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Blood pressure monitor prototype clips onto phones: A clip-on device prototype that takes readings of systolic and diastolic blood pressure using an algorithm and a smartphone camera has been developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego. “Using a standard blood pressure cuff can be awkward to put on correctly, and this solution has the potential to make it easier for older adults to self-monitor blood pressure,” said study co-author Alison Moore.

AI tool aids MRI diagnosis of brain injuries in athletes: A new AI tool that uses machine learning techniques was able to identify subtle changes in brain MRIs, allowing researchers to differentiate between athletes engaged in contact sports from those in noncontact sports, according to a study published in The Neuroradiology Journal. “Our results highlight the power of artificial intelligence to help us see things that we could not see before, particularly ‘invisible injuries’ that do not show up on conventional MRI scans,” researchers said.

Self-management app shows promise in anxiety reduction in autism: The use of the Brain in Hand self-management system resulted in a decrease in anxiety among adults with autism who used the app for 12 weeks, according to a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The study also found that participants saw improvement in their ability to deal with challenges of daily life after use of the system.

Vaccine patch trial promising for improved access: A clinical trial for a patch-based vaccine delivery system showed measles and rubella immune responses that were comparable to conventional injections, and experts say the delivery method has potential to improve vaccine access in low-income countries because administration requires minimal training and the patch does not require refrigeration or clean water. Vaccine patches are also being tested for other diseases including rabies, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Gastroenterology is a field ripe for medical device innovation, and MedTech developers know that some of the best ideas come from practicing doctors. With that in mind, Medical Design & Outsourcing spoke with two (2) gastroenterologists about what device innovations would help them better diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases.

Diabetes app reduces health care use, hospitalizations: Patients with type 2 diabetes who used the Dario Diabetes Solution had lower all-cause health care resource utilization and inpatient hospitalization rates over the course of a year than patients who received usual care, according to a presentation at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. The platform pairs a blood glucose meter with a mobile app so patients can monitor their glucose levels in real time.

Skin patch reduces peanut allergy in toddlers: Researchers have developed a skin patch to treat young children with severe peanut allergies. In a study of toddlers ages 1 to 3, about two-thirds of the children who wore the patch coated with a tiny amount of peanut protein could safely eat up to four peanuts after a year, according to the findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Electronic chest tattoo may reduce heart disease risk: An electronic chest patch placed on the skin for round-the-clock monitoring of the heart’s mechanical capacity and electrical activity operates as both a seismocardiogram and electrocardiogram, according to a study published in Advanced Electronic Materials. The tool was designed to monitor high-risk patients, including those who have coronary heart disease with decreased blood flow to the heart and people who have undergone heart surgery, according to study author Nanshu Lu.

Positive results seen with urge urinary incontinence treatment: An implantable tibial neuromodulation system called BlueWind RENOVA iStim demonstrated efficacy and had a favorable safety profile among women with urge urinary incontinence. At six (6) months, 76.4% of study participants saw a 50% or more decrease in incontinence episodes, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association.

Closed-loop system helps improve glucose control in Type-1 Diabetes: A study in the journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics found that Diabeloop’s closed-loop system Accu-Chek Insight was associated with improved glycemic control among patients with type 1 diabetes without major side effects. The study included 62 patients in real-world settings.