Magnetic therapy promises to reverse age-related conditions and metabolic disorders
An innovative magnetic muscle therapy developed by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS)and commercialized by HealthTEC.SG industry member
QuantumTx has completed a study involving 101 elderly participants. Using very low levels of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), the participants reported significant improvements in mobility and blood lipid profiles after 8 weeks of treatment.
Stretchable smart knee wearable for monitoring joint movement
Wearables from conductive fabric are soft, malleable and comfortable for long-term monitoring. A team of researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) has created a knee brace with multiple integrated flexible sensors that enables real-time sensing of knee joint motion.
The key advantage of this smart knitted brace is that relying on fewer external components makes it more robust to impact and strains, and less error-prone from displacement of the sensors. Such wearables have many applications in the early diagnosis or monitoring of mobility-related conditions.
Curtin University in Western Australia and local healthcare clusterSingHealthare collaborating a 3D facial analysis software developed by Curtin researchers.Clinifaceis an open-source platform using images captured by commercially available 3D cameras to compare more than 50 different facial measurements to detect facial features that are related to rare diseases. Cliniface is currently deployed as part of a study that aims to analyse features associated with hereditary angioedema (HAE), a genetic disorder that causes severe, episodic swelling of the face and upper torso. As the Cliniface dataset has been built on Caucasian faces, the collaboration here would help provide references for Asian faces. Read more of the exciting collaboration in thisnews article.
Ultrathin Battery for Smart Contact Lenses Chargeable by Saline Solution
Smart contact lenses of the future may be capable of anything from monitoring health to augmented reality. However, to realise this potential, there is a need to develop non-toxic ultra-thin batteries to power the lenses. The group led by A/Prof Lee Seok Woo fromNTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineeringhas developed a biocompatible battery for such purposes. The battery is chargeable in a solution of glucose, sodium and potassium. Furthermore, the battery could be powered by human tears, allowing an additional hour of use for every 12-hour wearing cycle. Read more onNTU news andnews article. Also, check out the video on their workhere.
Bulletin Issue 3 (Dec 23)
Microfluidic Method to Optimize Stem Cell Extraction
Researchers from the Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) ofSingapore-MIT Alliance (SMART), in collaboration withA*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI)and National University Health System (NUHS), has developed a world-first continuous sorting technique on a multi-chip Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD) microfluidic platform to extract mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) directly from bone marrow aspirate without dilution. The new method doubles the quantity of MSCs obtained from bone marrow samples and shortens the time taken to around 20 minutes. This advancement represents a significant step toward manufacturing of advanced cell therapies that use MSCs – which can be potential treatments for osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Read the detailed articlehere.
FUNction Device Aids Patients with Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy is characterized by progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. With support from a SG Enable grant, a research team led by Prof Lim Chwee Teck from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) has developed an assistive device working prototype to help patients use smartphones and tablets even in advanced stages of the disease. The FUNction device uses a soft, thin and stretchable sensor that allows minute movements and finger forces to be translated to software controls. It is designed to function like a computer mouse with adjustable sensitivity. The team is currently working with patients to test the device and intends to develop exergames to monitor functional strength. Read the article on NUS news.
Bulletin Issue 4 (Feb 24)
AI-powered ‘eye’ for Visually Impaired
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore’sSchool of Computinghas developed a wearable assistive device that helps the visually impaired ‘see’ objects around them with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Dubbed AiSee, the device incorporates a micro-camera that captures the user’s field of view. Sophisticated cloud-based AI algorithms then process and analyse captured images to identify objects of interest. AiSee employs a large language model (LLM) capable of engaging in an interactive Q&A exchange with the user about the object. Auditory information is transmitted through bone conduction from the headphone of the device. The team believes that the new device will empower the visually impaired in Singapore to a level unprecedented here. The team is currently in talks with SG Enable to conduct user testing. Read the full articlehere.
Revolutionizing diabetes care with needle-free solutions
Individuals with Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes often rely on regular insulin injections or insulin pumps to maintain their blood glucose at healthy levels. Dr Dang’s team has developed a novel hydrogel-based device housing insulin-secreting cells that is designed to be implanted under patients’ skin. The implant device senses blood glucose concentrations and secretes the right amount of insulin in response, providing precise glucose regulation without the need for regular injections. Importantly, the implant’s design facilitates optimal cellular oxygen uptake and protects the cells from immune system attacks, both of which are crucial for the implanted cells to survive. The prototype implant has demonstrated efficacy in mouse models of diabetes, and currently the team is developing a prototype for future study in larger animal models and potential human trials.
Responsive drug delivery for arthritis pain relief
Arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness, is a debilitating disease especially prevalent in the elderly. Treatment typically involves anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate symptoms and pain. Dr Dang’s team has engineered a novel inflammatory-responsive hydrogel that dispenses a precise dose of anti-inflammatory drugs in the presence of inflammation, allowing for a more targeted and effective treatment for arthritis. Current evaluations are underway in rat models of arthritis.
There is tremendous potential in integrating biology with engineering to address chronic diseases. Dr Dang’s research gained worldwide recognition, such as winning the healthcare category at the 2022 Prototypes for Humanity, placed 2nd at the 2022 China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship competition, and placing 2nd and 3rd respectively, at the 2021 and 2022 Society for Biomaterials Business plan competitions. Accolades aside, Dr Dang’s team is still most excited about the prospect of converting bench innovations to clinical solutions with the ultimate aim of enhancing human health and well-being.
