Orthopedic Technology Expands With RFID Implants

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Science

I manage to hurt myself multiple times throughout each given month, usually in places which are easy to fracture, such as the ankles or the wrists. Whether it’s due to clumsiness or completely accidental, the fact remains: I’m in pain. The good news is orthopedic firms are planning on using RFID implants to monitor a transplant’s performance while in use.

Orthopedic devices like a knee replacement must be calibrated to ensure correct functionality.  Surgeons need informational feedback when a patient returns for a follow-up after a procedure.  Sensors embedded in an implant could transmit that information to a computer allowing the surgeon to determine if the implant is performing to its full expectation.  Think of it as Scholastic’s Magical School Bus meets real life; identifying problems on the inside of the body while remaining outside of it.

Link (via)

A Dish Rack to Compliment the Couch

Filed under: Design, Household

Sick of the typical, ugly dish rack that currently resides in your kitchen? Spice it up with the Dish Doctor from Magis. Designed by Marc Newson, this green bastard has dual utensil holders and a bunch of colorful pegs to hold your plates and dildos cups.

Link (via)

Cyborg Tales: Startup Using RFID Implants

Filed under: Science, Software, Wireless

RFID_finger

Ever since some jackass got an RFID implant in his hand, every geek on the planet has been itching to get one. After all, if you could open your front door or turn on a CD player with the wave of your hand, wouldn’t you get the procedure done? Of course you would. Unless of course, the Mafia is going to chop your hand off for gambling debts you owe.

A Pittsburg-based company called ClearCount Medical Solutions is now using RFID chips inside surgical sponges to prevent loss inside human cavities during surgery. Did you know that one in every 1000 surgeries ends with a misplaced sponge? Not cool. ClearCount’s new system should keep a hold on things inside the OR when your surgeon is losing his or her cool.

Link

Thinklabs iPod Stethoscope brings popular tech to the doc’s office

thinklabs ipod stethoscope

Even though you probably already have a whole slew of iPod accessories floating around in your room, what is there for a doctor? Sure it would be nice for them if they could plug in and jam while diagnosing your problems, but that’s not too professional, is it? Luckly, Thinklabs has created an addon make just for doctors.

The Thinklabs iPod Nano Stethoscope Recording Kit works with the XtremeMac MicroMemo recording unit for the iPod to record what a patient’s heart sounds like. While probably not too useful for your average checkup in an enclosed environment, this can be more applicable our in the open when there are other amibent noises to get in the way of a normal stethoscope. Using a built-in audio amplification coupled with noise reduction, you can hear the heart beats clearer than a normal stethoscope could ever do. The price of the kit shows that it probably isn’t for you, but show it to your doctor, he/she might be impressed! $495. — Nik Gomez

Thinklabs iPod Nano Stethoscope Recording Package [via OhGizmo!]