Med Tech at #CES2022

Medical technology is a field rife with innovation. People have problems and technology is there to help create solutions for them

CES 2022 provides a forum where companies can share their med tech innovations with a larger audience.

SweatID: Are You Thirsty?

Dehydration is a problem for many people, especially during a workout (or walking around at a convention). Finding a precise level of hydration to optimize performance is a challenge. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can cause “cramping and poor performance, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, seizures, arrhythmias, kidney failure, and even death.”

The makers of SweatID assert that “current fitness bands do not monitor hydration.” This leads to a gap in information. People doing high-sweat activities may need to measure both hydration and electrolyte levels. Being able to measure these levels in real-time, could allow people to be more efficient with their hydration and improve their athletic performance.

SweatID is here to help with those issues. The SweatID system is “a nonwoven fabric sensor” that provides “real-time hydration information by selectively targeting sodium levels on the skin.” It provides users with data so they can accurately maintain an optimal level of hydration.

#CES2022 remained an interesting place to learn about new innovations Click To Tweet

The sensor is disposable and can be placed in reusable clothing (like a sweatband). The sensor collects data (wirelessly with Bluetooth) and sends that data to the related app. The app then uses the data to determine if the user has a “low, medium, or high-sodium concentration” and recommends a specific “hydration strategy” based on the user’s body chemistry.

Adam’s Hand: A Bionic Prosthetic

One exciting med tech innovation at CES is “Adam’s Hand.” BionIT Labs, creator of Adam’s Hand, claims it is “world’s first fully adaptive bionic hand.”

This device is a “poly-articulated hand prosthesis.” According to BionIT Labs, most bionic prostheses currently on the market require that the user perform a “complicated muscle contraction” in order to choose a “preset grip pattern.” Adam’s Hand “allows the fingers to automatically adapt to the shape and size of grasped objects. Once a user chooses to open or close the hand, the device automatically uses the “most suitable gripping pattern.”

The device is designed with other practical features. An orthopedic technician can replace the “field-serviceable” fingers directly. This means that users can get repairs done quickly and conveniently “without the need to send the device to the headquarters.”

BionIT Labs, creator of Adam’s Hand, claims it is world's first fully adaptive bionic hand #CES2022 Click To Tweet

Stainless steel and aviation grade aluminum are used to manufacture the finger joints and internal mechanisms. Impact-resistant techno-polymers are used for the frame and phalanges. These materials help the device remain robust while maintaining the lowest weight possible.

The device uses a “ThunderCell power system.” This is “an interchangeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 950 mAh” and it can be recharged in roughly one hour. It has a waterproof design. This current model (the EB02) uses haptic feedback to give users useful information. Remote firmware updates can be done using the “MyoLogic” app. The 9-axis motion sensor allows for tracking the position of the socket in the space so that the user can carry out “personalized training” and “optimize the use and calibration” of the Adam’s Hand.

AI algorithms are integrated into the Adam’s Hand. This allows the MyoLogic app to guide users through the learning process and simplify its use by adapting the operation of the device to the unique muscle tone of each user.

CES Pet Med Tech:

People really care about their pets. So it should come as no surprise that companies at CES are also concerned about med tech for pets. The iPetWearR, a CES 2022 Innovation Awards honoree, is one innovation that may please pet owners who are looking for futuristic new ways to keep their pet healthy.

The iPetWeaR was created by Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). It is a lightweight, wearable, device that can be attached to a pet’s collar near the pet’s neck or chest. It uses “low power Doppler radar technology developed by ITRI” that detection pulse and chest motion. The means that the device doesn’t require direct contact with the skin. The device is lightweight and suitable for indoor or outdoor conditions.

The iPetWeaR is a lightweight, wearable, device that can be attached to a pet’s collar near the pet’s neck or chest Click To Tweet

Once the iPetWeaR is placed, it can detect vital signs and physical activity level. The device can track and record “heart rate, breathing, sleep/awake status, and activity.” It is accompanied by an app that alerts users to abnormalities, displays real-time data and keeps long-term records.

Conclusion

These three companies are all using technology to create interesting products that may be helpful to people (and pets) in the future. These products range from hydration to prosthetics to pets, but they all may make a difference. CES 2022 remained an interesting place to learn about new innovations.

Laura Kobylecky is a contributing writer to Tech Trends. She is particularly interested in new and emerging technology and culture. Connect with her on LinkedIn