Join Touch Bionics announces brand new i-LIMB Pulse
Touch Bionics has just announced its latest bionic medical device that ought to stoke the hearts of those looking for an unprecedented, agile yet affordable (relatively speaking, of course) bionic hand known as the i-LIMB Pulse. This will be the next logical as well as evolutionary step forward from the i-LIMB Hand, which incidentally was the first commercially available bionic hand in the world for the masses. The i-LIMB Pulse proves to be a significant advance for the i-LIMB product line, where users will be able to take advantage of a host of enhancements such as pulsing grip strength, software-enabled grip patterns and robust aluminium features for improved strength.
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Color Interpreting Blood Pressure Monitor
As one gets older, more and more maladies tend to pop up out of nowhere. Case in point, high blood pressure, making it essential to monitor your blood pressure frequently from your home without waiting for the annual health checkup to do so. For those who are too lazy to understand whether the figures presented in a blood pressure reading is high or low, here’s a gizmo that ought to help you out in a jiffy – we’re talking about the Color Interpreting Blood Pressure Monitor. Offering precise readings, if your blood pressure is on the high end, then it will be displayed with a red tinge on the monitor, while those who are still on the safe side will be happy to see a blue glow instead. Sounds like a luxurious $79.95 to spend on, but it is a gift worth considering if you want to get mom and dad something this summer as a gift.
SOLARLINK FR360 from Eton Corporation, recommended by the American Red Cross
I’ve seen emergency devices before, but the SOLARLINK FR360 has four options for powering.
It has a solar charger on the top of the handle that isn’t visible on this photo, and it also has a hand-crank for charging the rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack.
Of course, those are the green power sources. You can also use 3 AAA batteries, or an AC power cable, which is not included.
The FR360 is clearly meant to be used in emergency situations, and is given the recommendation by the American Red Cross.
Continue reading » SOLARLINK FR360 from Eton Corporation, recommended by the American Red Cross
Messenger Dogs get a technical upgrade
I am not old enough to remember a time when a rescue dog consisted of a Saint Bernard with a small barrel of brandy around its neck.
Fortunately, we are doing things differently now. Here’s another development in rescue dogs with this project from the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design.
Student Laura Boffi came up with a high-tech dog collar that has the ability to search for survivors, tag the geolocation where the survivors are found, and then take a message back to the person’s loved ones while they wait for rescue.
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Canon announces SX7 Mark II D projector
Canon is back with a brand new projector from its award-winning REALiS Multimedia Projector lineup, known as the SX7 Mark II D with DICOM Simulation Mode. Of course, us regular folks might scratch our heads and wonder what all of that is about, but for folks who are in the medical-education field, they can now view monochrome digital X-Rays, CAT Scans and MRI’s with accurate color and precise detail thanks to the REALiS SX7 Mark II D. After all, you wouldn’t want your doctor or surgeon to misdiagnose your illness simply because of poor visuals when it comes to interpreting your X-ray, would you? Not only that, the SX7 Mark II D is able to meet this need on a scale much larger when compared to traditional monitors.
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Hanako Showa: The robot dental patient
I recently had my mouth examined by a dentist, and I was fortunate to get one with years of experience. I always wondered who are the patients for the starting dentist.
Fortunately, the dentist-in-training will have more at his disposal than a frightened grin with this 5-foot tall Japanese robot developed by Showa University and robot maker Tmsuk. This robot, named Hanako Showa, has very realistic movements of its eyes, head, and tongue. It even has a place for saliva, so its mouth will have to be sucked out just like a real patient.
Hanako can also behave in a realistic way such as saying “Ouch! It hurts!” and turning its head. I can only assume that the novice dentist must apply some fake Novocaine. Then the dentist can ask the patient “are you OK?” I am assuming the robot will respond affirmatively if you’re doing it right.
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Germ Eliminating Razor Sanitizer
We’ve seen sanitizing toothbrush setups before, but this one is slightly different since it does razors instead in the form of the Germ Eliminating Razor Sanitizer. As usual, ultraviolet light is used to make sure that all those nasties residing on your razor blade will bite the dust before it can infect you through an accidental cut – or at least up to 99% of the germs out there. All you need to do is place the razor within the case, closed the lid and let the UV bulb get to work right away for six minutes. This case s small enough to be stored in a toiletry bag wherever you go, and will shut itself off automatically after each cycle. Capable of lasting up to 2,000 hours, this $29.95 device is powered by a couple of AAA batteries.
Nintendo Wii could help stroke victims recover
We have reported how WiiSports and other Wii activities are simply not as good real exercise.
However, a recent research project by the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2010 would suggest that playing these virtual reality games could help stroke victims improve their motor function.
This study was based on 20 stroke survivors, and both groups engaged in eight one hour sessions over a two week period approximately two months after suffering from a stroke. The ones who played Wii Tennis as well as Wii Cooking Mama demonstrated “significant” motor “improvement in speed and extent of recovery”.
Continue reading » Nintendo Wii could help stroke victims recover
