IEEE Pulse最新文献

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.

The allure of Neuralink is attracting investors to funnel money into the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, primarily aimed at treating spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. But what is the payoff? Jim Banks examines the inspired innovation in BCI that is reestablishing connections for patients with the world.

Neurofeedback uses a brain-computer interface to measure a person's brain activity and show it to them in real time. A number of companies offer neurofeedback devices directly to consumers, with promises of improving meditation and enhancing concentration. However, whether neurofeedback is actually effective remains controversial among researchers.

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.

For patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), clot formation is a critical complication requiring high-risk circuit changes. Blood tests used to assess clotting risk may be drawn only four times a day, potentially missing key information that could inform physician intervention. To mitigate these risks, we designed a device that integrates ultrasound imaging and impedance sensing for continuous, real-time monitoring of blood coagulability (the blood's likelihood to clot). Our design features a tubing adaptor housing two gold probes and an etched region containing a safe concentration of kaolin, a coagulation promoter, which localizes small-scale clot formation in a single detectable region. An ultrasound probe attached to the adaptor captures images at this location for further processing by a computer vision image segmentation algorithm that tracks changes in clot thickness over time. Concurrently, an impedance sensor measures resistive and capacitive changes in the blood during coagulation using the gold probes. The ac voltage input is minimized to prevent electrochemical reactions or shock. The output signal is filtered and analyzed using a lock-in amplifier to extract precise impedance changes that show preliminary correlation with coagulation blood test markers. By integrating these sensors, our system demonstrates preliminary real-time, in-circuit coagulation monitoring, making strides toward overcoming the current limitations of intermittent blood testing with the ultimate goal of improving patient safety in ECMO therapy.

Focused ultrasound (FUS) is rapidly redefining the landscape of brain therapy, offering a noninvasive, highly precise alternative to traditional neurosurgical techniques. Enabled by advances in phased-array transducer technology, MRI-guided targeting and thermometry, and sophisticated treatment planning software, FUS delivers sub-millimeter accuracy through the skull while sparing surrounding tissue. This article provides a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the core technologies that make FUS possible, including phase correction for skull variability and real-time imaging for safety. We survey the broadening spectrum of clinical applications, from FDA-approved treatments for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease to investigational uses in Alzheimer's, glioblastoma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and targeted drug delivery. Pioneering trials have demonstrated not only durable tremor control and motor improvement, but also the unique ability to deliver drugs directly to the brain and noninvasively target deep neuropsychiatric circuits.

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheters play a critical role in providing visualization during cardiac procedures. Currently, the ICE catheter requires continuous manual support to maintain stable imaging, often necessitating a second operator and prolonging procedure time. We present AnchorCat, a novel fixation device for ICE catheters used in cardiac ablation procedures. Designed to secure the catheter handle and enable precise positional adjustments, AnchorCat improves imaging stability and reduces the need for continuous manual support. High-fidelity prototypes were manufactured and tested in simulated cardiac models, demonstrating minimal rotational and translational drift within clinical targets. Physician feedback confirmed an ergonomics score of 4.63/5, and successful testing in a porcine model validated the device's clinical potential. AnchorCat offers a promising solution to enhance procedural efficiency and visualization during cardiac ablations.

In this exclusive IEEE Pulse interview, Editor in Chief Chad Andresen engages in an in-depth conversation with Alex Kent, Senior Director of Research at Cala Health, to explore the pioneering work that has positioned the company at the forefront of bioelectronic medicine. Cala Health is known for its transformative approach to treating essential tremor through noninvasive, wrist-worn neuromodulation a therapy that merges rigorous neuroscience with intuitive wearable technology. Kent sheds light on the years of intense, multidisciplinary research that underpins Cala's innovation, including the complex challenges of translating neurophysiological insights into practical, patient-ready therapies. From foundational science to FDA clearance, the journey has been one of perseverance, collaboration, and bold thinking. Listeners will gain rare insight into the scientific backbone of Cala Health's success, the commitment to evidence-based development, and the vision for how individualized bioelectronic medicine can reshape the treatment of chronic neurological conditions. This conversation is a tribute to the relentless pursuit of meaningful, scalable impact and to the researchers who make it possible.

While noninvasive medical devices for disease diagnosis and management are used routinely in high-income settings, their penetration in low-income countries, and in complex emergency and humanitarian settings remain limited. This article discusses issues of trust, privacy, context, and financial sustainability that need to be addressed for noninvasive devices to live up to their potential and promise in low-income and humanitarian settings.