the eradication of advanced-stage mesothelioma in mice; and more.

Magnetic Gel Improves Wound Health

An innovative magnetic wound-healing gel promises to accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds, reduce the rates of recurrence, and in turn, lower the incidents of limb amputations.