"Electronics in Medicine"

April 10, 2010 - PRLog -- The field of contemporary electronics design may have the greatest potential for the advancement and dissemination of medical knowledge. In diagnosis as well as treatment, the effect of electronic developments can be likened to the advances in the past few decades brought about by major discoveries such as x-ray machine.

The advancement of innovative modern electronic medicine is swiftly becoming an efficient and effective process to determine specific diseases, as well as treatment. For example, it is now possible to determine diabetes, or analyse a heart operation, within five minutes.  Needless to say, the importance of electronics in medicine is increasing.

This article will briefly examine some important electronic medical devices including:

Electronic Blood Analyser
Electronic Blood Glucose Monitor
Electronic Brain Wave Machine
Electronic Cardiac Monitor
Infrared  and Digital Thermometers


Electronic Blood Analyser

An electronic blood analyser is used to test blood samples with the aim of establishing diagnoses for many diseases which are detectable through the changes in the properties of, or the presence of microorganisms in, a person’s blood.

A fully automatic electronic blood analyser system is designed for determining seven main blood parameters include red and white blood count. Blood collected is divided into two solutions, one for use in red blood counts and the other for use in white cell counts, and is then analysed electronically.

The electronic blood analyser makes the diagnoses of various diseases quicker to ascertain, reduces cost and decreases human error, hence is a valuable modern medical diagnostic tool.


Blood Glucose Monitor

A blood glucose monitor is an electronic device for measuring  blood glucose level, which is particularly important in the care of diabetes mellitus.
A relatively small drop of blood is placed on a disposable test strip which interfaces with a digital meter. Within several seconds, the level of blood glucose will be displayed.

The electronic blood glucose monitor has given people with diabetes the ability to easily, and cost effectively, self manage and monitor their blood sugar levels.


Brain Wave Machine

The electronic brain wave machine captures various data from the brain for analysis. The machine uses Electroencephalography (EEG) which is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp produced by the firing of neurons within the brain.

The brain wave machine records necessary data from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp. After processing the data, the result is shown on the screen.

EEG is often used to help diagnose and manage brain disorders including epilepsy, sleeping disorders, brain disease, brain trauma and brain death


Electronic Cardiac Monitor

The electronic cardiac monitor is a device that shows the electrical and pressure waveforms of the cardiovascular system for measurement and treatment.

An electronic cardiac monitor uses specific electrode placement on the legs, arms and chest. A data cable is then connected to the electrode patches and a continuous cardiac electrocardiogram (EKG) tracing is displayed.

ECG is routinely used for a quick and non invasive procedure of recording electrical activity and changes in the heart. The procedure can detect irregular heart activity found with angina, congenital issues, heart disease and heart attack; the device is also used to monitor a patient’s condition during and after surgery. ECG is also used for exercise tolerance tests.


Digital  & Infrared (IR) Thermometers

A digital thermometer is an electronic instrument used for accurate body temperature monitoring. Traditional mercury temperature thermometers are notoriously difficult to read, however digital thermometers make this task easier.

Digital thermometers work by using an electronic temperature sensor called a thermoresister. Sensors, usually some type of circuit board or very low-powered computer, then take that information and interpret it into a temperature value. The digital thermometer then displays the temperature on an easy-to-read layout.

IR thermometers measure temperature using blackbody radiation, which is generally infrared, emitted from objects. An infrared thermometer has the ability to measure temperature from a distance. By knowing the amount of infrared energy emitted by the object and its emissivity, the object's temperature can be determined.

The IR thermometer consists of a lens to focus the infrared (IR) energy on to a detector, which converts the energy to an electrical signal that can be displayed in units of temperature (after being compensated for ambient temperature variation).

IR thermometers are used globally by authorities in sea and airports to detect passengers with high temperatures. High temperatures may indicate the presence of diseases such as SARS and H1NI (Swine Flu).


Electronics Design

As with all innovative electronic equipment, the concept is the first step. All great, even revolutionary electronic equipment starts with a seed of an idea, and then needs to proceed to the development prototype stage if a product is to be created.

Choosing an electronics designer who will deliver can be a challenging task.  Things to consider are relevant experience, qualifications, an innovative approach and a supportive team who listens and responds to a customer’s requirements.

LX Innovations is an innovation award winning electronics design house that have experience in developing electronic medical products.

For further information about LX Innovations or electronics product development, visit  www.lx-innovations.com.au, phone Kelly Blyth on (02) 9209 4133, 1800 810 124 or email kellyb@lx-innovations.com.au.

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LX Innovations is an electronics design house, specialising in the wireless and low power electronics designs. LX offers clients a range of professional solutions designed to take a new product idea from concept through to production.