Diagnostic devices

When rescuing avalanche victims or other people in cold, snowy outdoor conditions, it can be difficult to monitor their vital signs via traditional means. The MedSENS device was created with that fact in mind, as it simply goes in the ear and gets strapped to the head.

Presently, in order to check electrolyte levels in newborn babies, blood samples are drawn from the infants twice a day. Soon, however, a "smart" pacifier could be used to non-invasively collect that same data.

A new direct-to-consumer test designed to detect a number of different respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and influenza has been authorized by the FDA. The test is the first of its kind to be approved that doesn't need a prescription from a doctor.

When treating patients for certain conditions, it's important to monitor their blood oxygen levels. A new sub-dermal photosensitive sensor provides a new means of doing so, plus it could one day be used to measure other blood-borne substances.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new test for Alzheimer’s disease. The test is the first in vitro diagnostic tool for Alzheimer’s to be approved for use in the United States measuring amyloid protein levels in spinal fluid.

Urine analysis may indeed be a valuable source of information on a patient's health, but arranging for samples to be taken and analyzed can be time-consuming. A new sensor could help, by allowing diapers to do the job on an ongoing basis.

Researchers have demonstrated a new kind of non-invasive skin cancer detection tool. Preliminary tests found the technology to be 97 percent effective at detecting cancer tissue and the researchers are now working to develop a cheap handheld device.

A new algorithm can effectively detect patients with a dangerous heart dysfunction using ECG data gathered by an Apple Watch. A large trial is now currently underway looking to test the clinical utility of the algorithm in one million people.

A prototype smartphone app has been developed to screen for the very earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The app tracks minute changes in a person’s pupil size, which previous research has shown can indicate pre-clinical neurological disease.

The first breath-based COVID-19 test has been issued an emergency use authorization by the FDA. The device takes three minutes to return results and has been found to be over 90 percent accurate in detecting positive COVID-19 cases.

Long before computers existed, the Inca people kept records using knotted strings known as quipu. That technology has inspired a new system for assessing gastrointestinal problems, which is considerably less expensive than conventional methods.

As the pandemic continues, most of us have gotten used to medical consultations being performed via the phone or Zoom. That said, there are still times when diagnostic devices need to be used … which is where the H3 Health Cube is designed to come in.