Pink, easy-to-use BP monitor
is girls-only
Photo credit: Auto Control
Medical |
Just-for-women
BP monitor
MONTREAL — A new BP monitor is reviving old stereotypes.
Montreal medical devices firm Auto Control Medical released
its "just for women" Lifesource UA-787W blood pressure
monitor last month. And given that women's blood pressure
is measured in precisely the same way as men's, you
wouldn't be remiss in wondering what exactly makes the
UA-787W so female friendly? Why, its colour! Pink, of
course (with a "colour-coordinated Easy-Fit cuff").
And that's not all: the made-for-women solution, the
company's announcement takes pains to point out, is
"simple to use." The weaker sex is helpless no longer,
thankfully. SS
SSAffinity ligand filter
removes dangerous proteins from blood
Photo credit: ProMetic Biosciences
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Device
strains mad cow prions from blood
NEW ORLEANS — A clever new blood filter designed
by a Montreal company promises to give blood banks the
ability to safeguard their stocks against variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease, or vCJD (the human equivalent of "mad cow"
disease). Already approved in Europe, the iPod-sized
filter contains a type of affinity ligand — synthetic
molecules that bind to proteins in the blood —
and can rid red blood cell concentrate of vCJD in less
than an hour, reported biomolecular engineer Patrick
V Gurgel of ProMetic Biosciences.
Elder-care robot on the
way
Photo credit: University
of Massachusetts Amherst |
Robot
butler connects the elderly to their MDs
AMHERST, MA — Assuming it doesn't frighten them
to death, the uBOT-5 is ready to help doctors care for
their elderly patients remotely. Designed by University
of Massachusetts Amherst researchers as a live-in assistant
for the elderly — a silicon butler, of sorts —
the uBOT-5 can do more than just serve as a video-conferencing
link with a physician; it can call 911 in an emergency,
use a stethoscope, patrol the home for objects that
might trip its owner, and even help do the grocery shopping.
"Grandma can take the robot's hand, lead it out into
the garden and have a virtual visit with a grandchild
who is living on the opposite coast," said UMASS Perceptual
Robotics director Rod Grupen. SS
Nose filter promises to
remove particles
Photo credit: Bio International
Japan |
Japanese
nose filter promises allergy relief
MATSUYAMA, JAPAN — Count on the technology-mad
Japanese to come up with a sleek and fashionable gadget
to help allergy sufferers dodge pollen. The company
Bio International Japan has begun marketing the Nose
Mask Pit, a handy pair of filters that fit inside the
nostrils to block allergens and pollutants from tickling
the nose. The $14-a-pack stoppers look better than a
full-on mask and come with dual layer protection. GL
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