Diagnostic devices

Scientists in the UK have developed an advanced handheld imaging device that could prove a powerful tool when it comes to tackling cancer, using a mix of gamma and optical imaging to build 3D images of cancerous growths beneath the skin.

According to Japan's Yokohama National University, jaundice occurs in 60 to 80 percent of all newborn babies, and can result in brain damage or even death if left unchecked. That's why they've developed a new wearable device to help in its treatment.

It can be difficult to determine if someone has malaria – enough so, that many people who don't even have the disease end up being treated for it. A new technique, however, could make diagnosis much easier and more reliable.

When someone has a skin condition such as eczema, it helps to be able to see all of the tiny ridges and grooves in the affected area. That's where a portable new device comes in, which is designed to produce 3D images of skin in a matter of minutes.

Continuous blood monitoring would be a transformative advance for doctors and a new study brings that reality closer. New research describes a device that can detect real-time changes in blood levels of any molecule a doctor would need to monitor.

A rapid COVID-19 test promises accurate results in under 30 minutes using a simple hand-held device, a nasal swab and a smartphone camera. The technology can also be modified to detect other viral diseases.

While we have already heard about contact lenses that monitor medical conditions, such lenses are often made from non-traditional materials. A new one, however, is composed of the same hydrogel as regular store-bought contacts.

Presently, in order to get a detailed analysis of their walking gait, patients have to travel to a clinic where they walk on a pressure-sensitive mat. That could be about to change, though, thanks to a new wearable system.

Preliminary research has discovered several blood-based biomarkers which can specifically indicate stroke damage to brain tissue. The goal of the research is to develop a simple blood test to rapidly detect whether a patient is suffering a minor stroke.

A new proof of concept study, led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has demonstrated how speech-analyzing artificial intelligence tools can effectively predict the level of loneliness in older adults.

New research has shown depression can be detected by monitoring a person's heart rate over a 24-hour period. The small study needs more verification but it points to a biomarker that could be easily integrated into patient monitoring systems.

A study is reporting promising results testing the world’s first portable MRI machine in a real-world intensive care setting. The device detected brain abnormalities in almost all patients studied, paving the way for new bedside diagnostic capabilities.