Watson could answer medical questions, too: If you watched Jeopardy! last week, you probably know that IBM’s highly-advanced artificial intelligence software, Watson, prevailed against Jeopardy!‘s most successful contestants. Besides the amazing ability to power through "Daily Doubles" and answer random trivia in the form of a question, IBM researchers believe that Watson could revolutionize the healthcare industry. From diagnostics to informatics, Watson could quickly search through medical records, clinical documents and research information for precise answers that would benefit both doctors and patients. Check out the YouTube video below to see physicians explain how Watson’s technology could transform medicine.
Mathematicians model bone implant scaffolds: Mathematicians from The University of Queensland are working on a material for bone implants that more closely matches the geometry and properties of the surrounding bone. Traditional titanium implants are much stiffer than human bone and cannot be customized to the patient’s anatomy. They used a technique called topology optimisation to design the layout of the material that forms a three-dimensional scaffold. A high-powered laser is then used to melt metal powder into the required shape, layer by layer. The material could be used to create customized implants and features bone pores similar to those found in normal bone. Results were published in the Nov. 2010 issue of Advanced Engineering Materials.
LifeNexus launches patient records with payment card functionality: LifeNexus Inc. launched an electronic health card that combines an individual’s health record and a payment card option. The Broomfield, Colo.-based company has worked for years with MasterCard, Visa, VeriFone, Emdeon, and others, to deliver this technology to the market. According to the company’s statement announcing the launch, the LifeNexus Personal Health Card is powered by a proprietary iChip technology (Individually Controlled Health Information Platform), that utilizes "mobile server" technology "embedded on a chip card which is both encrypted and password-protected, providing a highly secure environment to store comprehensive and potentially lifesaving health information for individuals and their family members." Before a patient or provider can use the card, the LifeNexus requires a download of desktop software.
iSense system senses muscle fatigue: For most athletes, "no pain, no gain" is a philosophy to live by. However, too much pain can be bad, as excessive muscle fatigue could lead to serious injury. The difficulty is that athletes rely on their own perception of muscle fatigue when training, and often it is too late by the time they feel sore. A new device from the University of Essex, called the iSense, allows athletes to train without risking injuring their muscles due to overexertion. The iSense works by predicting and detecting the status of muscles during training. Sensors measure small electrical signals muscles produce when they contract. If the device detects that there is too much strain on a muscle, it will warn the user. Though the iSense was designed with athletes in mind, the technology can be used in other applications, such as for the elderly and disabled, who often suffer from muscle fatigue due to lack of movement.
A weekly roundup of new developments in medical technology, by MedGadget.com.