Medical: April 2008 Archives

A couple of days we told you about i-LIMB - a bionic hand that is already being used by disabled servicemembers, and now another bionic hand has shown up on the scene.

The Fluidhand seems to have similar features to the i-LIMB and we say the more bionic hands out there helping amputees lead more normal lives the better (and I for one welcome our new bionic overlords!).

The New Scientist reported on a headset that can read people's brainwaves. It is powered by thermoelectrics and solar panels and can transmit brainwaves over wifi.

"A lightweight battery-free headset can continuously monitor human brainwaves, and is powered by body heat and sunlight.

The portable electroencephalogram (EEG) device resembles a set of headphones. It could provide wireless monitoring of patients at risk of seizures, have cars or other machinery respond to stressed users, or provide new ways to interact with computer games."

(more at newscientist)

A Portuguese company Biodevices S.A. has come up with a shirt that continuously monitors your heart.

It works the same way as the electrocardiogram (EKG) test you get at the hospital but monitors continuously and either saves data to a SD card for future review or transmits via bluetooth to a phone or PDA for real-time monitoring.

It even has a built-in vibration alarm to alert you if you heart rate exceeds a user defined level.

The Vitaljacket will be available soon for 399 euros (about $625).

(vitaljacket via talk2myshirt)