Browse Topic: Fluids and secretions

Items (386)
Find
Sensors Measure Uric Acid LevelsTBMG-4977901/01/2024
Researchers have invented sensor-based noninvasive medical devices to make the monitoring and treatment of certain physiological and psychological conditions timelier and more precise.
Extraction of Largely Unexplored Bodily Fluid Could Be a New Source of BiomarkersTBMG-4691911/01/2022
Wireless Smart Contact Lenses Detect DiseaseTBMG-4554204/01/2022
Having diabetes means a lifelong obligation of insulin shots and monitoring of blood glucose levels. But a team of researchers has developed a way to control the secretion of insulin just by wearing contact lenses.
Bioprinted 3D Cardiac Patches Could Reverse Scar Formation After Heart AttacksTBMG-3976709/01/2021
Cardiovascular diseases account for 32 percent of global deaths. Myocardial infarction, or heart attacks, play a large part in heart diseases and the necrosis of cardiac tissue after blood supply is decreased or stopped.
Nearly Pain-Free Microneedle PatchTBMG-3961008/01/2021
Doctors often use blood samples to check for biomarkers of disease such as antibodies or cytokines indicative of inflammation seen in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis.
Wearable, All-in-One Health MonitorTBMG-3958508/01/2021
Engineers developed a soft, stretchy skin patch that can be worn on the neck to continuously track blood pressure and heart rate while measuring the wearer’s levels of glucose as well as lactate, alcohol, or caffeine. It is the first wearable device that monitors cardiovascular signals and multiple biochemical levels in the human body at the same time.
Painless Paper Patch Tests Glucose LevelsTBMG-3834501/01/2021
Researchers have been trying to develop a practical way to use microneedles — tiny needles less than 1 mm in length — for routine at-home medical monitoring. Microneedles are so short that they stay within the skin and do not make contact with any neurons, meaning that they cause no pain. Rather than extracting blood, they draw up fluid in the skin that contains most of the important biomarkers that blood tests look for. Several types of microneedles exist but until now, making a practical device that quickly analyzes the fluid has proved elusive.
Wearable Device Measures Cortisol in SweatTBMG-3834301/01/2021
The hormone cortisol rises and falls naturally throughout the day and can spike in response to stress, but current methods for measuring cortisol levels require waiting several days for results from a lab. By the time a person learns the results of a cortisol test — which may inform treatment for certain medical conditions — it is likely different from when the test was taken.
Extraction of Largely Unexplored Bodily Fluid Could Be a New Source of BiomarkersTBMG-3832201/01/2021
Using an array of tiny needles that are almost too small to see, researchers have developed a minimally invasive technique for sampling a largely unexplored human bodily fluid that could potentially provide a new source of information for routine clinical monitoring and diagnostic testing.
Products of Tomorrow: January 2021TBMG-3834401/01/2021
This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.
5 Ws of the SARS-CoV-2 RapidPlex SensorTBMG-3817912/01/2020
COVID-19 can be easily spread to others by a person who has yet to show any signs of infection. The carrier of the virus might feel perfectly well and take the virus with them to work, to the home of a family member, or to public gatherings. An at-home test that can rapidly identify infections in people who are not yet symptomatic could dramatically reduce the number of people exposed.
Zero-Gravity Body Posture Influences Acupressure Massage ChairTBMG-3817812/01/2020
Spinoff is NASA’s annual publication featuring successfully commercialized NASA technology. This commercialization has contributed to the development of products and services in the fields of health and medicine, consumer goods, transportation, public safety, computer technology, and environmental resources.
Robot Takes Contact-Free Measurements of Patients’ Vital SignsTBMG-3817212/01/2020
During the coronavirus pandemic, one of the riskiest parts of a healthcare worker’s job is assessing people who have symptoms of COVID-19. Researchers are reducing that risk by using robots to remotely measure patients’ vital signs. The robots, which are controlled by a handheld device, can also carry a tablet that allows doctors to ask patients about their symptoms without being in the same room.
3D Printed Unique Micro-Scale Fluid Channels Made for Medical TestingTBMG-3806411/01/2020
Researchers have 3D printed unique fluid channels at the micron scale that could automate production of diagnostics, sensors, and assays used for a variety of medical tests and other applications. The team is the first to 3D print these structures on a curved surface, providing the initial step for someday printing them directly on the skin for real-time sensing of bodily fluids.
Q&A: Soft Electronics Treat Heart ArrythmiasTBMG-3798311/01/2020
Professor Igor Efimov and a team at George Washington University in Washington, DC — in collaboration with Professor John Rogers’ laboratory from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL — are pioneering a new class of medical instruments that uses flexible electronics to improve patient outcomes in minimally invasive surgeries.
Patches Detect When a Viral Disease Is About to Get WorseTBMG-3807811/01/2020
Just before a viral illness such as the flu or COVID-19 worsens, bodies start producing more inflammatory biomarkers, and the concentrations of these biomarkers in bodily fluids increases. Therefore by continuously monitoring these biomarker concentrations on our skin’s surface, doctors can spot such turns for the worse and act immediately, preventing complications and saving lives.
E-Tongue Nanosensor ArrayTBMG-3799511/01/2020
E-Tongue, a patent-pending technology, is comprised of a silicon-based interdigitated electrode (IDE) array with nanostructured materials that can detect biomolecules and chemical compounds in a liquid sample.
Wearable Sensors Printed on Natural Materials Analyze Substances Present in SweatTBMG-3783910/01/2020
A wearable sensor printed on microbial nanocellulose, a natural polymer, has been created in Brazil by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in São Carlos in collaboration with colleagues at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Araraquara, the University of Araraquara (UNIARA), the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the Brazilian National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LNNano).
Electronics Mimic the Human Brain in Biological LearningTBMG-3782810/01/2020
Researchers have discovered, while investigating protein nanowires, how to use these biological, electricity-conducting filaments to make a neuromorphic memristor or “memory transistor” device. It runs extremely efficiently on very low power, as brains do, to carry signals between neurons.
Smart Fabrics with Bioactive Inks Monitor the Body by Changing ColorTBMG-3762909/01/2020
Biomaterial-based inks have been developed that respond to chemicals released from the body (e.g. in sweat) by changing color. The inks can be screenprinted onto textiles such as clothes, shoes, or even face masks in complex patterns and at high resolution, providing a detailed map of human response or exposure. The technology could simultaneously detect and quantify a wide range of biological conditions, molecules, and possibly pathogens over the surface of the body using conventional garments and uniforms.
Four Critical Challenges of Prehospital InfusionTBMG-3759709/01/2020
Prehospital medicine, also referred to as emergency medical services (EMS), is a subspecialty within the medical field that initiates care for ill or injured patients before they arrive at a hospital or while they are in transit to a hospital. As a result of the nature of this unpredictable and ever-changing environment, prehospital clinicians, namely paramedics, must be prepared to handle every challenge thrown their way.
4D Printing Creates Microneedles to Replace HypodermicsTBMG-3765209/01/2020
Painful hypodermic needles may not be needed in the future to give shots, inject drugs, and get blood samples. With 4D printing, engineers have created tiny needles that mimic parasites that attach to skin and could replace hypodermic needles.
3D-Printed Glucose BiosensorsTBMG-3745408/01/2020
People with diabetes most commonly monitor their disease with glucose meters that require constant fingerpricking. Continuous glucose monitoring systems are an alternative but they are not cost-effective. Researchers have been working to develop wearable, flexible electronics that can conform to patients’ skin and monitor the glucose in body fluids such as sweat. To build such sensors, manufacturers have used traditional manufacturing strategies such as photolithography or screen printing. While these methods work, they have several drawbacks including requiring the use of harmful chemicals and expensive cleanroom processing. They also create a lot of waste.
Material “Shape-Shifts” in Response to External ForcesTBMG-3747808/01/2020
A self-adapting material was developed that can change its stiffness in response to the applied force. This advancement can someday open the door for materials that can self-reinforce to prepare for increased force or stop further damage; for example, a bone implant or a bridge that can self-reinforce where a high force is applied without inspection and maintenance.
New Device Quickly Detects Lithium Ions in Blood of Bipolar Disorder PatientsTBMG-3724407/01/2020
A group of Hokkaido University researchers has developed a paper-based device that can easily and cheaply measure lithium ion concentration in blood, which could greatly help bipolar disorder patients.
Device Simulates Filtering and Ion Transport Functions of Human KidneyTBMG-3723507/01/2020
Chemical engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a device that simulates the blood filtering and ion transport functions of the human kidney. The technology could transform treatment options for people in the final stage of renal disease.
Can a Wearable Help You Get Quality Zzzzs?TBMG-3701706/01/2020
How well did you sleep last night? Did you wake up feeling truly rested, or somewhat groggy? Quality sleep is essential for our health and well-being, but with as many as one-third of American adults not getting enough sleep regularly, it’s a problem that’s desperate for solutions.
Smart Devices Help Reduce Adverse Outcomes of Common Heart ConditionTBMG-3712706/01/2020
A new study highlights the feasible use of mobile health (mHealth) devices to help with the screening and detection of a common heart condition.1 Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm condition that causes an irregular and sometimes, abnormally fast heart rate. In AF, the heart’s upper chambers (atria) contract randomly and sometimes so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly between contractions. This reduces the heart’s efficiency and performance — but also leads to a higher risk of blood clots.
Bioengineers Develop Coin-Sized Smart Insulin PatchTBMG-3692405/01/2020
UCLA bioengineers and colleagues at the UNC School of Medicine and MIT have further developed a smart insulin-delivery patch that could one day monitor and manage glucose levels in people with diabetes and deliver the necessary insulin dosage. The adhesive patch, about the size of a quarter, is simple to manufacture and intended for once-a-day use.
Microfluidics Device Detects Cancer Cells in BloodTBMG-3683405/01/2020
The ability to successfully isolate cancer cells is a crucial step in enabling liquid biopsy where cancer could be detected through a simple blood draw. This would eliminate the discomfort and cost of tissue biopsies that use needles or surgical procedures as part of cancer diagnosis. Liquid biopsy could also be useful in tracking the efficacy of chemotherapy over the course of time, and for detecting cancer in organs difficult to access through traditional biopsy techniques including the brain and lungs.
Injectable Gel Helps Heart Muscle RegenerateTBMG-3686205/01/2020
In mammals, including humans, the cells that contract the heart muscle and enable it to beat do not regenerate after injury. After a heart attack, there is a dramatic loss of these heart muscle cells, and those that survive cannot effectively replicate. With fewer of these contractile cells, known as cardiomyocytes, the heart pumps less blood with each beat, leading to the increased mortality associated with heart disease.
Cardiac Patch with Bioink Developed to Repair HeartTBMG-3690905/01/2020
The heart is the driving force of circulating blood in the body and pumps blood to the entire body by repeating contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles continuously. Human stem cells are used in the clinical therapies of a dead heart, which happens when a blood vessel is clogged or whole or a part of heart muscle is damaged. The clinical use of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) has been expanded but failure of the transplanted stem cells in the heart still remains a problem.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Predict Heart Attacks and StrokeTBMG-3641504/01/2020
Artificial intelligence has been used for the first time to instantly and accurately measure blood flow, in a study led by UCL and Barts Health NHS Trust. The results were found to be able to predict chances of death, heart attack, and stroke and can be used by doctors to help recommend treatments, which could improve a patient’s blood flow.
New Device May Reduce Risks in Procedure to Unblock ArteriesTBMG-3641104/01/2020
Monash University researchers are developing a new medical device to reduce the risk of complications following a common procedure to unblock clogged arteries.
Prototype Patch Acts Like Heart TissueTBMG-3642304/01/2020
Bioengineers from Trinity have developed a prototype patch that does the same job as crucial aspects of heart tissue.
Remote, Noninvasive Cardiac Activity Tracer (RENCAT)TBMG-3617703/01/2020
NASA Langley Research Center has developed a novel laser vibrometer sensor for monitoring cardiac activities remotely and non-invasively — specifically, heart functions of valve/chamber opening and closing cycles (cardiac cycles). The device provides precise magnitude and timing information, non-invasively and away from the heart region without interference by patient garments.
Researchers Hope to Make Needle Pricks for Diabetics a Thing of the PastTBMG-3624003/01/2020
Patients with diabetes have to test their blood sugar levels several times a day to make sure they are not getting too high or too low. Studies have shown that more than half of patients don’t test often enough, in part because of the pain and inconvenience of the needle prick.
Bandage Material Helps Stop Bleeding Without Adhering to WoundTBMG-3602002/01/2020
Researchers from ETH Zurich and the National University of Singapore have developed a new kind of bandage that helps blood to clot and doesn’t stick to the wound. This marks the first time that scientists have combined both properties in one material.1
Skin-Like Sensors Bring a Human Touch to Wearable TechTBMG-3601102/01/2020
University of Toronto engineering researchers have developed a super stretchy, transparent, and self-powering sensor that records the complex sensations of human skin. Dubbed artificial ionic skin — or AISkin for short — the researchers believe the innovative properties of AISkin could lead to future advancements in wearable electronics, personal health care and robotics.
Breathable Electronic Skin Using Nanofiber SubstrateTBMG-3580701/01/2020
Wearable electronic devices for health monitoring using electronic skin have emerged but most electronic skin-related technologies utilize materials such as plastic or rubber that can cause skin irritation or interfere with metabolism when attached to skin or biological tissue.
Wirelessly Controlled Ingestible CapsuleTBMG-3578901/01/2020
Researchers have developed an ingestible capsule that can be controlled using Bluetooth wireless technology. The capsule — which can be customized to deliver drugs, sense environmental conditions, or both — can reside in the stomach for at least a month, transmitting information and responding to instructions from a user's smartphone.
Cancer Lab-on-a-Chip Enables Personalized TreatmentTBMG-3508709/01/2019
A new generation of pathology labs mounted on chips is set to revolutionize the detection and treatment of cancer by using devices as thin as a human hair to analyze bodily fluids. The technology, known as microfluidics, promises inexpensive, portable devices that not only could enable widespread screening for early signs of cancer but also could help to develop personalized treatments for patients.
Surgeons Use Augmented Reality to Reconnect Blood VesselsTBMG-3492508/01/2019
Following severe trauma, patients may have tissue damage or open wounds that require reconstructive surgery using fasciocutaneous flaps. These flaps of tissue, which are taken from elsewhere on the body and include the skin and blood vessels, are used to cover the wound and enable it to close and heal properly. A vital step in the process is connecting the blood vessels of the new tissue with those at the site of the wound, so oxygenated blood can reach the new tissue and keep it alive.
Technique for 3D-Printing of Replacement OrgansTBMG-3489608/01/2019
Bioengineers have cleared a major hurdle on the path to 3D-printing replacement organs with a new technique for bioprinting tissues. It allows scientists to create entangled vascular networks that mimic the body's natural passageways for blood, air, lymph, and other vital fluids.
Microneedles Extract Fluid for Wearable SensorsTBMG-3491608/01/2019
Interstitial fluid is clear, colorless, and similar to blood plasma. Continual sampling of important biomarkers in interstitial fluid could help monitor and diagnose many diseases and disorders. These markers include electrolytes — salts such as potassium and sodium that get out of balance during dehydration; glucose, a sugar that diabetics need to monitor constantly; and lactate, a potential marker of physical exhaustion or life-threatening sepsis.
Endovascular Variable Aortic Control CatheterTBMG-3490008/01/2019
The Air Force has developed improved devices for hemostatic management of patients with life-threatening blood loss from an arterial wound or surgery. Current aortic occlusion devices successfully stem aortic blood loss, but result in hypoxia below the occlusion device. These devices, by blocking blood flow and oxygen delivery, severely limit the amount of time that such resuscitative measures can be taken before other medical complications arise.
Noninvasive Device Tests Sweat Continuously for HoursTBMG-3473507/01/2019
A continuous-testing device was developed that samples sweat as effectively as blood but in a noninvasive way and over many hours. After examining the use of saliva, tears, and interstitial fluid, researchers concluded that sweat holds the most promise for noninvasive testing because it provides similar information as blood and its secretion rate can be controlled and measured.
Products of Tomorrow: July 2019TBMG-3475707/01/2019
This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.
New Technique Tests for Viral InfectionsTBMG-3475607/01/2019
Currently, most U.S. medical offices and hospitals use the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test to determine whether or not a person has a viral infection. It’s a common test but ELISA’s sensitivity is relatively low, so clinicians need a fairly high number of antibodies in a person’s blood to get a positive test result. It also often takes seven to 10 days after an infection for the test to register.
Modular Blocks Enable Plug-and-Play Diagnostic DevicesTBMG-3460406/01/2019
Over the past decade, many researchers have been working on small, portable diagnostic devices based on chemical reactions that occur on paper strips. Many of these tests make use of lateral flow technology, which is the same approach used in home pregnancy tests.
Items per page:
1 – 50 of 386