Taking the Pulse on Technology
I don't usually blog about cool technologies, but because of my interest in weight training, I came across several cool weight training technologies recently. Read to the bottom of my blog for some other cool, medically related new technologies.
Authentication for your veins
It's from Fukui Computer, and while many of us are familiar with authentication technology, this one is authentication technology for your veins.
Similar to an ATM or cardless payment system, as well as computers and automobile ignition systems, this technology goes right to the heart of the matter, literally. The IT company, Fukui Computer, is fitting gym equipment with a Hitachi finger-vein reader. Called Medimo, the equipment can identify the user with a simple press of the finger. The machine automatically adjusts the weight resistance and seat position based on the user's previously set preferences. The machine also connects to a remote server to retrieve the user's personal exercise data, which includes previous exercise records, statistics, training regimen and caloric consumption data, and shows up on a touch-screen display.
Fukui, which unveiled the 12 new Medimo machines earlier this year, plans to market the machines to gyms, hospitals and public health facilities, and is expecting to sell 2,000 machines over the next three years, the company said.
More on fitness
Milon Industries recently developed devices that can withstand the greatest demands, particularly in a medical environment (rehabilitation centers and physiotherapy practices). Besides features found in the fitness series (smart card control and electronic resistance), the medical series devices are also certified by the German medical product law.
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Users receive his/her own personal smart card containing relevant training parameters (levels of intensity, weights lifted, etc.), so that improper biomechanical stress cannot occur in the first place. Resistance can be adjusted in 1 kilogram levels throughout the training. |
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As the devices adjust, this eliminates incorrect device adjustments and risks of injury. Each device can also adjust or limit the range of movement according to the patient's biomechanical needs. |
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The patient's training performance is consistently updated on the smart card and with the accompanying training software can be documented and analyzed. The summarization by patients using the training equipment helps patients avoid training errors. And for those who use the equipment for physical therapy, the training can be completed more effectively and in a safer manner, ensuring a higher quality of rehab care in a shorter time. |
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Each training client receives his/her own smart card. The card is initially programmed by the trainer or physical therapist according to the individual client's (patient's) requirements. It includes relevant training data, such as complete device settings (lever and handle positions, seating positions), amplitude of movement, training intensity levels (weight resistance, pulse frequency). All training data is stored on the smart card. With the corresponding training software, a client can view his/her performance and training results. This ensures control of training. And the smart card technology eliminates incorrect positions on the weights, as well as faulty settings on the weight training equipment.
The Medex 1000 |
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Integrated Medical Systems, a medical technology systems integrator, recently completed development of an integrated product for critical care. The company announced Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance to market the MedEx 1000 "suitcase" intensive care unit (ICU).
"FDA clearance of the MedEx 1000 is a major accomplishment for the company as we continue to demonstrate the economic and clinical value of integrated patient care technologies," said Todd Kneale, president and COO of Integrated Medical Systems. "This clearance is significant because it was received in less than 60 days from submittal of the application; includes the company's new modular integrated architecture that will serve as a basis for an entire product family of scalable, customizable integrated solutions; and includes the first centralized control -- as well as the first remote control -- of multiple medical, data and utility capabilities."
"We believe this innovative system addresses a large unmet clinical need to support continuous patient care," said Adam Seiver, MD, PhD, adjunct clinical associate professor at the Surgery Medical School in Stanford University. "The MedEx 1000 is the first hand-portable integrated medical, data and utility suite. Caregivers will now be able to provide continuous care, never needing to disconnect and re-connect a patient from therapy and monitoring as the patient is moved throughout a hospital, or even pre-hospital transport or disaster response. This technology meets a key need to increase patient and caregiver safety, while at the same time reducing the weight, volume, cost and clutter of current equipment.
Other noteworthy technologies:
Mobile data storage unit by NetGear.
http://www.netgear.com/Solutions/BusinessSolutions/HealthCare.aspx
http://www.netgear.com/
Shuttle Net Top Computer
Established in 1990, Shuttle Computer Group is the American unit of Shuttle, Inc. Based in Taiwan Shuttle is a manufacturer of motherboards and barebones systems.
http://us.shuttle.com/About.aspx
And now something directly out of the movie Minority Report, here is LifeWall by Panasonic
http://www.panasonic.com/cesshow/index.html
And speaking of movies, this one reminds me of Eve (or as Wall-E said, "Evaaaa").
It's a droid receptionist called Mechadroid. http://botropolis.com/tag/mechadroid/ |