Tag Archives: Health

Get a Mental Flossing with BrainCo

CES 2018, , ,

Being “in the zone” reflects that total mental focus and clarity that comes to people concentrating hard. For athletes and professionals, it can take years of practice and hard work. For us mere mortals, BrainCo offers a way to learn how to focus. How? Professor Don gets all brainy with Max.

The idea behind BrainCo is to use their Focus One headband with gamification to improve mental concentration. The BrainCo band reads small electrical impulses in the wearer’s brain and picks up on changes in the frequency and amplitude of the impulses (EEG). As everyone’s brains are different the band establishes a personal baseline and works on changes from that baseline to understand when the person is relaxed, focussed or distracted.

While wearing the Focus One headband, the owner plays a smartphone game which takes information from the headband and responds as the wearer mentally focusses. Simply, the person has to focus to do well in the game. Overtime, the person learns how to focus their mind.

The BrainCo Focus One reinforces good mental behaviour and this can be especially useful for children who have learning difficulties such as ADHD, but it also has application in ensuring that teachers are engaging with their students.

The FocusOne isn’t yet available to buy but if you are interested, you can register on the BrianCo website for an early bird discount.

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and gives lectures at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

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Smart Running with FeetMe Sport at CES

CES 2017, ,

Step counters and activity trackers are ten-a-penny, but what if the tracker could show you how you run, not just how far you run? It’s now a reality with smart insoles from FeetMe. Todd finds out more from CTO Andrey Mostovov and sprinter Taylor Pegram.

FeetMe’s athletic smart insoles, FeetMe Sport, constantly takes measurements from over thirty pressure sensors, before processing the information in their FeetMe coaching app to show exactly how your feet hit the ground. Imagine being a top athlete and being able to see your stride and steps. The app gives suggestions for improvement and weaknesses are highlighted for attention in the next training session. Unsurprisingly, the FeetMe Sport uses Bluetooth to pass the information on to a nearby smartphone or tablet, giving feedback in the field.

There’s a professional version for healthcare aimed at people who have gait or foot problems, or need post-operative assessment, allowing clinicians to review the data from the insoles.

The FeetMe Sport insoles are on pre-order for US$150.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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TytoCare Telehealth at CES Keeps Sick Kids at Home

CES 2017, ,

Parents around the world will recognise the perennial problem of taking their child to the doctor for relatively minor ailments simply to get prescription or medication. The kid just wants to be wrapped up in bed watching TV but they’ve to be dragged down to the doctor for 2 minute exam to confirm it’s nothing to worry about. TytoCare have a brilliant solution in the shape of the TytoHome telehealth and remote examination kit. Todd finds out more from Dedi Gilad.

The TytoCare system is a hand-sized unit with a small screen which has icons for the body area to be checked – nose, ears, heart, lungs, temperature. The device uses a selection of interchangeable sensors which are shaped appropriately and are plugged into the rear of the unit.

The device combines a number of medical instruments, including

  • a high resolution video and still camera
  • an infrared forehead thermometer
  • an otoscope for the ear
  • stethoscope for the heart and lungs
  • tongue depressor for the mouth and throat

The TytoHome connects via Bluetooth to any smartphone and the complementary app demonstrates and guides the owner in the use of the device. The collected data is either recorded for later review or on online consultation can be started with a healthcare provider, sending data back to the clinician during the discussion.

The TytoHome is expected to retail at US$299 when it comes to market. There are enhanced versions for professional use (TytoPro and TytoClinic).

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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Fall Asleep Effortlessly with 2breathe at CES

CES 2017, , ,

Getting enough sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle but for some people the problem isn’t just about getting into bed early enough, it’s about falling asleep. Israeli firm 2breathe has developed a smart sensor and complementary app to help those who have difficulty nodding off. Todd relaxes with Erez.

2breathe is a guided breathing system that uses a body-worn sensor to read the breaths in and out. The app records the breathing rate and then using softly-spoken instructions and gentle music, gradually reduces the breathing speed of the wearer. As the breathing rate slows, the soon-to-be-sleeper will get drowsy and fall asleep. In the morning, the app produces a session report, showing the time to snooze and breathing patterns.

The CES Innovation committee though this was a good idea too, awarding 2breathe a CES Honoree Innovation Award.

2breathe is available now for US$179, either direct from 2breathe or other major online retailers. It’s currently only available for Apple iOS devices.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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Owlet Smart Sock for Sleeping Babies at CES

CES 2017, , ,

The technology to measure physiology is becoming commonplace: any smart watch worthy of the name can record heart rate. The trick now is to incorporate these sensors into other useful gadgets. A good example here is the Owlet Smart Sock which brings reassurance to parents that their baby is sleeping normally.

The Owlet Smart Sock monitors a baby’s heart rate and blood oxygen, alerting parents or carers if either measurement causes concern. The Owlet Smart Sock system has three components; the smart sock or bootie which is worn by the baby on its foot, a monitoring unit and the companion app. The bootie communicates with the monitoring unit via Bluetooth and if there is a problem, parents are notified by visual and audible alerts on the Owlet unit and smartphone(s).

The app is available for both iOS and Android but check compatibility before buying.

The Owlet Smart Sock is available now for $249 direct from Owlet.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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Lynktec has a Non-Contact Smart Thermometer

CES 2016, Health, , ,

Lynktec logoParents who are caring for a sick baby who might have a fever can find it difficult to check their baby’s temperature without waking him or her from a sound sleep. Lynktec provides a simple solution to that problem with Thermo, a non-contact smart thermometer.

Daniele spoke with Marketing Specialist for Lynktec, Christa Knight, at CES 2016. Christa demonstrated how to use Thermo, their non-contact smart thermometer. She also explained the many things that the app can do.

A small device that has a sensor can be connected to your smartphone. That device can be gently placed against a baby’s forehead to check his or her temperature. The baby can continue taking a nap. The device sends data to the app on your smartphone. You can immediately see if the baby is running a fever.

In addition, the app keeps track of the baby’s temperature on a chart. That information can easily be sent to doctor. The app will also show you local hospitals and pharmacies and use Google Maps to tell you the route that will get you there the quickest.

Thermo can also be used to take object and ambient temperatures. It gives parents an easy way to check how hot the baby’s formula is, and to make sure that bath water is at the perfect temperature. It can also be used to find out the temperature of a room.

Thermo is in production and will be available in quarter 2 on the Lynktec.com website. It will be priced at $59.00.

Daniele Mendez is a video host who specializes in covering live events for PLuGHiTz Live.

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Spun Puts a New Spin on the Way You Eat, with Food-Tracking Utensils

CES 2016, Gadgets, , , , ,

spun-forkFitness and healthy eating are on the mind of many people around the globe, with technology a major player in helping those to reach personal goals. Spun utensils are just the latest tool aiming to assist consumers in tracking what they are putting into their bodies.

Spun utensils are designed to take calorie-counting apps to the next level. After taking a picture and identifying the food on your plate, the smart utensil tracks calories and nutrients with each bite rather than just calculating the whole meal. This means you can cut your portion short should you reach your calorie limit before the plate is cleared. The app also allows for things such as monitoring seconds between bites and you can even select profiles that will offer tailored recommendations towards reaching your personal goals.

For an expected retail of $74.99, a Spun starter pack will come with the intelligence handle along with two different spoon size plug-ins as well as a fork attachment. A stylish carrying case is also included with the product. Founder Umar Bakhsh said the utensils will launch in beta form in March of this year with a hopeful release in June.

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Essence Behaviour Analysis for the Smart Home

CES 2016, Health, Home, , , , , ,

Essence LogoComing from a background in home security, Essence have used their understanding of monitoring to develop a range of products for the smart home to enable independent living for those people who might otherwise have difficulty looking after themselves. Jamie and Daniel find out more from Rafi Zauer, Essence Head of Marketing.

The smart home market is exploding at the moment and there are hundreds of companies peddling hubs and sensors. What sets Essence’s SmartCare apart is a focus on unobtrusive monitoring and pattern analysis to detect when a dependent person’s daily routine changes, potentially by illness, in order to alert family members to a problem.

By using PIR motion detectors and door sensors, a pattern of behaviour is built up and deviations from the pattern can be escalated to relatives to follow-up. It’s all passive detection; there are no cameras and as such this provides an important level of privacy. Data is passed to a cloud service which in turn passes alerts to an app on a tablet or smartphone.

With an increasingly older population who want to remain in their own home, these kinds of systems will be increasingly relevant.

Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic and health journalist.
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Qardio Brings Trio of Health Devices to CES

CES 2016, Health, , ,

Qardio LogoIf CES 2016 was any indicator, personal health technology is turning into a quickly expanding market. Manufacturers are introducing all kinds of new and innovative products to help us better understand what’s going on inside our bodies. One such company is Qardio.

Qardio CTO Rosario Iannella stopped by the booth to talk with Todd and Don about three new products: The QardioArm, the QardioBase, and the QardioCore.

QardioArm is a cuff-style blood pressure monitor that goes over a user’s upper arm. The monitor works similarly to a traditional style blood pressure monitor. QardioArm sends readings wirelessly to a smart phone app where they can be stored and shared. QardioArm is currently on the market for $99.

Next up is the impressive full-body scale, the QardioBase. This device is like your old bathroom scale pushed to the max. QardioBase conducts a super low-voltage current thru the person standing on it and uses that current to measure things like body water, body fat, bone composition and more. Qardio has done extensive testing on QardioBase to ensure its accuracy. The base can share its measurements with other devices, connecting over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The device is currently available for purchase at a price of $199.

Last but definitely not least we have QardioCore, a wearable EKG monitor. Unlike traditional personal EKG’s, QardioCore uses a strap to hold itself into place, as opposed to an adhesive patch. The device has built-in accelerometers that help to ensure the device is placed properly onto the user’s body. QardioCore will be available later this year and it’s expected to sell for $499.

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and he holds classes at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice weekly Geek News Central Podcast which can be found at GeekNewsCentral.com

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Omron Brings Modern Blood Pressure Monitors to CES

CES 2016, Health, , ,

Omron Healthcare LogoPersonal healthcare technology has come a long way over the years. It’s now easier than ever to track vital health information at home. Omron Healthcare is leading the way in this field with its new line of blood pressure monitors.

Todd and Don met with Ranndy Kellogg from Omron. Ranndy showed off his company’s latest high-tech blood pressure monitor prototype. Key features of this device include:

  • Can be worn continuously and used not just as a blood pressure monitor but also an activity tracker for things like counting steps.
  • Data collected by the device can be transferred to mobile Android or iOS devices. From there, it can be shared with family members, doctors, and other caretakers.
  • Monitor uses standard oscillometric technology validated to the same accuracy as all upper arm blood pressure monitors.
  • Built-in sensor lets users know when blood pressure monitor is in proper position for use.
  • Single battery charge can last up to 14 days, depending on usage.

The blood pressure monitor seen in the video is a working prototype. Omron will take these devices to production then they will go thru clinical studies and eventual FDA clearance. They’re anticipating the testing and clearance time will take about nine months. Once the monitor is ready, it should retail for around $200.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice weekly Geek News Central Podcast which can be found at GeekNewsCentral.com

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and he holds classes at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

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