A new diagnostic method could allow doctors to diagnose neural diseases by examining a patient's eyes. The method will work by identifying the amyloid proteins, which gather in the eye as well as the brain and serve as markers for several different, though related, degenerative brain diseases. To identify the different amyloids, thereby diagnosing the specific disorder, the fluorescent probes will be created. They will change color depending upon which amyloid they will come in...

A new visually augmented stethoscope could make it easier for hard-of-hearing medical professionals to detect heart and lung irregularities. The stethoscope is compatible with most hearing aids and can amplify the sound of the scope by more than 30 times that of a conventional scope. It also features a visual display which helps the user to locate the various sounds of the cardiac cycle, and murmurs and defects of the lungs are also easily detectable. The data can be downloaded and...

A new super-fast camera coupled with a powerful optical microscope could lead to the development of a simple blood test for cancer. The device works by locating the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that break away from tumors as they form in the body. Finding a tumor cell amongst all the other materials in a blood sample is a tedious process. To overcome this, a super-fast camera is used and the images then sent to a computer able to identify the cancer cells based upon their...

Ingestible sensors could make it much easier for patients who take large amounts of medicines to keep track of their doses. The patient swallows the sensor chip which is embedded in a pill. The chip travels to the stomach, where it is activated by the stomach fluids and transmits an ID signal with a time stamp. A patch worn by the patient picks up the ID and time stamp information, as well as data collected by the patch such as activity and heart rate, and sends the information...

Sunken chest, or pectus excavatum, affects about one in 500 people, usually boys. Traditional methods for treating sunken chest work well but tend to cause tremendous pain, and some children have become addicted to pain killers as result. A new technique using magnets to treat sunken chest syndrome could eliminate the need for painful and invasive surgery. The treatment involves inserting a magnet just under the skin at the base of the concave area. This magnet works in...

A new interface that allows people to write on a screen by tracking their eye movements could offer paralyzed people another option for communication. The system features a glasses-camera that attaches to the person's head. The camera tracks eye movements, smoothing the tiny naturally sudden movements--called saccades--with software. As the user moves their eyes to write, the computer interprets the motion while ignoring the saccades, promoting a steadier flow.

The new bandage will warn users if it detects an infection in the wound. The bandage features a dressing cover that is sensitive to any pH changes in the wound that would signify an infection. If it does detect an infection--indicated by a pH level between 6.5 and 8.5--a cross-shaped indicator on the top of the bandage will turn purple. The bandages are made of a material with a leather-like feel, come in a variety of colors, and are packaged with Braille instructions.

Researchers have discovered a molecule that can destroy cavity-causing bacteria in less than one minute, and could even be added to candies. The molecule will kill Streptococcus Mutans after being held the mouth for 60 seconds, and will also continue to kill the bacteria for several hours after use. It can be used in a number of products, including chewing gum, mouthwash, and toothpastes.

The idea is to develop a vest that can rapidly cool patients suffering from cardiac arrest, helping to reduce the risk of brain damage. It is a long-known fact that cooling the body quickly helps to protect the brain against oxygen deficiency during times of reduced blood flow. The vest will be cooled by the release of zeolite into the water-filled cooling pads. The zeolite will instantly cool the water down to nearly freezing, which will help to drain the body temperature to a...

An ultrasound pill could help to deliver drugs as effectively as an injection, reducing the need for needles and syringes. Ultrasound has long been used to speed the transfer of drugs and increase absorption, and is commonly used for delivering protein-based drugs such as insulin, cancer medications, and vaccinations. The idea is to apply the same technique to a pill. The pill would be coated with the desired drug and swallowed, enabling the device to send ultrasonic waves through...