The Handstand: An iPad Case… For Your Hand!

The Handstand: An iPad Case… For Your Hand!: "

Do you carry an iPad? Do you need it always stuck to your hand? This is the product for you. This $60 case protects and attaches your iPad to your hand, ensuring you can be “that guy” when people mention iPads. I ran this old girl through her paces and thanks to a very special assistant I discovered that having an iPad stuck to your appendage is not a fun way to live. This patent pending device offers a more ergonomic way to hold your iPad and encourages proper posture, tapping, and Rolfing positions.

Why would someone use this? Probably because they were a doctor or something and needed to make rounds. Otherwise, this is kind of a hindrance to normal existence, especially considering the iPad is strapped down pretty hard to your hand. It’s not uncomfortable by any stretch, but it’s pretty hard to yank off if you need to get at your sidearm or katana.

For $60 this is a pretty pricey single-use item and I wouldn’t recommend it as an “around the home” device. However, if you’re using the iPad for any inordinate length of time on a daily basis, it’s worth a look.

Click through for my hands-on video.

Read more…

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Robotic Surgery Makes Progress, Causes Controversy

Robotic Surgery Makes Progress, Causes Controversy: "

New evidence shows the da Vinci Surgical System works as well as other techniques against some cancers. Is it enough to sway critics of the device and its marketing team?

A new study shows that robotic-assisted surgery for certain tumors is as effective as other minimally invasive surgical techniques. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham examined 89 patients' survival rates and ability to function, and published their findings in yesterday's Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery. "The overall two-year survival rate for these patients was 86.3 percent, which is comparable to the standard treatment," said Alabama's Dr. J. Scott Magnuson in a release.

Evidence like this is much needed if the da Vinci robot used on these patients is to gain ground as a common surgical tool. The da Vinci Surgical System is made by a company called Intuitive Surgical, which has found controversy confronting its work. A New York Times story from February noted that an increase in the device's popularity was not matched by robust data demonstrating the robot's efficacy. 'There is no question there is a lot of marketing hype,' one doctor told the reporter.

The Wall Street Journal followed with a succinct video report of its own, (see below), which summarizes the criticism of the device. The da Vinci system, which costs around $2 million dollars, can actually do more harm than good in the hands of inexperienced surgeons, according to the Journal's sources. And yet the system is often marketed to small regional hospitals as a way to advertise a technological leg-up over the local competition--even though those hospitals' case loads are not large enough to ensure that their surgeons will become expert at the device.

There's little doubt, as these reports show, that the robot may indeed be a great asset in the hands of talented surgeons experienced with the device. But research needs to continue, and patients need to be wary of hype or novelty when it comes to choosing the right technique for them. Medical treatments are--or should be--driven by research, not marketing. Magnuson, for one, says more research is needed. 'This is a relatively new technique, and long-term oncologic outcomes are not available,' he said.

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Back Support and Blood Pressure

Did you know...


Patients seated in a chair position with their backs supported, feet on the floor, and arms at heart level had "consistently and significantly" lower blood pressure readings than people tested while seated on exam tables.


The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses reported these findings based on a study by Melly Turner, RN, of the University of Virginia Health System.

Turner tested male and female clinic patients and found that in those seated in the proper position, systolic pressure readings were 12.5% to 14.2% lower than those who were on exam tables, and diastolic readings were 4.4% to 7.6% lower.

Researchers discovered the majority of healthcare providers were unaware of the chair position recommended in guidelines by the American Heart Association and the Joint Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, Turner says.

From the Movie Theater to the Operating Theater: 3-D Enters a Patient's Body

From the Movie Theater to the Operating Theater: 3-D Enters a Patient's Body: "

Doctors in the U.K. are taking 3-D imagery to a whole new level, starting today: They're performing the world's first remotely-viewed 3-D operation using keyhole surgery.

The surgery is the latest experiment by the Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit in the University of Surrey, which has been working on 3-D endoscopic techniques throughout this year. Today's operation involves capturing 3-D images from inside the patient, transmitted to the surgeon via endoscope.

Meanwhile a fiber-optic cable will run the images to another room where an audience will look on, wearing similar goggles as you do when you're watching a 3-D movie in the theater. It's the first time this has been done, and it's not for the sake of novelty.

The surgeons are testing two things. Will students benefit from the extra detail available in a 3-D presentation of a surgical technique? Will the surgeons be adversely affected by the need to focus in 3-D for extended periods? The stereo image projection system needed for 3-D may lead to eye fatigue. It requires more effort than looking at a projected non-stereo image alone.

The surgeon's eyes will be monitored with eye-tracking cameras to try to assess fatigue and attention deficit. The data will show whether higher-level brain functions, the critical reasoning needed to make the operation work out well, overrule low-level thoughts about processing images--so the experiment is  pushing back the frontiers of cognitive science, too.

So a patient will have twin cameras, plus surgical tools, inserted into their body; a surgeon will use the 3-D images to perform more precise procedures, students will watch 3-D images to learn about medicine, cameras will watch the surgeons eyes, and scientists will try to work out how his brain works. Beats watching Avatar in 3-D on a Blu-ray disc, doesn't it?

To read more news on this, and similar stuff, keep up with my updates by following me, Kit Eaton, on Twitter.

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Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video)

Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video): "

Researchers at Sydney's National ICT Australia (NICTA) have spent the past two years developing an incredibly futuristic invention which could bring relief to those who suffer from chronic pain. What it amounts to is a series of 'smart' chips inserted into biocompatible devices and strung together. These are then sewn into a very small (1.22mm wide) lead made of a polymer yarn and wires, which are then inserted into the spine. The device is them connected to a battery and computer which can measure and gather information about the pain-carrying nerves signalling the brain. The device can also respond by sending 10 volt electrical pulses to block the signals' path to the brain, tricking the brain into thinking there is no pain. There are devices such as this one already in existence, but they are much larger than this new device, and its smaller size increases accuracy as it can be implanted closer to the spine than previous models. The NICTA's device is set to go into human trials next year. Video after the break.

Continue reading Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video)

Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TabGrip, An Unusual iPad “Case”

TabGrip, An Unusual iPad “Case”: "

While this thing looks for all the world like a late night infomercial product, I don’t see why it shouldn’t work. After all, gripping the iPad isn’t the most natural thing in the world. Resting it on your lap or a table, sure, but holding it up? Forget about it. These meaty grippers might just might make toting your iPad around palatable.

Of course, they’re nowhere as slick as the iPad cases I just rounded up, but hey. The TabGrip exists for a different reason. To make that sucker grippable. Plus: fold-out legs. Always good to have.

At $50, it’s about what the other cases cost. It’s not quite as protective or stylish as they are, but to be honest I can see this thing being pretty useful for the around-the-house iPad.

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The Porsche Design Bobsled Is Here, Hope You Brought Your Credit Card

The Porsche Design Bobsled Is Here, Hope You Brought Your Credit Card: "

This isn’t Porsche Design’s entrance into the world of sleds. That happened back in 2008 with the $480 aluminum sled that loosk more like something that a crafty dad would make than something from one of the top design firms ever. This time Porsche Design cut the price, and by the look of it, increased both the function and ergonomics. And yes, we’re talking about a sled here: The Porsche Design Bobsled.

Looks a tad familiar, right? Well, the plastic sled design took cues from downhill skies. The runners even have a slight bend for increased steerability. The seat features a concave design with conveniently-placed handles.

Is this sled faster and “more efficient” than the standard Toys-R-Us special? Probably. But the more important question is will this sled provide $225 worth of entertainment when a $25 sled accomplishes the same task of going down a snow-covered hill? Probably not. [Autoblog]

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The Human Solution Blog

The Human Solution Blog

Skiing and physiotherapy

from The Putney Clinic by The Putney Clinic
by Bhavini Mistry Physiotherapist BSc (Hons), MCSP

Are you planning a ski trip this winter? Whether you're a novice to the slopes or a regular skier, adequate preparation is the key to keeping common injuries to a minimum.

Recent studies of professional skiers found that joint and ligament injuries were amongst the commonest (43%), followed by fractures and bone stress (19%).


The common injuries in skiing:

* Knee injuries – ACL sprain / tears, other ligament sprains
* Lower limb fractures
* Wrist and thumb sprains
* Head injuries
* Upper limb (i.e. collar bone) fractures

Skiing places an extraordinary demand on your body, which you would not naturally exhort in your day-to-day activities. Therefore it is important to start training in advance by spending time on strength and conditioning yourself in the following areas:

* Cardiovascular fitness
* Muscle power
* Balance and proprioception
* Core strengthening
* Flexibility
* Endurance
* Pylometric conditioning

We know injuries are not completely avoidable, but minimizing them can be reduced by seeking professional advice early. A physiotherapy assessment can help you identify areas of weakness, stiffness and potential risks to injury, so come and have prevention screening session before heading to the slopes this season!

With a specific interest in sports injury and rehabilitation; together we can work on Pilates-based core strengthening alongside improving your general well-being!

RH Launches Web Site

RGP Ergo, exclusive distributor of RH Chairs in North America, is pleased to announce the launching of their web site for RH ergonomic seating http://www.rgpergo.com/index.html Said owner, David Solomon, we are really looking forward to working with the ergonomic and human factors community in bringing RH Chairs to the US market.