Training dogs to sniff out lung cancer in the breath of humans could lead to an easy, early detection method that could help save lives. The dogs are able to recognize lung cancer in 71 out of 100 samples and also identify the absence of cancer in 372 samples out of 400. The next steps is to identify the lung cancer marker and develop an electronic nose that could be used to diagnose the disease by smell.

The idea is to create a wrist device that will use sonar and haptic feedback to help the visually impaired navigate their surroundings without interfering with the user's hearing. The device will be made up of four range finding sensors that will communicate with a microcontroller in order to calculate distances. Servo motors will translate the distances into force feedback on the user's wrist, with the intensity of the force indicating the nearness of the objects. The user will be...

The new glasses will allow the user to change their refractive power, making it easier to provide corrective eyewear to people in developing nations. The inexpensive glasses will consist of a pair of fluid-filled lenses with flexible membranes. The wearer will use a small detachable pump to add or remove fluid from the lenses, adjusting their refraction to suit their need.

Why not develop an implantable oxygen sensor able to continuously monitor tumor growth, allowing for quicker implementation of treatment plans? The device will monitor the oxygen concentration in the tissues surrounding the tumor and transmit the data to a receiver worn by the patient. The receiver will then send the information to a clinician so that the best treatment strategy could be determined.

Goggles able to display information about the area with color-coded outlines will make it easier for partial-sighted people to move through their environments. Visually impaired people often struggle with discerning contrast and depth. The new goggles will feature a pair of cameras mounted on a virtual reality headset and connected to a very small computer. The cameras will scan the area ahead of the wearer and convert the information to digital code sent to the computer. Using an...

A retinal implant that translates camera images into pulses the brain can understand could offer new treatments for vision loss. The system features a set of tiny cameras mounted to a pair of glasses. The camera's digital information is sent along a wire to a micro-fabricated thin film implanted in the back of the patient's eye, where the electrical signals stimulate the retinal nerves. The system is sealed well enough to prevent water vapor from entering the device, which...

The sensor is designed to reduce respiratory-related flareups by making it easier for COPD and asthma sufferers to keep track of their medication use, symptoms and triggers. A small sensor device will be attached to the top of the user's current inhaler, where it will pair with a smartphone to keep a record of when and where the inhaler was used. The data will be used to help monitor symptoms and find trigger patterns, which will help to reduce the number of exacerbations.

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...

The sensor will monitor your sleep patterns and bedroom environment to help ensure the best sleep possible. The system will be made up of two main components. The globe-shaped sensor will monitor the bedroom ambiance, gathering information on the room's levels of noise, light, temperature, humidity and air particulates, while another sensor will attach to your pillow to track sleep behavior. The first sensor will glow green when the environment is well-suited for sleeping, and will...

Portable air quality sensors could help people suffering from chronic conditions like asthma and COPD breathe a bit easier by allowing them to check the air condition in their immediate with their smartphones. The system will consist of small air quality sensors that could be carried by the individual or deployed around a particular area. The sensors will be able to measure local concentrations of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and ozone, and transmit the data wirelessly to...