IEEE Pulse最新文献

Continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) is a frequent postoperative urological procedure that continuously flushes the bladder with saline. Its main goal is to control gross hematuria (blood in urine) and prevent the formation of clots that can block urinary flow and extend hospital stays. Despite its widespread use, traditional CBI methods are flawed. Currently, there is no standardized or quantitative method to evaluate the severity of hematuria; instead, clinicians rely on subjective visual assessments, using imprecise color descriptors such as "rose" or "cherry red." Saline flow rates must also be adjusted manually, requiring frequent bedside monitoring to assess urine color, regulate inflow, and replace fluid bags. This labor-intensive and inconsistent process contributes to complications in roughly 50% of patients receiving CBI. While some research efforts have explored optical sensing or automated flow regulation, none have successfully delivered a comprehensive solution that combines measurement, automation, alerts, and a user interface in a system suitable for clinical use. To overcome these challenges, we created UroFlo: a smart, adaptive CBI platform designed to streamline and improve hematuria management. UroFlo integrates five essential features: 1) quantitative hematuria analysis; 2) automated inflow control; 3) real-time monitoring of supply and waste volumes; 4) automated caregiver notifications; and 5) an intuitive user interface. By combining objective data with automated decision-making and intel-ligent alerts, UroFlo reduces the need for constant supervision, ensures consistency across care teams, and improves patient outcomes. This system represents a significant advancement in CBI technology, setting a new benchmark for standardizing care and enhancing safety.

A noninvasive, transcutaneous, spinal cord stimulation system, called ARC-EX, has been shown to restore some of the hand strength and sensation that patients had lost following spinal cord injuries, including those injuries that had occurred years earlier.

Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are inevitably needed to set up non-invasive therapies in neurorehabilitation. Along with the artificial intelligence (AI) techniques trending, constructing EEG-based brain computer interfaces is still in demand with high classification accuracy for advancing the state-of-the-art BCIs. From the perspective of pioneering frontier research, this article highlights the 21st-century's EEG-based BCI systems, their challenges, and its future direction for neuroscientists and clinical applications.

A growing wave of new medical devices are helping to pull back the curtain on the human brain through neuromonitoring-the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and other real-time neurophysiological signals to record and analyze neural activity. Starting with the development of EEG in the 1930s, neuromonitoring evolved first into a behind-the-scenes scientific research and medical diagnostic tool. Neuromonitoring moved into the operating room starting in the late 1970s to help protect neural functions during delicate surgeries and now is expanding to use artificial intelligence algorithms as a digital "co-pilot" to help spot potential issues faster. With the advent of smaller and less expensive neuromonitoring tools, the process is moving into other clinical areas, including intensive care units and emergency departments. Companies like Ceribell and NeuroBell are alerting clinicians to "silent" seizures that might otherwise cause lasting brain damage, while other start-ups such as Kernel are developing research tools that may help guide treatments for depression and addiction.

The rapidly evolving field of noninvasive brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) is transforming wearable technology from science fiction into a powerful tool for health care, offering a surgery-free and drug-free alternative to traditional treatments. Such devices are currently being used to target conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia and more through targeted neurostimulation techniques.

Historically, brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies have almost exclusively been available in high-income countries. What would it take for them to become more available and accessible in low- and middle-income countries, and in complex settings?

Pulse's Industry Corner Live featured a dynamic live Q&A session between IEEE Pulse Editor-in-Chief Chad Andresen and Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO and co-founder of Synchron, a leader in minimally invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The discussion explored the intersection of neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in the MedTech sector. Dr. Oxley shared insights into Synchron's pioneering work with endovascular BCIs, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional neurosurgical approaches, and how this technology is reshaping the possibilities for restoring communication in patients with paralysis. The conversation delved into the growing role of AI in decoding neural signals and driving clinical translation, while also addressing the regulatory, financial, and ethical challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the neurotechnology space. With candid reflections on his journey from clinician to startup founder, Oxley provided an inside look at what it takes to bring disruptive technologies from concept to clinic. This session offered a rare glimpse into the mindset of a neurotech innovator navigating the high-stakes interface of science, medicine, and industry.

The Capstone experience is often a required rite-of-passage for seniors in Bioengineering. At Rice University, the Bioengineering Capstone program is defined by a commitment to real-world collaborative, experiential learning, access to diverse facilities and dedicated mentorship and proximity to the Texas Medical Center and local community resources. Here, we spotlight four student design projects from the past two years that are representative of the Bioengineering Capstone experience. These projects run the gamut from cardiac catheter anchoring and tissue retraction and suction device for spinal surgery to real-time coagulation monitoring and automated UTI and blood clot prevention. Collectively, these projects demonstrate how the Rice Bioengineering Capstone program supports success and promises impact for health care technology in the future.

The International Conference of the IEEE Engineering Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) is the largest international biomedical engineering conference. In 2024, over 1,100 students and young professionals attended the conference in Orlando, FL, USA, from 15 to 19 July. EMBS Student Activities Committee (SAC) is involved in the annual international conference of the society, to aid students in finding a suitable space and providing programs that support personal and professional development. In addition, the Committee is dedicated to establishing a global network for raising awareness of bioengineering careers and facilitating collaboration between students and leaders, thereby making a significant contribution to the scientific community. Thus, this article focuses on the EMBS SAC events and initiatives that occurred in the 46th EMBC 2024, and the possible improvements and future initiatives moving forward. These activities included networking lunches, evening reception, student paper and chapter competitions, student volunteer program, panels and workshops, funding, CV database and support, professional headshots, and interactive booths.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has traditionally been addressed through biochemical interventions targeting amyloid and tau pathologies. However, these approaches are constrained by high costs, limited accessibility, and suboptimal efficacy. This article introduces a novel, physics-based therapeutic modality: noninvasive neuromodulation via synchronized visual and auditory stimulation to restore gamma frequency brain rhythms. The Spectris AD device, developed by Cognito Therapeutics, leverages principles of signal processing and systems engineering to drive gamma oscillations in patients with mild to moderate AD. Early clinical studies, including the OVERTURE and FLICKER trials, demonstrate promising results, such as a 77% reduction in functional decline [Alzheimer's disease co-operative study ADL (ADCS-ADL)], a 76% slowing of cognitive decline [mini mental-state exam (MMSE)], and structural brain preservation without the safety risks associated with monoclonal antibodies. The ongoing HOPE pivotal trial aims to validate these findings in a diverse U.S. population. Spectris AD exemplifies a shift from molecular to network-level interventions, offering a scalable, home-based solution that reimagines neurodegenerative treatment as a systems-engineering challenge. This article presents the engineering, clinical data, and broader implications of this pioneering approach to neurotherapeutics.