A Life-Saving Wearable By Army Medical University and China Academy of Engineering Physics could Diagnose Strokes Accurately
Scientists have developed a device that can monitor blood flow and help quickly diagnose and treat strokes. It is a life-saving wearable.
As a matter of fact, stroke, one of the leading causes of death worldwide; occurs due to poor blood flow to the brain — a condition known as cerebral ischemia.
Its diagnosis must be done within the first few hours for treatment to be effective, researchers said.
With the Apple Watch’s ECG-reading tech has made its way; wearable devices have moved a step forward and turned out to be genuine lifesavers. This new device developed by researchers from the Army Medical University and China Academy of Engineering Physics; used two different light measurement techniques to build an accurate structure of the body’s blood circulation. It is great for quickly and accurately identifying strokes, one of the primary causes of death worldwide. As there is a time-bound situation in identifying the strokes for effective treatment; this is a great tool for physicians and potential future patients as well.
How does This Device Work?
As per the Detian Wang, one of the researchers on the project, this hybrid diffuse optical device has near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy to track the [body’s] total haemoglobin concentration, blood flow index noninvasively, and tissue oxygen saturation, which is useful in identifying the type of stroke at an emergency situation.
This device has near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopy; also known as NIRS-DOS, which reads multispectral tissue-scattered light intensity signals to define the concentrations of things like water; and tissue oxy-haemoglobin, and deoxy-haemoglobin. Finally, these measurements are used to track oxygen saturation and blood volume in tissues. Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) monitors the body’s haemoglobin level. All of these Readings are fast through custom software.
Useful at the Emergency Site
Although the hospital does the CT and MRI in the hospital to diagnose stroke; it might miss out on the effective treatment due to pre-hospital delay; and a limited treatment window of 3 to 4.5 hours. Moreover, this optical diagnostic device makes it fast as it is sensitive to hemodynamic parameters, safe, non-invasive, cheap, and portable. It can find a place in the ambulance, therefore it is most useful at the emergency site.
Synopsis
The research team has plans to sell the technology, although further clinical studies are yet to be conducted. In addition, it is yet to see what type of finished device would take.
