The 'Medical Mirror' Reads Vital Signs and Encourages DIY Health
Laura McQuarrie — July 28, 2013 — Tech
References: web.media.mit.edu & psfk
MIT Media Lab's Ming-Zher Poh notes that future digital devices will enable DIY health management. In line with this projection, the electrical engineer developed the 'Medical Mirror,' which monitors and displays the vital signs of the person looking into it.
This astonishing development is achieved by reading the level of light reflected off a person's skin. Since blood absorbs light, the mirror uses a webcam to record the light levels emitted from a person's skin. The levels are minute, but can be easily detected and changed in real-time by an algorithm.
Ming-Zher Poh's studies have determined that providing people with devices like the 'Medical Mirror' gives ordinary people "access and control over their own physiological data," which promotes a greater personal investment in health.
This astonishing development is achieved by reading the level of light reflected off a person's skin. Since blood absorbs light, the mirror uses a webcam to record the light levels emitted from a person's skin. The levels are minute, but can be easily detected and changed in real-time by an algorithm.
Ming-Zher Poh's studies have determined that providing people with devices like the 'Medical Mirror' gives ordinary people "access and control over their own physiological data," which promotes a greater personal investment in health.
Trend Themes
1. DIY Health Management - The development of the 'Medical Mirror' encourages individuals to take control of their own health through self-monitoring and data analysis.
2. Non-invasive Vital Sign Monitoring - The 'Medical Mirror' utilizes a webcam and light absorption to detect and display vital signs without invasive procedures.
3. Real-time Algorithmic Analysis - The 'Medical Mirror' uses an algorithm to analyze the reflected light levels in real-time, providing instantaneous feedback on vital signs.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Technology - The development of innovative devices like the 'Medical Mirror' creates opportunities for the healthcare technology industry to improve patient monitoring and engagement.
2. Wellness and Fitness - The integration of DIY health management tools like the 'Medical Mirror' can revolutionize the wellness and fitness industry by empowering individuals to take charge of their own well-being.
3. Personalized Medicine - By enabling individuals to monitor their vital signs at home using devices like the 'Medical Mirror', personalized medicine can be further enhanced through better data collection and analysis.
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