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How Biostamps Can Replace Clunky Biomedical Sensors

An anonymous reader writes: The biostamp--a type of temporary tattoo that feels like skin, yet is laden with electronics--is just about ready for prime time. The technology has entered clinical trials for medical use, and consumer versions, costing just tens of cents, are coming soon. A visit to the University of Illinois researchers developing the technology reveals details about how biostamps work and how they are manufactured. A year from now, don't be surprised if you're wearing one--or two, or three--yourself.

19 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. Something Something Sourceforge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Something Streisand

    http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/06/sourceforge-locked-in-projects-of-fleeing-users-cashed-in-on-malvertising

    1. Re:Something Something Sourceforge by lucm · · Score: 3, Funny

      The real "Streisand effect" is me getting nauseous when I hear "The way we were".

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      lucm, indeed.
  2. Re:Costing 'tens of cents" ?? by Livius · · Score: 1

    It's already cost that. The 'tens of cents' will be extra.

  3. Re:i wonder how long by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    And under the freedom of religion laws they can't force you to use you or penalize you from not having one.

  4. Sharing is caring by penguinoid · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Will it automatically tweet all my health information, or does it only go to my health insurance company?

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  5. Re:"tens of cents" by lucm · · Score: 1

    "tens of cents". Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Hilarious. Regardless of how cheap they are to make, does anyone have any doubt that, when these things reach the marketplace, the bare minimum one will cost is $20. More likely $50+.

    The price difference is for the hotline where people can call to ask if there's gluten in it or to know if part of it was made in Israel. And the liability insurance. And the salary of a a has-been tv star that promotes it on daytime tv. You know - the cost of doing business with the public.

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    lucm, indeed.
  6. Re:Need an STD biostamp by Antique+Geekmeister · · Score: 1

    But where, exactly, will it be worn?

  7. price by cstacy · · Score: 1

    66.6 cents

  8. Re:One such stamp will pay for *all* the research by techno-vampire · · Score: 1

    Glucose tests cost $1/test strip, and even mildly rigorous control takes roughly 5 strips/day.

    That depends on how well controlled your diabetes is. My Endocrinologist has me checking before breakfast and at bed time, only. The only time he wants more is the four days before he sees me, and then he wants before each meal plus bed time. Of course, my readings are well controlled and my Ha1C has been within acceptable limits for the last several years. YMMV, and if you're having trouble with your numbers, I can easily understand needing to take four or five readings a day. Of course, I'm Type II, diagnosed about 13 years ago, but I can understand just how tired of the constant monitoring you can get.

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  9. Re:One such stamp will pay for *all* the research by niftydude · · Score: 1

    Any such stamp that can detect blood glucose reliably would pay for all the research: blood sugar.

    Unfortunately, this technology measures chemicals from perspiration, and sugar levels in sweat or saliva change much more slowly than they do in blood. So by the time these stamps measure a sugar level spike, the person will likely already be in a diabetic coma.

    Blood will be the only option for the foreseeable future.

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    You can never know everything, and part of what you do know will always be wrong. Perhaps even the most important part.
  10. Re:One such stamp will pay for *all* the research by Livius · · Score: 1

    Of course, I'm Type II

    I.e. a completely different disorder with some symptoms in common.

  11. Re:Need an STD biostamp by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    Need an STD biostamp, something that, when you see it, you know the person is safe.

    Fakes in 3..2..1

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  12. Re:Waiting for 'derms by RDW · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for Mona Lisa-style 'derms.

    I was thinking of this bit from Neuromancer:

    "He stepped out of the way to let a dark-suited sarariman by, spotting the Mitsubishi-Genentech logo tattooed across the back of the man's right hand. Was it authentic? If that's for real, he thought, he's in for trouble. If it wasn't, served him right. M-G employees above a certain level were implanted with advanced microprocessors that monitored mutagen levels in the bloodstream. Gear like that would get you rolled in Night City, rolled straight into a black clinic."

  13. Re: Sharing is caring - sharing w/everyone is TMI by mnemotronic · · Score: 1

    Anyone with an NFC will be able to monitor your vitals. Think of the advertising and sales possibilities! Does a certain musical passage raise or lower your BP or pulse rate? Does a certain image or video produce fear or give you a woodie? Now everyone will know and will be able to use that for advertising targeted to your autonomic responses. Resistance is futile.

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  14. Re:One such stamp will pay for *all* the research by Overzeetop · · Score: 1

    So at $5/day x 30 days in a month, and assuming that each tattoo lasts one month, plus the convenience, says that they should retail in the $200-250 each range. Sounds about right?

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  15. Re: Sharing is caring - sharing w/everyone is TMI by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    Companies like CNN already mine your health status by studying what types of links you click on regularly -- news stories about new heart drugs, or cancer, or this helps with urinary tract infections or dialysis patients.

    Doesn't even matter you are just an IP address -- they're selling ads to companies to direct at "someone".

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  16. Re: Sharing is caring - sharing w/everyone is TMI by Aristos+Mazer · · Score: 1

    This is why I advise a privacy policy of clicking on every link you see! Let 'em mine that!
    Plays havoc with a goal of "keep machine free of malware", of course, but, hey, that's the price of privacy these days, right? :-)

  17. Re:Just say no by Aristos+Mazer · · Score: 1

    It's still a tramp stamp, but now it is a tramp stamp that broadcasts just what kind of tramp you are. Herpes? Chlamydia? It'll make classifications much simpler for biologists studying the Wild American Tramp species.

  18. Stamps are for property by AJ_dot · · Score: 1

    I don't know of any futuristic (or past) story where being stamped is a good thing. Common property that is stamped: Slaves Livestock Office furniture Consumer goods I'm none of these.