Release date: 2016-05-25
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 360 million people worldwide suffer from hearing-related diseases. A large proportion of these people live in developing countries, especially in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa. Medical experts say at least half of the hearing loss can be avoided by primary prevention. However, in developing countries, even primary prevention is difficult to achieve.
This is why a group of students from Texas A&M University developed a low-cost LED otoscope with 3D printing technology. When the otoscope is inserted into a smartphone, it will take pictures of the inside of the ear. It is reported that this group of students is a member of Engineering World Health (EWL) in Texas A&M University. Currently, students have participated in the design competition organized by EWL with their design. They hope that the design can become a Kits are easy to produce around the world.
The team's head, Robert Hunt, and his deputy, Tessa Bronez, have both degrees in biomedical engineering in May, but they hope that other members of the team will continue to refine their designs after they graduate.
EWL provides a range of issues for healthcare professionals, especially in the developing world. Among them are the low-cost LED otoscopes proposed by Hunt and Bronez to help diagnose and treat those hearing loss problems. “We think smartphones can be used to reduce costs because there are cameras on many smartphones,†Bronez said. “Even in developing countries, the penetration rate of smartphones is also very high.â€
According to Tiangong, their otoscopes were created with 3D printers, standard lenses and simple motherboards. The 3D printed stand can be adjusted to fit on any smartphone. In addition to smartphones, the total cost of this 3D printed otoscope is $6.42, and the average otoscope used by doctors in hospitals often costs hundreds of dollars.
EWL provides a range of issues for healthcare professionals, especially in the developing world. Among them are the low-cost LED otoscopes proposed by Hunt and Bronez to help diagnose and treat those hearing loss problems. “We think smartphones can be used to reduce costs because there are cameras on many smartphones,†Bronez said. “Even in developing countries, the penetration rate of smartphones is also very high.â€
According to Tiangong, their otoscopes were created with 3D printers, standard lenses and simple motherboards. The 3D printed stand can be adjusted to fit on any smartphone. In addition to smartphones, the total cost of this 3D printed otoscope is $6.42, and the average otoscope used by doctors in hospitals often costs hundreds of dollars.
During the development of the project, students discovered a study that used different wavelengths of light instead of white light to achieve better contrast when imaging inne. To this end, they added red, blue and green LED lights to their designs. "If you're looking at certain types of infections, using green light is easier to see than white light," Hunt said.
According to WHO research, the causes of hearing loss may be genetics, complications at birth, chronic ear infections, use of certain drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and aging. More than 5% of the world's population suffers from hearing loss, making this low-cost otoscope an essential tool in clinics and hospitals in developing countries.
In addition, hearing loss can also have corresponding economic and social impacts. The WHO website states that many children with hearing loss and deafness are unable to receive education, and adults with hearing loss will have higher unemployment rates.
According to WHO research, the causes of hearing loss may be genetics, complications at birth, chronic ear infections, use of certain drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and aging. More than 5% of the world's population suffers from hearing loss, making this low-cost otoscope an essential tool in clinics and hospitals in developing countries.
In addition, hearing loss can also have corresponding economic and social impacts. The WHO website states that many children with hearing loss and deafness are unable to receive education, and adults with hearing loss will have higher unemployment rates.
For Hunt and Bronez, such a project is the perfect application for the biomedical expertise they have learned. After graduating, Bronez will travel to Johns Hopkins University as a research institute for bioengineering innovation and design, and Hunt will pursue a master's degree in bioengineering at Stanford University.
Source: Tiangongshe
ZHANGJIAGANG DINSHENGLIN TRADING CO.,LTD , https://www.dslhouse.com