By analyzing the odors in urine, the Odoreader will be able to detect the early signs of bladder cancer with a 100 percent success rate. Though dogs can be trained to sniff out the biomarkers of disease, they are not always practical for use in hospitals. The Odoreader will be equipped with a sensor system that will detect the chemicals in the gas emitted by urine. By analyzing the gas and its chemicals, the Odoreader system will then create a profile of the urine that will...

A new cardiovascular monitoring device will aim to improve cardiovascular health monitoring with unobtrusive designs. It can be carried or worn by patients as they go about their daily routine, with the collected data able to be transmitted wirelessly to healthcare professionals and family members. The device will take the form of a strap worn around the torso to provide continuous electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring, heart rate, physical activity and skin temperature. Wires,...

It is possible to create foam that could help protect the brain from vascular aneurysms with less risks than current methods. The foam is biocompatible polyurethane-based shape memory polymer foam. The foam can be made into a primary shape, and then transformed into a new shape when subjected to an increase in temperature. This allows the foam to be inserted into the aneurysm site in a smaller, crimped shape, where it can be triggered to expand with a shot of laser light from an...

The idea is to develop a wound dressing inspired by the healing properties of the scab, nature's own bandage. The new 'cytophilic' dressing could be modeled after the underside of the scab, which is covered with tiny fibers all arranged in the same direction--much like velvet. These fibers will attract new cells to the wound site, which will speed healing.

The new, lightweight transport monitor will keep track of an array of vital signs and significant events, providing a record for analysis once the patient arrives at their destination. Designed for both basic and high acuity transport, the device will be able to maintain a high level of monitoring and while remaining portable. It will feature a 5.5 inch color, touchscreen display and will weigh only 3.5 pound, and can display and store information on a variety of vitals, such as...

A helmet that will use magnetism to detect brain bleeding or swelling could lead to a new way to quickly check a person for brain injuries. The helmet will feature a small coil that will generate a magnetic field above the victim's head. A second coil sitting just above the ears will then detect the magnetic field as it is induced in the brain, which will allow the medical team to identify alterations in the magnetic field's phase. These alterations can be caused by liquid, such as...

The discovery that layered clay can stimulate stem cells to become bone cells could lead to a new generation of tissue engineering. Synthetic silicate nanoplatelets can induce stem cells to change into bone cells without requiring any other bone-inducing factors. It is believed that the nanoplatelets could be used to create injectable tissue repair matrixes, bioactive fillers, or therapeutic agents for stimulating specific cellular responses in bone-related tissue engineering. ...

The CPR coaching device will use powerful magnetic fields to help track compressions, ensuring optimal feedback and analysis. The system will consist of a two pieces--one placed on directly on the patient's chest and one placed below the patient. It will use a process called Triaxial Field Induction to constantly measure the distance between the two units, enabling the system to remain accurate even on soft surfaces or in moving vehicles, and will provide feedback in real time....

Implants able to hold bones together during healing and dissolve when not needed anymore could reduce the numbers of surgeries required to repair complicated breaks. Until now, scientists attempting to make dissolvable implants had to use a polymer mixed with glass particles for extra strength, creating a material called bioglass. But the heat required to make the plastic and glass particle mix creates toxic chemicals. To address this problem, I propose treating the glass particles...

The idea is to create a device to automate the dose and delivery of asthma medication. The device will automatically provide the correctly measured dose of medication when opened by the user. It will monitor the flow rate as the user inhales, delivering a dose of extrafine, dry asthma medication to both the large and small airways. The device mechanism will reset when closed, and the built in dose-counter will let the patient keep track of how many doses remain.