Home Blog Page 326

Lung Sound Monitor

Visual and auditory analysis of respiratory sound signals promises improved detection of certain types of lung diseases. LabVIEW software was used to design a system that monitors the respiratory activity of the patient. The program developed calculates the respiratory rate, displays the time expanded waveform of the lung sound, and computes the fast Fourier transform and short-time Fourier transform to present the power spectrum and spectrogram respectively. These parameters are transmitted synchronously to the remote station using the Internet for online monitoring of the patient.

Keywords: lung sounds, power spectrum, spectrogram, monitoring, remote, LabVIEW

Lung sounds provide vital information about respiratory health and disease. Lung sounds can be classified as normal sounds or adventitious sounds. The presence of adventitious sounds usually indicates a pulmonary disorder. The adventitious sounds are of two types: continuous and discontinuous. Continuous adventitious sounds are wheezes and rhonchi. Wheezes have dominant frequency, usually >100 Hz, and a duration >100 milliseconds. Wheezes are due to airways obstruction in the lungs.

For diagnosis of respiratory diseases physicians largely rely on their auditory skills for interpretation of the sounds acquired using the stethoscope. The success of this practice depends on the experience and training of the doctor. With the advancement in computer applications various new techniques are available for lung sound analysis which can assist the doctor in faster and more accurate diagnosis of these diseases while minimizing human error.

In certain cases of patients suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma, continuous monitoring is required even when the patient is discharged from the hospital for prevention of failure of out-patient therapy and timely recognition of symptoms. To address these issues treatment needs to be monitored remotely and quickly adapted to a change in health status.  Read More..

Also Read: Philips CoughAssist T70

Philips CoughAssist T70

CoughAssist T70 is a mechanical insufflation-exsufflation device designed to noninvasively clear secretions from the lungs by simulating a natural cough. Similar to a normal deep breath, CoughAssist gradually applies positive air pressure (insufflation) to obtain a large volume of air within the lungs. The device then quickly reverses the flow of air by shifting to negative air pressure (exsufflation). The resulting high expiratory flow helps mobilize secretions out of the airway as a deep, natural cough would do.

Features

Control and synchronization

The proprietary, integrated Cough-Trak algorithm gives patients the ability to initiate their therapy. By triggering on patient inspiration, this feature helps to synchronize therapy with the user’s breathing pattern allowing for more control of therapy and a more comfortable, natural treatment.

Flexibility in delivering therapy

Three highly customizable therapy modes offer the ability to better tailor therapy to patient needs and treatment settings; Manual, Auto, Advanced Auto. From complete manual control over every aspect of treatment by a clinician or caregiver to a fully automated treatment mode including pressure settings, pre-therapy breaths and cough cycles.

Loosening and mobilization

CoughAssist offers an adjustable oscillation feature designed to enhance the loosening of mucus from the bronchial walls and increase mobilization of secretions to help improve bronchial drainage and increase the benefits of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation therapy.¹,²

Flexibility in delivering therapy

Three highly customizable therapy modes offer the ability to better tailor therapy to patient needs and treatment settings; Manual, Auto, Advanced Auto. From complete manual control over every aspect of treatment by a clinician or caregiver to a fully automated treatment mode including pressure settings, pre-therapy breaths and cough cycles.

Enhance clinical evaluation and reporting

Data management tools help assess therapy efficacy and enable better clinical decision-making around patient use and treatment settings. Achieve the most effective cough with insight into a patient’s response to therapy from CoughAssist by monitoring data including peak cough flow and oxygen saturation while also reviewing pressure and flow waveforms. Read more

Fitbit takes on Apple with new smartwatch

In its newest competitor to the Apple Watch, Fitbit rolled out a $330 smartwatch with a few new tricks. The company’s Fitbit Sense smartwatch has new sensors to track stress levels and skin temperature, as well as a new ECG app that is pending FDA clearance.

Fitbit has emphasized health features in its devices since it first began integrating heart rate monitoring into its devices. Its newest smartwatch goes a step further with features to track stress, including an ectodermal activity sensor, which effectively picks up on sweaty palms by measuring changes in the skin’s conductance.

Fitbit also said it provides a stress management score, based on a user’s heart rate, sleep and activity data.

“We are breaking new ground with our wearables, helping you better understand and manage your stress and heart health, and pulling your key health metrics together in a simple and digestible way to track things like skin temperature, heart rate variability, and SpO2 so you can see how it’s all connected,” Fitbit CEO James Park said in a news release.

In addition to these new features, Fitbit has several ongoing studies to prove the value of its wearables’ health features. The company is currently running a large-scale study of its technology’s ability to detect atrial fibrillation compared to a physician-interpreted ECG patch. Fitbit has previously said it plans to submit its atrial fibrillation algorithm to the FDA for clearance. Via…

Flashback: Soft Electronics for Advanced Heart Catheters

#hellen

IMAN Cosmetics

Welcome to IMAN, your new personal makeup matchmaker that will find the perfect shade for your skin! IMAN will catch the adequate foundation color match for you. With IMAN, women get exclusive access to the biggest cosmetics secrets at their fingertips: how to properly use concealer, embellish their eyes & lips and make them feel like real top models!

IMAN will satisfy all your beauty needs and quickly become your favorite virtual beauty advisor app.

IMAN is really easy to use; you just have to take a selfie or upload a picture of yourself and wait to get unique and personalized beauty advice such as: what foundation color will match your skin best? Which powder shade should you use? Get an array of lipstick palettes to match all the colors of your outfits and fit any event you’re planning to attend.

IMAN will provide you with the best makeup tutorials (learn how to make smoky eyes or plumper lips) and moreover, the best beauty products for a plum perfect face. This app will fulfill all your beauty needs in a fun and easy way!

IMAN’s main features are:

– Instantaneity: the beauty advice is given immediately after you take a selfie (or upload a picture of yours).

– Personalized: the app uses a color matching technology (such as foundation color match) and is based on your lifestyle and your skin shade.

– Meet your match: Pay less for the same beauty products. If you have a cosmetic product (such as concealer, lipstick, powder or other) from a different makeup brand, this app will find your comparable IMAN Cosmetics match.- #IMAN Cosmetics: share posts on social media with IMAN’s hashtag for a chance to be featured on the app.

– Shop IMAN: See new collections and buy any beauty products that you want: lipstick, concealer, powder and many more!

– Find a store: Find the closest store near you. Via…

Flashback: Keep A Breast Foundation and Carbon Health Partner on Self-Check App

#hellen

TriPollar STOP X: Effective facial rejuvenation

The TriPollar Stop X follows on from the unprecedented success of the existing range of TriPollar Stop devices. This device is the first of its kind to incorporate Radio Frequency technology, which is something that has only previously been available in salons.

To ensure clinical efficacy, this device heats the skin to at least 100.4 degrees Farenheit. This latest technology means your session is comfortable, quick and effective, taking just 6-8 minutes to complete a full facial treatment.

TriPollar Stop X is the first FDA-cleared device in the range that uses Radio Frequency. The device diffuses powerful waves inside the dermis, which enhances cell penetration in terms of facial toning and tightening. You can also use the device to additionally focus on the upper layer of the skin for a more effective treatment.

The electrodes are larger and smoother than the TriPollar Stop or Stop V, allowing for a great coverage and faster treatment time. This means you’ll see results quicker – and each session takes just 4 minutes per treatment area. What’s more, the built-in temperature sensor optimizes your treatment, intensifying the results without compromising on safety.

THE RESULTS

TriPollar Stop X works incredibly quickly – results can be seen immediately after the first treatment and are long-lasting. With continued use, it can effectively slow down the signs of aging. For best results, use the device 2-3 times a week for around 6-8 weeks. Following this, you can maintain your results with repeat treatments around 2-4 times a month as needed. Read more…

Also Read: Beyou: Make-Up Artists to Your Door

#hellen

Beyou: Make-Up Artists to Your Door

Beyou is a mobile make-up application which allows you to book make-up artists to your door whenever and wherever you are.

Beyou is designed to work around your budget which may vary from occasion to occasion. Whether you want to spend £35 or £100+, the app provides the option to choose your preferred make-up artist, location and time. If it’s a girlie night out, or a wedding, Beyou has got it covered!

How it works:

Simply post a job, then the mobile app sends you notifications from available make-up artists in your area, allowing you to make immediate bookings wherever you are in London postcodes (those outside London can contact the Beyou team who will act as a concierge to help arrange your appointment).

The free to download make-up app is user-friendly​ and makes it easy to book a make-up artist around your busy schedule at the click of a button.

You choose the make-up artist:

Beyou allows you to make the final decision on which make-up artist shows up at your door. You will be able to view each make-up artist’s profile along with a snapshot of their portfolio of work and previous client reviews. If you love a particular make-up artist, you can also search for their profile along with other available artists and make direct bookings through the Beyou app. Read more…

Also Read: Treatwell: hair & beauty

#hellen

Treatwell: hair & beauty

Treatwell is the best way to book hair and beauty online. Find salons in your area, read reviews, book (rebook and reschedule), on the Treatwell app. Whichever treatment you’re after – haircut, wax, massage – we’ll help you sort a salon slot, 24/7.

It’s quick and easy – our app users can vouch for that – so you can book your next appointment in under 45 seconds, for real. Go for your usual, or try out a new treatment, and discover the most-loved salons in your area. No places nearby? We bring salons onto Treatwell every day, so if you can’t find a venue near you just yet, you (hopefully) will soon.

All of that – and more great stuff below – on the Treatwell app.

Why booking online is better:

– Scroll through our list of treatment categories, and book your usual, or try something new.

– Filter thousands of salons, to find the best in your area. Found a keeper? Save it to ‘Your favourites’ because, well, it’s your favourite, and rebook there (easily) next time.

– Read reviews – millions of them – written by our customers, so you know what to expect at every salon.

– Add appointments to your calendar; life’s busy, we’ll keep track.

– Find your salon easily, with our in-app map functionality.

– Choose an off-peak time (like afternoons, or ‘quiet periods’) to get a better price.

– Pre-pay, pre-treatment, so you can stroll in and out of the salon on the day.

– Manage all your appointments in one place – rebook, reschedule or cancel if you need to.

– Get push notifications straight to your home screen, so you never forget an appointment, or miss a discount, again. Read more…

Also Read: Ada – your health companion

#hellen

Ada – your health companion

Ada helps you and your loved ones check symptoms and discover what might be causing them – day or night without an appointment. Whatever’s bothering you, from stomach problems to headache, Ada can help you find answers and let you know if you should see a doctor. Developed by doctors and scientists, our app is trustworthy, fast, and available when and where you need a health check.

How does it work?

You answer simple questions about your own or someone else’s health and symptoms.

Ada’s AI assesses your answers against its medical dictionary of thousands of disorders and conditions.

You receive a personalized assessment report that tells you what could be wrong and what to do next.

What can you expect?

– Data privacy and security – we apply the strictest data regulations to protect you and keep your information private.

– Smart results – our core system connects medical knowledge with intelligent technology.

– Personalized health information – your guidance is personal to your unique profile.

– Assessments for loved ones – if you assess someone else, their information stays separate from your own.

– Health checks – your assessments include information that may be relevant and helpful to your doctor.

– 24/7 access – you can use the free symptom checker anytime, anywhere.

What can you tell Ada?

Ada answers medical questions of every kind. Here are some of the most common searches:

Symptoms

– Fever

– Loss of appetite

– Headache

– Abdominal pain and tenderness

– Nausea

– Fatigue

– Vomiting

– Dizziness

– Cough

Conditions

– Common cold

– Influenza infection (flu)

– Viral sinusitis

– Diabetes

– Tension headache

– Migraine

– Irritable bowel syndrome

– Anxiety disorder

– Acute panic attack

– Depression

– Chlamydia

– Gonorrhea

– Herpes Read more…

Also Read: Fitbit takes on Apple with new smartwatch

#hellen

Electrocorticography Implant for Plug and Play Brain-Computer Control

Researchers at UC San Francisco have used an electrocorticography (ECoG) implant to develop a brain-computer interface that does not need to be recalibrated and retrained each time it is used, allowing an experienced user to plug in and begin using the system at any time. The technique could allow for brain controlled prosthetic limbs or wheelchairs for disabled people.

“The brain computer interface field has made great progress in recent years, but because existing systems have had to be reset and recalibrated each day, they haven’t been able to tap into the brain’s natural learning processes. It’s like asking someone to learn to ride a bike over and over again from scratch,” said Karunesh Ganguly, a researcher involved in the study. “Adapting an artificial learning system to work smoothly with the brain’s sophisticated long-term learning schemas is something that’s never been shown before in a person with paralysis.”

A key aspect of the success of the new system is the ECoG array used by the researchers as a brain implant. The notepad sized electrode array is surgically placed on the brain surface, and is less invasive compared with traditional brain implants which penetrate the brain tissue and resemble a pin cushion. These traditional implant tend to move about in the tissue, making the signals they transmit somewhat unstable. They also suffer from immune rejection as the implants cause tissue damage. While the ECoG array is less sensitive, it appears to provide a more stable signal over time, making it more suitable for a plug and play system. Via…

Flashback: Laser-Controlled Microrobots Small Enough for Injections

#hellen

 

Laser-Controlled Microrobots Small Enough for Injections

Microrobots researchers have been working for decades, in a seemingly futile attempt, to keep up with the miniaturization that has been achieved in the field of microelectronics. Although rudimentary microscopic robots have been developed, they have failed to take full advantage of conventional silicon electronics and so are limited in their functionality. Specifically, no one has developed an actuator at micrometer resolutions that can work with semiconductor processing and be triggered using conventional electronic signals.

Now, researchers from Cornell University are reporting in the journal Nature that they have successfully created millions of sub-hundred-micrometer walking robots that operate using conventional electronics. These are so small, about the size of paramecium, that hundreds of them can pass through a hypodermic needle at the same time. The robots feature four electrochemical actuators as legs that connect to silicon photovoltaics that serve as the processing center.

“In the context of the robot’s brains, there’s a sense in which we’re just taking existing semiconductor technology and making it small and releasable,” said Paul McEuen, one of the scientists that led the project. “But the legs did not exist before. There were no small, electrically activatable actuators that you could use. So we had to invent those and then combine them with the electronics.” Via…

Flashback: Fitbit takes on Apple with new smartwatch

#hellen