During even the most routine visits, physicians listen to sounds inside their patients’ bodies - air moving in and out of the lungs, heartbeats, and even digested food progressing through the long gastrointestinal tract. These sounds provide valuable information about a person’s health. When these sounds subtly change or downright stop, it can signal a serious problem that warrants time-sensitive intervention.

Now, Northwestern University researchers are introducing new soft, miniaturized wearable devices that go well beyond episodic measurements obtained during occasional doctor exams. Softly adhered to the skin, the devices continuously track these subtle sounds simultaneously and wirelessly at multiple locations across nearly any region of the body.

The new study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

In pilot studies, researchers tested the devices on 15 premature babies with respiratory and intestinal motility disorders and 55 adults, including 20 with chronic lung diseases. Not only did the devices perform with clinical-grade accuracy, but they also offered new functionalities that have not been developed nor introduced into research or clinical care, reports Northwestern University.

“Currently, there are no existing methods for continuously monitoring and spatially mapping body sounds at home or in hospital settings,” said Northwestern’s John A. Rogers, a bioelectronics pioneer who led the device development. “Physicians have to put a conventional, or a digital, stethoscope on different parts of the chest and back to listen to the lungs in a point-by-point fashion. In close collaborations with our clinical teams, we set out to develop a new strategy for monitoring patients in real-time on a continuous basis and without encumbrances associated with rigid, wired, bulky technology.”

“The idea behind these devices is to provide highly accurate, continuous evaluation of patient health and then make clinical decisions in the clinics or when patients are admitted to the hospital or attached to ventilators,” said Dr. Ankit Bharat, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, who led the clinical research in the adult subjects. “A key advantage of this device is to be able to simultaneously listen and compare different regions of the lungs. Simply put, it’s like up to 13 highly trained doctors listening to different regions of the lungs simultaneously with their stethoscopes, and their minds are synced to create a continuous and dynamic assessment of lung health that is translated into a movie on a real-life computer screen.”

Comprehensive, non-invasive sensing network

Containing pairs of high-performance, digital microphones and accelerometers, the small, lightweight devices gently adhere to the skin to create a comprehensive non-invasive sensing network. By simultaneously capturing sounds and correlating those sounds to body processes, the devices spatially map how air flows into, through, and out of the lungs as well as how cardiac rhythm changes in varied resting and active states, and how food, gas, and fluids move through the intestines.

Read more: Oura, WHOOP, BioStrap, and BioIntelliSense Invading Health Monitoring Space with Biometric Wearables

Encapsulated in soft silicone, each device measures 40 millimeters long, 20 millimeters wide, and 8 millimeters thick. Within that small footprint, the device contains a flash memory drive, tiny battery, electronic components, Bluetooth capabilities, and two tiny microphones - one facing inward toward the body and another facing outward toward the exterior. By capturing sounds in both directions, an algorithm can separate external (ambient or neighboring organ) sounds and internal body sounds.

Not only does capturing ambient noise enable noise canceling, but it also provides contextual information about the patients’ surrounding environments, which is particularly important when treating premature babies.

Non-obtrusively monitoring babies’ breathing

In collaborative studies conducted at the Montreal Children’s Hospital in Canada, healthcare workers placed the acoustic devices on babies just below the suprasternal notch at the base of the throat. Devices successfully detected the presence of airflow and chest movements and could estimate the degree of airflow obstruction with high reliability, therefore allowing the identification and classification of all apnea subtypes.

“When placed on the suprasternal notch, the enhanced ability to detect and classify apneas could lead to more targeted and personalized care, improved outcomes, and reduced length of hospitalization and costs,” said Dr. Wissam Shalish, a neonatologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and co-first author of the paper. “When placed on the right and left chest of critically ill babies, the real-time feedback transmitted whenever the air entry is diminished on one side relative to the other could promptly alert clinicians of a possible pathology necessitating immediate intervention.”

Tracking infant digestion

In the study, premature babies wore sensors at four locations across their abdomen. Early results aligned with measurements of adult intestinal motility using wire-based systems, which is the current standard of care.

“When placed on the abdomen, the automatic detection of reduced bowel sounds could alert the clinician of an impending (sometimes life-threatening) gastrointestinal complication,” Shalish said. “While improved bowel sounds could indicate signs of bowel recovery, especially after a gastrointestinal surgery.”

Mapping a single breath

Accompanying the NICU study, researchers tested the devices on adult patients, which included 35 adults with chronic lung diseases and 20 healthy controls. In all subjects, the devices captured the distribution of lung sounds and body motions at various locations simultaneously, enabling researchers to analyze a single breath across a range of regions throughout the lungs.

“Lungs can make all sorts of sounds, including crackling, wheezing, rippling, and howling,” Bharat said. “It’s a fascinating microenvironment. By continuously monitoring these sounds in real-time, we can determine if lung health is getting better or worse and evaluate how well a patient is responding to a particular medication or treatment. Then we can personalize treatments to individual patients.”

Dain Leaders, an Edutech company, is expanding its scope of content business to actively respond to the increasing metaverse market demand and lead the digital transformation in the medical, educational, and public sectors.

Having provided a learner-oriented education environment and unique learning content utilizing VR content since 2020, Dain Leaders signed license partner agreements for the metaverse platform with Unity Korea and Unity Starter Editor. This way, Dain Leaders presents a new type of learning model of the future by providing VR/AR content to the education/public sectors in Korea and establishing a content creation ecosystem with learner and teacher participants.

Dain Leader's major product, 'HAIO (Hospital All In One)' is a VR solution with voice recognition and hand-tracking technologies tailored for contactless practice training at the medical and nursing colleges after the outbreak of COVID-19. The basic episode of HAIO is the CPR practice to save an unconscious drowning patient transferred to a hospital. Learners need to be able to respond to the emergency at the virtual emergency room where they can immerse themselves into the training environment replicating an actual hospital setting, which is different from the general training session at universities.

In the HAIO, virtual characters immediately react to the participant's order through voice recognition. The learners can join the drill to learn how to control the emergency in a simulated environment. They can control the situation by moving with their hands instead of using a controller with recognition technology of hand joints, which frees them from putting on and off the HMD to learn and locate the controller buttons.

Read more: Partnership for VR Therapeutic Trial

To be sure, theory is important but onsite experience is significantly important in the medical site. This requires enough training sessions, but it's difficult to get sufficient clinical practice due to the human rights issue. The HAIO adds a mood of real-life places at hospitals into the medical training such as a virtual ER, which cannot be experienced in universities. In this regard, the HAIO is expected to be a perfect solution to make up for an offline practice environment which is still unattainable in today's training sessions.

Dain Leaders holds six patents related to VR and AR including user-location-based technology, hand tracking, and voice recognition technologies, and it has engaged in technology development by participating in various government R&D content projects. Currently, Dain Leaders mainly runs hand-tracking-based VR content for medical training and motion-recognition-based AR mobile content as its core business.

"For the HAIO, faculty members of medical and nursing colleges participated in the content's development, and medical major students evaluated and verified the solution; therefore, the training program complies with the accurate medical procedures and methods," said Changbae Lee, Head of Contents Business Division at Dain Leaders.

Flexcon Global is a leader in coated and laminated films and adhesives used as functional components in manufactured goods and graphics applications. As a material science company, Flexcon serves as a technology partner to innovators around the world.

Flexcon has commercialized Flexcon^® Omni-Wave^™ Signal Receptive Media Components, a revolutionary biosensing technology that eliminates the need for hydrogel in medical diagnostic and therapeutic wearable devices.

Omni-Wave^™ technology uses a skin-friendly, medical grade conductive adhesive that requires no hydrogel or Ag/AgCl to get a signal. Omni-Wave^™ is suitable for diagnostic applications such as EKG and sEMG and can distinguish between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses for EDA applications. It is also appropriate for therapeutic applications such as TENS and NMES if a secondary repositionable adhesive is used as a part of the electrode design.

Awarded multiple patents as well as the 2023Med-Tech Award for Materials Innovation, this non-hydrogel “dry” technology combines capacitive and resistive materials to achieve optimal biosignal sensing. Independent clinical studies have shown that the performance of
Omni-Wave^™ components is equivalent to hydrogel-based diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Furthermore, performance is not affected by humidity, allowing patients to shower, bathe, and exercise normally. Omni-Wave^™technology passes ISO 10993-10 for sensitization and irritation and is AAMI compliant. It is an approved component in customer 510(k) and CE marked finished good medical devices.

No hydrogel means a reduced chance of skin irritation for patients who are sensitive to hydrogel. In addition, Omni-Wave^™ offers a cost-savings for medical device manufacturers and converter/fabricators. Savings are realized via fewer changeovers, no special handling, no requirement for expensive barrier packaging, and longer out-of-pack life.

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“This is a disruptive technology that will enable medical device manufacturers to differentiate their product offering without sacrificing performance while providing an improved experience for patients with hydrogel allergies,” says Kelly Johnson, Product Manager - Healthcare, Flexcon. “Processing efficiencies, elimination of expensive barrier packaging as well as a 4X longer material shelf life are added bonuses.”

Omni-Wave^™ is in stock and ready to be licensed to OEMs for incorporation to finished devices.

Visit our website for more information, to request samples, or to connect with a specialist.

Movano Health, a pioneer in health technology, announced that following the successful results of its recent blood pressure clinical trial it will be holding in-person demonstrations of live waveforms at the 2024 CES Show in Las Vegas.

Designed to showcase Movano Health's System on a Chip (SoC) and illustrate the strategic ways this technology can be implemented to monitor multiple chronic conditions, these events will be an opportunity for prospective partners to experience the efficacy of the recent clinical trial results and, if desired, under NDA review the development roadmap.

"The response to our recent blood pressure clinical trial results has far exceeded our expectations and as we transition to the next phase of development including undergoing critical pivotal trials, we believe it is the right time to open up the conversation to potential partners," said Michael Leabman, CTO and Founder of Movano Health. "Our goal is to significantly accelerate the development and commercialization of this technology and help millions of people as quickly as possible."

During the recent trial, Movano Health's cuffless prototype showed a level of accuracy within the standards recognized by the FDA for blood pressure monitoring devices. The prototype achieved an overall mean absolute difference (MAD) of 5.9 mmHg, which is below the 7 mmHg MAD required per a standard for wearable, cuffless blood pressure measuring devices (IEEE1708a-2019). Movano Health is also evaluating AI-based individual calibration methods to further enhance the future performance of the device.

Read more: Blood Pressure Measuring E-Tattoo

Movano Health's ultra-compact System-on-a-Chip (SoC) measures just 4x6.7mm and is the culmination of five years of intensive research, centering on advanced mmWave Radio Frequency (RF) and AI technology, leading to 23 issued patents and 31 pending.

"Blood pressure monitoring will be a significant addition to the suite of analytes we currently offer in our recently launched product, the Evie Ring", said John Mastrototaro, CEO of Movano Health. "We are excited to continue to build a robust data collection and evaluation solution to help people take better care of their overall health."

About Movano Health  

Founded in 2018, Movano Health is developing a suite of purpose-driven healthcare solutions to bring medical-grade, high-quality data to the forefront of consumer health devices. Featuring modern form factors, Movano Health's devices capture a comprehensive picture of a person's vital health information and uniquely translate the data into personalized and intelligent insights that empower consumers to live healthier and more balanced lives. Movano Health's end-to-end solutions will soon enable consumers and their healthcare professionals to utilize daily medical-grade data as a tool to proactively monitor and manage health outcomes.

When using smart glasses and AR headsets, augmented reality accessories are handy tools, extras, and add-ons that improve the user experience.

The augmented reality industry is expected to expand to a value of $1,109.71 billion by 2030, which is driving up demand for these solutions. AR accessories do more than just allow enthusiasts to customize their experiences. They can also enhance the performance, comfort, and utility of cutting-edge AR technologies, reports XRToday.

Today, we're going to examine some of the most remarkable and expensive augmented reality add-ons, perfect for both home and office use.

Explore these 5 stunning AR accessories

There are many various kinds of augmented reality accessories. Certain solutions, like keeping gadgets charged and ready for use, are straightforward and made to solve common issues. For example, Microsoft provides HoloLens 2 USB chargers, and other suppliers provide whole charging stations.

Some are more developed than others. For example, as Apple makes investments in the XR space with Vision Pro and VisionOS, there are reports that it may start integrating AR solutions into its Airtag products.

These are only a few of the augmented reality accouterments that we now suggest taking into account.

1. Wearables and Haptic Gloves: In recent years, there has been less of a buzz around haptic technologies, which may simulate physical feelings for users of virtual reality. These add-ons, though, might be useful in some situations. Accessories like belts, body suits, and haptic gloves can change how we interact with digital content. These augmented reality accessories have enormous potential to foster innovation and cooperation, especially in the corporate and enterprise context. Better training simulations can be made possible by enabling users to "feel" what they're dealing with in a virtual or augmented reality environment. Recently, Fluid Reality unveiled an improved pair of haptic feedback gloves that work with various headsets.

Read more: Facebook’s New Wrist-Based Wearable Lets You Interact With Augmented Reality

2. Accessory for Audio Augmented Reality: AR and spatial computing frequently go hand in hand. This is especially important today that tech giants like Apple are utilizing the extensive potential of spatial systems to improve their headsets. Spatial sound is one developing area of spatial computing. Spatial audio technologies are already included in a lot of AR headsets and smart glasses. With these tools, users can better immerse themselves in VR by placing sound wherever it makes the most sense.

3. Advanced Controllers: Controllers are not as ubiquitous in the AR accessory market as they are in the VR market. A large number of the best augmented and mixed reality headsets don't even need physical controls. Hand and eye tracking is used by the Microsoft HoloLens 2 and Apple Vision Pro to process user input. Still, there are controllers available that can improve the user experience. You can have more control over the information on your Mac devices by utilizing Apple's VisionPro service.

4. Adaptable Lenses: Making sure AR, VR, and MR headsets adjust to users' visual needs is one of the main issues facing users who adopt these headsets. The whole experience is less comfortable when wearing smart glasses or regular spectacles underneath an AR headset. This has forced businesses to invest in products that let consumers replace the lenses in their smart glasses with ones that are more suited to their particular vision requirements. Meta and Zenni have joined to provide customers in the VR realm with personalized prescription lenses.

5. Sturdy Headbands: Robust head straps are among the best AR accessories designed especially for larger AR/VR or MR headsets. They provide several advantages to users. By preventing slippage and needless pressure on the head and face, they guarantee users receive the optimal fit from their wearable technology. For the HoloLens 2, Microsoft unveiled a premium overhead strap that should improve headset comfort when worn for extended periods.

For stroke victims and other "locked-in" individuals who are unable to communicate through traditional channels, there might be new hope. It takes the shape of the novel BrainGPT technology, which is still in the early stages and can read users' thoughts and translate them into legible text.

In addition to being unable to speak, paralyzed people in a locked-in state are also unable to communicate via hand or head movements. While some of them can move their eyes to use eye-tracking communications systems, others are not even able to do so, reports NewAtlas. The mind reading cap is being developed by Technology Sydney in Australia. It could one day help people unable to speak due to illness or injury, while also providing a way for humans to interact directly with machines.

In other words, the AI-based algorithms at DeWave discovered which particular EEG patterns correlated with which textual words and sentences. It recognized that the user was thinking the appropriate word or phrase - or at least, it frequently did - when it later picked up those signals while the user was not reading the text.

Read more: MIT Researchers Develop Touch-Sensing Glove that May Help in Stroke Recovery

As a gauge of machine translation accuracy, the system currently has a translation score of roughly 40% on the BLEU(BiLingual Evaluation Understudy) scale. That being said, the team intends to increase that percentage to roughly 90% after additional technological advancements.

During the cap tests, subjects were instructed to read text passages silently while their electrical brain activity was monitored with an electroencephalogram (EEG). Next, with an accuracy of 40–60%, an artificial intelligence model named DeWave was employed to translate the ideas into written language.

"This research represents a pioneering effort in translating raw EEG waves directly into language, marking a significant breakthrough in the field," said the lead scientist, Prof. C.T. Lin. "It is the first to incorporate discrete encoding techniques in the brain-to-text translation process, introducing an innovative approach to neural decoding."

Garmin announced the eTrex Solar, an easy-to-use GPS handheld that utilizes solar power to go the extra mile. The latest iteration in the tried-and-true eTrex series offers solar charging that can provide infinite battery life for hikers, geocachers, and off-the-grid adventurers. Enjoy the outdoors longer and take the road less traveled with the eTrex Solar in hand; users can view waypoints, track their location, and find their way back to favorite spots on the 2.2-inch high-contrast display that’s easy to read, even in bright sunlight.

“For over two decades, our iconic eTrex series has been known for its revolutionary features and capabilities, making it wildly popular among our customers. Adding infinite battery life through our solar-charging technology is just the latest example of the innovation we strive to provide in each of our outdoor products. From a short hike to living off the grid, the eTrex Solar is the perfect companion for your next outdoor adventure,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales.

Infinite battery life

Utilizing Garmin’s solar technology, eTrexSolar can offer unlimited battery life so users can stay on the trail longer without recharging their devices. Those adventurers won’t need to plan a stop to refresh their battery on a day-long expedition; the sun can do the work for them. The solar capabilities can not only keep a battery fully charged, it can also help rejuvenate a low-charged battery.

Even without the embedded solar charging the eTrex Solar can run for up to 1,800 hours in Expedition mode, allowing users to do what they love longer.

Read more: Garmin Enduro to the Test: This is Garmin’s Most Advanced Smartwatch

Stay up-to-date with the Garmin Explore

When paired with a compatible smartphone, eTrex Solar users can access the Garmin Explore app to stay connected and informed, even when traversing off-grid areas.

• Cloud backup: Use unlimited cloud storage to make all mapping and trip data easy to review, save, and share.
• Plan ahead: Devise the next day’s travel plan by creating routes on the app and then sync them to the handheld.
• Smart notifications: Remain connected when exploring remote areas with smart notifications for text messages, phone calls, and more when paired with a compatible smartphone.
• Geocaching Live: Receive automatic cache updates, including descriptions, logs, and hints. Each Find will instantly upload to a saved profile when connected to the app.
• Weather forecasts: Stay aware of impending weather with real-time forecast information when paired with a compatible smartphone.

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Find the right path

Thanks to multi-band GPS, the eTrex Solar has superior positional accuracy to track in more challenging environments than GPS alone. The multi-band support can provide hikers and other adventurers with location accuracy and positioning to their waypoints. Like previous models in the series, the eTrex Solar also features a digital compass, which can provide an accurate heading even when standing still – another tool to help explorers find their way. And with an IPX7 rating, it’s ruggedly designed and purpose-built to withstand harsh environments.

Available now, the eTrex Solar handheld has a suggested retail price of $249.99.

Reelables announced the launch of its new 5G Smart Labels, the only printable 5G label solution in the world for logistics providers, cargo forwarders, and retailers to track shipments at the piece level as they move through the supply chain. For the very first time, the label itself functions as the tracking device connected to a cellular network. It's also an industry-first in the field of printed electronics to fabricate an active LPWAN device with coated zinc batteries that share a common paper-thin-wireless circuit. Reelables has achieved the ability to mass manufacture the smart label so thin and flexible that it can be printed in volume from off-the-shelf barcode printers, finally allowing precise piece-level tracking of billions of shipments.

The pandemic put a great strain on thes upply chain and demonstrated the need for better visibility to prevent fraud, loss, and missing items. In 2022, a global report indicated that nearly one in 10 consumers suffered parcel theft or loss during a 12-month period, equating to more than one billion packages.

Until now, tracing goods as they move through the supply chain has largely been a black box. Barcodes require manual scanning, and shipment information may need to be entered by hand at various points in the supply chain, both leading to potential human error. The result is often a mismatch between the record of information and reality. A worker could simply miss a scan or steal a package. If that’s a box of pharmaceuticals or high-value goods, it becomes a very costly problem. Legacy GPS tracking devices are not a great alternative either as they are expensive, necessitate out-of-process workflows, and require reverse logistics.

Reelables labels automatically collect actual location data from the cellular network data and trigger events the moment a shipment arrives or departs a warehouse or waypoint, or an exception is detected. They also generate inventory counts, providing a complete warehouse audit nearly every minute or less. With Reelables, logistics providers and end users, such as retailers and manufacturers, know in real time where every piece-level item is in the supply chain with 100% accuracy.

How the 5G Smart Label Works

The underlying technology is a reel-to-reel, thin-film manufacturing process that enables Reelables to make ultra-thin and extremely cost-efficient wireless circuits into smart labels. The initial offering is a chipset-level integration of NB-IoT, with LTE-M to soon follow as part of the 5G family of LPWAN technologies.

Reelables is the first to bring to market a printable, cellular label that is so thin and flexible, that it can be printed on like ordinary labels in thermal barcode printers. The magic happens in thermal barcode printers, capable of activating and provisioning the labels at scale, without pressing buttons or cutting to activate. That means it can be used wherever shipping labels are already being printed, by just changing standard label media to Reelables. No new workflows or processes, or training is needed.

Read more: Biodegradable Printed Paper Batteries for Medical Wearables

A key part of the core technology is the integration of a coated zinc battery on the exact same substrate shared with a wireless circuit. That’s what enables the thin and flexible form-factor of the smart label and its thermal printability. This is a big differentiator for Reelables, compared to companies that are still using conventional lithium batteries in their tracking devices. Lithium is also classified as a dangerous good, which is problematic for high-volume applications and safe air transport.

For manufacturers or retailers who are shipping time-critical, high-value goods, and don’t control the infrastructure along their logistics corridors, Reelables 5G smart label solution is ideal. These businesses are accountable for demonstrating to their customers that items are arriving when they’ve promised.

“This is a major breakthrough when it comes to supply chain visibility and automation,” said Brian Krejcarek, CEO and Co-Founder of Reelables. “Achieving mass production and pervasive deployment of these thin film wireless smart labels will change how businesses track items, reduce theft and loss, and demonstrate accountability to their customers. We are excited to bring this to market now so retailers and manufacturers can start printing these labels at scale and lighting up under-utilized LPWAN network capacity with a killer application: tracking the billions of shipments that are made every year around the world.”

About Reelables

Reelables makes the only printable 5G label available in the world. It is the first company to achieve mass production of a brand-new category of thin film, wireless smart labels with coated batteries that are flexible enough to be printed on in off-the-shelf barcode printers and fully disposable after use. Offering both paper-thin Bluetooth and 5G smart labels, Reelables automates supply chain and logistics visibility at scale for logistics providers, retailers, and manufacturers, providing exact shipment location and inventory counts for each item without the need to manually scan barcodes or read RFIDs. Its ability to track shipments and inventory at the item level helps companies reduce theft and loss and increase accountability.

Leading IoT device and solution provider Queclink proudly celebrates the momentous milestone of their asset tracker, GL300, reaching its 10th anniversary. Since its launch a decade ago, GL300 has renewed the way of tracking with unrivaled precision and efficiency for various businesses and industries. Initially developed and launched in 2013, Queclink's GL300 series took shape from the previous GL100 and GL200 asset trackers and has garnered 2.5 million shipments globally up to this date.

The story of GL300 dates back to as early as 2009 when a group of visionary individuals came together with a shared belief that asset tracking could be simplified, streamlined, and taken to new heights. Under the name of Queclink, they brought their brainchild, the GL100, to life, marking the first step of the company's 15 years of expertise in the IoT industry.

The waterproof, compact tracker was a unique, trailblazing design that quickly garnered attention and demand. It became a sought-after solution used in various applications: the device had been integrated into pet necklaces, kids' backpacks, and the heels of shoes worn by the elderly to track their movements, keep tabs on their whereabouts, and send out timely emergency alerts.

Building on the success of the GL100, the team later introduced the improved GL200. This device became a remarkable success story and soared to the top of Amazon's bestseller list.

The GL300 is a versatile device that can be deployed alongside multiple accessories such as an external battery kit and magnetic waterproof case for expanded usability. Over the past 10 years, the device has become synonymous with reliability, accuracy, and innovation. It has empowered organizations across various industries to provide visibility into assets, people, and vehicles. From small businesses to multinational corporations, GL300 has provided the tools needed to efficiently track and locate, prevent loss or danger, optimize operations, and ensure safety.

Read more: TCL Announces Its First Wearable Display, True Wireless Earbuds and Pet Tracker

With more than 2.5 million devices shipped and deployed, the GL300 Series has seen a loyal user base and numerous application scenarios across the globe. The tracker played a crucial role in saving two Norwegian brothers stranded on a rock after a storm wrecked their boat. It was creatively hidden in sausages by a deli to track and recover stolen goods. In recent years, the device also has found applications in international sports events, including the Olympic Games, as it monitors athletes' well-being during hiking, biking, and sailing and ensures their safety.

"Over the past decade, the GL300 Series has established itself as one of the leading battery-powered asset trackers in the global market," said Manny Hernandez, Vice President of North America at Queclink Wireless Solutions. "We are thrilled to commemorate the 10-year milestone. It represents not only our innovative spirit and commitment to excellence but also the trust and support we have received from our valued customers."

About Queclink

Queclink is a pure-play IoT hardware designer and manufacturer working with many well-known industrial and consumer companies to bring innovative IoT solutions to the market. Its business units span transportation, asset and mobility, networks, and agriculture. With 52 million IoT products delivered to over 140 countries, Queclink inspires data-driven solutions for its worldwide customers.

Casio Computer announced the release of G-SHOCK THE RIDE, a virtual attraction that allows users to experience what it might be like to participate in the durability testing Casio puts the G-SHOCK line of shock-resistant watches through. The amusement park-like virtual ride is accessible on the social virtual reality platform VRChat.

In October 2023, Casio opened a virtual G-SHOCK STORE on VRChat to provide metaverse-based content offering visitors experiences with G-SHOCK customization, as well as seeing how VRChat avatars look wearing watches they have created, and more. The space is designed to serve as a touchpoint between the G-SHOCK brand and new users.

Now, as a second offering of VRChat-based content, Casio is releasing G-SHOCK THE RIDE, a ride-type attraction offering users simulated experiences of futuristic G-SHOCK durability tests.

While based on G-SHOCK durability tests actually conducted at the Hamura R&D Center, a base of development for the brand's watches, G-SHOCK THE RIDE goes far beyond, featuring a narrative that imagines the form those durability tests might take in the future. The attraction invites users to hop on board a G-SHOCK with their avatar as if stepping onto a ride at an amusement park, to enjoy the kind of fantastic, beyond-reality immersive experiences that are only possible in virtual reality spaces. In addition to the fun, game-like enjoyment G-SHOCK THE RIDE offers, the attraction provides a space expressing the true, reality-based worldview of G-SHOCK with the exacting durability tests the brand conducts to ensure the unparalleled toughness of its watches.

Related: VRSim’s Cutting Edge VRNA EMS Training Product

About VRChat

VRChat is a virtual reality metaverse platform that enables users to assume the forms of avatars and enjoy interactive experiences in virtual worlds. Millions of people have formed a wide array of user communities in which they can freely enjoy activities in metaverse spaces on the platform.

Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to expand its partnership with Cosmo Intelligent Medical Devices, a subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals. This AI-driven partnership will further capitalize on the achievements already realized with the GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module, offering continued innovation and scalable healthcare advancements for patients and caregivers globally. Through this exclusive global partnership, Medtronic and Cosmo Pharmaceuticals remain committed to revolutionizing endoscopy by harnessing the power of AI to improve patient outcomes. This strategic alliance reinforces Medtronic's position in AI-integrated healthcare solutions and represents a significant leap in incorporating AI into endoscopic care.

The collaboration's focus on innovative and scalable AI platforms like AI Access™, which is designed to host multiple third-party AI applications to allow for faster innovation and streamlining of the AI development process across medical AI applications, exemplifies an innovative approach to healthcare and enables a broader spectrum of diagnostic tools and treatment options.

"Our alliance with Cosmo Pharmaceuticals is a testament to what can be achieved when two leaders in their fields unite for a common goal: transforming healthcare through AI. The GI Genius module, our first FDA-cleared AI product in gastrointestinal care, represents the initial milestone of this collaboration," said Ken Washington, chief technology officer at Medtronic. "However, the AI Access platform is where our partnership truly crystallizes our vision for healthcare transformation; it's a springboard for expanding Medtronic's AI's potential in healthcare. Our expanded partnership with Cosmo is fostering a collaborative ecosystem where Medtronic's broad spectrum of medical expertise converges with Cosmo's technological prowess, creating a synergy that propels us forward."

The GI Genius module, a computer-aided polyp detection system powered by AI, is the centerpiece of this collaboration and has already made a significant impact since its U.S. launch in 2021. The platform has helped redefine the landscape of gastrointestinal screening by assisting gastroenterologists performing colonoscopies – increasing the physician's adenoma detection rate by 14. With a continuous growth in customer installs base year over year, the GI Genius module is a testament to the potential of AI in enhancing medical procedures. The synergy between Cosmo's cutting-edge AI technology and Medtronic's market development expertise has created a powerful partnership, setting new benchmarks in healthcare efficiency, accuracy, and patient impact.

"Our expanded partnership with Cosmo Pharmaceuticals is a strategic milestone in our mission to leverage AI for enhanced patient care," said Geoff Martha, chairman and chief executive officer at Medtronic. "This aligns with our business objectives to provide cutting-edge tools to our customers while also elevating patient care standards in the fight against gastrointestinal diseases. We're setting a new course for the future, where AI-assisted healthcare is not just an option, but a fundamental aspect of patient treatment and outcomes."

Related: New Partnership for AI-Powered Medical Imaging

"The expanded agreement between Cosmo and Medtronic is a testament not only to our mutual commitment to rapidly improving the healthcare landscape but also to Cosmo's ability to transform the GI Genius platform into a revolutionary force in healthcare," said Alessandro Della Chà, chief executive officer of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals. "Our continued partnership with Medtronic, the largest medtech company in the world, is pivotal in further enabling the GI Genius platform to offer enhanced AI solutions and improved clinical outcomes to patients globally. This collaboration is set to unlock significant value, marking a major stride in our journey towards healthcare innovation."

"Our collaboration and enduring commitment to bringing AI advancements to the forefront of healthcare has culminated in exceptional know-how within our company, which is finally bearing fruit in line with our expectations," said Mauro Severino Ajani, non-executive director and chairman of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals. "This marks just the beginning of a remarkable journey, as our collective expertise in AI continues to transform the future of healthcare."

Under the terms of this expanded agreement, Medtronic will pay Cosmo $100 million upfront as well as a double-digit royalty on net sales on par with market standards, in addition to $100 million in potential milestone payments expected to be reached by the end of 2024. Cosmo Pharmaceuticals will continue to be the exclusive manufacturer, granting Medtronic exclusive, global, commercial rights.

About Medtronic

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Medtronic is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Their technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more.

About Cosmo

Cosmo Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat selected gastrointestinal disorders, to improve endoscopy quality measures through aiding the detection of colonic lesions, and to treat selected dermatological conditions.

Embr Labs, Inc, makers of Embr Wave, the leading wearable that utilizes temperature for wellness applications, will be sharing key developments from its decade of innovation in human-temperature interaction and thermal haptic technology at the Wear and Smart Haptics 2023 Conferences in San Diego this week.

Embr's Chief Technology Officer, Matthew J Smith, PhD, will give two distinct talks. The Smart Haptics session will highlight advancements in understanding temperature biology, how Embr leverages that understanding, and Embr's work to create an AI-powered future for human-temperature interaction with its hot flash prediction technology development. In addition, Dr. Smith will keynote the Wear Conference Human Centric Design session, sharing Lessons Learned from Embr's First Ten Million Hours of temperature therapy delivered to its tens of thousands of Embr Wave customers.

"After ten years into our mission to improve lives through the power of temperature, the Wear and Smart Haptics 2023 Conferences offer an exciting opportunity to share how we've brought temperature into the digital age," says Matt Smith, co-founder and CTO of Embr Labs.

Both talks come on the heels of Embr's announcement of its new technology to predict a menopausal hot flash before it occurs to activate immediate cooling on the Embr Wave to mitigate or alleviate the hot flash experience. Embr has established the Embr Wave as an effective solution for hot flash relief for women and for men experiencing hot flashes as a result of prostate cancer treatment.

Read more: CALERA brand: Core Body temperature technology ready for OEM integration

About Embr Labs

Embr Labs is the leading health tech company addressing the symptoms of chronic health conditions by pioneering the use of temperature as a new pathway to the brain. Embr Wave is now distributed through major US retailers, and internationally in over 25 countries. The company's patented technology has been clinically validated and delivers a brand-new category of safe and natural solutions to manage hot flashes, sleep issues, stress, and thermal discomfort. The company was founded by MIT-trained engineers and is backed by investors including Bose Ventures, DigiTx Partners, Safar Partners, Esplanade Ventures, and Intel Capital, and is backed by Ghost Tree Partners. Embr Labs has won numerous awards for the Embr Wave, including the AARP Innovation in Aging Award, Time Magazine's Best Inventions, and the iF Design Award, and was named to CB Insights' Digital Health 150.

Singapore-based global IT company Playground, with hubs in South Korea and Vietnam, is set to unveil 'AI EYES,' a groundbreaking innovation in the 2024 wearable device market. Going beyond technological advancements, this premium wearable device deeply integrates artificial intelligence into everyday life, redefining user experiences. AI EYES, equipped with high-performance cameras, cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a robust battery, offers an intuitive user interface based on the Android platform.

AI EYES significantly enhances convenience in daily life, maximizing practicality in various situations. For instance, through its personal assistant feature, users can manage schedules, make calls, and send text messages with voice commands. Additionally, the built-in AI camera automatically captures important moments, storing them in the cloud for convenient access anytime. These functionalities can be beneficial in diverse situations such as business meetings, childcare assistance, learning support for adolescents, healthcare monitoring and companionship for the elderly, and travel.

Playground actively seeks partnerships with global giants such as Samsung, Google, AWS, and SoftBank, engaging in talks for distribution collaborations with telecom companies worldwide. AI EYES are set to transcend smartphone limitations, offering users advanced connectivity and communication methods. The project goes beyond typical product development, delving into societal and cultural changes through AI and wearables, marking a notable milestone in technological progress.

Playground is actively seeking partnerships with global companies like Samsung, Google, AWS, and SoftBank, and is in discussions for distribution collaborations with telecommunications companies worldwide. AI EYES are expected to go beyond the limitations of smartphones, providing users with new connectivity and communication methods through its rich features and enhanced convenience.

Read more: Exo Iris: New Handheld AI-Powered Ultrasound System

Playground's AI EYES project goes beyond simple product development, exploring societal and cultural changes through the combination of AI and wearable technology. The launch of AI EYES is a significant milestone opening new horizons in technological advancement.

About Playground

Playground operates in various fields, including the development of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, online game development, O2O platforms, and smartphone operating system development, providing an optimal experience for users.

In a world where vision loss and impairment affect millions, Ocutrx Technologies, Inc., a pioneer in augmented reality (AR) and 3D technology, has been recognized for its groundbreaking work. Today, Ocutrx announces its inclusion in Fast Company's third annual Next Big Things in Tech list, a prestigious accolade that honors technology breakthroughs with the potential to shape the future of industries and improve lives.

At the heart of Ocutrx's recognition is its latest innovation, OcuLenz, an AR/XR headset engineered to enhance visual clarity for individuals living with advanced macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 65. This innovative device represents a significant step forward in visual aid technology. User-friendly and lightweight, OcuLenz stands as a beacon of hope for those who need it most, employing advanced pixel manipulation to overlay high-contrast images onto the user's viable field of view.

"The Next Big Things in Tech is not just a look around the corner—it's a look around the corner after that," says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "These are the products and ideas that will define technological innovation for the rest of this decade and beyond—and solve some of the world's most pressing issues. We are thrilled to honor the organizations that are making them a reality."

Adding to its capabilities, the OcuLenz headset is designed for both functionality and mobility. Users can freely move and perform everyday tasks while wearing it, benefiting from its high resolution of 2.5K per eye and an extensive field of view. This transformative tool shifts the focus from impaired central vision to more effective peripheral vision, enhancing users' overall experience.

"What an incredible honor," said Michael Freeman, co-founder, CEO and CTO of Ocutrx. "Developing the OcuLenz headset was directly inspired by our father, Gen. Richard Freeman's, diagnosis with Advanced Macular Degeneration. His condition and indomitable spirit were the catalysts for our invention. This personal endeavor has evolved with the hope of helping millions more face similar visual challenges. Receiving this award is not only a recognition of our technological innovation but also a validation of our mission to significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by visual impairments."

Related: Mojo Vision Unveils Augmented Reality Contact Lens Prototype

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Brendan Vaughan. Fast Company is headquartered in New York City.

About OcuLenz

OcuLenz for AMD, Ocutrx Technologies' advanced AR headset, marks a major advancement in aiding those with advanced macular degeneration(AMD) and Stargardts (the juvenile form of AMD). This innovative device, rooted in personal experience and driven by compassion, is set to significantly enhance visual perception and quality of life for AMD sufferers. With its high-tech design utilizing pixel manipulation, high resolution, and a broad field of view, OcuLenz opens up a clearer, more vivid world, ensuring that the central vision loss characteristic of AMD no longer dictates the boundaries of a patient's world.

Pre-orders for the OcuLenz headset are now available on the Oculenz website.

About Ocutrx

Ocutrx Technologies, Inc., anchored in the US and Europe, he leads in AR/XR and 3D visualization, expanding its horizons across various industries. Founded by Michael and Mitch Freeman, two Emmy Award Winning Inventors of mobile video in the 1990s, the company emerged from a passion to tackle the adversities of Advanced Macular Degeneration.

Shotel Medical announced its Shotel Ankle Arthrodesis Nail System, which uses a novel device design to treat end-stage ankle arthritis. It was used in Florida for the first time in a procedure in Delray Beach last month. Two weeks post-operation, the patient was weight-bearing with the use of a CAM walker boot, a significant improvement from the six to eight weeks’ time to weight-bearing that traditional ankle arthrodesis systems deliver.

The patented Shotel Nail System, which is manufactured and distributed by BioPro Implants, differs from traditional ankle arthrodesis devices because its unique curved design allows for a minimally invasive approach with very small incisions. It is designed to achieve fusion at the tibiotalar joint while allowing unrestricted motion to remain at all other joints. This benefits the patient with faster healing, quicker recovery, and earlier time to weight bearing. End-stage ankle arthritis is increasingly common and can lead to notable physical disability. There are an estimated 50,000 new cases of ankle arthritis each year in the U.S.

"We designed our ankle fusion nail system so that patients have smaller incisions, which enables them to heal faster and return to function much earlier, giving them an enhanced quality of life. The improvement in time to weight bearing for the patient is meaningful," Christopher Weathers, Chief Commercial Officer, said. "We are thrilled to see our Shotel Nail System gaining traction among surgeons around the country. To date, 24 operations with it have been performed."

Kevin Palmer, DPM, double board-certified podiatric surgeon of Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL, who performed the procedure, said, "The patient presented with a progressively deteriorating ankle condition and pre-existing structurally compromised hardware. The novel design of the Shotel Nail System gave me confidence that it would be stable and hold up over the long term. During the procedure, after I removed the patient's current hardware, the Shotel Nail System went in smoothly, with a smaller incision, and a much less invasive approach than traditional ankle fusion systems. I also like that it provides several layers of compression, which is required across the fusion site to expedite healing.

Related: The Booming Market of Digital Musculoskeletal Care. What The Future Holds?

"I cannot emphasize enough how significant it is that the patient started walking at less than two weeks with a CAM walker boot," Dr. Palmer added. "This will be a game changer – and life-changing – for many patients going forward."

About Shotel Medical

Shotel Medical is the developer of the Shotel Ankle Arthrodesis Nail System, an entirely novel device that has the potential to transform patient care and significantly impact the healthcare landscape. Developed in conjunction with a team of biomechanical engineers, orthopedic surgeons and industry thought leaders, the device addresses the needs of patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. Its unique design provides patients with faster healing, an earlier return to function, and an improved quality of life compared to current treatment options. The company, founded in 2017, has offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

Procyrion, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with cardiac and renal impairment, announced the enrollment of the first patients in the company's IDE pivotal trial. The DRAIN-HF (Diuretics Alone vs. Aortix Endovascular Device for Acute Heart Failure) study will evaluate the Aortix percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) technology in patients with acute decompensated heart failure(ADHF) who are unresponsive to standard medical therapy. The first patient in the randomized portion of the trial was enrolled by Bassem Chehab, MD, FACC, at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital.

"I am thrilled to enroll the first patient in this important trial. Today, there are no effective treatment options for patients with ADHF who remain congested despite being treated with high-dose intravenous diuretic therapy. These patients have very poor outcomes in terms of death and rehospitalization and therefore new therapy options are critically needed," stated Dr. Chehab.

The study also includes a registry for advanced heart failure patients who are end-stage and not considered to be surgical candidates for a heart transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant due to excessive fluid retention and poor kidney function. The first patient in the registry was enrolled at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan by Gillian Grafton, DO.

"The Aortix pump demonstrated promising results to help off-load fluid and improve kidney function. I am excited to be able to include the advanced heart failure patients in the trial," commented Dr. Grafton.

The DRAIN-HF pivotal trial (NCT05677100) is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Aortix pump compared to standard-of-care medical therapy including high-dose IV diuretics in patients hospitalized with ADHF who have persistent congestion and demonstrated diuretic resistance despite optimal medical management. The study will enroll up to 268 patients across 45 centers in the US and will include a randomized arm as well as a registry arm that will enroll patients who are targeted for a heart transplant or LVAD but are too sick to be considered for surgery. The company recently announced it has received CMS approval for Medicare coverage during the DRAIN-HF pivotal trial.

Approximately 25-30% of ADHF patients admitted to the hospital have cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) characterized by resistance to standard of care intravenous diuretic therapy1, where underlying heart failure leads to reduced blood flow to the kidneys, causing the kidneys to become less effective at removing excess fluid from the body. Effective treatment options for CRS are lacking, as evidenced by up to a 25% rate of heart failure hospitalization or mortality at 30 days2,3 for those patients who remained clinically congested after 96 hours of the standard of care medical therapy and were discharged from the hospital.

"The initiation of the DRAIN-HF pivotal study represents a major milestone in the company's commitment to make Aortix available for these acutely decompensated heart failure patients who have failed aggressive standard of care medical therapies," said Eric S. Fain, MD, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Procyrion. "We look forward to working with our investigators and research teams to advance the scientific evidence around this groundbreaking technology."

Read more: AI-Powered Stethoscope Detects Heart Disease

Aortix is a catheter-deployed pump that is placed in the descending thoracic aorta and designed to directly unload the heart and improve cardiac performance while increasing perfusion to the kidneys. In the CRS Pilot Study, which was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure, patients demonstrated rapid decongestion with substantial removal of excess fluid and improved hemodynamics, as well as significant improvements in kidney function, cardiac function, and patient-reported assessment of shortness of breath, sustained out to 30 days after treatment with the Aortix pump.

About Procyrion

Procyrion, Inc. is a privately held medical device company dedicated to providing effective treatment options for patients with cardiac and renal impairment. The company is developing the Aortix percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device, a catheter-deployed pump technology that uniquely harnesses fluid entrainment to pump blood to address multiple conditions with significant unmet needs. Aortix is limited by Federal law to investigational use only and is not approved for sale in any geography.

Lunit, a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, partners with NTT DATA Singapore to introduce Lunit INSIGHT CXR to Singapore's public healthcare system.

As part of the agreement, Lunit collaborated with CARPL to provide NTT DATA with Lunit INSIGHT CXR. NTT DATA then facilitated the software delivery to Synapxe, Singapore's national health-tech agency. This strategic collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate the solution into the clinical radiology workflow of Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Changi General Hospital (CGH). Both are award-winning public hospitals with over 1,000 beds and are members of SingHealth, Singapore's largest group of public healthcare institutions.

With the introduction of Lunit INSIGHT CXR into the chest X-ray workflow, both hospitals aim to enhance the efficiency of chest screening while providing their patients with innovative medical services with improved accuracy.

AimSG Pilot Project

The AimSG pilot project is a collaboration amongst Synapxe, SingHealth, Lunit, NTT DATA, and its partners (DeepTek and CARPL), supported by Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) and Smart Nation Singapore. AimSG allows public healthcare institutions to integrate AI imaging solutions, like Lunit INSIGHT CXR, seamlessly into their existing clinical radiology workflow, enhancing medical professionals' diagnostic capabilities and efficiency.

"The AimSG platform is an enabler that aims to accelerate Singapore public healthcare institutions to validate and deploy credible AI imaging models in a complex healthcare technology landscape. Such an AI model may be developed within the Singapore healthcare ecosystem or selected from industry partners. AimSG is an open and vendor-neutral platform that will serve multiple use cases that apply AI to clinical images, such as chest X-ray, mammogram, cardiac CT, and more," said Glenn Neo, Head of Innovation Capabilities Enablement, Synapxe.

Read more: Clarius Awarded for Wireless Ultrasound

"The AimSG platform enables clinicians from public healthcare institutions to deploy AI algorithms to help them deliver better healthcare to the population. This will enhance our efforts to enable the '3Ps'of Preventive, Predictive, and Personalized medicine," said Dr. Charlene Liew, Director of Innovation, SingHealth Duke-NUS Radiological Sciences Academic Clinical Programme and Deputy Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Changi General Hospital.

"Harnessing AI solutions through the AimSG platform and integrating the AI directly into the clinical workflow can potentially advance our ability to enhance the interpretation and diagnosis of chest diseases for patients. This holds the potential to facilitate and expedite patient care while minimizing the strain on the healthcare workforce," said Dr Chan LaiPeng, Academic Vice-chair of Clinical Service Operations, SingHealth Duke-NUSRadiological Sciences Academic Clinical Programme and Head of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital.

"Taking part in the AimSG project and collaborating with our partners to bring Lunit INSIGHT CXR to Singapore's public healthcare system is a significant step in our mission to advance the cancer care landscape worldwide," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "Considering Singapore's position as the primary destination for medical AI companies in Southeast Asia and the largest contributor to the market in the region, this collaboration holds immense potential. It will not only bring significant benefits to Singapore but also pave the way for us to tap into the broader Southeast Asian market."

About Lunit

Founded in 2013, Lunit is a deep learning-based medical AI company on a mission to conquer cancer. We are committed to harnessing AI to ensure accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment for each cancer patient using AI-powered medical image analytics and AI biomarkers.

Clarius Mobile Health has been awarded a Technology Breakthrough Designation in the Ultrasound contract category with Premier, Inc. Effective December 1, 2023, the new agreement allows Premier members, at their discretion, to take advantage of special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier for Clarius technology.

Premier offers Breakthrough Technology designations to innovations that offer a major advantage in terms of patient safety, clinical outcomes, and operational efficiencies. Clarius proved to provide these benefits to Premier members with their broad range of specialty-focused ultrasound scanners, market-leading AI applications, and best-in-class image quality.

"Being awarded Premier's Technology Breakthrough is an important step towards achieving our mission to put accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable ultrasound into the hands of every clinician," says Clarius President and Chief Executive Officer Ohad Arazi. "Point-of-care ultrasound is a critical tool for achieving the quadruple aim in healthcare and Clarius is the ideal portable device for rapid diagnoses and safe ultrasound-guided treatments. We look forward to supporting Premier members in providing the best patient experience, improving health outcomes, enhancing clinician satisfaction, and ultimately reducing healthcare costs."

Powered by artificial intelligence and designed to work wirelessly with current iOS and Android devices, Clarius has miniaturized diagnostic quality ultrasound to the size of a smartphone for ultra portability from patient to patient throughout the hospital. Only Clarius offers a comprehensive line of wireless scanners and advanced specialty packages designed to deliver superior imaging for an extensive range of clinical applications.

‍For emergency medicine, critical care, anesthesia, internal medicine, and nursing, the Clarius PAL HD3 dual-array(phased plus linear) scanner delivers high-resolution imaging of superficial and deep anatomy delivering versatile whole-body imaging.

‍For obstetrics and gynecology, labor and delivery, and urology, the Clarius C3 HD3 convex and Clarius EC7 HD3endocavity scanners offer a complete ultraportable solution.

‍‍For physiatry, orthopedic surgery, pain management, and rheumatology, clinicians can choose from three linear scanners, the Clarius L15 HD3, Clarius L7 HD3, and Clarius L20 HD3, with the Clarius C3 HD3 convex for deeper hip and spine imaging.

 For pediatric ultrasound, the Clarius C7HD3 offers high-resolution, high-frame-rate imaging clearly down to 18 cm.

"In addition to the actual quality of the image, you're getting it wirelessly. It's on par with any corded device I have," says orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Alan Hirahara. "For me, being able to bring it into the operating room and pop it into a bag that's sterile is so much better than having a cord that could be prone to contaminating the surgical field. And you can place your monitor anywhere because you're not tethered by a cord."

Related: Wireless Handheld Whole-Body Ultrasound Scanner

Premier is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 4,300 U.S. hospitals and 300,000 other providers to transform healthcare. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, consulting, and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost.

About Clarius

Clarius is on a mission to make accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable ultrasound tools available to all medical professionals in every specialty. With decades of experience in medical imaging, the team knows that great ultrasound imaging improves confidence and patient care. Today, Clarius handheld wireless ultrasound scanners connect to iOS and Android devices, delivering high-resolution ultrasound images traditionally only available with bulkier, high-end systems at a fraction of the cost.

Emeryville, California-based Eko Health is implementing an initiative headed by Imperial College London to distribute its stethoscopes with artificial intelligence to primary care practitioners around the United Kingdom.

TRICORDER, a National Institute for Health and Care Research(NIHR) funded implementation program led by researchers at Imperial College London, will deploy Eko's AI-enabled technology (marketed in the U.S. as SENSORA™) to primary care practices across the UK. This novel implementation will assist clinicians in their evaluation of heart failure (HF), valvular heart disease (VHD), and atrial fibrillation (AFib), ultimately serving as an AI-enabled clinical decision support tool for echocardiogram referrals.  

The team at Imperial College London will deploy Eko's technology to 100 General Practitioner (GP) practices across the UK. Patients visiting their GP will receive a brief, non-invasive cardiac exam. The exam uses an Eko digital stethoscope and app powered by the company's AI. When Eko's AI detects possible signs of cardiac disease, the GP can rapidly initiate further tests and potentially life-saving treatments. The current gold standard to detect heart failure is a blood test (NT-proBNP) that when ordered alone, initiates a long pathway that often fails to achieve early diagnosis and treatment in those who need it most. This novel deployment could improve heart disease outcomes for millions of people in communities across the UK.        

"Heart failure admission alone costs the UK over £2 billion annually, and an unacceptable 80% of these diagnoses are made during emergency admissions," said Dr. Nicholas Peters, Professor of Cardiology, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and the clinical-academic implementation team lead. Co-investigators Dr. Patrik Bächtiger and Dr. Mihir Kelshiker commented, "TRICORDER is a system-wide implementation of Eko's clinically effective AI technology. Implementing this tool in primary care could save the health payer system £2,400 per patient, eliminating the potential need for an emergency room visit."

"This deployment around the UK of our AI-enabled heart disease detection technology demonstrates the need for accurate and early heart disease detection," said Connor Landgraf, Co-founder and CEO of Eko Health. "We're proud to partner with leading academic institutions such as Imperial College London to validate the clinical utility and positive impact our technology has on the lives of millions of patients."

Related: Verily and iRhythm Deliver AFib Detecting Zio Watch

Eko's AI-enabled technology pairs a digital stethoscope with an electrocardiogram (ECG) to advanced machine learning algorithms that analyze ECG and heart sound data. TRICORDER utilizes clinically validated algorithms that detect reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) indicative of heart failure, structural murmurs indicative of valvular heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. The algorithms will empower clinicians to make more confident decisions for their patients' heart health.

• Eko's HFrEF algorithm has been independently validated to achieve a detection sensitivity and specificity approaching 80%.
• Eko's structural murmur algorithm was validated in a real-world evidence study presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (Abstract 306), which found that the algorithm has more than doubled the detection of valvular heart disease compared to the standard method by primary care professionals, 94.1% vs. 41.2%.
• Eko's atrial fibrillation detection algorithm has been clinically validated to perform at 100% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity.

Eko's AI-enabled technology is commercially available in the U.S. and marketed to health systems as SENSORA™. The company's algorithm for HFrEF detection is undergoing U.S. FDA review for 510(k) clearance with the intent to market under SENSORA™ once 510(k) is obtained. U.S.-based health systems interested in learning more about SENSORA™ can visitekosensora.com.  

About Eko Health

Eko Health, Inc. is a leading digital health company advancing how healthcare professionals detect and monitor heart and lung disease with its portfolio of digital stethoscopes and AI detection platform, SENSORA™. The company's FDA-cleared technologies are used by hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, one company stands out for its groundbreaking work in the field of mental health. Flow Neuroscience, with its mission to make everyone feel better and live healthier, is spearheading an innovative solution to address the pressing issue of depression.

Unlocking the Science of the Brain

The core belief at Flow Neuroscience is that understanding the science of the brain is paramount to unraveling the complexities of mental health. Their vision is to simplify and make depression treatment accessible to everyone, anywhere, through a groundbreaking solution named Flow.

The Flow Method: Science Meets Technology

Depression often manifests with lower levels of activity in the frontal area of the brain, responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and motivation. Flow employs a revolutionary technology called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to send gentle electrical impulses into the affected brain area. This stimulation jumpstarts cellular activity, effectively reducing symptoms of depression.

Previously, tDCS treatment was confined to clinics and came with a hefty price tag. Flow has democratized this technology, enabling users to access the treatment from the comfort of their homes.

Scientific Backing: Twice as Effective as Antidepressants

Flow's claims are backed by a robust clinical trial, the gold standard in scientific research. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, Flow emerged as twice as effective as the 21 best-selling antidepressants. This remarkable result is measured using an 'odds ratio,' a standardized method of comparing results across trials.

Moreover, the safety and efficacy of tDCS are supported by over 30 clinical trials, with the NHS endorsing tDCS as a legitimate treatment for depression on their official website.

Flow distinguishes itself from conventional depression therapies with many significant advantages:

‍No major adverse Effects from Medication: Unlike conventional antidepressants, Flow's non-invasive tDCS approach has no documented major adverse effects. This is a notable divergence from the 50% of antidepressant users who claim suicidality and the 60% who experience at least ten negative side effects.‍

Quick Results: Flow doesn't require appointments or waiting lists. You can start the treatment immediately from the comfort of your home. Within three weeks, an astounding 88% of customers report observable changes.‍

Money-Back Promise: Recognizing that there isn't a single solution that works for everyone, Flow provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. If consumers do not see the anticipated benefits, the business offers a refund with no questions asked.

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Future Outlook

Flow Neuroscience's commitment to leveraging science and technology to address mental health issues is not just innovative; it's transformative. By making depression treatment accessible, fast, and safe, Flow is carving a path toward a future where mental health solutions are as commonplace and accessible as any other form of healthcare.

In a world where mental health awareness is on the rise, Flow Neuroscience's pioneering work marks it as the Innovation of the Month, setting a new standard for the industry and offering hope to millions seeking effective, side-effect-free depression treatment.