|
Envisioning the Future
by Stephanie Gooch
Established in 1925 as a non-profit corporation, Battelle Memorial Institute was formally opened in 1929 by Gordon Battelle as a charitable memorial to his family, which was involved in America’s early steel industry. Since then, the R&D corporation has had a hand in developing such products the office copier machine (Xerox), early work on CD technology, and bar code symbols for automated checkout and inventory control. A worldwide staff of 7500 scientists, engineers and supporting specialists researches and develops new technology and products.
According to Larry Barbera, director of industrial design at Battelle’s Healthcare Products division, “There is so much more to making a usable product than just making sure it works. Art and design hit the emotional qualities in people and influences their choices.” This division sponsors an annual challenge within its ranks to spend a month conceptualizing useful future products. This year’s theme was “Future Visions in Remote Diagnostics,” yielding product concepts that include a portable fetal/infant monitor, an earring that monitors glucose levels for diabetic patients, and an electronic “bandage” that can be used in triage situations.
The fetal monitor, dubbed FirstLook, includes a personal ultrasound screen with heart monitor and is internet-capable, allowing the remote data access for the doctor. The unit doubles as a postpartum infant monitor, and is designed within an aesthetically pleasing enclosure.
The unobtrusive E.N.I.G.M.A. earring is based on current research into non-invasive testing methods to monitor glucose levels from interstitial fluids. The concept calls for embedded micro-technology to assess the patient’s condition and administer appropriate medication.
SmartAID sterile, flexible bandage is designed with smart-sensors that can transmit wound analysis directly to remote medical personnel for triage in situations with high casualties. The design also calls for the ability to deliver medication while the patient awaits personal treatment.
All three of these design concepts are based on current research trends and technology; some are already being analyzed for development.
Incidentally, Battelle manages national research laboratories (including Oak Ridge National Laboratory mentioned in this month’s Tech Spotlight — Circle 153), harvesting technology out of the pure research for conversion into commercially viable products.
| 
