A hearing aid that transmits sound to the inner ear by sending vibrations through the skull could restore some hearing in people suffering from problems in the middle ear. Most hearing aids are designed for people with problems of the inner ear, and previous bone conduction-based hearing aids require the implant to be anchored in the skull bone using a titanium screw that protrudes from the skin. In comparison, the new bone conduction implant, which measures just under six...

A waterproof hearing aid could allow the hearing impaired to take part in more activities while still enjoying the added accessibility that hearing aids provide. The rugged hearing aid will be dustproof, shockproof and waterproof at depths up to 3 feet for as long as 30 minutes. The battery compartment will be connected using a silicon sealant, and oxygen will be able to reach the zinc air batteries by moving through a waterproof membrane.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

The cradle chair is designed as an appealing and environmentally friendly solution to help comfort people with autism and Rhythmic Movement Disorder. Rocking is a recommended calming activity for autistic people, and the cocoon shaped rocker helps bring a sense of comfortable enclosure to the user. The cradle is built using sustainable processes and materials, such as a cold-bending technique.

A new contact lens will be able to deliver anesthetic over an extended time in uniform doses, providing better comfort for post-eye surgery patients. The lenses will be created specifically with laser eye surgery patients in mind. The dosing them with vitamin E will extend the time of release of 3 common anesthetics from 2 hours to a whole day. The vitamin E will also function as a barrier, keeping the medication on the eye.

The idea is to develop a new eye test device for children that will use cartoons and games to simplify eye exams. The system will able to screen the child's eyes while they watch a short cartoon or play a video game. The device will use infrared light to gather data, and the assessment will be available within one minute. The test will also work without the need for eye dilation or verbal responses from the child.