A baby born 100 years ago had less than a 50% chance of reaching the age of 65. In contrast, about 80% of children today can expect to live that long. One-third of them will survive to age 85. And not only has life expectancy increased over time, older people are also living healthier, more active lives—thanks to the efforts of design engineers who are dedicating their talent and intellect to extending our years and improving our quality of life as we age.
In this special report on technology for an aging population, we explore the latest advancements in tools used to diagnose and treat two major debilitating and life-threatening diseases—heart disease and diabetes—which can impact people of all ages but are particularly prevalent among seniors. We also examine the latest developments in hearing aid technology, which shows promise in helping the elderly hear more clearly.
In particular, we'll examine the following technologies:
Non-invasive imaging techniques that produce quicker, clearer images of the heart for earlier detection and diagnosis of heart disease
A revolutionary new glucose monitor for diabetics that measures blood sugar levels through the skin for more comprehensive blood sugar reading
A first-of-its-kind implantable hearing aid that eliminates distortion by driving the middle ear directly
Inforbix is leveraging its CAD and product data access technology to power up a free iPad app that lets mobile users search and access engineering data.
Unlike his friends in engineering programs, blogger Jon Titus had little need for calculus except in a few of his college physical-chemistry labs and classes.
In the wake of the Chevy Volt fire investigations, sales are down, and General Motors' (GM) CEO Dan Akerson is blaming the downturn on a spate of bad publicity.
Thanks to embedded electronics, medical devices are getting smaller and smarter than ever. Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators are now able to call physicians. MRIs, CT scanners, and ultrasound machines are gaining mobility. And the venerable Band-Aid may soon be able to detect illnesses ranging from fevers to heart arrhythmias. On February 21, join Design News senior editor Charles Murray for a wide-ranging discussion, "Embedded Angles for Medical Products," which will explore the latest developments in medical electronics. The discussion will examine advances in medical device technology and offer an inside look at the embedded electronics behind it.
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