Implantable, wearable technology is growing fast for its sheer contribution to the world of medicine. The medical engineering landscape is heavily invested for obvious reasons. Experts opine that the future of wearable technology lies in implantables as they become part of our normal lives. Some of the implantables that are gaining great popularity are:
Wearable smartphone
Smartphones have become a part of us. Our day starts and ends with these devices. Wearable technology offers to raise this connection further. The smartphones can now receive the signals from a chip embedded into the body of the user. Researchers have developed eye implants that can capture images with a blink of an eye and transmit the data to the chip embedded. The idea to have the skin display the data as if on a screen is also being explored. These implantables may seem intrusive but they will soon become common. Advancement in this field is aiming at turning the human bones into speakers.
Wearable medical chipsets
Many people are using cyber-implants connected to smartphones and special apps. The implants send real-time information to smartphones about the status of the diseases in their body. Timely information may reduce the risks of diseases. The bionic pancreas is one such implant created by the Boston University; this monitors blood-sugar levels and communicates the data to the smartphone.
A team of scientists in London is working on a swallowable smart capsule that can monitor fat levels in obese patients. Research is being carried out to create capsules which can generate genetic material to makes the users feel satiated, thereby reducing the need for extra food intake. This wearable tech has the potential of an alternative solution to treat obesity. Currently, obesity is addressed with surgical or other invasive procedures which may raise the risk of associated medical conditions.
Wearable cyber pills
Implantable cyber pills with microprocessor chip can communicate the information about the body to the doctors directly. The doctors are better informed about a patient’s medication schedule and the side effects, if any. This way monitoring the patients becomes easy.
Wearable birth control pills
Wearable tech in the form of implantable birth control pill is gaining popularity through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by MIT. The microchip in the pill can be remotely controlled. The pill which generates small amounts contraceptive hormones can be turned on and off. It works for several years in a female’s body and is very effective in planning families.
Wearable smart tattoos
Digital tattoos are being developed by various universities and companies. These are essentially microparticles or hair-like wires that are embedded under the skin. Designers are exploring the possibilities of adding more functions to these tattoos. Finger tattoos allow users to unlock the phone or open a car. Tattoos are also being developed to monitor the body functions from the surface.
Wearable brain chip
Brain-computer interface is no more a dream. Scientists say that it may become mainstream by 2020. A microchip is implanted in the brain which will send signals to the computer. The computer can then decode the thoughts of a human being.
The wearable technology is one of the latest innovations in communication technology and has no boundaries. In the following days to come, this technology will become a normal part of human lives.
