 |
EVestG Basis For Star Trek 'Psychotricorder'
EVestG is the shorter trade name for electrovestibulography, a new diagnostic technique that could diagnose depression in an hour flat, according to inventor Brian Lithgow. A biomechanical engineer, he refers to the device as a "ECG for the mind".
Lithgow worked with psychiatrists from Monash University to see if it is possible to identify the unique electrical signals of mental illnesses like depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and bipolar disorder. The inventor claims that the device can successfully determine the nature of a disorder before it has manifested in obvious symptoms. The device does not require that a physician operate it; the procedure can be done by a medical technologist. The university is working with a corporate partner to market the technology, calling it EVestG, rather than the more descriptively polysyllabic "electrovestibulography".
To see how it works, watch this surprisingly detailed explanatory video.
(EVestG electrovesibulography demonstration video)
The CEO of Monash University's corporate partner Neural Diagnostics, Dr. Roger Edwards, remarked on the potential of the new technology:
"This could be one of the most significant inventions ever to come out of Monash. CNS disorders cost upwards of $US2 trillion globally and affect one in four people sometime in their lifetime. At present, diagnosing these conditions is done almost exclusively by qualitative measures, through questions and interviews, and it can take many years for sufferers to be correctly diagnosed."
If you're a Star Trek fan, you might be thinking of the psychotricorder, a special version of the tricorder technology that is programmed for use by psychiatrists. The psychotricorder did not require that Dr. McCoy operate it; a medical technician performed the examination. The psychotricorder scanned the patient's brainwaves during questioning and diagnosed mental illness immediately. The device was used in an original series episode Wolf in the Fold, first aired in 1967. In the story, Scotty was an apparent victim of amnesia.
From Science Daily; thanks to Moira for the tip and the reference.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/23/2009)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
Spray-On Skin For Burns From ReCell Kit
Spray-on skin prepared from a patient's own skin cells may be the perfect choice for even severe second-degree burns.
Gregory Benford On Artificial Biological Selection for Longevity
Benford, a physics professor and sf writer, has put his money where Robert Heinlein's mouth was, and created a corporation to extend human life.
Your Thoughts On Youtube?
Scientists pull information out of the brains of people watching Youtube. Make up your own joke, but this method seems to work.
Death Algorithm Developed In Japan
Interesting work raises moral questions; I wonder if this algorithm will me made available in a simple home test.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
At least they were not the 'rude mechanicals'.
Paralysis Ray Uses Photocontrolled Molecular Switch
Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.
Brine Wells May Swallow Towns
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the Quadraturin essence in 1 cup of water.
Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
ChickieNobs, anyone?
Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Foils Carjacker
Better than a car chase.
Robot Martial Arts Videos
Robo-Shiko!
Interactive TV Patent From Sony
Can you dance faster than the White Clown?
Smart Contact Lens With Power Harvesting Circuits
Smart contacts with VR connections.
'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
Droogs! There's water ice on the moon!
FOXP2 Tweak Yields Planet Of The Apes?
Get your filthy words off me, you damn dirty ape!
Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Patsy Cline classic played by robot.
XT-1 Micro Mouse With Blazing Speed
These are fully autonomouse robots.
Escape Pods, Refuge Of ISS Astronauts From Space Junk
Who first thought about escape pods?
Steerable Bowling Ball Is A Cheesy Spherical Robot
Once the province of geeks, now in bowling alleys.
Bio-Mechanics And Micro-Robotic Flight
Micro air vehicles and insect flight.
